As May rolls around, people are ready for springtime! There is no greater spring pastime than good old fashioned spring-cleaning.
As people set out to clear their homes of winter drudgery and create an ambiance of freshness associated with this time of year, it can be hard to know where to start.
As one embarks on a purging journey, a great place to kick off is the wardrobe. This is the perfect opportunity to go into one’s closet and find any winter clothing that went untouched this past season. An entire season of not wearing something may indicate it should be on its way out. Some people may have a hard time pulling the trigger after merely one season of no use, should this be the case the decision lies between getting over it and getting rid of it or putting it away and marking it for consideration again in the fall.
Once excess clothing is out of the way, that leaves opportunity to find other junk in the closet or under the bed. If shoes look worn, or don’t fit correctly, they ought to be retired. Accessories like scarves and hats should be examined for wear and tear and those that survive inspection should be put neatly away.
Another terrific place for de-cluttering is the bookshelf. Any books that are no longer age appropriate are fodder for purging. Nice books, especially classics, should be kept unless there are no plans to re-read them, or lend them out. The same goes for DVD’s and VHS’s.
Time to release the vacuums and the dusters! This is the perfect opportunity to reach places that don’t get as much love during day to day cleanings. A nice step ladder will assist with hard-to-reach places.
Spring is also the perfect time for drivers to rein in the messiness of their vehicles. It is finally a time of year when temperatures are on the rise, so spending a little time in the garage or driveway is not unbearable. With gas prices ever on the rise, every car deserves to be looking its best, to match the increasing expense. It will appreciate the tender loving care. Umbrellas and sunglasses certainly ought to have a place in the car, as should maps and auto safety kits. One wouldn’t begrudge a change of clothes perhaps, but other trash and odd items accumulated over time should go.
It takes time and patience to get through a successful spring cleaning which may also include the basement or garage, but the rewards are worth it. Happy cleaning.