Spring cleaning isn’t something taken lightly in the United States. In fact, it’s been practiced for thousands of years all over the world. The English term “Spring Cleaning” seemed to have hit mainstream vocabulary around the mid-1800s, but it was a practice that existed before then. In England, it originated from the need to clear out the “winter smells” because of the poor ventilation in Victorian-era houses. In Iran, cleaning out the house traditionally marked the vernal equinox. In China, it was done to celebrate the Chinese new year. People also have linked spring cleaning’s origins to Passover, in which families often ritually cleansed and cleaned the home to mark the date. Think about how much of a cultural melting pot America is, and you can see how spring cleaning has stuck around for so long.
In fact, it might shock you to know how many people practice spring cleaning. As much as 76% of the United States population practices spring cleaning each year, and as much as 96% percent of the population admits to practicing spring cleaning at least once every few years.
If you’re starting a spring cleaning foray, here are a few ways you can get started and stay on track with your task.
And if you live in South Jackson County or Johnson County, call Small Haul Containers so you don’t have to worry about what to do with the trash you generate from your big clean.
Spring Cleaning Tips
Take a Deep Breath In
Spring cleaning can be a monumental task – so it’s always best to prepare by putting yourself in the mindset well before the task even starts. You can keep yourself motivated by starting a to-do list while it is still cold outside. Then, when the time comes to clean, make a compartmentalized list of what needs to be done the night before you start. Before beginning any minor task, however, make sure you have a dumpster!
Have a Game Plan For Your Trash
Spring cleaning is good for our health and mental well-being (not to mention our house), but what do you do with the incredible amount of clutter it produces? While people usually come up with plans for how they intend to clean their house, very few start out with a game plan for their trash. However, if you’re doing a big clean – especially if you haven’t participated in a spring cleaning for years – you’re going to need to think outside of a single trash bag.
For big spring cleans, and especially ones that involve repairs around the home, renting a dumpster is the perfect way to save time during your clean. First, estimate how much trash you will have from the cleaning project. Then, call or navigate to our rental page to set up rental times. All you’ll need to do from there is toss your items in. Have more trash than makes sense to take to the dump but not enough to fill up a whole dumpster? Coordinate your spring cleaning and trash removal with your neighbors to save time and money.
Inventory The Fixes You Need to Make to Your House
Before you vacuum, sweep, mop, or dust, you should inventory all the fixes that need to be done – from the inside out. Take note of trash indoors and outside, repairs that need to be done in the basement, couches that need to be removed, and more. From there, prioritize your to-do list and calculate how much trash you will likely need to discard. If you need assistance, contact Small Haul Containers. They can help you understand the dumpster size you will need for the amount of work you need to be done.
Don’t Forget Debris Around the House
A lot of times, when spring cleaning comes up, we focus on the things that need to be done to the interior of the house. However, homeowners must also think about their property when it comes to maintaining the home. Often, things like scrap metal from projects, broken-down yard ornaments or structures, and old porches must be taken care of to completely address our spring cleaning efforts. You can use a dumpster from Small Haul Containers to remove the items from repairs and replacements of man-made structures in your yard.
Channel Marie Kondo
Let’s face it – letting go of things is never easy, especially if they are of sentimental value. However, there are some things that we hold onto out of guilt or utility rather than out of actual need, and spring cleaning is the perfect time to purge those items.
If you’re in a pickle about whether or not to keep something, Marie Kondo has a point. Think about whether the item in question sparks a sense of joy within you. Or, more importantly, think carefully about the feelings you get when you see the item in question. You might have an heirloom rug that your teenage daughters spilled nail polish all over, or perhaps you’re holding on to your first couch even though your cat ripped it to shreds. The rug might bring up anger or guilt, whereas the couch might make you sad to look at. At this point, disregard the feelings it made you feel in the past and think about what it makes you feel now. If it brings up anger or hurt, and it’s a broken or ruined item, it might be time to toss it and make your living space (and mind) brighter. Small Haul residential dumpsters are great for furniture, carpet, and other large items that need to be finally laid to rest in a landfill.
Spring cleaning ultimately represents renewal. It’s a time for you to get your life back on track, your home healthier, and your mind a bit clearer. There are things you have to account for when it comes to cleaning on that level – supplies, time, and help are all things that take some delegation and forethought. However, if you take your mind off rubbish disposal by allowing Small Haul Containers to take care of your spring cleaning trash, that’s one less thing you have to do to start 2020 on a clean slate.
