tackling spring cleaning

6 Easy Tips For Tackling Spring Cleaning

BY AMY VAN DEN DIJSSEL

It’s time to throw open your windows and let the fresh air in. Springtime presents the perfect opportunity to refresh your home for the new season and beyond. And, experts say it's good for you! Decluttering boosts your productivity and makes you happier. It also improves your health by reducing allergens in your home. You’ll feel better and you’ll have more time for the things that are most important to you.

Here are some suggestions for taking on your spring cleaning:

1. DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE FIRST Before you start cleaning, go through your home and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Place items in three different piles: keep, donate and throw away. Now is a great time to give your adult children those “special” items you’ve been storing for them for years!

When you work on one area, such as the linen closet, take everything out and then sort. This way, you’ll keep only what you need and be able to organize the rest when you put it away.

2. CREATE A ROOM-TO-ROOM CHECKLIST OF ITEMS TO CLEAN Create your to-do list by room. It may help to start in one smaller area of the room; for example, clean out your refrigerator or the junk drawer in your kitchen. Make a similar checklist for each space in your home.

3. MOVE YOUR FURNITURE To clean each area of your home more thoroughly, make sure to move all items before you start. For example, when you move your couch, remove all the cushions and vacuum the area they covered up. Take all items off surfaces before you deep clean. Don’t forget the tops of the cabinets and closets!

4. CLEAN WALLS, WINDOWS,

BASEBOARDS AND DOORS Cleaning scuffs and dirt off your walls, baseboards and doors will give your home a fresh look without having to repaint. Cleaning windows will give you a brighter view which will also lift your spirits. Consider hiring a professional window cleaner for the outside of your windows if you’re not able to do them yourself. It’ll be worth every penny.

5. DO SEASONAL TASKS Put all your winter clothing away in clear plastic storage boxes so you can find them easily in the fall. You can also use vacuum packing bags to save on storage space. Avoid the temptation to keep those extra pants that no longer fit or are totally out of style; you will truly never wear them again!

Head outside and clean your grill and outdoor furniture.

6. DON’T FORGET THE DIGITAL CLUTTER Digital clutter can also bog you down. Take some time to go through old emails and files you don’t need any more and delete them once and for all. This will clear up space on your computer and, once again, leave you feeling more organized and peaceful.

If this all seems overwhelming, try setting a timer for five minutes and start on one small area. As you finish each area, you’ll see the results and want to do another one. Once you’re done with everything, sit back and enjoy your freshly cleaned and organized home. Now, you can get back to doing what you love the most!

n n n Amy van den Dijssel is the marketing and social media manager at Changing Places, LLC. Carol Lightbody and Paula Meighan co-founded Changing Places in 2005. The Senior Move Management company assists older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation and/or aging in place. To learn more about their services, check out www.changingplaces.info and ChangingPlacesNY on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn