Spring Cleaning: Tips on How to Stay Focused and Have Fun

Studies have shown that a cluttered home increases your stress level. And with many of us working from home for the past year, environmental stressors like disorganisation (of your desk, kitchen, or bedroom) are the last thing we need to be dealing with.

So, what are some ways that you can spruce up your home to reduce the chance of feeling stressed out by your surroundings? We've rounded up the best spring cleaning tips and tricks to help you inject new life into your home 🏡

1. Plan in Advance

We recommend deciding in advance which rooms are most in need of a deep-clean and making a short checklist of jobs that need to be done.  

Whether it's an overflowing wardrobe or a grimy oven, ordering your tasks and figuring out which are the most important will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.  

Tip: Try not to spend too long on a single task — you'll get fed up quickly. Give yourself chunks of time to complete mini-tasks, like 10 minutes to organise your sock drawer, 5 minutes to clear and sweep the bathroom floor, etc.

Sketching out a rough plan or checklist will help you prioritise and get off to the right start

2. Equip Yourself With the Right Tools

Apart from all the essentials like dust-pans, mop-buckets, and so on, you'll need:

• A decent all-purpose spray and some microfibre cloths. More environmentally-friendly and economical than disposable wipes. 
• Baking soda: great for removing baked-in stains on electric hobs or oven doors. Also does wonders for stained coffee or tea mugs.
• Vinegar: soak a squeezed-out mop head in vinegar to disinfect it, or pour over those stubborn marks in your sink for a more effective clean.

3. Clean Smart 

When it comes to the trickier (and more unsavoury) jobs, you can save yourself time and energy in the future by cleaning smart and decluttering as you go.

• Cleaning professionals recommend cleaning your home from the top down. So, start with dusting the cobwebs from your ceiling corners, then work your way down by wiping the mouldings, walls and skirting boards. 
• Tired of scum build-up in your bath or shower? Keep a dish wand on hand to scrub away any dirt or soap residue as soon as you see it. 
• Tackle your junk drawers head-on. It's easy to get overwhelmed or distracted by the contents of these cabinets, so again, give yourself a time limit and plan ahead. Do you want to get rid of your clutter or simply organise it? Come prepared with either a couple of recycling/general waste bags or some storage essentials.
• Popping some dryer sheets on the bottom of your kitchen bin container can help absorb bad odours. When cleaning out your fridge, opt for warm soapy water to clean the shelves and surfaces — this will prevent lingering chemical smells from tainting your food. 

Having an end goal will keep you focused — whether that's an evening in front of the telly or a sunset walk

4. Keep it Fun

Clear your schedule for a few hours. Play your favourite music, stick on the radio or a podcast. Feel free to let loose a little, and clean at your own rhythm. If you prefer a challenge, turn it into a game with family or housemates, seeing who can complete the most tasks before the timer runs out (loser buys pizza). 

Try not to procrastinate too much, but if you can't get everything done in one day, don't feel disappointed. Planning ahead, and rescheduling some of the remaining tasks for tomorrow (or next weekend) will keep you on track with your cleaning goals. 

5. Reward Yourself for a Hard Day's Work

Give yourself something to look forward to after you finish cleaning. This will keep you motivated throughout and provide you with a sense of accomplishment afterwards.

Maybe you can't wait to relax on the couch with a cup of tea, or maybe you've got plans to cook a fancy meal in your newly-organised kitchen. Whatever it is, don't forget to take it easy on yourself after your hard day's work!

Buy locally when you can for any homeware or home cleaning essentials. Browse the 'Shopping' tab of the app to find local and family-run design and home improvement centres, as well as shops by Irish design makers. Some of them have online stores and are shipping nationwide - find a direct link to their website in the bottom menu of their listing!

*Keep an eye out next week for our tips on how to breathe new life into your home workspace*