The joys of spring are almost upon us! Soon the daffodils will be blooming, the lambs will be frolicking, the trees will be resplendent with their verdant foliage, and many will be planning a mammoth spring clean to cast out the cobwebs and get ready for the warmer months.
For many, spring is a time of renewal. It’s a fantastic time (and excuse) to grab the duster and broom and put things in order, both mentally and physically. Aside from improving overall cleanliness, it’s a fact that cleaning does have a positive impact on your mental health.
A study by the British Journal of Sports Science revealed that a mere 20 minutes of physical activity was enough to decrease stress levels, but a Scottish Health Survey proved that activity didn’t need to be a gym workout. Out of the 3,000 respondents, the survey reported that regular housework was enough to decrease anxiety and stress levels. Further research placed that decrease at around 20%!
This spring, seize the opportunity to clean up your home as well as your mind. Here are our tips on how spring cleaning can support a more positive headspace.
Declutter
Clutter is subconsciously linked with negative emotions such as stress, irritability and nerves. While the correlation is unclear, clutter does cause people to feel less motivated, making them more likely to choose to sit on the sofa, rather than hit the gym. Do something positive to your home and to your mind by spending a bit of time decluttering.
Do you, for example, hold on to old Christmas / birthday cards? Do you really need them, or could you limit the number in the drawer?
Do you hold on to books you’ve already read and will never ever read again? Could these be put to more use by donating to a charity shop or to your friends?
Are your kitchen cupboards full of tins and packets which are out-of-date or could be donated to a local food bank because they’re not part of your staple family meals?
Did you ever start a hobby which never really took off and now you have all the gear (and still no idea) stored in the loft, garage or cupboard? Pop them for sale on Facebook Marketplace or eBay and use the extra money to treat yourself to something positive.
There are a million and one things you can do to declutter your home, so open the cupboards, the drawers, go up in the loft and even the shed and ask yourself what you could live without. Don’t forget to give a spritz of Ace Stain Remover Spray to freshen up those hard surfaces, remove stains and degrease.
Allergies
The longer you leave your home without cleaning – and we mean more than a quick dust – the more polluted the air becomes, allowing pollen, dust mites and other allergens to hide in plain sight. Another benefit to a clean home is a lack of allergens waiting to attack.
The common signs of allergies are:
If you experience any of the above symptoms, then rather than feel glum and run down, get up and do a bit of spring cleaning to ease some of the symptoms.
Vacuum thoroughly, including underneath furniture, any upholstery, inside windows, blinds and even the curtains to minimise allergens. It’s recommended you vacuum your home once a week, but for those suffering with allergies or for those with pets, we highly recommend you do so more often to keep those mites at bay.
Changing your bed linen and cushion covers is another great way to ease your allergy symptoms. Throughout the day your hair, clothes and skin will pick up pollen which can be easily transferred to your bedsheets and sofa cushions. Banish pollen and other allergens by popping your bed linen in a hot wash once a week, as well as your cushion covers.
For those with white bedsheets, add ACE for Whites. Specifically formulated to work better on lighter fabrics, the product will not only remove stains but will brighten and boost hygiene. And for those with coloured sheets, add a capsule of ACE for Colours to the wash which has an 8+ System – meaning it will banish food, grease, mud, trapped dirt, body soils, drinks, cosmetics and vegetable oils.
For those who regularly suffer from hay fever, which we know can make you feel very run down, avoid the temptation of hanging your washing outside on hotter days because it’s a magnet for pollen.
Take your mind off ‘things’
We’re all guilty of letting some ‘things’ get the better of us and become a prominent distraction in our heads. Take your mind off whatever is causing you concern and apply focus to a particular part of your home.
The oven is something we use most days, yet the majority of us dislike cleaning it so it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Slip-on some gloves, get dirty and scrub away at the grease as well as your problems. Before you know it, a whole hour will have slipped by.
Save yourself some money and rather than take your car to the local car or jet wash, pop some water and soap into a bucket and get washing. You’ll be amazed just how therapeutic washing your car can be, especially when you see your hard work paying off.
As a parent, you know your children are terrible at keeping their rooms tidy. So why not save the argument, roll up your sleeves and tackle it? It might even be a night activity to do together – depending on how brave you are.
The fridge is another kitchen essential which gets overlooked. We open and close it several times a time yet rarely do we take out all the contents and give it the love it deserves. Cleaning your fridge/freezer is also a great excuse to get rid of products which have seen better days.
We do hope these tips help you with your next spring clean – mind and home. Do you have any tips to share with our lovely followers? If so, please share with us at @ACECleanUK on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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