spring cleaning

Conquer The Clutter

Physical Clutter Equals Mind Clutter

What does clutter mean to you? Everyone has their own definition of clean whether it is when they are doing laundry, tiding up the kitchen, or hygiene habits. Spring is quickly approaching, and you might be thinking about doing some deep cleaning before the sports and weekend adventures in full swing, but sometimes it might be difficult to know where to start. Set time aside that will be as uninterrupted as possible so that you do not waste your effort and can think about the spaces in your home that need the most attention. Cleaning efficiently is not only about saving time but saving money water and energy. For example, using the dishwasher to clean dishes takes 3.5 times less water than washing dishes by hand, this choice saves you time and money when possible.

Having a plan in place can help you stay on task and accomplish your goals. Making a list, going room to room will help you determine how to prioritize deep-cleaning or surface cleaning. List all the rooms that need regular cleanings such as hallways, stairways, and entryways. Rooms that are not used frequently, like a spare room can be done seasonally or as needed. Some things to remember including cleaning from top to bottom (dusting up high before vacuuming the floor), prioritize the kitchen and bathroom as they take the most time to clean. With spring right around the corner, take inventory to see what disinfectants and other cleaners you may need to keep your family safe and allergy free. As they say, practice makes perfect so the more you clean, the more confident you will become in doing what works best for you. Studies have shown that when people declutter, they are more likely to have reduced stress feel refreshed and have an improved quality of life. Challenge yourself and set a timer, spend 30 minutes cleaning up around your house and see what you can do!

Written By: Alexus Masterson, MPH, Family and Consumer Science Educator, OSU Extension, Muskingum County

Reviewed by: Lisa Barlage, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County

Spring cleaning, it does the mind good

Two people cleaning living room

 

Ahhh, spring has sprung, well at least it HAD sprung for a few weeks here in Ohio and hopefully it will return soon! With spring’s arrival, many people take advantage of the warmer temperatures and longer days to begin sprucing up their houses and yards. While I love getting out in my yard and garden as soon as possible to start preparing for the blossoms and blooms of spring and summer, I am not nearly as excited about tending to my house. Luckily, my husband is more likely to help me with the inside than the outside and, working together makes spring cleaning easier than tackling it alone.

Spring cleaning has taken on an entirely new meaning for us this year. My husband and I just moved out of our 4 bedroom, 3 bath 2,700 sq. ft. home of 8 years and into my son’s 1 bedroom, 1 bath 625 sq. ft. apartment this past weekend. Our house was in contract 2 days after we listed, needless to say, we were in a bit of a scramble to find a place to live for a couple months. Thankfully, my son graciously offered to let us stay in his apartment until our house is completed in July and he is staying with his grandparents. While I am incredibly grateful to have a place to stay, my husband and I are quickly learning what a luxury it was to have the extra space.

spring cleaning illustrated

We have been preparing for this move, or so we thought, for several months. We had already moved some of our belongings into a storage unit to prepare for selling our house. And while my children are all grown and mostly out of the house, we still housed a ton of their “stuff.” As we were sorting through stuff, it became clear that we have TOO MUCH! But as the deadline to be out of our house approached, we realized we did not have time to sort all of the stuff right now, so we just focused on getting everything packed up and moved. Now our 32 x 40 pole barn and the large storage unit are pretty much filled, and we are left with the task of sorting and reducing over the next couple months.

As stressful as it has been, it is good to see what we have so we can more effectively determine what we REALLY want and/or need to move into our forever home. Mental Health America’s national campaign for May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, is “Look Around, Look Within” emphasizing how our surroundings impact our mental health. Though at times it can be stressful, spring cleaning can have mental health benefits. Some of these include improved mood, increased productivity, decreased stress, and increased creativity. In this article Erin Michel, Graduate Assistant, reminds us “Spring cleaning your mind is similar in practice to spring cleaning your house: de-cluttering the things that are holding you back, reinventing or refining your values, and then maintaining that sense of mental cleanliness and self-awareness moving forward.”

Other areas you may want to consider spring cleaning include: finances, digital accounts, medicine, make up, and food storage areas. As my husband and I adjust to our new accommodations, I will try to focus on the positives and remember this is short-term. And when one or both of us is frustrated with the situation or each other, you may just find me in the yard communing with nature for my health AND his!

Written by: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.416@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Ryan Kline, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County, kline.375@osu.edu

Sources:

Can spring cleaning make you happier? Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2023, from https://www.wakehealth.edu/stories/can-spring-cleaning-make-you-happier

Mental health Month 2023 “Look around, look within.” (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2023, from https://mhanational.org/sites/default/files/MHM/Toolkit-2023/MHM-2023-Sample-Proclamation.pdf

Robbins, J., Williams, T., & George, Z. S. (n.d.). Ecopsychology: How immersion in nature benefits your health. Yale E360. Retrieved May 4, 2023, from https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health?nav=F4tE-518336