The sun is out and the days are getting longer, which means spring is here. This is a great opportunity to spring clean your house.

The thought of spring cleaning can be overwhelming, but when it’s done, there is a sense of contentment and relaxation.

Spring cleaning your house also doesn’t have to be stressful if you are organised and prepared.

Ditch the toxic cleaning products

Some families choose to minimise their exposure to the chemicals that are frequently added to household cleaning products.

There are many natural cleaning products on the market, but why not go the extra step and make your own! They can also be cheaper in the long run.

Here is one all purpose cleaner recipe:

• One cup white vinegar
• One cup water
• Lemon rind
• Lavender essential oil drops (or any other oils you enjoy)

Combine the above ingredients together, pour into a spray bottle and then shake.

Make a list

Making a list will keep you organised and in control. It’s also useful to make a list for each room to clean and declutter, for example:

Room 1

• Items to be donated
• Items to be thrown away
• Items to buy (containers, baskets, shelves, etc.)
• Family member in charge

Start small

It’s important to start small and tackle one room at a time, this way you don’t get overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done. Plan ahead your days or weeks, and start by decluttering and organising. Once that is completed, you can start on the cleaning.

Declutter your home

Clutter in homes has been shown to increase the stress response and affect your health and wellbeing. Our physical environments significantly influence our cognition, emotions and behaviours, including our relationships with others and ourselves.¹

Get the family involved

Even though there may be some resistance to your children helping, getting them involved in the decluttering process will also give them a sense of achievement. They may even discover new toys or items that they were missing! Put on some music and have fun with your family.

Establish a new cleaning routine

After all your hard work, make sure you establish a new cleaning routine that will maintain your efforts for a while to come. Get the family involved in this new routine and make each member in charge of a chore around the home. This will also promote a sense of responsibility and will make your job much easier.

Blog post written by Complete Corporate Wellness. Visit their website: https://www.completecorporatewellness.com.au/

References

1. Misha Ketchell, “Time for a Kondo clean-out? Here’s what clutter does to your brain and body”, The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/time-for-a-kondo-clean-out-heres-what-clutter-does-to-your-brain-an d-body-109947