Spring is a time of renewal, warmer weather and love. A Spring clean can remove Winter heaviness and add lightness into your home. Whether you’re cleaning the bathroom, bedroom , kitchen or living areas , we girls at oohm like to follow a basic process that helps make Spring cleaning easier.
So where to you start? The first thing to do is make a plan so the task is not so overwhelming. Start with one or two tasks at a time and work through them when you have spare time. I like to start with my room, particularly clearing the wardrobe. I find it liberating to toss out old or outdated clothing and accessories. Belle 2 starts with the kitchen. She clears out the fridge and pantry first, before applying some elbow grease to clean the oven and cupboards. You will know which room you want to start with that will help keep you motivated.
Always complete one area before you move onto the next ,as there is nothing worse than being overwhelmed by half completed jobs everywhere.
Spring Cleaning : a quick guide to making your home bloom
1.Declutter ~ Go through your cupboards, shelves etc one item at a time and ask yourself these questions ~ Do I need this? When was the last time I used this? - Does it have stains or holes? - Is it worth fixing? Whether clothes or utensils the process is the same.
Separate your items into four piles: keep, store, donate/sell and toss. Only place items in the throw away pile if they are ruined beyond repair. Otherwise, place them in the donate or sale pile. Put the “donate” and “trash” piles into large plastic trash bags, and physically remove them from the area you are cleaning. If you prefer to sell your items, list them on an online site like eBay or find a local consignment store.
If you can’t decide what to do with an item, keep it for a while and see if you really do need it.
2.Storage ~ Use bins and boxes to store similar items together. For example, keep all of your winter hats and scarves in one box and belts in another, plastic containers together and pots and pans in one draw or cupboard. Create a place for everything. I even use mini baskets for my makeup, separating eye products from face products, and hair products. Add hooks to cupboards, as they are great for arranging smaller items like jewellery , cups or tea towels etc
3. Cleaning ~ Now you can clean the room from top to bottom (ceiling to floor). vacuum the floors, and wipe down of the shelves, doors and accessories. Don’t forget the light fittings and replace the bulbs if needed. Lastly open the windows and let the Spring air blow away the Winter cobwebs. Always use cleaning products that you like. Reline drawers and shelves if they need it.
4. Refresh Decor ~ For an extra sparkle, renew something in your room. A splash of colour with some new cushions or bedding, paint a few accessories in a on trend colour and make the space light and inviting.
5.Outdoors ~ Don’t forget the outdoors. Pressure clean the house, paths and courtyard. Trim the garden and plant fresh botanicals. Clean gutters, barbeque and verandahs and update the décor with something new or repaint the furniture.
Now you don’t have to do it all in one go. It is better to work through your plan bit by bit and reward yourself after each session with something you love to do. A cup of tea, biscuit and a great home magazine like Insideout will certainly recharge my battery. There maybe some jobs you prefer to get a professional to do. I hate cleaning windows so thats what I leave to a professional. We can’t be good at everything.