Spring has officially sprung. As we slowly emerge from the hibernation many of us enter during the colder months, it’s hard not to get invigorated by the warmer breeze and fresh blooms. Take advantage of this newfound energy and invest some time in a thorough spring clean. Not only will your house look all the better for it, but you will also be de-cluttering your mind. According to decluttering expert, Peter Walsh, the removal of mess and unused items has huge emotional benefits.

People living in cluttered homes often feel frustrated and anxious, Peter says, and “decluttering has the ability to generate fresh energy, create emotional and physical space, and release negative emotions.”

That being said, the task of cleaning your entire house can be daunting and knowing where to start can feel a little overwhelming. To help, we have outlined some tips that will help you go from zero to cleaning hero in no time. 
 

1. Make a plan

Much like how Rome wasn’t built in a day, you don’t need to clean the entire house in one go; and if you attempt this you may end up with a whole lot of unfinished jobs. Break up the workload over a few weekends to ensure the project is more manageable. Compile a list of all the rooms that need cleaning, and what needs to be done in each room. Assigning a time frame for this also keeps you on track, so that a spring clean isn’t stretching into summer – no one wants to be cleaning in the heat! 

Here is a great example of what your list could include. You may like to divide your time so that you clean one room in one day. 

Pro tip: once you know what needs to be done, make sure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies.
 

2. Get the family involved

If you have kids that seem to vanish with the sound of the vacuum cleaner, now is the time to get them involved. The more hands in scrubbing gloves the better. Assign certain chores to different family members and offer rewards at the end of the day – who knew cleaning could be fun?
 

3. Be decisive

An important part of every spring clean is to declutter and get rid of things that you no longer use, need or want. While you pack away your winter clothes, use the opportunity to put aside the items you don’t wear anymore. If you find it hard to part with your things, make a rule and stick to it, “if I haven’t worn it in the last year, it goes!” or invite a friend or family member to assist you to make those tough decisions. Once you have a collection of unwanted items, organise a garage sale or take your hoard to your local charity shop. You will find that it is often “out of sight, out of mind” for these items, and you won’t miss them as soon as they are gone. 
 

 4. Time to get outside

Don’t forget your outdoor spaces! Whether that be an alfresco or larger yard area, winter can often mean that these spaces get neglected – and with neglect, weeds and spider webs prosper. For those in an apartment or unit, you may like to consider talking to other residents about working together to clean communal areas. 
 

5. It’s an ongoing job

Don’t wait for your home to become a mess! Keeping your home uncluttered is a daily task. If this is something that you struggle with, you might find it helpful to download an app that can help keep you, your family or housemates on track. Here is a list of apps that allow you to create tasks and to-do lists and set the frequency of when they need to be done. Some even alert you to when a chore is due or overdue, when something was last cleaned and shows who has been leading the fight on clutter and uncleanliness, and who has been slack. They’re perfect for those with kids or housemates.
 

6. Reward yourself

After a job well done, get yourself some fresh spring flowers, pop them in some vases and spread them throughout the house as a final touch to decorate your sparkling new home! If flowers aren’t your thing, it might be time to splurge on some new homewares or an outdoor feature that you have been looking at. New features and homewares also add value to your home and can give you a sense of achievement if you’ve bought them as a well-deserved reward.