Spring cleaning – you either love it or hate it. They say, “Rome was not built in a day,” nor should your spring cleaning regimen. It may take several days, but taking inventory of the items you have, decluttering, and cleaning from top to bottom, will make it easier to keep your home tidy for the remainder of the year.
If that isn’t enough motivation, it is also good for your health. Healthline reports that having “a relaxing and clutter-free home has a positive effect on people’s daily mood and ability to focus.”
But how much happier can a clean home make you? The answer is a lot. According to Psychology Today, “research shows that every hour of cleaning one does each week is associated with a 53% boost in happiness.”
In the same article, Psychology Today also reports that cleaning your home is a source of exercise “tasks such as vacuuming, ironing, and gardening can burn up to 150-300 calories an hour”.
So where do you start? Here are six tips on how to tackle your spring cleaning:
Get organized
Before you begin your spring cleaning, make a schedule. Plan out which rooms to tackle first and wait to start a new room until the first room is tidy. Whether it is a mental check mark or physically checking a room off a list, you will feel more accomplished as you take on one space at a time.
Declutter before you clean
If you haven’t used it in the last six months, and it doesn’t have sentimental value, get rid of it. Easier said than done, right?
Keeping your space decluttered will not only help you do your big spring clean, but it will also be easier to tidy all year. Marie Kondo, the author of the best-selling novel The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, recommends that the best way to clear the clutter is by keeping items that “spark joy.”
After collecting all the items, you no longer need, consider donating them to friends and charities or swapping them on a “buy nothing” Facebook group.
Every piece has its place
You’ve decluttered, and everything you plan to keep now deserves its place. If items have a spot they belong to, they are less likely to end up piling up or lost.
Around the house, you’ll want to tackle the spaces that tend to accumulate clutter. For example, do you always have a junk drawer or a closet overflowing with items? Now is the time to get shelf organizers, baskets or containers to keep things sorted. In addition, you’ll want to keep important documents like insurance policies in a clearly labelled folder when tackling your paperwork.
Having your paperwork in an easy-to-find spot will save time. For example, when your policy renewal date comes up, and you need to review your coverage to ensure it aligns with your needs, you won’t need to waste hours searching for these documents.
Finally, you’ll want to clear off your countertops and put things in cupboards in your kitchen.
Give your space a new look
Do you have a room on your to-do list? Spring is the perfect time to update a space in your home. One easy way to make your home feel brand new is with a fresh coat of paint. CAA Members save 25% at Dulux Paint you can buy one can of paint and get the second one free.
While organizing and cleaning, it’s also the perfect time to rejuvenate within your living spaces. An affordable option is swapping out textiles like pillows and blankets or accessories to incorporate pastel hues, floral patterns, and nature-inspired elements to bring the essence of spring to your home. These simple yet impactful changes can make a significant impact so the room feels new and will elevate the ambiance of your living environment. When shopping for the latest home decor, head to Bouclair and Stokes, as CAA Members save 5% on their online or in-store purchases.
Clean from top to bottom
Before tackling your spring cleaning, ensure you have a full supply of cleaning supplies. Consider using products that contain fewer harmful chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, phthalates, perchloroethylene, triclosan, 2-Butoxyethanol and sodium hydroxide. Instead, reach for products that are more natural and produced with fewer single-use plastics. Well.ca has ample options, and CAA Members can earn 5% in CAA Dollars on all online purchases.
Not sure how to start cleaning a particular space? Start from top to bottom. Begin by dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures, followed by the rest. Next, you can wash exposed walls, switches, door handles, and outlet covers with a multi-purpose cleaner, hot water and a microfiber cloth. Vacuuming your baseboards will quickly clear heavier dust and debris from your baseboards before giving them a quick wash with the microfiber cloth. To remove scuffs and stains, use a Magic Eraser with warm water. Finally, vacuum all carpets and floors and mop with hot water and your floor cleaner of choice.
Safety checks and replacements
Spring cleaning season is an excellent time to knock safety items off your checklist. Changing the batteries in your smoke and CO2 detectors, replacing your furnace filter, changing light bulbs, and inspecting your fire extinguisher must be done on a routine schedule. Work these into your spring cleaning plan, and you will ensure your home is both clean and safer.
Tidying, inspecting and replacing are not the only aspects of spring cleaning that are routine maintenance. In addition, spring is a great time to review your home insurance policy to make sure your coverage is up to date. Did you know CAA Members save up to 10%¹ on CAA Home Insurance2?² To get your no-obligation, complimentary policy review from a Licensed CAA Insurance Agent.
1 To qualify for the discount you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). Eligible CAA Members may qualify to receive a Member Loyalty Discount based on membership tenure and Roadside Assistance usage. Subject to certain conditions and approvals. Underwriting eligibility rules apply.
2 Property Insurance is underwritten by CAA Insurance Company. Certain conditions, limitations and underwriting guidelines apply.
