Bring Spring to Your Home

Getting started!

By Elizabeth Rogers

They’re the places we eat, sleep, work, relax, play and do just about everything else — but after a long winter our homes can feel more like dungeons than sanctuaries. Outside, nature is cleaning up its act and renewing the environment; and indoors, many of us are doing the same. It’s the season to amend our untidy habits.

Why bother? There’s something to be said for having your home in order. If an environment looks like a disaster area, it can cause stress-related problems for the people living there. Worse yet, these problems don’t get left on the doorstep — they often follow family members to school and work.

On the flip side, a clean, organized living space offers many rewards. It’s a joy to come home to, and it also makes the day-to-day business of life much easier. It provides a sense of well being and boosts confidence.

“If you have a clean house, you have a clean life,” says lifestyle expert Mike Chalut. “Everything starts at home. When your house is clean and organized, you’re ready to take on the outside world.”

And he would know: as co-host of Kim’s Rude Awakenings, he has helped reform messy and cluttered homes — and the families living in them — and has seen how these organizational makeovers improve quality of life. Cleaning house, though it seems like an unpleasant task, does wonders for boosting the spirit.

It’s not surprising then that spring cleaning can wash away those winter blues. To help you get started, Chalut offers these tips.

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Keep It Natural - And Keep It Handy

With all of the cleaning products on the market, what does Chalut reach for when it comes to cleaning up? Baking soda. Not only is it budget-friendly, it won’t harm the environment and it’s safe for kids and pets (and you too). There are no skulls and crossbones on the packaging, and it’s a product you can actually eat.

The trick to using it is keeping it convenient. Pick up a couple of shakers from the dollar store and keep them handy. You can sprinkle baking soda on surfaces to wipe clean — or shake it on carpets, upholstery and even your pets to deodorize. Sprinkle some in your garbage can before you put in a new bag, or in your recycling bins too.

To make your own cleaning solution, fill a tub or bucket with two gallons of water and stir in the baking soda. Give it a good swish to help the soda dissolve, and then you can use the solution to wipe down surfaces (followed by a quick warm water rinse). It’s a good way to freshen up your outdoor furniture when you get it out of storage — and again, when you put it away for the fall.

Use the Buddy System

To keep closets and storage spaces odour-free without chemical air fresheners, Chalut recommends relying on your BSB. (That’s Baking Soda Buddy). All you need is an old sock, some baking soda and a permanent marker. Simply fill the sock part way with the baking soda and tie off the top with a knot or secure fastener. For the finishing touch, get creative and give your BSB some personality with eyes, nose, mouth, hair, etc. Let the ink dry and toss your BSB in the closet or storage bin.

A BSB will also keep your clothes fresh in storage. Before packing up, make sure the clothes are clean and properly folded. Toss your BSB in the container before you pop the lid on. (It can also be your also be your “secret weapon” for gym bags and lockers).

Get Everyone Involved

When it comes to cleaning chores — whether it’s seasonal or part of your weekly routine — we all know who tends to do the lion’s share of the work. However, the whole family benefits from a clean and organized home, and plays a part in making the mess, so cleaning should be a combined effort as well.

“It’s not about the mom,” Chalut notes. “The whole family should step up to the plate.”

But how can you actually get the whole family involved?

Delegate. Make a list of things that need to be done and ensure everyone plays a part. Even younger children can learn how to clean — and those life skills will benefit them later on. For weekly chores, create a chart and stick it on the fridge or bulletin board. The visuals serve as a good reminder and motivator.

Communicate

Cleaning and family relationships go hand in hand, so good communication is essential for solving problems. If you’re the organizer, smooth the way by asking for suggestions and ideas. Create a plan as a family, and make sure expectations and responsibilities are clear. Listening to others is one of the best things you can do when important interpersonal relationships are involved.

“People want to know how much you care, not how much you know,” Chalut advises. “Listen to your parents, and listen to your children. Let them know you’re in their corner and that you want them to succeed.”

This step can be crucial if you’re helping out in someone else’s home, like your parents’ or friends’. If you hit some rough patches, it might help to let others think a task was “their idea” instead.

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