WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT SPRING CLEANING?

1. It reduces allergens in the home
Excessive pollen, allergens and dust in the home can cause allergy sensitivities and respiratory challenges to flair up. How can we reduce the allergens?

a) One of the simplest ways to start reducing allergens in the home is to remove your outdoor shoes when you arrive home. Throw on a pair of indoor slippers or designated indoor shoes to keep dirt and dust from entering your home.

b) Vacuuming and dusting the places that normally may get ignored (think high shelves, the top of the fridge, or upholstered furniture) These places can accumulate a lot of dust. Use a vacuum, swiffer duster, or damp cloth to get rid of the excess allergens.

2. It’s therapeutic
Cleaning and organizing are methodical and productive, providing a sense of accomplishment and order.

When things we can’t control feel overwhelming (like bad weather or politics — to name a few!), being able to control our own surroundings can offer us a sense of calm and accomplishment. Organizing and cleaning a once disheveled space can be therapeutic and can help us feel more at peace in our own homes.

3. It gets us ready for summer
Summer naturally lends itself to increased gatherings and entertaining because of the additional outdoor time. Spring cleaning allows us a jump start on cleaning out and cleaning up our home. Decluttering, sorting and purging all those piles now (that accumulated over the winter) will encourage you to have impromptu drop-ins and fun gatherings at your home.

4. We may find things we've been missing!
Have you ever hidden a gift or an important item, only for it to go missing indefinitely? One year, as I began my spring cleaning, I found something that had been missing for months — our passports!

Cleaning and sorting those forgotten shelves or baskets of stuff may uncover important missing items!