If you’re anything like us and you have been working from home or just spending an excessive amount of time between your four walls the past 5 months, you’ve probably begun to get antsy and started tossing closets and cupboards in an attempt to de-clutter and refresh your space. This new trend in ‘Covid cleaning’ is sweeping the nation. People everywhere are emptying drawers, donating old items and deep cleaning everything from their blinds to their pillows.
We’ve put together some hacks for cleaning and de-cluttering to assist you with your quest for a more efficient, more organized and healthier home.
DE-CLUTTERING STRATEGY
The space where you spend your time greatly affects your general wellbeing – both physically and mentally. It should be the place where you feel the most comfortable, the most at peace. If spending time in your home isn’t relaxing, it’s probably time for some decluttering and organizing.
1. MAKE A PLAN
Make a list. We love lists. Outline separate categories like clothes, shoes, ornaments, kids’ items, paperwork, etc. then tackle each one at a time. This will help keep the task from feeling too overwhelming.
2. YES OR NO?
When sorting through categories of belongings, don’t put anything away until you’ve gone through each and every item and grouped them into definitive ‘yes’ or ‘no’ piles. This will cut down on your workload considerably as you can then devise an organization strategy for the ‘yes’ pile and a removal strategy for the ‘no’ pile.
3. DO YOU LOVE IT?
Finding if difficult to let go? For each item in question ask yourself “do I love it” and “do I use it”. If the answer to either of these questions is ‘no’ then the item should go into the discard pile. The only exception to this rule is if the piece has sentimental value. You may want to consider a special box or place in the closet to house mementos, so they are neatly and safely kept without adding excess clutter.
4. PASS IT ALONG
Once you have completed the sorting process, it’s an important mental step to actually get the discard pile out of your home. A great option for this is to donate the items to local charities so other families can benefit from your old treasures. The Diabetes Association, Goodwill and Value Village all have great collection programs that assist a wide range of individuals.
5. A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING
Once you’ve gotten rid of everything you don’t need or no longer want, it’s time to organize your belongings so that each and every piece has a designated storage spot. This is the fun part. There are so many great storage solutions and organizational tools to give your newly uncluttered space great energy and appeal. Check out suggestions on Pinterest and online design magazines or visit experts like the Solutions Store (https://solutions-stores.ca/) or Ikea (https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/) for terrific ideas and products.
A GOOD CLEAN
Much like taking a deep cleansing breath, a good house cleaning session can make you feel refreshed and invigorated. Now that you’ve gotten rid of your excess things and organized the rest, it’s time for the finishing touch. The mental and physical health benefits of periodically cleaning out the nooks and crannies (or in this case, the blinds and baseboards) are undeniable. With cleanliness top-of-mind the last few months there are tons of great resources popping online with expert tips and time saving hacks to help you scrub your stovetop and shine your hardwood. Some links to check out include:
- www.instagram.com/gocleanco/
- www.realestate.com.au/lifestyle/29-one-minute-cleaning-hacks-to-transform-your-home/
- https://clark.com/family-lifestyle/home-cleaning-hacks/
- https://deliberatelyhere.com/spring-cleaning-hacks/
Clutter, disorganization, and general mess can affect our mood, our thoughts and even our behaviours – especially during times of stress or change. Eliminating clutter from your living area and cleaning the slate both literally and figuratively will enable you to have a greater sense of calm and control, increase your productivity, boost your energy levels and give you more freedom to enjoy your life and your home.
