Dust and polish
It’s that time of year when many people — not all, perhaps — feel a sudden yearning to dust off, freshen up and spring clean their home.
To some, this might seem like a daunting, audacious task that turns up this time each year, but it’s possible to tackle your cleaning without too much time or fuss, and actually enjoy the process.
Here are a few simple tips that will have your home clean and refreshed in no time.
1. Right mindset.
Spring cleaning isn’t merely a mundane activity — it can be inspired by a beautiful mindset. Try to imagine the process as an expression of how much you appreciate your home, rather than it being a chore that you despise.
However you decide to start, it’s important to take your first step with excitement behind it, and turn it into an enjoyable, fulfilling experience. Pop on some uplifting music in the background and take the first step.
2. Start small.
The idea of spring cleaning might seem time-consuming, and perhaps you’re asking yourself where to start. It is helpful to choose one small area to clean per day, and more often than not it won’t take nearly as much time as you imagined it would. If you try to do the whole house in one go it will be far too overwhelming, and you might be left feeling defeated or frustrated.
3. Windows and fixtures.
Simply put, there’s no easier way to make your home feel bigger and sparklier than cleaning the windows, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much more light comes in once layers of grime have been wiped away.
If you’re making the effort, you might as well spend an extra 10 minutes or so wiping down any light fixtures, lamps and mirrors, all of which accumulate dust over the colder months, and will do a much better job once they’ve been cleaned.
4. Change things up.
The simple act of re-arranging is a wonderful way to keep things feeling new and inspiring, as well as creating a new sense of space. The spaces within a home can easily start to feel dull or stagnant, and this remedy can easily change things up, for the time being at least.
One quick idea is to beautify a shelf by making it home to a few things you’d like to admire each day. Or perhaps you feel inspired to clear some clutter, change your pillow cases or switch around your artwork. You might even notice a new love and appreciation for the things you own.
5. Tackle the surfaces.
Wipe down all the surfaces in your home, using your own home-made spray and wipe. Combine warm water, 15-20 drops of citrus essential oil, two teaspoons of baking soda and two more of liquid soap in a glass spray bottle. Shake to combine before each use. Feel free to play around with your own blend of essential oils, creating fresh, unique aromas.
6. Brighten up with flowers and candles
And lastly, if all else fails, fill a big, oversized vase with blooms to brighten up your living space, or light some incense or a scented candle. Having a beautifully aromatic home is just as important as having a clean one.