How to Create a More Positive Home Environment
Table of Contents
The pandemic has taught us a very important lesson: We must be prepared for anything. Sheltering in place brought unique challenges many of us never thought of until we were actually living it. But now that we’ve weathered these challenges, we’re in a better position to make sure time spent at home is safer, tidier and more comfortable.
Today, Seatown Cleaners offers the following tips to make the most out of your home in the post-pandemic era.
Stock up
Trips to the grocery store during the pandemic have been an adventure in frustration. We’ve realized the value of items we have long taken for granted, such as paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning and sanitizing supplies and even food staples. These items are crucial as they enable us to stay home and stay safe.
Now may be a good time to reassess your inventory of supplies to ensure that if you need to shelter in place again, you are ready. Create a COVID-ready checklist to track your supply needs. Be sure to include items like toothpaste, meal prep supplies, detergents and, of course, paper products for your kitchen and bathroom.
Clean up
The journey to a clean home starts with decluttering. Tackle the problem areas first, sorting paperwork and mislaid items in high-traffic areas. Incoming mail can quickly become a source of clutter in most homes, so it may help to devise a system to prevent future overload.
As mail enters your home, try the sort-it-before-you-set-it method. Sorting mail immediately rather than putting it off until later, prevents it from accumulating. Toss junkmail into the recycling, place bills you open in a designated area, pay and toss once per week. Items that you need to keep can be filed where you keep everything important. Credit card and financial paperwork with personal information on it should be shredded for your protection from identity theft.
Whether we are facing a global pandemic or just everyday life, it’s also necessary to clean and sanitize surfaces to stay healthy. Wash hard surfaces to remove debris, and then disinfect with an antiviral cleanser. The effective cleaners to kill COVID-19 are the ones listed by the Environmental Protection Agency on “List N”. Not all cleaners are created equal, particularly when it comes to the coronavirus. Keep in mind that some disinfectants require 10 minutes on a surface to effectively kill the virus, while bleach products kill COVID-19 within one minute.
If you are using cloth masks, it is important to clean them regularly to ensure optimal protection. It may be wise to have an ample supply of face masks on hand so that you can grab a clean one each time you leave home. Wash and dry cloth masks with your other laundry. John Hopkins Medicine recommends using a scent-free detergent if needed, and to dry your cloth mask in a clothes dryer on a high-temperature setting.
Create your oasis
A healthy atmosphere means more than just a decluttered and sanitized space. During the pandemic, we’ve spent an inordinate amount of time in our homes, and it is important to make it as appealing as possible.
Different areas of your home require different levels of energy. Think about each room of your home and the activities that happen in that area. Choose serene shades and relaxing items to decorate a bedroom or living room area. Try to transform your walls with customizable wallpaper in common spaces. Make your space reflect your passions; if you are a fan of minimalism, pare down your decor to just the basics and focus on the linear aspects of your space.
A designated meditation or prayer area can be a spiritual retreat within your home that can nurture a healing mindset. Also, make sure you document any major improvements you make to your home, as these modifications may boost its appraisal value when it comes time to sell!
There are many benefits to a clean and organized home. Not only does it look and feel better, but it eliminates negativity and offers a sense of peace and tranquility to the mind, which is an important factor for immune function.
Addressing issues within your home may seem daunting at first, but you’ll quickly notice a big difference in the way you live in your space. The rewards of a positive, healing atmosphere are well worth the efforts as we prepare to potentially hunker down again.
Seatown Cleaners started with one simple idea—to help you live a happier life. Our services are always flexible, so if you have any specific needs we’re always more than happy to accommodate you and customize your cleaning plan. For more information, please visit our website or contact us today!
