Home is where the heart is. It’s also where clutter builds, messes happen, and where mystery odors sometimes lurk. Fortunately, there are so many things you can do to not only freshen up your home but also make it a cleaner and healthier space for you and your family. But don’t worry — you don’t need to spend hours cleaning to see results. Here are some quick and simple ways you can freshen up your home.
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Choose One Thing To Deep Clean
If you’re pressed for time but really want to make some progress with your cleaning, a great place to start is to choose just one thing to deep clean. While you might feel as though doing only one task won’t amount to much, keep in mind that every bit counts — especially if you choose something that’s not easily undone.
For instance, maybe your stovetop has gotten pretty grimy recently, or you had a spill in the oven weeks ago but haven’t gotten around to tackling the mess. Is your refrigerator long past due for a cleanout and wipe-down? When was the last time you cleaned the filter on your dishwasher? Try kicking your cleaning experience up a notch and use Thieves Cleaner by Young Living Essential Oils, or make your own cleaners featuring your favorite scented oils.
Getting these types of tasks out of the way will make a big difference, even if they seem to pale in comparison to larger messes waiting for you around the corner. Don’t worry — you’ll have time to get around to those, too.
Open the Windows
One of the quickest ways to make your home feel fresh and clean is to simply open the windows. Even if you’re only able to do so for 15 minutes at a time, that amount of fresh air will make a big difference. This is a good practice to follow each day, year-round.
However, you may suffer from environmental allergies such as pollen that keep you from opening the windows as much as you’d like to. Consider purchasing an air purifier for your home to help control allergens and clean the air.
As a general rule, think about cracking a window when cooking or bathing, as well as airing out rooms when family members are ill.
Wash Soft Items
If you expected laundry to be on this list, your intuition was spot on. However, think of the soft surfaces in your home as opposed to the loads of clothing you already do.
Take a look around. You’ll likely see throw blankets, pillows, curtains, pet bedding, and other soft surfaces around your home. If it’s been a while since you’ve washed them, now’s the time. This is a great way to not only remove odors but allergens such as dust and pet dander as well. Taking it a step further and shampooing carpets and upholstery will also make a big difference.
Just remember to read care instructions first so you don’t damage your items. You may want to be prepared for hand washing and line drying, especially if you’re washing curtains or other delicate items.
Set a Timer for Decluttering
Do you feel like you’re always tripping over random things or moving piles of stuff from one place to another? No doubt it can be frustrating. However, it’s also a very common part of daily life. Clutter builds up each day and the busyness of life can make it tricky to manage. Oftentimes it’s ignored simply because it can be an overwhelming thing.
Because clutter can be so frustrating, it’s important for your well-being that you stay on top of it the best you can. Try setting a timer each day to keep yourself focused only on clutter, keeping it to ten-minute increments. You’ll be surprised by how much you can accomplish in such a short period.
The important thing here is that you manage clutter appropriately. If you don’t, you’ll end right back up where you started from.
It doesn’t have to be an all-day thing to freshen and clean your home. By implementing just a few quick and simple practices into your days, you’ll notice what a big impact this can have overall. Which ones do you see yourself trying today?