It’s that time of year again – spring cleaning. As a professional home organizer in Vancouver for over 20 years, I see the same decluttering tips and tricks offered time and time again. Many websites provide helpful advice even though it might not apply to everyone. However, I believe that some information is misleading – simply advertisements in disguise. Let’s do some spring cleaning myth-busting.
Spring Cleaning Myth 1: All You Need to Do is Clean
Fact: C.L.E.A.R. first, then clean.
The ritual of spring cleaning originated many years ago. Back then, people heated their homes with wood and coal, which led to poor indoor air quality and a layer of soot and ash accumulating throughout the home. With the onset of spring’s warmer weather, people were able to open their windows and thoroughly clean their homes and their contents.
Of course, when you have more stuff in your home, you have more to clean. That is why Out of Chaos suggests that you C.L.E.A.R. the clutter first. To start, categorize your items into relevant groupings. Next, limit what you keep to create an enjoyable space in your home, evaluate each item, and decide if it is worth keeping. Then, allocate a storage area (room and container) to store the items. Finally, remove (sell, donate, recycle) the belongings you no longer want.
Once the decluttering is complete, you’ll have much less to clean, and accessing all the areas you need to clean will be easier.
Spring Cleaning Myth 2: The Rules of Decluttering Are…
Fact: There are no strict decluttering rules.
A quick internet search on spring cleaning and decluttering turned up the following:
- 12-12-12 rule for decluttering
- 333-decluttering rule
- [number of things] to never do when decluttering
- [number of things] to always do when decluttering
Even though the list of “rules” seems endless, I believe people should treat them as decluttering suggestions. Each client I work with is different. They have different goals and priorities, and no one has the exact same stuff in their homes.
However, there is one guideline that I typically follow, and that is C.L.E.A.R. before cleaning.
Spring Cleaning Myth 3: This [insert miracle product name] will organize your home once and for all.
Fact: There are no “miracle” organizing products.
Unfortunately, there are no miracles. Many articles promoting organizing products are actually advertisements that entice you to buy something you may not need. Even though some products are ingenious, they are often cheaply made. They break easily, creating even more clutter. Fortunately, there are many great organizing products available. I recommend – and use – some organizing products with almost every client because they are versatile and durable. They stand up to household wear and tear, and the client can use them in various locations in the home.
As the warm weather approaches, don’t fall for the misleading spring-cleaning myths. Instead, embrace the C.L.E.A.R. method, a practical guide to decluttering. And remember, you can count on the Out of Chaos team to give you the facts about home organizing. Contact us today for a free consultation.
