March is always the start of spring for me. I know there’s a light at the end of the winter tunnel when March comes around and warm weather is fast approaching. March also represents a time of fresh starts and the beginning of spring cleaning. If you’ve ever been to the FlyLady’s website, www.flylady.net, you know that she’s the expert on home cleaning and how to keep it that way. She’s renamed the word CHAOS as Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome.
Before you can clean though, you’ve got to clear the clutter and organize what you already have. Having Saint Louis Closet Co. design a custom closet is a great first step. So many St. Louis homes have small closets with poor designs and many people are not utilizing their space efficiently. Our designers can make the most out of any closet, small or large so that every inch is functional and attractive to look at.
I hear a lot about people hanging onto stuff because “they might need it one day.”—It’s time to let go of that thought, take control of your stuff, and let it go.
People hold onto items because of the memory that they hold, not because of their function. Take a picture of your stuff so that you can keep the memory, then give it to someone else who can benefit from it.
One great way to get rid of unwanted items is www.freecycle.org, which is an email list that matches people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them, and so keeping usable items out of landfills. It’s a free service, and the best part is that the person who wants your item comes and picks it up.
Items that need a good once over include your doormats, upholstery, carpet, woodwork, appliances, ceiling fixtures, light fixtures, windows, and walls. If the list is daunting, break things down and try just tackling one a day.
March is a great month to replace your air filter since you’ve been blasting heated air through your house all winter. If your filter is especially dirty it may be time to get your air ducts professionally cleaned. It’s also a great time to get out your gardening tools and clean, sharpen, check for rust, and get rid of things that don’t work. It won’t be long before it’s time to use your tools and you want to be prepared.
Once your organizing and cleaning projects are done, it may be time to make some decorating changes. An easy and inexpensive way to change your look quickly is to introduce a new color to a room. According to the Paint Quality Institute, green may be the new neutral color in 2008. They suggest that “mid-tone hues of fern, palm, pine and sage will be used on their own or coupled with clear blue or aqua to create a living space that conjures up a sense of outdoor-friendly living”. So, whether you join the trends or start your own, paint is a great solution to a dull space.
So, clear, sort, organize, clean, give away and enjoy a clutter free Spring!
