Decluttering—The First Step of Thorough Spring Cleaning

While our existence isn’t organized and influenced by the seasons to the same extent as it was in the past, there’s no denying that spring brings renewed energy and a sense of urgency into our lives. Spring cleaning is the perfect activity to tap into this vigorous spirit and shake off winter woes.

Before you proceed with proper spring cleaning, the first thing you’ll have to do is declutter your home. With the help of dependable pros at Cleaning Concepts, we give decluttering a closer look to help you get rid of excess stuff and bring clarity into your life and living space.

How do I declutter my house without being overwhelmed?

Most of us hear decluttering and think inconvenience, nuisance, and ultimately frustration. But if you tackle it at your own pace and with a clear plan laid out, decluttering can turn into a fulfilling experience. Ok, let’s start slowly but steadily with the basics.

Sorting & organization 

Before you start, designate 3 boxes for stuff you want to keep, donate/sell, and throw away.

Keep: As you slowly move from one room to the next, pick up the things that you wish to keep and put them away to their proper storage. Try to make quick decisions and be ruthless in your selection.

Sell or donate: Say goodbye to all those items that you rarely use or don’t see yourself using anytime soon. Look for items that have resale value and can be sold quickly or you may end up with a lot of clutter that is awaiting sale. Everything else, you should offer to your friends or donate to local charities.

Throw away: If you don’t want to use it and it can’t be sold or given away, throw it in the trash. Binning items may seem frustrating at first, but you’ll feel like you’ve taken off the load by the time you’re finished.

The kitchen

Besides being unhygienic, too much clutter in the kitchen can turn your everyday meal preparation into a nightmare. While you’re going through the drawers, cabinets, and pantry, empty each space to assess the situation and get a clear picture of how much stuff needs to go. Don’t hold onto pots and pans you never use. Don’t be emotional, be ruthless, and get rid of everything you don’t need. 

The bathroom

From the vanity and cabinets to open storage spaces like racks and shelves, bathrooms are full of stuff we don’t need or rarely use. Start by discarding outdated toiletries and medications first. Then move on to your makeup and skincare products to make sure that all items you’re going to put back have their clear purpose and use. Go through the towels, washcloths, and shower supplies, and throw away as much old and worn-out stuff as you can.

Entryways, hallways & foyer

While in some homes these areas are relatively small, they can still overflow with clutter in no time at all. Most of us put items in the bowl on the console as soon as we walk in only to forget they’re there. Go through documents, papers, bills, and other trinkets to remove all those things that are just a waste of space. Keeping your entry or foyer neat and organized will simplify your morning routine and help you leave the house with things you really need.

The bedroom

Maybe the biggest challenge when decluttering is the bedroom. First of all, make your bed to get a ‘workstation’ where you can sort through the contents of your closet. Depending on how much stuff you have, it may be easier to sort your clothing according to type: footwear, casual wear, activewear, formal, and informal wear. It will be easier to decide which dress or shoes to keep if you have a clear view of your entire collection. 

If you haven’t worn an item in a long time, try it on to see if it still fits and how it looks to help yourself make a decision. If you’re having doubts about an item, don’t waste time, just leave it aside and you’ll decide later. However, you can only do this with a few select items or you’re basically just moving things around and avoiding tough decisions. 

Once you’ve gone through the closet, tackle the drawers, chests, nightstands, and other storage spaces to get rid of blankets, sheets, duvets, books, magazines, gadgets, and all other items that you keep in the bedroom but you no longer need.

The living room

Since all roads lead to the living room, the last stage of your springtime decluttering is the centerpiece of your home. The living room sees daily action and usually offers plenty of storage options so it may prove the hardest room to declutter. Tackle your shelves, bookcases, sideboards, consoles, and side tables to get rid of as much paper as you can and all those useless nick-nacks that are strewn about. Inspect your furniture for signs of wear and tear and go through your electronic gadgets to make sure that you hold on only to the things you need.

Once you’ve gone through all these areas and removed all the clutter and refuse, pour yourself a refreshing drink, sit, and enjoy the soothing feeling of shedding old skin and being ready for what’s waiting around the corner.