Spring is coming, and with it spring cleaning! Are you ready to clean the windows, and rid the house of winter cobwebs? No? Well, neither am I. This post will encourage you to wait on the spring cleaning! Yippee! Permission to sluff another month or two–well, not quite sluff, while you sluff decrease the stuff; before you clean, fling!
Cleaning around clutter is a chore. Many people attest to the fact that cleaning a spacious home easier than cleaning small one. Contrary to popular opinion, however, the difference isn’t in square footage but in the "stuff to space ratio."
It is simpler and more efficient to clean smooth uncluttered surfaces. Floor-space that provides ample room to maneuver is a breeze (even a delight) to clean. It isn’t that my house is too small–the problem is that there is too much stuff for the amount of house. The solution? Fling the stuff!
Where to fling the clutter? One option is to find it a new home! My church is organizing a "God’s Grace is Free, so is Our Stuff" community outreach where articles are offered free to the neighborhood! Perhaps you can organize something similar through your church or homeschool group!
A church we attended as newlyweds held a "Free Garage Sale" or "Stuff Swap" open only to those in the congregation. We brought items that were no longer a blessing to our own immediate family, but were delighted to see go to others in our our church family. (The danger to a "Stuff Swap" is in re-cluttering! You may clear out a bunch of your own clutter, only to exchange it for wonderful finds from others in the congregation.) Additionally there are many charities that will take used merchandise, as well as options to sell your used items on ebay or other online forums.
Sometimes, however finding homes for the clutter is overwhelming–especially on items of slight monetary value. It some cases it is better stewardship to just throw things away rather than continue to burden my family with clutter due to procrastination as I wait to find the ideal new home for unneeded articles. If inability to relocate clutter is keeping you from enjoying a clutter-free home, taking a big black trash sack to the dumpster can be amazingly freeing.
How, what, and where you fling is up to you, but before spring cleaning, indulge in a spring fling! (And then indulge in a serving of chocolate ice cream with whipped cream on top!)
Domestic Chaos Tamer and Homeschool Mom of Five, Dell writes about home, heart, hearth and chocolate icecream . . .
