Now that things are finally settling down from the holidays, you can finally take time to catch up on chores and errands. During the busy season, many people let their homes get chaotic since they don’t have the time––or energy for that matter––to clean up. As February approaches, don’t let any more time pass without getting your home cleaned up. This is especially true for those who plan on selling their homes and moving in the upcoming months. A house that is clean and organised is a happy one, and many people don’t realize how stressful it can be to live in a messy home. That’s why we’ve put together some of our favorite tips for cleaning and decluttering your home.
Get Rid of What Isn’t Necessary
If you’ve been living in your home for several years, you’ve likely accumulated quite a collection of belongings. From clothes, to tools, to appliances, and beyond, it’s amazing how many things we can own. However, more is not better. Go through your belongings bit by bit and decide on the items that you absolutely don’t need. As you sort through everything, you’ll begin to realize how many unnecessary items are taking up space in your home. Sort everything you don’t want out and either sell them, donate them, or discard them. For all of the belongings that are nicer and pricier, you might even be able to make some easy cash!
Consolidate and Compartmentalize
Once you’ve narrowed down to the items that you absolutely need, you can start to reorganize. Having a house with great organisation is going to make your life easier and much less hectic. Compartmentalise all of your belongings and store them accordingly. No more placing items without a specific purpose. For example, create a space for all office supplies including pens, sticky notes, and paper clips. Further, have a cabinet specifically for cooking supplies like spices, oils, and marinades. In the long run, this will make cleaning up easier and faster.
Add Additional Storage
Once you start to completely reorganize, you might realize how limited in storage you are. Storage is an essential part of any home, and having a lot of it can increase the value of your property in a home appraisal. Redo closets to have additional shelves and bins. Use underneath your bed to store clothes that aren’t in season. Use empty wall space for hanging shelves and cupboards to help organize bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens!
Deep Clean One Spot at a Time
Once you finish decluttering, you can then move on to the house cleaning checklist. Cleaning an entire home can feel overwhelming, especially if you have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. The job will feel much more approachable if you go one type of room at a time. That way, you’ll be using the same cleaning supplies and tools. For example, a bathroom will likely need bleach and glass cleaner while a bedroom will probably need a vacuum and a duster. Break each room down by day to avoid burning out on cleaning.
Choose a week or long weekend to get your house looking good. To make things feel more bearable, we recommend starting a new podcast or enjoying some nice wine during the process. By the end of it all, you’ll be happy you started.
