Spring clean your home,
your body and your life

Spring cleaning rituals go way back and are based on religious, psychological and practical traditions. These days spring cleaning extends beyond the four walls of our homes. We are not only encouraged to spring clean the house, but also to focus on spring cleaning our bodies, our lives, our workspace and our gardens. So, where to begin?

GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER
There’s no denying, that before electricity, winter was a dirty business – wood fires produced soot and coal fires produced smuts. The smoke from these fires stained fireplaces and permeated furnishings. Add to this the smoky lighting from tallow candles or the residue of black dirt from the more costly beeswax candles, and it’s easy to see why spring was eagerly anticipated.

Okay, modern houses don’t get covered in black residue from candles and soot from fires, but they do still need a good spring clean.

Start at the top and work down, and do your spring cleaning room by room.

1. Move it – get everything movable outside. This gives furniture and furnishings some valuable time in the fresh air and sunshine and allows you to vacuum in places that are normally inaccessible.
2. Dust it – slightly dampen your soft dusting cloth and work from ceiling to floor, room by room. Dust everything that can collect dust including tops of doors, tops of curtain rails, window frames, high shelves and blades on ceiling fans.
3. Wipe it – even light bulbs need cleaning, but ensure they are cool first. Wipe gently with soft cloth dampened with hot water and white vinegar. Glass light shades and chandelier fixtures should be washed in hot water with mild dishwashing liquid. Dry thoroughly before replacing. Dust lampshades with a clean, dry paintbrush flicking dust downwards then wipe it up with a damp cloth.
4. Vacuum it – blinds and skirting boards can be vacuumed with the dust brush attachment. Use the upholstery attachment for curtains and furniture. The floor should be vacuumed last, then washed or carpets shampooed.
5. Wash it – all soft furnishings should be washed according to manufacturer’s instructions including curtains, cushion and pillow covers, mattress covers, duvet covers and inners. If they can’t be washed have them dry cleaned, or hang in the sun for several hours.
6. Scrub it – windows and exterior window frames need dirt and grime removed first. Then scrub using a soft brush or large sponge in a solution of equal parts hot water and white vinegar, or hot water with a small amount of dishwashing liquid. Scrape windows with a soft blade window scraper and polish with a soft cloth.
7. Dump it – If you haven’t worn it, used it, referred to it, cooked with it, or looked at it in the past year, chances are you don’t need it. Spring cleaning includes clearing the clutter from your home and your life.

A FAMILY AFFAIR
Get the family involved, even the kids, and make spring cleaning an enjoyable event. Try these simple tips to pump up the fun factor:

• Make a “to do” list and let the kids choose what they will do
• Crank up the music and sing along while you work
• Keep cleaning sessions short with a reward at the end
• Hide treats in hard to find places to make sure the kids do the job properly such as taking ALL the books off the bookshelves when dusting
• Remember kids love anything to do with water so outside jobs involving a bucket, a hose and water are ideal.

SPRING CLEAN YOU LIFE
Learn to say “no”
When you say yes to something you don’t want or need in your life, you are actually saying no to something else you may prefer.    
 
Relationships
Relationships that drain your energy, cause stress, are unsupportive or critical can affect your quality of life. You may need to let go and move on. Be assertive!

Watch your spending
Financial debt can become a huge burden, so resist the urge to spend more than you make. Set yourself a budget, get rid of credit cards, pay for purchases in cash and live within your means.

Become a delegator
You can’t do everything, so instead of feeling overwhelmed, accept that it’s okay to delegate. This applies at home, at work and in your social circle.

“Me” time
Whatever gives you peace and pleasure, go for it. It might be a walk, a visit to long-lost friends, a quiet afternoon with a good book, or a relaxing bath with no interruptions.

DETOX – BUT AS YOU KNOW IT
Detox conjures up images of extreme fasting, strict diet regimes, deprivation and starvation. In fact it is quite the opposite. Detoxing is all about wellness – reducing the toxic burdens on your body, which can result in improved health.
Easy detox plan

Dump the rubbish – anything in your diet that is processed, prepared or packaged is probably full of fat, sugar and food additives.
If you can’t read eat, don’t eat it – most of the harmful additives in food have long and complex names. If you can’t read the words, don’t buy it, and don’t eat it.
Drink up – to help flush out toxins drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
Need a coffee? –  choose mineral water, organic juices and herb teas instead. If you can’t go without coffee, opt for decaffeinated organic coffee.

Cut back or eliminate meat and dairy – at least for a while to give your body a break.

Veg out – vegetables should make at least 70% of every meal. Try to include raw vegetables in most meals.

Small is good – keep meals small, but eat more frequently throughout the day.

Snacks are okay – choose from a handful of raw, unsalted almonds, almond butter on celery sticks, nori rolls with avocado (vegetarian sushi), a veggie and sprout wrap, a berry smoothie with rice or almond milk.

Avoid smoking and smoke – and certainly avoid recreational drugs.

Get some exercise – try to avoid pollution and traffic fumes where possible by exercising indoors or away from heavy traffic.

Eat slowly – this lets your body concentrate on digestion and reduces stress and overload in your system.

Sleep needs – Ensure you get regular sleep as an exhausted body works less efficiently. Aim for 7-8 hours a day.

Cut back on alcohol – if you must have a drink choose a glass of plain white spirits such as vodka or gin and go for a natural juice mixer such as orange or tomato. Increase your water intake to compensate for the dehydrating effect.

Finally it is just as important to detox your mind and ease the tension in your body as it is to clean up your diet. Take yourself off somewhere to sit still, breathe slowly and try to empty your mind of stressful thoughts – try an aromatherapy bath or book in for regular massage treatments.


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