Get A Head Start On Your Spring Cleaning Chores With These Five Steps
1. Tackle your papers
Organizing your paperwork is a huge undertaking and a very important one when it comes to getting on top of your household clutter. The best way to get organized? Sort, purge, and file. Toss anything that’s more than seven years old as well as anything that can be found online (hello, appliance manuals!). Once you’ve purged, meticulously file what’s remaining. Pick up a standing filing cabinet, a box of hanging file folders, a box of regular file folders, and a permanent marker. Then, sort by creating categories that start big (bills, insurance, travel, et cetera) and get smaller (credit card, year, family member), putting file folders within their larger-category hanging file folders and labelling everything.
2. Make a “magic number”
How many empty yogurt containers do you need? What about black t-shirts or dark skinny jeans? The right answer: fewer than you think! Try creating a “magic number” for your house (maybe three), and make that the maximum number of duplicate products you can have. Then, when you buy a fourth black t-shirt, you’re committed to getting rid of one. One in, one out.
3. Do one room per week, top to bottom
Once a week, lock yourself in a room of your choice — and don’t come out until you’re done! Purge, sort, tidy, and clean. Look up, look down, and look in, catching every nook and cranny. Your goal is to pare down, organize, systemize, and clean.
4. Replace and upgrade
Towels that your dog chewed? A bedside table with chipped or dented corners? It’s time to send your well-loved items to household heaven (or at least send them to a second-hand shop). You don’t need to spend a fortune re-buying everything, but be honest with yourself about what’s acceptable around your home. You really should toss that chipped bowl in your cupboard.
5. Clean the things you never clean
Put aside some time every night to scrub down one thing in your house that you’ve likely never done before — or haven’t done in years. Your foyer chandelier, the legs of your dining room chairs, the lint catcher in your dryer, the cupboard under your kitchen sink: clean it, and sleep better at night!
Image Courtesy of: MarthaStewart.com
Denise Wild
Author
Denise Wild is a sewing expert, magazine editor (including ANOKHI’s former Beauty Editor), media personality, author, and entrepreneur. Denise founded LoveSewing & The Sewing Studio, North America’s largest sewing school for 10 years, with locations in Toronto and New York City. Yo...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
The Hunt For Amritpal Singh: What Exactly Is Happening In Punjab?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I Had A Miscarriage And Our Family's "Be Grateful" Sentiments Really Hurt
-
Indiaspopup.com Hosts A NYC Power Summit Honouring 5 South Asian Women For IWD 2023
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Underage Nephew Expects Me To Buy Booze For Him
-
Warm Up To The Fusion Delights Of Ushna in Dubai
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Boyfriend Is Pressuring Me To Attend His Sister's Wedding But I Can't Afford It
-
IWD 2023: 11 Inspirational Quotes From Powerful South Asian Women
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My In-Laws Are Giving Me The Cold Shoulder
-
7 South Asian Female Fitness Pros Who Will Level Up Your Workouts
-
Why Seattle’s Anti-Caste Law Is An Historic Power Move For Human Rights
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Brother Doesn't Think My Aging Mom Should Stop Driving But I Do!
-
Zabardast Serves Up Delish Desi Delights
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! I Need To Move Out Of My Parents' House
-
We Tell You Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Invest
-
5 Ways To Build A Great Relationship With Yourself This Valentine's Day
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! I Can't Stop Shopping!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I Can't Say No To People Without Feeling Guilty
-
Let’s Talk … About Your Relationship with You!
-
This Is Why Amsterdam In The Winter Is Simply Wonderful
-
Dear Dr. Monica Vermani Being Back In The Office Is Giving Me Anxiety
-
Indian Afternoon Tea At Bobby's In Leicester UK? Yes Please!
-
Dear Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Ex Tells His Friends His Cheating Is My Fault
-
Travel The World With Tamarind Modern Indian Bistro's Global Cuisine
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Winter Depresses Me, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Parents I Don't Want To Go To Business School?
-
Fabulous Holiday Gifts For Kids
-
Why 'Heroin Chic' Is A Dangerous Trend For South Asians
-
Highlights From The South Asian Literature And Arts Festival (SALA)
-
Ask Dr Monica Vermani: Her 5 Break Up Rules You Should Know
-
Roti Chai Is The Perfect Eatery To Hit Up While Christmas Shopping
-
I Loved Visiting This Quaint Town Of Bath
-
Indian Alley Brings Delhi's Iconic Roadside Eats To Camden Market
-
This Is Why Mauritius Is A Traveller's Dream
-
"Making Happy" By Sheetal Seth Is The Book Kids Need When Their Parent Is Sick
-
International Day Of The Girl: How Women Of The Sundarbans Are Saving Their Girls
-
The Murder Of Mahsa Amini: Will The Global Outcry Make A Difference?
-
South Asian Literature And Art Festival Is Bringing Together The Biggest Names In SA Lit And Here's Why You Need To Go
-
Canada's Most Powerful Women Were Celebrated At The Women Empowerment Awards 2022
-
It's All About The Home Cooked Veg Goodness At London's Ananda Bhavan
-
What Exactly Is A NFT And Why We Need To Stop Ignoring It
-
TIFF 2022: Checking Out The Fabulous Bask-It-Style Gift Lounge
-
Gopal’s Corner Blend Malaysian And Tamil Cuisine Creating An Unforgettable Bite
-
We Celebrate National Wildlife Day With Our 5 Fave Sanctuaries In India
-
Canary Wharf Heats Up Your Palate With Chai Ki
-
Ready To Find Your Match? You'll Need These 4 Desi Dating Apps In Your Life
-
Where Does Hinduism, Islam & Sikhism Stand In The Abortion Issue?
-
Never Forget: 12 Movies & Books To Help You Continue The Partition Conversation
-
From North To South London's Award-Winning Bayleaf Restaurant Elevates Indian Cuisine At Whetstone
-
Here's Why I Fell In Love With The Sea Views Of Southampton and Portsmouth
-
Shree Krishna Vada Pav In London Celebrates India's Iconic Veggie Dishes
-
The Pope’s Apology: A Closer Look At His “Pilgrimage Of Penance"
-
Want To Go To Marrakech? This Is What I Did
