Studies show there are more than just organizational benefits to a deeply cleaned home. Clean spaces are healthier for both your mind and body. While you may already do an annual spring cleaning, you may want to consider doing a deep clean this fall as well. With cooler weather comes cold and flu season, and bugs and dust can do a number on you especially if you already suffer from allergies. Luckily, this detailed cleaning guide can ensure your space is prepped and optimized for your health this coming season.
What can often get ignored is the effects your spaces have on your mental health. It is shown that cluttered spaces decrease productivity, and may increase feelings of depression and anxiety. Going to bed in a messy room can also negatively affect your quality of sleep.
Investing some time this season to clean and declutter your home can improve your mental and physical health. So as the cold and holiday season approaches, now is the perfect time to take a deep dive into your space and clear out the cobwebs (both literally and metaphorically). This guide is here to help you achieve just that.
THE KITCHEN AND DINING SPACES
- Start with the refrigerator, being sure to take everything out, and cleaning both the interior and door shelves. Throw out old food and unused condiments. Don’t forget to clean off the door handle and exterior.
- Deep clean the oven and stovetop and consider pulling the oven away from the wall to sweep out the floor underneath.
- Declutter unused kitchen utensils and/or appliances and clean out the cabinets.
- Be sure to wipe up all nooks and crannies, including the baseboards.
- Give your trash can a good scrub and refresh.
- Shine up your sink. To remove rust marks, you can try out products such as Bar Keeper’s Friend.
- Give your dining table and chairs some love. If you have a wood table, consider giving it a wax polish treatment. If your dining chairs are upholstered, spot treat any stains.
THE LIVING SPACES
- Most living spaces could use a good dust down, especially if anyone in the home suffers from allergies. Dust off lamps, tables, appliances, and even the ceiling fan if you have one.
- Give the space a vacuum or two. Pull furniture away to get to those overlooked places. You may be surprised to find a lost item or two!
- If your room has carpet or rug, go ahead and give it a shampoo. If you don’t own a carpet cleaner, you can always borrow one from a friend or family member or even rent one from a home improvement store.
- If you have any display or storage shelves, remove the items and wipe down the shelves. Now is a great time to declutter any unused items or switch out the decor for seasonal items.
THE BEDROOM SPACES
- For the bedroom, repeat the tasks from your living space list. Dust shelves and ceiling fans, vacuum and shampoo rugs or carpet, and declutter any decor and storage shelves.
- In addition, go ahead and strip down the bed and wash all bed linens according to the washing directions.
- Clean out and declutter your nightstands, throwing out unused items.
- Do a closet clean-out. To really slim down your closet, try on pieces you haven’t worn in a while to see if you still need and/or want to keep them. Donate any items of clothing you no longer wish to keep. This is also a good time to put away your spring and summer wardrobe and bring out your fall and winter clothes.
THE BATHROOM SPACES
- First up, throw your shower curtain and bath mats in the laundry.
- While they wash, start a detailed declutter of the space. Get rid of expired items including medications as well as makeup, face, and hair products. Be honest with yourself over products that are still within date but have not had much use. For these, feel free to offer them to a friend or family member that may actually use them!
- Wipe down the mirror, sink, and storage containers that hold items such as makeup brushes and toothbrushes.
- Give the shower and bath a good scrub, removing any water and rust stains. Throw out any empty product containers.
- Deeply clean and disinfect the toilet. Remove the toilet seat to clean every surface. Wipe the base and floor around the toilet.
- Sweep and mop the floors, and replace the curtain and bath mats.
THE MISCELLANEOUS SPACES
- In the laundry, pull out the appliances to sweep and mop behind them. Vacuum off the dryer vent.
- Change out your home’s air filters.
- Declutter and reorganize the linen closet, getting rid of unused items.
- Clean out and organize the coat closet.
- If you haven’t in a while, replace the batteries in your smoke detectors.
THE DIGITAL SPACES
A task that’s just as beneficial as tidying physical spaces but is often overlooked is a thorough cleanout of your digital spaces.
- Go through and remove any unused applications from your devices.
- Delete old messages and emails.
- Consider removing toxic or discouraging accounts from your social media. While you may feel hesitant in doing so, this can greatly improve your experience on social media as well as your mental health. If you don’t want to permanently unfollow or unfriend someone, many platforms have the option to “mute” an account. By muting, you remain friends or followers of the account without having their posts and updates show up on your feed. Your social media feeds should be uplifting and inspiring, so feel free to make them so.
A FRESH START FOR FALL/WINTER
Upon completion of this guide, you will hopefully begin to see benefits immediately. Cluttered spaces can drain us of motivation and inspiration, or worse, bring us anxiety or feelings of depression. For the health of everyone in the home, getting to those overlooked tasks and spaces is crucial. Now is as good of a time as ever to improve your space and health. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get to cleaning!
Sources:
https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/cleaning/a2523/house-cleaning-autumn-season/
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-health-benefits-of-spring-cleaning
https://katiecrenshaw.com/clean-home-clear-head-how-a-clean-space-affects-our-mental-health/
https://www.brandondempsey.com/importance-cleaning-mental-physical-spaces/
https://tmsneuroinstitute.com/a-spring-cleaning-list-for-your-mental-health/
https://www.thesimplyorganizedhome.com/fall-cleaning-checklist/
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/what-does-clutter-do-to-your-brain-and-body
