SPRING CLEAN YOUR HOME (AND YOUR CLOSET)
‘Tis the season to dust off your spring essentials and prepare to get your home out of hibernation. Because it’s been around for years, spring cleaning is considered a tradition that allows you to update your home in time for the warmer months. It may seem intimidating, but it’s actually fun! You get to outfit your home with new furniture and transform your nook into a cozier, brighter one.
Don’t know where to start? We got you. We’ve detailed seven tips to help spring you into action. From upgrading your storage to organizing your pantry, here’s how to make your 2021 spring cleaning successful.
For your home…
1. Go room by room
Cleaning room by room is an efficient way to tackle chores without feeling overwhelmed. Create a checklist for each room with all the things you need to accomplish. Prioritize the spaces that were neglected during winter, then work your way up to more manageable tasks.
If you’re cleaning your bedroom, swap your duvets with lighter blankets or add bright-colored throws to brighten up your space.
You might like these:
2. Involve your entire household
You can complete chores faster when you have people helping you out, so why not get your family to join in on the fun? Make sure you assign age-appropriate tasks so that everyone feels included. Put some tunes on to lighten the mood while you’re decluttering or burn a scented candle to set the atmosphere.
You might like these:
3. Don’t use too many cleaning products
Keep your cleaning items to a minimum, making sure you only shop for products that you need the most. Too much can create clutter (which is what you’re trying to avoid in the first place). Opt for an all-purpose cleaner, or better yet, make your own!
For example, with baking soda alone, you can create a simple cleaning solution that’s cheap and environment-friendly. You can pour it in a cute spray bottle and store a few in different rooms.
You might like these:
4. Clear the clutter
This tip is pretty obvious, but trust us when we say it’s an integral part of your whole spring cleaning process. It’s best to have a systemic approach for more efficient cleaning instead of getting rid of clutter right away. First, identify which areas are the most disorganized. Next, analyze the root cause of said clutter and look for solutions.
Try to sort out all your belongings—which items deserve to stay, be donated, or thrown in the trash. Having good storage boxes or cabinets will make this job much easier.
Another solution is to hold a garage sale. This way, you can declutter and earn a few bucks at the same time.
You might like these:
For your closet...
5. Get a nice storage cabinet
An exemplary storage cabinet can do wonders for your space, whether you plan to store home items or clothes. It makes it easier for you to identify where people in your household keep certain things so that you won’t have difficulty finding something when you need it the most.
In addition to cabinets and dressers, hanger racks are a good option for closet organization. Let us share this nifty trick we picked up from years of decluttering: Turn all your hangers so that they’re facing away from you; and whenever you wear something (like a coat or jacket), turn the hanger the other way around to see which pieces are used the most. This method can give you an idea of what could be worth saving or given away.
You might like these:
6. Invest in new basics
This goes without saying, but basics are forever. They almost always “spark joy” whenever you open your closet because they’re easy to style with other items in your wardrobe. However, it’s also probably a good time to update them with higher-quality pieces, especially if your favorites are already well-worn.
For instance, you can elevate a simple tee with something more feminine, like a pleated blouse. You can also trade your fave skinny jeans for a more tailored pair without veering away from the classics. The key is to look for timeless silhouettes with a more modern twist.
You might like these:
7. Keep your wardrobe balanced
This might seem crazy, but hear us out: Try laying all your clothes down. All of them. Doing so can give you a clearer perspective of your entire wardrobe; you may realize that you have an excessive number of black shirts and only one dress. Take note of these ‘gaps’ when you clear out your closet, so you know which ones to give away and which ones to buy the next time you go shopping.
If you have more tops than dresses, you might like to include these on your shopping list:
Spring Cleaning Should Be Fun, Not Daunting
It may seem tiring at first, but spring cleaning can be a yearly tradition that the whole family can enjoy. Seeing your home transform into a brighter space after the cold winter is refreshing, not to mention inspiring for the next seasons to come. Just keep the above-mentioned tips in mind, and you’ll be a spring cleaning pro in no time!
