Spring Cleaning: Put A Spring In Your Home’s Step —
Spring is in the air. And we all know what that means – it’s time for a refresh on cleaning. Dreaded by some and loved by others; spring cleaning is a chance to clear out, revamp, and reduce. Look at this cleanse as a means to not only tidy your home, but give it, and yourself, new life.
Let’s start with the basics – it is time to DEEP clean your home. Get out the vacuum, duster, broom, baking soda (magic), Swiffer Wet Jet, Clorox wipes, and every other cleaning product you own (you may want to buy more). If you actually do feel like you might need more cleaning supplies, you may want to visit a website like www.phsdirect.co.uk and see what cleaning items they have to offer… Then get to work! It helps to break your home down into sections or phases. Tackle areas at different times over the span of a month. While you’re cleaning, you’ll most likely have the urge to purge. When you have to dust that less preferred figurine that was randomly gifted to you, it’s time to edit.
EDIT OUT THE CLUTTER
When it comes to spring cleaning, the part that makes most people uneasy is the editing of our “things.” Collectively, we all have too much stuff. There, we’ve said it. So, instead of dreading this, let’s learn to embrace it. We’re not saying it’ll be easy, but it will be good for you. Kind of like eating kale.
As Turnstylists, we are not immune to the sorrows of parting with our once favorite pieces either. But when something has reached its end of life or purpose, it’s time to go. With this in mind, you may want to think about what is the very best way to deal with the Waste in your home. Many people are now turning to specialists in waste clearance that know how to deal with clutter in a professional and environmentally-friendly manner. You may find that this is a good option for you as well if your home is uncomfortably cluttered.
HERE IS OUR LIST OF THINGS TO CONSIDER EDITING FROM YOUR HOME THIS SPRING:
Bed sheets – when the seams are fraying and you can’t remember where that small splotch came from, it’s time for a new set.
That piece you bought on Craigslist three years ago that you said you’d reupholster, but instead it lives in your garage as a box holder – either finally expose it to some pretty fabric, or donate it.
The piece you said you’d sell on Craigslist three years ago, but never got around to selling – or no one wanted to buy once you put up for sale. Whatever the case, it’s time to stop trying to make a profit and instead find the joy in donating it to a loving home.
The mountain of Tupperware taking up valuable space in your cabinets – more than half of the lids don’t match and some of them weren’t even yours to begin with. Collect the ones you actually use on a daily basis and dump the rest. Or better yet, hop on over to The Container Store, and buy yourself a pristine new set.
That exercise equipment you’ve always planned on using, but never have – it’s time to let go and perhaps take up a new form of exercise that requires less pieces.
Pillows – we know that it can hard to get rid of pillows, even when they’re past their prime. So, if you have some questionable throws – do just that – purge them out.
Shower Curtains – if not properly taken care of shower curtains and liners can almost disintegrate. It’s likely time to replace both the curtain and the liner.
Magazines – we know they house all the inspiration for your closet, home, and life – but, we’re in a digital age now. You can rediscover those tear out worthy pages online or just tear out the pages you like and recycle the rest of the magazine.
Half empty bottles – I’m sure when you went looking for your cleaning products, you realized just how many bottles you have with just a spritz, swig, or drip left in them. Check all your cabinets, they’re everywhere – in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room – and round them up. They need to go.
Clothes – last, because it’s certainly the least favorite category to take from. Time to get rid of the old, unworn, ill-fitting, maybe-on-this-one-occasion-that-may-happen pieces you’ve been holding onto. Donate what you can and toss the rest. Your closet will thank you and, more importantly, you’ll be entirely inspired to have fun dressing again.
ROTATE OUT YOUR FAVORITES
This annual purge doesn’t have to mean kicking all your beloved treasures to curb for good. At Turnstyle, we believe a home is a living, breathing thing that should be in regular flux. Interact with it and rotate the pieces you love in and out. Changing out certain pieces each season will give each piece new value, anticipation and excitement.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS WE LOVE TO ROTATE OUT:
Pillows –Keep a set for every season!
Decorative vases – just like the flowers you put in them, your vases work easily on rotation.
Coffee table books – you don’t have to store them in the attic but try switching up the placement of your favorite reads amongst the coffee table, beside table, and library throughout the year.
Art – it adds to our home in a way that evokes emotion. It’s natural that feelings change so feel free to curate your art collection every now and then.
Photos – sometimes the process of finding the perfect frame and photo can be hard so we tend to leave our pictures alone once that pair is made. But frames aren’t married to your photos. New memories happen every day so take the time to print out your Insta-worthy pics instead of just uploading them. You can share your favorites with the world, but don’t forget to share them with yourself as well.
So use this spring time ritual to refresh, reduce, and revamp your home. Enjoy the lightness it will bring you instead of dreading the process and instead focus on the outcome. In the end, it’s worth it – you’ll have a clean, organized, revitalized home that feels like new. And, in turn, you’ll feel like new too.
