How2: Start Afresh. Our Spring Cleaning Tips/Tricks
As this month of May slowly comes to an end, now is the best time to get that spring clean in before summer starts and you’re out here living your best life in those vitamin D rays. I have gathered my tips and tricks that are essential during my spring clean to give you some ideas and motivation to get started, or add to what you have already done.
I start off with my Wardrobe. This is one of the most important things during summer - how else are you going to be out here looking cute in the sun if your outfit is not giving instagram model vibes?
Wardrobe TIP 1:
I LOVE the hanger trick. At the beginning of the year, or just before the start of a new season hook all your hangers in the opposite way. Only turn the hangers around if you have worn the item of clothing once (some people are strict on themselves and say three times). Once the year is over, or the season has come to an end, any unturned hangers should head to that Depop or charity pile. This is such an efficient way to narrow down the clothes that are just taking up wardrobe space.
Wardrobe TIP 2:
If you’re like me, many clothes don’t get hung up and stay in the drawers. My tip for those like me are, if you haven’t worn the item of clothing in the past two years, throw them in those piles! There is no point hanging on to clothes that are never going to see the light of day, taking up space that could be given up to some new cute clothes.
Wardrobe TIP 3:
Once you’ve spent hours trying to get yourself into those shorts that no longer fit over the booty gains, uploading pics to depop and finished with your trip down to the charity shop, take the time to realise what your wardrobe is missing. After I had finished gutting my wardrobe I realised I was fully stocked on jeans, jumpers and hoodies but had no loungewear or cute tops. Take this time to spoil yourself! Fill all those new found spaces in your wardrobe with some new clothes.
Wardrobe TIP 4:
Once you’ve got your wardrobe looking full again, you might want to ensure your clothes always smell like they have just come out of the wash. Here are some things I do to keep my clothes smelling great. Firstly, add some tumble dryer sheets in your drawers. You’ll always have that fresh linen smell. Another way is to get your hands on some unstoppables - GAME CHANGER. Put some unstoppables in a little organza bag and hang them in wardrobe or hide them in drawers. You can also mix some fabric softener and water in a spray bottle and give your clothes a spritz every now & then, they’ll smell fabulous.
If you don’t have much space in your wardrobe/drawers, you should invest in some vacuum bags. These are clear bags that you can fill with clothes and suck the air out to create a vacuum (hence the name). These allow large amounts of clothes to be stored safely and compactly. You can then slip the vacuum bags under your bed or in a cupboard and they’ll be ready for whenever you need. I’d recommend splitting your clothes up by season; shove those winter jumpers away to make room for the crop tops! They also come in handy when packing for a holiday; for my overpackers out there, these are the best way to take your whole wardrobe in a suitcase.
After spending hours organising my wardrobe, I head onto my Makeup.
Makeup TIP 1:
Before you think about doing anything else, go through and throw away all those highlighters, foundations and lip products that were not cute. Experimenting is key, but that experimentation phase has come to an end.
Makeup TIP 2:
As well as those experiment products, TRASH all those products that have expired. Not many people realise that your makeup has an expiration date, just like food. Have a look at the back of the product (period-after-opening symbol) and cut ties with your favourite products, for the time being.
Makeup TIP 3:
WASH THOSE BRUSHES! I find myself guilty of putting brushes straight back into the pots after using them to beat my face. But imagine all that dirt build up (gross). This spring clean gives you the extra motivation for a deep clean. I love using any makeup brush cleaner and a mat to get all of that old makeup out.
Makeup TIP 4::
Organise your makeup. I’ve invested in some “drawer organisers” for my makeup drawers. I am not into things being out on display (love a minimalistic look) but for those that don’t mind, the plastic makeup storage/organisers seem great. Instead, I have organised my drawers according to makeup “category”, first being base makeup, then bronzers, highlighters, lips, and all of my palettes. Within these drawers I have little dividers to keep everything organised. Makeup chests are also a great way to keep your makeup organised and out of the way, minimalist heaven. You can find some really cute ones online that can double up as room decor too!
Makeup TIP 5:
TREAT YOURSELF. No doubt you would have had to depart with a ton of your favourite products, so treat yourself to some more! Not only re-invest but now is the time to experiment. Try that highlighter you’ve always wanted, buy that eyeshadow palette and invest in a decent foundation. We thought we’d let you guys in our our favourite makeup products: Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, Fenty Killawatt Highlighter (in shade Mean Money & Hustla Baby), MAC Give Me Sun Bronzer & EX1 Foundation (for my yellow undertone Queens).
Aside from my big focus on my wardrobe and makeup, I do some extra MISCELLANEOUS tasks.
MISCELLANEOUS TIP 1:
Bin all of those random receipts from your Topshop haul three months ago. It’s too late to go back now. You’re either going to keep the clothes, sell them or take them to the charity shop. Also, get to shredding all the random letters you have accumulated over the past year. Once you’ve finished shredding store essential letters in a safe, locked drawer or a safe place. Filing systems are a must for keeping on top of things.
MISCELLANEOUS TIP 2:
Flip your mattress, put that duvet and however many pillows in the wash. Did you know we spend 35% of our lives snoozing on our pillows tucked away under our duvet? They need that deep clean wash! Before you stick them in your machine, check the labels and recommended ways to wash.
MISCELLANEOUS TIP 3:
For my pet parents, now is the time to clean those toys that have been in contact with every microorganism. As well as their toys, throw those collars and blankets in the wash whilst you’re at it. This will help eliminate the chances of that horrid pet smell. Get up to date on their flea and worming treatments as well.
MISCELLANEOUS TIP 4:
My last tip, as much as you should be doing it anyway, is to disinfect every tech item you own. This may be your phone screen, laptop screen, keyboard, TV remote, your headphones, EVERYTHING. Get rid of every germ possible!
(Your usual dusting, bleaching/disinfecting, hoover, mop etc. is standard)
I hope you enjoyed my spring cleaning musts. There are a load of spring cleaning checklists on Pinterest and Google to give you some visual motivational guidance if you like the thrill of ticking things off of lists. Let us know your spring cleaning essentials!
When your environment is clean you feel happy, motivated and healthy - Lailah Gifty Akita