Spring cleaning: your guide on how to do it right

It's time to declutter! Feel fresh, feel organised.

Spring hits the UK on 20 March but that doesn't mean you can't start your spring clean early to start feeling good as soon as possible! In one way, shape or form we all do a spring clean (well you should anyway) and this year should be no different. You will feel in control and positive if your living and work spaces are in their best possible conditions. So here is everything you need to know on how to spring clean like the experts.

How to spring clean in 5 steps

1. Identify the problem. Start by going through everything and deciding what's staying and what needs to go. This will be different for each person in what they consider vital but make sure to be tough on yourself. Ask how much you really use something, could it go to a home/someone who would appreciate it more? This could be clothes, hardware, furniture, decorations, etc.
   What you are cleaning for will also determine what you need to do. Are you cleaning in preparation for moving out or cleaning for a better living space over the foreseeable future?
2. Remove/clean out/donate what you have decided needs to go. Doing this first will free up space for moving stuff about or anything new you might want to introduce. Try to recycle and donate as much as possible! If you need any tips on that process then read our recycling at LSE guide.
3. Organise your remaining items. You may have already started to do this while cleaning out, but now is the time to decide where things should be stored or displayed. Consider what you will need easy access to and what can maybe be tucked under the bed and brought back out on the rare occasions it gets used. For example, you'll need your charger either close to your desk or bed, so make sure you keep a plug socket/port free for it.
4. Utilise and maximise by creating dedicated spaces for certain items. You'll know what you'll need to have on your desk when you work (laptop, stationary, paper, lamp, speaker, etc) or close by the door when you exit for the day (shoes, coat, backpack, etc).
   Try to identify what is missing from your space that might be causing clutter or cramped space. For example, over-the-door hangers and hooks can be a quick and cheap fix to get any large clothes out of the way.
5. Tidy, vac and swab to finish! The cherry on top of the cake, all you have left to do is a general cleaning that you would normally do every week or so. There might have been a bit more mess made by following the previous steps but this shouldn't take long to remove. Leave your space feeling fresh by investing in an air freshener or buying a few scented candles.  

Don't forget about digital cleaning

You thought your spring clean was over? Ha, there is still a very important area that we are prone to neglect! Your digital space will also get cluttered throughout the year so why not give it the spring clean treatment as well? You can essentially apply the same 5 steps to all your hardware and software but if you have no clue where to begin then start with these key areas:

• Use free software to clean your PC. We recommend CCleaner which is easy, reliable and can make your system run up to 50% faster!
• Install/update/renew your antivirus software. Protection is important but can be expensive. Norton currently has a deal for £19.99 for a 1-year subscription to the service.
• Unsubscribe to all those services you've forgotten about. A free trial here, a deal you couldn't pass up there and now you're suddenly subscribed to a bunch of streaming services you don't even use. This can waste a lot of money every month so check your bank account and see what needs to go. There are a few ways in which you can track and manage your paid subscriptions going forward to prevent this from happening again.
• Save up space by going through your files (and emails, general systems, etc) and delete what you don't need anymore.
• Install/update/renew your VPN (a virtual private network) and protect your privacy online. Your data will be used and abused if you don't do all your browsing through one. ExpressVPN currently has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unsure of whether it's for you.

Get inspired

If you're really not in the mood to do some cleaning then watch a bit of Marie Kondo! She is the queen of clean and will inspire you with her positivity and love for the art of cleaning. You'll also pick up a few handy tips along the way so why not give it a try?

So time to put down your phone, pick up the mop and get to smashing your spring cleaning this year!