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Why Is Spring Cleaning Important?

As we emerge from the winter months, signs of growth and renewal are all around us. It is only natural to want to emulate this fresh feeling in our living spaces as well. Cleaning, organizing, and decluttering can have health benefits both physically and mentally. As far as the physical benefits of spring cleaning, giving your home, office, or other frequently used spaces a good clean can get you up and moving which promotes things like heart health.

Changing sheets and pillowcases, and washing comforters and bedding can also aid in better sleep and reduce allergens. Cleaning and changing out air filters in the home as well as vacuuming and dusting can reduce allergens and enhance air quality which can be especially beneficial for those with asthma or seasonal allergies. As we come out of the winter months, we are hopefully leaving cold and flu season behind. Doing a deep clean and disinfecting surfaces can help rid the home of viruses, bacteria, and other irritants, and help give the immune system a break!

Our physical health isn’t the only thing that benefits, cleaning and organizing can enhance our mood, and our mental health as well. Clearing out our space can improve mental clarity, lift the mood, and be a great stress relief. This can be especially beneficial in the bedroom as it can help improve quality of sleep. Susie Salinas, owner of Systems by Susie says “Time and money, or the lack thereof, are huge stressors for most people. Home organization can save you both! When everything has a home, you are no longer wasting precious minutes in the morning searching for everything you need to get out the door. And when you (and your family members) know where everything is, you’re much less likely to buy things that you already have… Organization also reduces visual clutter, which can be anxiety-inducing for some people. When things are put away and you have less stimuli, your brain can relax a little bit more at the end of a long day. As one of our clients described it, she said she could finally “exhale.”

Janice Lentz, a Professional Organizer and owner of Heart and Home Organizing says “An organized home will bring peace to your living space. Studies show that living in an organized home can reduce a person’s stress level and improve their overall health. A person will sleep better in a room that is not full of clutter. A family is more likely to eat healthy meals if their kitchen is free of clutter. Having an organized home will also save you money. There is less food waste when you know what you have and where to find it.”

How To Get Started

The end product sounds rewarding, but the process of getting there can be daunting. While it is totally possible to DIY your spring cleaning to-do list, there are also many professionals willing to help with your organizing and cleaning needs, whether it be weekly, monthly, or on an as-needed basis. Janice and Susie have a few tips for getting started on your cleaning and organizing goals.

Common Pitfalls

Janice says many people let things like guilt prevent them from reducing clutter. “Many people can’t let go of items that have been given to them by someone they love,” she says. “if someone you love gives you a gift, their intention is for good. They want to make you happy or show you love. If that gift becomes a burden, it is not doing what it was intended to do.”

Susie says that another major problem people face is the dreaded “Drop Zone” “There are certain areas of our home that we use most during hurried times of the day - these places (like closets, bathrooms, kitchens, and mudrooms/entryways) can build clutter fast.” She says that prioritizing organizational systems and routines can help resolve the clutter and keep it from returning.

Susie also says that the burden of knowing where to find things should never fall to just one person. She says that things like labeling allows “where to find things” to become shared knowledge with the entire family, and even guests.

Top Tips

Both Janice and Susie say that starting small is the key to success. They recommend things like picking one small area like a junk drawer and not creating a stress-inducing situation by doing something like emptying the entire content of your bedroom closet on the floor all at once.

“The process is always the same.” Says Susie. “First, take everything out. Second, categorize things into groups. Third, edit and declutter. Get rid of anything that you don’t use or that doesn’t belong in that space. Fourth, add containment. Fifth and finally, add labels so your space STAYS organized.” Getting organized is only effective if it stays that way. Janice says that setting up systems and tips on how to keep things organized is the key to keeping up the trend. Her big tip, “Everything must have a home.” Susie says that her family engages in what they call a

“Weekly Reset.” “Each Sunday my kids put away piles around the house, do their laundry, and help out with various chores. My husband opens all the mail, deals with all the paperwork, and we do a calendar sync. I handle meal planning and food prep, including cleaning out the refrigerator. Our house is never “Pinterest Perfect” but everything has a home and can be reset quickly.”

You Can Organize On A Budget

The idea of hiring a professional cleaner or organizer might have you questioning the cost. The good news is, organizing your home can be done on any budget. “Although having a Pinterest-looking pantry or closet is wonderful, it is not necessary. Organizing products have greatly increased in price over the past 2 years,” says Janice. “You can often achieve the same organizing goals by repurposing some items you may already have in your home.” Susie says that decluttering alone makes a big difference and it costs you nothing!

When To Hire A Professional

If the idea of coming up with systems is too overwhelming, you might find it helpful to call in a professional. “More than anything, professional organizers make it easy to set up systems and organization for your home.” Says Susie. “Messes don’t scare us. Often people think they need to clean up or organize before hiring a pro organizer. We always tell our clients not to touch anything. It actually helps us to see where the natural “hot spots” are.”

Both Susie and Janice say that often the most difficult things to contend with are those feelings of guilt when it comes to handling items of sentimental value. They say that a professional can help look at things without emotion and help identify what should be let go of, what should be kept, and how best to store, display, or preserve it. “A professional will help you stay on target. Some people need permission to let go of things. Some people need to talk about the item to someone before they let it go,” says Janice.

By Claire Darcy