4:41pm Thursday 18th March 2010
SPRING is around the corner and that means it is time to brush away those cobwebs, polish up grubby windows and clear out cupboards.
But this year, the combination of a long winter keeping us indoors and the start of a new decade has inspired many of us to make an early and energetic start on that annual ritual, the spring clean.
About two thirds of us have already carried out this time-consuming domestic blitz, and the number of those frenziedly wielding the dusters is up 24 per cent, according to research.
TV presenter and interior designer Anna Ryder Richardson said: “It’s natural to want to start a new decade positively, especially at home. Undoubtedly, this year more people will have that urge to improve their homes by having a major clean up and clear out.”
But if you’re struggling to complete an interior “wash and brush up” or can’t cope with the weekly mountain of cleaning tasks, don’t despair – you’re not alone, as 40 per cent of us feel that way.
A further 52 per cent feel embarrassed if guests see their home before it’s cleaned up, and fear clutter and mess is a sign of laziness.
Psychologist Dr Glenn Wilson says: “People view their homes as an extension of themselves and their self-image.”
He points out that people’s approach to cleaning can reflect traits in their inner personality.
Check out our spring cleaning guide to identify your cleaning “personality”.
The largest category (39 per cent), do their best to keep on top of the cleaning and aim for a tidy house, but despite every good intention, they often fail due to lack of time. A further one in three feel totally overwhelmed by chores.
Dr Wilson’s advice: “Failing can make them feel guilty and troubled by loss of control. While it’s good to set goals, they should make sure they’re realistic and achievable.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself if other priorities take over. Write a list of the jobs you complete in a week and create a plan for the week ahead.”
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This group (14 per cent) don’t like cleaning and look for shortcuts so the house appears clean, such as moving furniture so it covers up carpet stains.
Dr Wilson’s advice: “By not being thorough you’re really creating a bigger job in the long-term. Adopting a ‘little and often’ approach to chores will help you.”
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A small group, (eight per cent), who are least likely to spring clean. They don’t need to as they clean every day. Dr Wilson’s advice: “Don’t place too much pressure on yourself. Loading yourself up with an ever-increasing number of chores on your list is a real danger for those with this trait. To avoid cleaning everything all the time, allocate specific chores to certain times.”
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This group (seven per cent) hate cleaning and are happy to leave the house in a mess, and neglect rooms they rarely use.
Dr Wilson’s advice: “We all have different priorities in life and there’s nothing wrong with this approach, but if a chaotic environment is actually affecting your wellbeing it would be worth starting cleaning routines that take minimal time.”
BEST BUYS Turn chaos into order by using The White Company’s sleek white leather laundry bins, from £120 – The White Company: 0870 900 9555 thewhitecompany.co.uk
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