Ahhh it’s that time of year when it’s wonderful to open your windows and let fresh air flow through your home. Before the nice weather comes around and you’ll want to spend the majority of your days outside. You may want to have a little spring clean. Read on to discover why and how to spring clean your home.
WHY TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR HOME
OK guys, I’ll admit this straight away. It feels strange to talk about ‘spring cleaning’ without having our own home. Nathan and I are currently living with Nathan’s parents and we are on the hunt for our very first home to buy.
And let’s just say that that has been… interesting with Covid happening. But as we always say, it will happen in Gods timing. Our timing is not His timing and our ways are not His ways (Isaiah 55:8, Proverbs 16:9, and Ecclesiastes 3:1).
We’ve also had so much more time to think carefully about what we want from our very first home. Because buying a house is a BIG financial decision and investment friends. You don’t want to rush yourselves into a financial and literal trap. Despite not having our own home. I still like to do what I can to create that ‘spring clean-feeling’. It’s a lovely way to mark the coming of a new season.
Because let’s think about this for a moment. We’ve just had a dark and rainy winter in which we’ve spent a lot of time inside. Our windows were mainly shut to avoid that frosty air or rain coming in. And our heating was often turned up high to make sure we wouldn’t be cold. With the days turning longer and brighter. It’s suddenly impossible to avoid any dust, grime, and spots that have built up over the past months.
Since the weather isn’t good enough yet to spend most of our days outside in the garden or on the beach, this is it. This is the time to get your house in order. Because if you like gardening, you’ll soon have your hands full! And if you are one of those people that loves to soak up the sun when you can. You won’t want to worry about doing things in the house when the weather improves.
HOW TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR HOME
To spring clean is to really take the time to get to those nooks and crannies in your house that you usually oversee. It’s a great incentive to remind yourself of those cleaning or organising tasks that you tend to forget. Like maintaining and cleaning your appliances or technology for example. Or washing your winter coats and accessories before storing them away.
When you search online, you’ll be able to find extensive lists that will be useful when organising your spring clean. Some of those lists recommend to go from room to room. While other lists group different types of tasks together.
I wouldn’t say that there is a ‘best way or system’ to go about your spring clean. It depends on how your mind works and what your preferences are. You might be the type of person who needs to see visual progress to stay motivated. In that case you might want to go from room to room when you spring clean. If you are the type of person who finds it tricky and is slower when switching between different types of tasks. Then you might want to consider grouping the different tasks.
Two tips that I would definitely give is to go into it with a plan and one that suits YOU. A spring clean well planned is half done. Each home is different so not all of the tasks on the example lists given above will be relevant for you.
HOW TO START YOUR LIST
I would recommend to start out by creating your own list of tasks per room. You can always group the types of tasks together afterwards if you prefer to use that method. Walk through each room and write down tasks you can think of.
When you do, consider the following things in a room:
– the trim: skirting, window casings, door casings etc.
– the hardware: door knobs, vent covers, light fixtures etc.
– the appliances: hoover, washing machine, dishwasher, refridgerator etc.
– the technology: laptops, phones, tv’s etc.
– the linen: duvets, pillow(covers), curtains etc.
– the furniture: headboard of your bed, in between the pillows of your couch, on top of cupboards etc.
– the storage: the drawers under your bed, under sink storage space, the boxes in your garage etc.
After you’ve written those tasks down. You could complement them with tasks mentioned on example lists. Because you may oversee or forget tasks.
Even when you do start your spring clean, it’s wise to still have paper and pen around. In case you think of extra tasks along the road. Write those down when you think of them and do those tasks either between your other tasks if they are quick and easy. Or do them after you complete the entire spring clean if the tasks could demotivate you or could take long.
Another great tip that I came across was to have storage units or bags with you as you spring clean. Items you come across that you need to throw, repair, move, or donate can be put in those storage units or bags. By following this method, these items won’t stop you in your tracks as you go about your spring clean.
There you have it! The why and how to spring clean your home. I am extremely curious, do you usually have a spring clean? And if so, do you enjoy it or is it more of a burden to you?
Much love,
Jenna
