When the wintry mix makes going outside unpleasant, the couch and a good book are tempting. But think: if you do your spring cleaning now, you'll be able to enjoy the first warm days of spring outside smelling flowers instead of inside scrubbing floors. Plus, if you start now, you can leverage the momentum of the new year and the revitalized fervor for the Konmari Method.
Why should I do a deep-clean?
A study from Princeton highlights how clutter can increase stress and frustration by bombarding your mind with too many stimuli. In Nashville, this can be especially true during those long winter nights when you're stuck inside with a messy room reminding you of chores like organizing books or cleaning under the stove.
Clutter not only affects your mood but also your health. As noted in a 2017 Psychology Today article, simplifying your space can boost life satisfaction, physical health, and cognitive function.
Regular tidying up offers light physical activity, which is great for maintaining your health. Plus, it frees up space in your home for activities like yoga or exercise videos, enhancing the physical benefits.
Starting your cleaning now can also give you a head start on spring cleaning. About 75% of people dive into deep cleaning when spring arrives, tackling jobs like cleaning baseboards and dusting ceiling fans. By addressing some tasks now, you'll have more time to enjoy Nashville's beautiful spring weather. Just remember, some jobs, like washing windows, are best saved for when the temperatures rise above freezing
Organize your things and donate the items people need most
A good place to start your winter cleaning journey is with the things you no longer need that others can use. Winter clothing and shelf-stable food should be at the top of the list. (Though it's worth noting that canned food and is good to donate regardless of the season).
Up next should be unopened soap, shampoo, and other toiletries (even in sample sides). Make sure any clothes you donate are clean and in good shape. Check items from long-term storage carefully, as bugs can be persistent when there's a meal involved, or may have laid their eggs before you stored the items in question. For clothes not in good shape (thin, stained, or with tiny holes), check to see if you're local government participates in textile recycling.
Next consider what you've accumulated—gifts, free stuff from work, clothes and toys for yourself—over the year and pare down items that serve similar purposes. For example, if you got a new phone or computer for Christmas, donate the old one. Be sure to include any cords and chargers, and consider including a pre-paid minutes card if you can afford it.
Tips for tackling big indoors projects
During Nashville's chilly winter months, we find ourselves spending more time indoors. While the roads might not always be covered in snow, icy conditions can still make travel tricky. It's the perfect time to keep your home clean and organized to avoid cabin fever.
However, don't feel pressured to tackle all your household chores in one weekend. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable parts. For example, clean a few rows of grout at a time instead of trying to tackle the entire kitchen. Setting small, achievable goals can keep you motivated and allow you to balance other activities in your day.
Give yourself a flexible timeline for your projects. Rather than aiming to have everything perfectly organized and ready for donation by the first day of spring, work at a steady pace that fits your schedule. Even if everything isn't finished by the time the robins return, you'll be much further along than when you started.
Consider rotating between different projects to maintain productivity. Changing tasks can help you stay focused longer. For repetitive work that doesn't require your full attention, multitasking in small increments can also be effective.
Lay the groundwork for other spring tasks
Organizing and pricing items in January and February means that once the driveway is clear, you can simply roll out the stuff, post the flyer to Facebook Market Place, and start moving stuff out for good. Garage sales can be exhausting simply because people wait until just before to price, organize, and arrange. Spending an hour or two over the winter squaring away these tasks will make it much easier.
In other cases, you'll want to start now anyway. Dusting, for example, isn't just a way to make your home presentable, it helps anybody with a dust mite allergy who drops by.
For other tasks, take the winter to do some research. If you're planning on starting a sustainable garden, now's the time to plan out which local plants you want and which tools you need. If you're going to rip out your water heater or make your house more energy efficient, start researching technologies and approaches that best fit your budget and needs. Painting? Look at swatches and pricing. Think of it this way; once the boring part's done, you can get to the project that much faster, and then enjoy the sunshine that much more.
Written by Dan Seitz for Popular Science and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
Why wait until spring to do some remodeling, painting, or other home project? Reach out for a service quote — before the spring rush.
