Mar 22, 2022

Spring Forward

"Spring a time to renew your home and a way to restoring our mind-set.”

I don’t know about you, but Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I love how our outside world looks beautiful with flowers blooming, birds chirping and the cleansing from spring showers. It’s also the season when I like to prepare my home to welcome the elements and invite a sense of rejuvenation.

When we think of “spring cleaning” we think of what our mothers and grandmothers taught us, scrubbing, sweeping, and dusting our homes in a more task driven approach. This season as you embark in the traditional way of cleaning your home, I invite you to have a more mindful approach to things. Focus on areas of your home that needs more attention, take a little more time, but also help nurture your body and spirit as an act of self-care.

“There is more than work in a spring clean. There’s wisdom too. Tending to the space we live in can be a way of restoring our well-being.” - Michelle Sassa | Magnolia Journal

Getting your mind ready for the task on hand will also help you prepare for success. Before you begin, I encourage you to make a plan of the areas in each room that you wish to work on. Think about the time you will need and prioritize each task based upon how long it will take to complete. I always tend to start with the ones that need a little more time and attention first. If you can delegate some of your tasks like window cleaning to a third-party service provider, that may also save you some time to focus on other items on your to-do list.

Execute that plan by going room by room tackling it from top to bottom. It’s ok if each room takes you hours or a day to complete. Don’t put your focus on how long it will take but how the space will feel and look like once you’re done. If you like to block an entire day to clean then perhaps use a timer to help you stay on task, setting a side one hour or two to complete each room.

As you are completing each task enjoy the moment and let your mind give you a sense of peace with pleasant thoughts. I usually like to have soft music playing in the background since it keeps me motivated and focus. This could also be a good time to catch up on that podcast you’ve been wanting to listen to.

When you are done with your “spring cleaning” make sure to reward yourself for the success. Special dinner celebration with the family or a relaxing night at home in your bath.

I understand that sometimes our biggest hurdle to spring cleaning is not knowing where to start so, I’m going to help you out by giving you a checklist that you can use and can at least get you started on the right track.

Here’s a glance on how I spring clean my home and the order that I do it in:

1. PURGE AND DECLUTTER

First thing I like to do when I start a room is to purge and declutter. I put aside items such as clothing, toys, books, and magazines that I don’t really need or use. Most of these items I pile them up separately in a bag or box and get them ready to donate. These items might also be good for a garage sale if you want to try and make a little cash. You will find that as you’re purging you are also decluttering your space. Now your closet and shelves look less cluttered, and the room overall feels soothing and more spacious.

2. ORGANIZING

Since you’re going thru your things why not organize it at the same time. Designate a basket for all those toys that you can place under a bed or in a closet. Organize your pantry using storage containers that will also help dress up the space nicely. The closets are usually the area of a home where we tend to throw things in quickly, so now it’s a good time to also organize that space, and you just might be surprised to find those “eyeglasses you’ve been searching for and thought you had lost”. Having your home in order will also create a sense of peace and tranquility to a space.

3. STORING & CHANGING LINENS

Now that the weather is getting warmer it’s also a good time to put away your winter clothing including your boots and coats. This is the time that I have my coats cleaned which I would recommend have them done at the dry cleaners to avoid damaging it especially if they are wool material. For your leather jackets and boots I clean them by applying water and mild soap first and afterwards a special leather conditioner that will help preserve it. You will be amazed how beautiful and new it will make your leather look. This is also a good time to store your winter linens and replace them with your spring/summer linen. For storing I usually like to use these; it allows them to stay fresh for months and since they can be quite bulky, helps with the storage space. You can freshen up your linens by spraying them with essential oils to invigorate your senses.

4. CLEANING

This is the final step, and the good news is that once this task is complete you will be done. It’s always good to find the right tools and products that will help clean more efficiently. Try to stay away from harsh chemical cleaners and try to use more natural organic products that won’t damage your hard or soft surfaces. By choosing scents, and packaging, that is soothing to you will create an environment where you feel more at home. Dusting vents and changing your furnace filters will improve the air quality of your home. While washing the windows include your screens and it will brighten up your interiors and enhance your outdoor views.

Elevate Your Cleaning: If you want to take your “spring cleaning” to the next level, you can take this time to also refresh your artwork and accessories.  By updating your art on your shelves and mantel to decor that makes you feel cheerful it will help alter the aesthetic of your home.  This is also the time that I like to refresh my houseplants making sure I add color throughout my home to liven up the mood.

When all is done take a moment to appreciate the outcome of your efforts and enjoy the cleanliness and rejuvenation that you get as you walk thru each room of your home. Your home is your sanctuary within and when calm and cleanliness are restored so are you.