Declutter Like a Lion This March

Do you want to #declutter fearlessly — like a lion — this March? Pretend you’re moving, says KCET blogger Linda Ly. One makes tough decisions about what’s worth #packing during a move — and often comes up with big piles of bags and boxes to #donate. “When it comes to deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, ask yourself: If you were making a major move this week, would you spend time or money to move that item?” If you really want to get ruthless, she adds, pretend you’re moving not just across town, but to another city or state. Would you pay good money to ship that dinged-up pan, dusty old #tchotchke or ill-fitting pair of pants across the country?

Tackle Decluttering Tasks With Gusto

Whether or not March comes in like a lion, this is a great time of year to tackle #decluttering tasks with gusto. If you want to #declutter with intensity, you should dedicate an hour or two at a time to the task as often as possible, says Simple Lionheart Life. But even if your decluttering style is more about consistency (10 minutes per day?) than intensity, you’ll have to be ruthless about those #keep, #trash, #donate decisions to be effective. “The more you get rid of during each decluttering session, the quicker you’ll clear the #clutter now rather than having to go back and do more decluttering later,” the site says.

Phil Says: Get Ready for Spring (Cleaning)

Apologies for posting this before emerging from my burrow this morning! Today’s my time to shine, but the sun may have other plans — and a cloudy day means that #spring is on the way. I’m not the most accurate predictor of the weather (historically, I get things right just 39% of the time on #Groundhog Day), but even if six more weeks of #winter are on the way, there’s no time like the present to start #cleaning and #decluttering your #nest. Spring cleaning can restore one’s immune system, head off stress, prevent illness and prepare the body for increased physical activity in the warmer months, Healthline says. For me, that means digging a more spacious burrow, foraging for food, hiding from coyotes and um, socializing. Off to Gobbler’s Knob!

Don’t Put off Household Cleaning Chores

You’d think that the work-from-home revolution that launched alongside the #pandemic would inspire people to #clean more. But there are many household #cleaning chores people put off because they just don’t like to do them, says a survey released by homebuilder Lombardo Homes. No. 1 on the list is #cleaning the bathroom, followed closely by #washing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning the fridge and doing yardwork. While 85% of survey respondents admit they avoid doing chores they don’t like, the pandemic has made a majority “more diligent” about cleaning their homes.

Focus Your Household Deep-Cleaning

Any #spring #scrubdown should target areas of the home that have seen heavy use over the winter, the Iowa State Daily says. Clean and deodorize rugs and carpeting, clean the oven and the refrigerator, and clean and freshen drains. Also wash the windows — inside and out, if possible — to let the sunlight in. The change of seasons is also a good time to clear out and #donate extra #clothing: “Free up space in your closet or dresser by going through old, unused items,” the story says. “If you haven’t worn something in the last year, consider #donating it to someone in need.”