Now that the holidays are over, do you find yourself in a panic wondering what to do with all the gifts, holiday décor, and how to clean up the house? It’s important to have a plan to clean and declutter your home so you will feel rejuvenated and can feel a difference in the ease of your daily routine. Whether you plan to take on the task now or later, you will need a strategy in order to not feel overwhelmed. April Benenhaley, owner of April’s Cleaning Service, will be sharing some tips and tricks with us.
April Benenhaley worked as an EMT for 20 years. During her days off she would clean for others, something she enjoyed doing that provided her stress relief, but also made the lives of others a little easier and less stressful. As odd as it may sound, April loves to clean! She eventually opened April’s Cleaning Service out of Darlington where she now offers a variety of cleaning services for one’s home, rental property and/or business.
April’s Tips & Tricks for Cleaning & Decluttering
1. The hardest part may be to decide where to start. Make a decision and go from one room to the next while staying focused on your overall goal.
2. Decide what items should be tossed or donated. Keep things that have value and let go of those that do not. (This may include clothing or toys one has outgrown, or items there are duplicates of.) If you decide items should be trashed, trash them immediately. Box up the items that you want to donate and return items that you borrowed. While letting go may sometimes be difficult, it is encouraged to immediately take the trash out and drive to the donation box once cleaning is complete.
3. Organize your belongings and utilize necessary tools and space to help you out. (Stackable bins, shelving, closet space, etc.) Make sure you have appropriate cleaning supplies before getting started.
4. Maintenance is key – Don’t let things gather! Put things back in their place. If you haven’t found a purpose for something or used it within the past 6-months, re-evaluate why you are still keeping it and consider finding it a new home.
5. When packing up holiday décor, consider wrapping lights around a piece of cardboard or a Pringles can so they do not get tangled. Invest in an ornament storage box for safe storage or even place them in egg cartons which can easily be stacked. Place wreaths in hangable garment bags so they are securely contained. Label everything so you can save time next year.
While we may all know how to declutter, organize, and clean, knowing why we need to do it will make it stick. Why do you want to live with less? Why are you making space — what are you making room for in your life? “Get rid of the trash to make room for the treasures.”
Give April’s Cleaning Service a call today for a free estimate.
843.206.8087 • Open 24 hours: Mon.-Sat.