A guide to spring cleaning and decluttering
I began a declutter at the weekend to gain the ultimate clutter-free home for the first time since moving in. And it gave me an idea to write this post with all my tips and tricks for decluttering yourself!
With more of us spending time at home once again, it’s easy to notice the spring cleaning has come to the forefront of so many of our minds. Whether you’re cleaning and decluttering to move house or simply want to freshen the place up for yourself, I’ve provided some top tips to make it easier!
1. Break it down
Everything is better with a plan, and your spring cleaning is no exception. It doesn’t have to be completed in one day, in fact, it’s better to break it down and spread it out a little so you don’t get overwhelmed and end up quitting partway through.
The best method is to take it one room at a time and make a plan of what you want to tackle. Start small and work your way up, and if you find yourself getting stressed out, step back and take a break. Decluttering can be an emotional task and rushing it will only make things more difficult for you.
If you know that you’re prone to struggling with cleaning and decluttering, set yourself little goals and slowly work your way up. Tackle the cupboard under the stairs, or the junk drawer in the kitchen, and when you see the difference it will encourage you to move onto bigger areas!
2. Start with a huge clear out
Before you can adapt the habits needed for a clutter-free home, you need to have a huge clear-out first. In most cases, this means dedicating a full weekend to getting rid of all the stuff you don’t need. That sounds like a lot of time, but sorting takes a lot of time. Especially if you’re like me and you start trying clothes on, or start reading the book before you can get to the point of throwing it away.
I find it easiest to take EVERYTHING out of the cupboard/drawer you’re working with and then make a pile for bin, a pile for charity and a pile for keep. It always looks daunting when you see the pile of stuff, but seeing it slowly shrink is really rewarding.
3. Take before and after photos
This is a great tip to track your progress, and especially if you’ve got a lot to work through it can be the reminder you need to keep you moving. These photos can be a full room, or a smaller section, but getting a before and after to compare will show you just how much you’ve achieved so far and help keep you motivated to continue.
Take a look at the before photo above, and compare it to this!
Much better.
4. Stick to the rule of 3
This tip is perfect for anyone who finds themselves cluttering surfaces without even realising it. Any flat surface in your home, whether it be a coffee table, a shelf, or a bookcase, should only have 3 items on it at one time (books don’t count in this, think ornaments and trinkets).
Following this rule will help maintain the work that you’ve done and reduce the chance of the clutter sneaking back into your home again. It’s also a motivator to get rid of other items when you know that you’ve got a limit to what you can have out, and this extra factor can help you be stricter on what you keep and what you throw away.
5. Set yourself rules
When you get started on a project like decluttering, especially if you tend to collect things and know you’ve got quite a lot to sort through, it can be really beneficial to put some limits in place to keep you focussed. This tip is especially helpful if you’ve got a lot of:
- Outdated paperwork
- Ornaments with little sentimental value
- More kitchen accessories than your household needs
- Clothing you no longer wear.
Go paper-free
If you’re prone to keeping hold of paperwork, you can start to keep virtual copies instead by scanning the documents and uploading them onto your computer. This way, they’re easily stored and can be accessed quickly if you need to.
Scanning all of your documents may seem like a lengthy and daunting task, but it’ll be worth it in the end, and there are plenty of apps that make it easy for you to scan documents and store them efficiently. It’s a good idea to backup your files for added security.
Have a place for everything
Everything inside of your home should have a place. I try to live by this, but it doesn’t always work out.
Do you find that you have a number of items that are in limbo, i.e. on the floor or on top of tables because you’re struggling to find a place for them? If this is the case, you should invest in a filing cabinet or a plastic storage box for such items.
For ornaments, kitchen accessories and clothing, depending on the condition of them, you either donate them to charity, give them to friends or family members who will use them, or bin them if they’re no longer of any use.
Have a junk drawer
Anything with the word ‘junk’ in it doesn’t sound very proactive when it comes to clutter. Nonetheless, having a junk drawer is so important. No matter how organised your home is, there are going to be those pesky items that we use a lot, yet they don’t really have a logical place to go. This includes the likes of tape, pens, and batteries. These items should go in your junk drawer.
Our junk drawer has become our sideboard in our lounge. It has an assortment or candles, lighters, pens, sellotape, and cleaning cloths.
Become a habitual putter-awayer
This is something that may take a while to get used to if you are the type of person that leaves things on the sofa or the floor. However, it’s important to get into the habit of always putting things away, be it a book or a bottle opener. This will ensure that clutter doesn’t build up and that your home always looks good.
I’m the worst for this. When I get undressed in the evening, I leave my pairs of jeans on the floor. I so need to get in the habit of actually putting them in their drawer.
6. Get someone to help you
Decluttering and spring cleaning can be a difficult and daunting task, so it can really help if you have someone to do the task with you.
Drag in your partner, your mum, your sister, anyone really! They’ll speed up the process, but will also be a bit less biased about keeping things, as it’s not their stuff, so efficiency is on your side here.
If you don’t have someone that can help that lives with you, you can team up with a friend who is also looking to clean and motivate each other by sharing photos online together and challenges that you’ve overcome.
7. Give yourself time limits
For some homeowners, time is no issue, allowing you flexibility to take your cleaning and decluttering one day at a time until it’s all done. However, if you’re decluttering and cleaning specifically to sell your house, setting yourself time limits will help you stay on track.
8. Get more storage to hide your clutter
If you want your home to appear neat and tidy without having to actually throw loads of stuff out, you could simply buy bigger or more numerous storage solutions to keep it out of sight. You don’t have to settle for dull storage solutions.
There are plenty of designer sideboards and bureaus that can add a focal point to the room. You can also consider multi-purpose storage solutions such as ottoman foot stalls, mirrored cabinets and beds with storage space beneath.
What to spring clean after you’ve decluttered
Cleaning can feel like a never-ending chore. Why does it take so long? Why when you finish one job is there five more to do?
After you’ve decluttered, it’s time to go in for the deep clean.
Deep clean those carpets
I love a carpet. They’re fluffy and look nice. But they’re also traps for dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. We have two cats, and their hair gets everywhere, meaning we’re hoovering at least twice a week. Spilled liquids are also much harder to clean if not caught early enough.
So how do you actually deep clean a carpet? Start by giving it a really thorough vacuum, going slowly and making sure you get into corners and under furniture. For an even better result, sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda over the carpet before you vacuum as it helps lift odours and freshens things up.
If you’ve got stubborn stains, a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner is worth its weight in gold. You can hire one for the weekend if you don’t want to buy, and trust me, the difference is huge.
Work in small sections so the carpet doesn’t get too wet, and leave windows open to help it dry faster. For smaller spots, a homemade mix of warm water and washing-up liquid usually does the trick. Just blot gently rather than scrubbing so the fibres don’t fray.
Wipe down your walls
Have your kids ever stopped crayoning the paper and started to crayon the walls?
If you’re forever scrubbing stains and felt tip marks off walls, it could be worth considering a new coat of easy-to-clean paint. Such paints are low VOC, which contain less chemicals, making them healthier for us and our children.
Marks can easily be wiped off with little elbow grease. The lack of chemicals in low VOC paints also makes this a more ideal solution for households with pets and kids, who may be more inclined to pick off and eat (however accidentally) flecks of paint.
Clean your sofa and other soft furnishings
Sofas see a lot of life, so they deserve a bit of care and a really good clean. The first step is always a good vacuum. Pull off the cushions if you can, and get right into the creases where crumbs love to hide. If the covers are removable and machine washable, pop them in on a gentle cycle.
For spot cleaning, use a damp cloth with a mild detergent (but always check the label first). A simple water-and-vinegar solution can work wonders for freshening fabric too. Just dab, don’t soak. If you’ve got a fabric sofa that’s looking a bit tired, a handheld steam cleaner can breathe new life into it without harsh chemicals.
There are certain types of material that are easier to clean and generally last a long time, which makes them more suited to sofas and dining chairs. Leather is probably the best option, especially a dark leather.
It’s so much easier to wipe and hoover than other materials. If you’ve got a light-coloured leather, then you can use throws to cover it, which are easy to stick in the wash should any spillage occur.
Vinyl and nylon are other good budget choices for those wanting a sofa or dining room chair fabric that’s easy to clean. You should generally avoid silk, linen and cotton as these materials are all easy to stain and ruin.
Decluttering and spring cleaning can seem like a daunting task, but with these tips you’ll be able to stay in control and achieve your goals!
