Your Guide to Spring Cleaning and Decluttering

Your guide to spring cleaning and decluttering

There are lots of reasons for spring cleaning. Winter’s over, the sun's out, and there’s a renewed energy to tackle projects and literally “get your house in order”! 

Spring cleaning goes beyond the physical organization; it extends into all parts of your life. A cleaner house helps you reduce stress levels and have more mental clarity and focus, which leads to increased productivity!  

There are different personalities when it comes to housekeeping, clutter, and tidiness. According to a study by Current Psychology, procrastinators are people who have a hard time staying on top of their house cleaning. The contrast is routine-oriented people: they tend to get up, make the bed, and clean the kitchen after breakfast before moving on to the next thing. 

Which one are you? Probably somewhere in between. Take note: once you do the work of spring cleaning, consider your “clean routine” so you don’t backslide. Commit to small things, like putting your shoes away. Tidy people say staying on top of it makes all the difference!

The bottom line is, no matter what your personality, a decluttered and tidy home, office space, and the car are good for you. Here’s why:

1. Clutter and cortisol. Clean house = less stress. Studies like this show that “The way people describe their homes may reflect whether their time at home feels restorative or stressful.”
2. Declutter your space, declutter your mind. Anyone that has cleaned out a closet knows the feeling! It's easier to focus on the important things in life. 
3. You’ll have more time. Imagine not spending extra time every week looking for your car keys, phone, your favorite shirt, etc. When you know precisely what you have and everything has a place, life is less frustrating, and it leaves time for the good stuff!

Let’s Spring Clean!

Get ready to plan for a whole day or a weekend - we all know what it’s like when you finish a clean-out project part way through - a big mess you might not be compelled to tackle again.  So put on the comfy shoes and plan to finish what you started! Don’t let bunion pain, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and heel spurs keep you from getting stuff done. If you need extra support, try the Copper Fit Arch Relief Plus, it's an adjustable compression band designed with built-in adaptive arch support. You can wear it with or without shoes for the relief you need. To really keep your feet and legs comfortable for a weekend of cleaning, consider combining Arch Relief with Copper Fit Energy Compression Socks. The compression temporarily relieves muscle and joint aches and pain by supporting improved circulation and helping to send oxygen to muscles. The Energy Compression Socks are also infused with copper to reduce odors. (PS - this power duo provides extreme support for ANY big day on your feet!).

Here’s a look at our favorite spring cleaning systems:

The Marie Kondo Organizing Method 

• Marie Kondo is an organizer extraordinaire that encourages tidying by category instead of focusing on location.  For example, you start with clothes, then move on to books, etc. 
• The big concept: Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy.  It’s a beneficial philosophy if you have a hard time letting go!
• Even our favorite wellness guru, Gwyneth Paltrow, uses the Marie Kondo style to organize her space, favoring clear labeled bins for her “keep” items.

The One In, One Out Organizing Method

• This is simple: something must go if you bring in a new item. It’s excellent for closet organization, but it works for make-up, sports equipment, kitchen drawers, anything! 
• Here’s another tip for closets: turn all of your hangers the opposite way. In six months, any clothes still hanging the opposite way are probably giveaways!
• This system helps you focus on constantly purging the things that aren’t serving you and making sure you pare down to what works. When minimizing shoes, you don’t have to search for the perfect, most comfortable shoe in every style when you can use Copper Fit Work Gear Comfort Insoles in every pair for maximum all-day support. Whether on the worksite or walking the dog, the contoured arch support and the maximum cushion will keep you standing strong.

The Four Box Organizing Method:

• Get four large boxes. Start emptying the room or space you are working on - put everything in a Keep, Store, Trash, or Giveaway box. Simple and easy!
• For a job with large items, like the garage - use tarps or large blankets, and pile your items on.  
• Schedule the donation pick up and large trash pick up before you start; then you have a definitive end time.

Copper Fit Tip: If your “store” box ends up in the attic or the rafters, always guard your back when lifting big boxes, using the proper protocol. Wear a Copper Fit Advanced Back PRO with a double-belt closure for adjustable customized compression. The four built-in stabilizers help support a stiff or aching back.

The best way to stay on top of decluttering is to list your goals and do a little every day. It’s not overwhelming and gives you the momentum to keep going! Start with a drawer-a-day method. 

Get motivated for spring cleaning. When you declutter your life, you have more time and energy for the things that really matter.

Happy spring cleaning!