Throwing back the curtains to welcome the cheerful spring sunlight might reveal more than you bargained for. If your living space has grown into more of a storage space this winter, you may need a little inspiration and motivation to get your home back to a more manageable state.
Whether you’re just tired of the clutter or considering downsizing to a smaller space, you’ll find numerous benefits to a cleaner, more organized living area. To get you started, we’ve compiled some practical tips that make it easier to tackle spring cleaning for seniors.
A tidier, well-kept living environment is good for your mental and physical health. What’s more, if you’re considering a move, you can get a head start on packing with a thorough spring cleaning.
5 Benefits of Spring Cleaning for Seniors
Some of the benefits of spring cleaning are obvious; few, if any, people enjoy living in a mess. However, there are some distinct advantages of spring cleaning for seniors. Motivate yourself into action by understanding some of the ways spring cleaning is good for your overall well-being:
- A haphazard living environment can contribute to anxiety and stress. Taking charge of your living space gives you a sense of empowerment and control.
- Dust bunnies aren’t just unsightly; they can trap allergens and other pollutants that affect your breathing, especially if you’re allergy-prone or have a respiratory condition. Deep cleaning is a good way to improve the air quality in your home.
- As you age, mobility becomes more of a challenge and clutter brings added obstacles. An organized home with clear pathways is a safer environment where you can move freely without fear of falling.
- You don’t have to hit the gym to work up a sweat. Housework counts as physical activity, so you can get some exercise while improving your living space.
- In retirement, it’s easy to let the hours and days blend together without feeling like you get much done. A project like spring cleaning gives your days purpose and a sense of accomplishment with results you can see.
Make a Big Job Manageable
Even knowing the benefits, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the idea of starting a big cleaning project. It may help to remember that spring cleaning isn’t just about removing dust and dirt; it’s also an opportunity to create a more functional and enjoyable living space.
You’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor more fully if you approach the project with some advance planning and preparation that ensure you reach the finish line safely and efficiently.
Set Goals
Begin by determining what you hope to achieve with your spring clean. Is there an event on the horizon, such as a celebration, when you’ll want to be ready to host guests? Are you looking forward to moving into a senior living community soon? Do you simply want to freshen up your living space?
Knowing what the finish line looks like can help you create a reasonable plan. However, remember that the end goal isn’t the only goal. Creating a series of smaller milestone goals will help you keep on track and allow you to celebrate progress as it happens.
Take Your Time
Deep cleaning and decluttering things you’ve accumulated over years is going to take time — likely weeks or even months. While it’s valuable to plan with your end goal in mind, it’s also important to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given timeframe.
Start slowly, perhaps in a relatively small space like a bathroom or pantry. Find a system for deciding what you want to keep, gift, donate and discard, and settle into a comfortable rhythm before moving on to bigger, more demanding spaces.
Also try breaking up the task into smaller blocks of time so you don’t wear yourself out, either mentally or physically (or both!).
Protect Your Safety
Before diving into your first cleaning project, consider any safety precautions you may need to take. Having a cleaning buddy is a good idea so if you encounter an unexpected problem, help is within easy reach.
Especially if you’re tackling the job alone, avoid climbing on furniture or ladders and put off the heavy lifting. Use tools like dusters with handle extensions to get hard-to-reach spots and electric brushes that prevent back-breaking scrubbing.
Also be conscious of where you pile items as you sort them. Having things scattered around the room in places you’re not used to encountering obstacles can pose a tripping hazard.
Another safety concern involves the cleaning supplies you might use. Be cautious about harsh products that may affect your breathing, and be sure to ventilate properly or wear a protective mask if you must use a product that exudes strong fumes. When possible, use natural cleaning products instead.
Honor Your Emotions
Another factor to consider is the potential emotional toll of spring cleaning for seniors, especially if you’re using the occasion to kick off a downsizing process. Sorting through decades of belongings can uncover lots of feelings.
That’s another reason in favor of sharing the job with a loved one — you can laugh and cry through all of the precious memories together.
With a helper or alone, an important downsizing tip for seniors is to give yourself permission to process the feelings as they come. A move to a new place is a big change, and that alone is likely to have your emotions in a stir. Add in a sentimental walk down all the lanes of your life’s memories, and it’s very normal to experience a wide range of feelings.
Working through those feelings in the short term will help ensure you’re in a better position to fully embrace your new surroundings once you make your move.
Preserve Your Sentimental Belongings
One of the biggest challenges of downsizing and spring cleaning for seniors is the idea of parting with beloved possessions. Fortunately, there are many ways you can hang onto those special items and the sentiments they represent while still making progress on decluttering and organizing your home.
Keeping collectibles. When it’s not one or two but an entire collection of items you hold dear, you can get creative to keep your collection close. For example, you might select one or two of your most prized pieces to keep, then take pictures of the rest that you can display or place in an album to enjoy any time you like.
Smart storage. When you’re decluttering and downsizing, you’ll be glad to discover the wide variety of clever storage solutions for seniors. For example, an ottoman that doubles as a storage container is a practical way to add seating to your living space while keeping precious items safe.
Use space wisely. Some of your most treasured items may make for wonderful displays that add personal character to your new home. Using wall space to showcase special trinkets in frames or on shelves can be an effective way to preserve your sentimental items. Also think about what you may be able to store within easy reach under your bed or in pretty baskets that add a cozy touch to your décor.
Give Yourself Well-Deserved Credit
Spring cleaning can be as demanding as it is rewarding. If it seems daunting, remember that once the job is done, you’ll be able to pat yourself on the back for successfully creating a living space you’re proud to call your own.