5 KEY STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL SPRING CLEANING
Ah, springtime! That time of year when you can open the windows, breathe in the fresh air, listen to the gentle song of the birds and embark on the annual spring clean. It's the perfect time to sort, tidy and deep-clean every room in the house, to make sure you start the season in a healthy and pleasant environment.
I don't think it's any secret that I'm passionate about tidying and cleaning ha ha ha ?!? Indeed, as a space organizer, I love creating harmony in my environment, because cleaning up my spaces makes me feel like cleaning up inside myself too. And that feels good!
Without further ado, I'd like to share my tips and tricks for a successful spring clean. So get out your cleaning products and tools, and let's get started!
1. Planning
Before you start cleaning, take a few minutes to plan your strategy. Which rooms do you want to clean first? What products will you use? Do you need to buy extra supplies? If you're organized, your big clean will be much easier to manage.
2. Declutter
The decluttering stage is an opportunity for you to clear out the clutter and free up space in your home and, by the same token, in your mind! The golden rule is to keep only what you love and what is functional.
Start with one room at a time to avoid spreading yourself too thin or getting discouraged. The kitchen and garage are often rooms that require more time, because we store a lot of stuff in them. So make sure you keep more time to organize them, otherwise you could find yourself still in the middle of chaos at the end of the day.
Take everything out of the cupboards, drawers and shelves and decide whether you want to keep certain items or not. For items you want to part with, you can donate them to charity, sell them or give them to friends.
For sentimental objects or mementos, ask yourself if you really use them, or if you can store them in a more appropriate place.
Personally, I love the decorative keepsake boxes you can find at Homesense or Michaels. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing and will embellish your decor, they are also very practical.
Don't forget that sorting is a great way to get rid of clutter, that it's essential before embarking on the cleaning stage, and that it can give your home a facelift!
3. Cleaning
Now that you've cleared the clutter, it's time for a thorough clean.
One of my favorite products is the BLACK SOAP with camelina! What a wonderful invention! Apparently, black soap has been used for ages by our grandmothers, and I've only recently discovered it. The benefits of its use are numerous and were royally lacking in my culture, let me tell you...
It was thanks to my meeting with the girls from Abieze Laboratoiresa local company specializing in the artisanal, eco-friendly manufacture of household products, that I discovered this miracle product.
What you need to know about camelina soap :
- The black soap that Abieze Laboratoires is the ONLY BLACK SOAP made from camelinaa locally grown resource. It's an innovative product, entirely home-grown and handcrafted in their own laboratory.
- It's a 100 % degreaser that's natural, biodegradable and environmentally friendly, so its multi-purpose use is perfect for respecting our environment.
- It's ideal for washing floors and walls, treating wood surfaces, removing grease and oil stains from surfaces, easily removing fabric stains, and cleaning leather and worktops.
- It's also gentle on the skin, so no more cracking hands or skin reactions to chemicals!
- It's economical and long-lasting, because you only need a small amount to get a deep clean.
- It leaves your home smelling fresh and pleasant, perfect for spring cleaning.
- Finally, use it to create several easy-to-make recipes such as laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner and even to make a natural pesticide.
So it's not enough to use the right household products, we also need to use the right tools! For my part, I like to work with microfiber cloths, which are indispensable for effective cleaning. They attract dust and dirt without leaving a trace - we love them!
For floors and walls, my choice is definitely the Vileda microfiber mop. It's easily malleable thanks to its removable triangle-shaped head, and machine washable. What's more, its bucket with pedal spin system is efficient for fast drying and use. Saves a lot of trips to the sink, that's for sure...
Here's a little checklist to help you think of all the little nooks and crannies that might need a little more attention than usual:
- Windows and screens
- High shelves and cabinet tops
- Fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air conditioners
- Seasonal bedding before storing (pillowcases, sheets, comforters).
- Frequently touched surfaces (door handles, switches, faucets and kitchen surfaces)
- Carpets, upholstery fabrics
- Walls, floors and mouldings
- Etc.
4. Organization
Once your spaces are decluttered and clean, it's time to organize them to optimize space. Storage bins, shelves, dividers and hooks are essential tools for keeping everything in order.
Think about how you use each room and organize it in a way that's easy and logical for YOU. In the kitchen, for example, you might decide to keep pots and pans near the stove, spices near the prep area and dry foods in a pantry.
Prioritize overhead storage for lighter, less-used items, space between shoulders and hips for items you use every day, and lower storage for younger family members and items that don't require much bending or straining.
5. Maintenance
To keep your home clean and organized all year round, it's important to maintain it regularly. Set up a weekly maintenance schedule to keep your spaces clean and organized.
For example, Mondays can be reserved for cleaning bathrooms, Wednesdays for vacuuming and mopping floors, and Saturdays for doing laundry and cleaning the kitchen.
Others prefer to go the whole hog and devote an entire day of the week to cleaning. For those who don't particularly like cleaning, or simply can't find the time to do it, you can always call in a cleaning company (Housekeeping zest is a dynamic team specializing in housekeeping, serving mainly the north of Montreal and the lower Laurentians) or hire an independent cleaner.
Conclusion
Spring cleaning may seem like a chore, but by following my simple tips and tricks, you can make the process easy and even fun. Don't forget to put on some music and involve all family members to make the process more enjoyable. For a FREE evaluation of StéZen for your organization project, book your time slot now by clicking ICI or contact us by phone or e-mail: (514)547-2229 | [email protected]
