The sun has been out for days in Northeast Indiana, and spring is nearly here! We’re already enjoying longer days, warmer winds, and birds moving back to the neighborhood. With all that sunshine streaming in through the windows, however, we may also be noticing some not-so-enjoyable things: dirt! dust! cobwebs! So, while the first spring flowers push through the soil and birds build their nests and bees get busy, we too can get to work sweeping out the stale remnants of winter and clear the way for all things spring.
Whether you anticipate spring cleaning each year with a plan in hand, or you find yourself surprised by the amount of dust along the baseboards each March, some fresh tips can put that spring in your step and send you well on your way to a fresher, more restful space.
Tip #1: Get Rid of the Overwhelm
It’s been a year. After months of sheltering in place and quarantines, it’s no wonder things may have piled up. For some of us, added emotional stress can make us want to hibernate. Even small tasks like dealing with mail or wiping up cooking spatters can feel like too much. Others may channel their anxieties into cleaning, since it’s something they can control. As it turns out, daily tidying can be a great way to care for ourselves.
Psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter says that clutter is often linked with negative emotions like confusion, tension, irritability, and worry. Clean spaces, however, are linked with positive emotions like happiness, calm, and a sense of well-being. When we tidy our spaces, we are more likely to feel restful, rather than distressed. After a year of troubling news and constant concern, taking the time to clean our spaces can do wonders for our mental health.
Tip #2: Keep It Easy
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every spring. If you already have your cleaning routine down pat, good for you! Grab a few new sponges, revive your supplies, and be on your way. If clutter and dust take you by surprise every year, however, you may need a little help getting started. Printable checklists can take the guesswork out of where to start and what to do. These checklists cover everything from organizing clutter, tidying rooms, deep cleaning forgotten spaces, and yard work too.
Tip # 3: Make It Interesting
Sometimes adding in a little something new can spark interest in otherwise tedious chores. That might mean splurging on a new cleaning product you’ve heard about—or making your own DIY cleaners. Decide what would be fun or unconventional and give it a try. You might consider adding lemon to your cleaning routine, for example. From refreshing stinky sinks to getting tricky stains out of cutting boards to loosening microwave grime, lemons can energize your cleaning routine easily and inexpensively. These tips from Good Housekeeping include lemon power and even offer ideas for cleaning your cleaning supplies!
Or, reward yourself. You’ve earned it! Did you you remove all the shoes, coats, and mats from the entryway and wipe everything down? Good job! Treat yourself to a new rug, or a welcome mat, or a wreath for your door. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Just a little something fresh that you like will do the trick and make the space feel special again.
Tip # 4: Add a Special Touch
Once you’ve finished your deep clean, do a little something special for your home. You’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor all the more with these super simple ideas. For starters, go ahead and make your entire home smell amazing. It’s as easy as placing unlit candles in spaces like the linen closet, coat closet, or under the shoe rack—anywhere fabrics will absorb their scent.
Next, bring in some flowers and adorn all those newly cleared spaces. You can do this on the cheap. Many grocery stores sell discounted flower bouquets that are on their way out. Pick out the best blooms and place them in bud vases throughout the house. Think bathroom countertops, kitchen windowsills, bedside, and anywhere else that could use a fresh burst of color.
The effort will be worth it. From clearing clutter to keeping things interesting, spring cleaning this year can help lighten your mood and make your home a welcoming space for you.
The Cedars Retirement Community
The Cedars Retirement Community is a beautiful lakeside retirement residence located just outside of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Cedars believes in providing the highest quality of life and opportunity for seniors at almost all levels of mobility and health. We are operating with great care during this pandemic and are following all guidelines issued by the CDC and ISDH. Please contact us with any questions you may have.