Feeling the urge to purge? Then it’s time for some spring cleaning. With a few simple tips and tricks, your home — and mood — can be refreshed and revitalized.
For the biggest payoff for your efforts, focus spring cleaning in the areas of the home that are used most: The kitchen and bathroom.
Clear kitchen clutter: According to research from the Mayo Clinic, de-cluttering can have a significant positive effect on your mental health and well-being.
To start your refresh, toss anything that’s expired or no longer being used. Use a
wall-mount spice rack to free up shelf space and keep ingredients within easy reach. Add sanity to the silverware drawer by giving all gadgets their spaces.
Labels and liners: Add a new level of organization and personalization to cabinets, drawers and even wire racks with shelf liners. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, they offer a smooth top and grip bottom for easy sliding of items. Plus, the smooth surface catches messes and spills, making cleanup a breeze. Next, create custom labels for organizer bins with chalkboard or dry erase adhesives. For wire racks, add shelf liner to the bottom to hold items in place.
Get savvy at the sink: Next, move to one of the germiest areas of the kitchen: The sink. To keep this area neat and clean, add an organizer to keep all cleaning essentials — sponges and brushes — upright and dry and help resist the growth of bacteria. Excess water is captured in the base, which can easily be removed and wiped clean. Finally, place a raised mat in your sink basin to encourage air and water flow for faster drying and to provide extra cushion for fragile glassware.
Banish bathroom battles: From towels to toiletries, bathrooms collect a lot of “stuff.” Keep the daily-use items and purge the rest. If you have limited shower space, use a suction shower basket or shower caddy to hold shampoo and soaps. Add an over-the-tank toilet paper holder to store extra bath tissue and keep it out of the way. Just like the kitchen, use small baskets to keep everything from makeup to medicine easily accessible and in the right place.
Conquer cluttery cords: Conquer cords and countertop clutter by using vertical spaces. Add shelves to walls to hold towels or smaller items, and add over-the-cabinet accessory baskets to the insides of cabinet doors. These easy-to-install organizers keep items like your blow dryer, straightener and curling iron out of sight but within arm’s reach for a faster morning routine.
Soon, with a bit of cleaning and organization focused in key areas of your home, you’ll be feeling refreshed and revitalized this spring.
