Refresh Your Space

Cleaning - how is that word even defined. I googled the definition and according to Collins Dictionary, cleaning is “the act of removing dirt or something undesirable.”

Then what pops in my head for this time of year - Spring Cleaning. Ugh, right? So yep, I google the phrase and how that came to be “a thing.” Now this was interestingAccording to The History & Psychology of Spring Cleaning, published April 29th, 2021, “In Persian culture, spring cleaning traces back 3,000 years ago to a spring tradition called khaneh tekani. This translates to ‘shaking the house.’ It was believed that sweeping up dust and removing clutter from one’s home would prevent ill-fortune in the upcoming year.” Ha! Who would have known? Now that we know the history - will that make Spring Cleaning any easier for us? You’re probably guessing nope!

As Americans, we actually do spring clean. A survey by American Cleaning Institute found that 78% of Americans spring clean at least once a year. That was shocking to me as I do try to keep an orderly, clean house, yet the spring cleaning act is hard. So let’s take a quick look at the checklist for Spring Cleaning and how to get it done in a way that is the fastest, easiest, and most productive.

• Make a list or do not make a list. By this age in life, you know if making a list will stress you out or help you organize. Personally, if I see a long list I immediately go into “stress mode” thinking there is no way I can do all of it. Yet many people like the organization of the list and crossing items off makes them feel productive. Now, you can even search for Spring Cleaning lists on all social media platforms.

• Start in the least used room and only one room at a time. As I researched the best way to tidy the house, this idea came as a surprise to me. As I learned, start in a room that is unused and guess what? By the time you actually finish Spring Cleaning the rest of your spaces that room will still be organized and probably clean.

• Start in the worst corner of the room and work your way around. By starting in the most unorganized corner you have the feeling of accomplishment as you work your way around the room. If you start in the easiest corner - guess what? By the time you get to the messy area you stop! I know, I was totally shocked too!

• Always work from top to bottom. This is easy as we know the dust falls and once we are done at the top just sweep, mop and call it done!

• The walls and windows need some love as well- inside and out. If you have windows that you are not able to get to outside, there are plenty of services that can help pressure wash windows, the house, even the driveway and porches. It is so very nice to have a clean home on the outdoors as well as inside!

** One important note - if you have a home that has builder grade paint do not wipe the walls down with water as it will stain the wall. For the walls, it would be better to take a small roller brush and use the paint the builder left for you. Yep, learned that one the hard way! **

• There are so many tips, tricks and hacks regarding cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, dishwasher, oven, etc. Take a little time to see what those quick easy ways are. People have loved to share how they easily clean a rotating fan or the mold in the bathroom with a tool you can grab on Amazon. Just get creative and do a few searches and you would be amazed at the creativity and genius out there!

• Don’t forget to clean out and organize the drawers- kind of everywhere. Sorry, I said it! I also believe everyone should have at least one junk drawer as well. You would be amazed at what our drawers hold that we no longer need.

• Carpets and Floors - take your time with this. If you do have carpet I would recommend a carpet clearing service or renting a carpet cleaner from just about any grocery story these days. We have carpets in the bedrooms and own a carpet cleaner. Something about the smell of freshly cleaned carpets and floors just makes me happy!

• Be sure to move the furniture and clean under appliances. If your furniture is hooked together (like a couch) be sure to take it apart and use a cleaner for the surface you have. It is pretty “amazingly disgusting” what gets between couches and under appliances.

• Last, but not least be sure to change out all HVAC filters. Be sure to also keep the air you breathe clean!

Now that we have gotten the dirt and dust out - it will be so fun to freshen up your home with the new and latest trends for 2023. Coming in May we will talk colors, decorating trends and even have a Question and Answer survey you can complete so I can help y’all in the best way!