LIVING – A cluttered, messy home isn’t something to worry about only when the in-laws are coming over. The piles of stuff you can’t part with also make you feel listless, anxious, and stressed.
Fortunately, there are ways to battle the horrors of hoarding.
Clutter Is Overwhelming
People who help others get organized for a living say that battling clutter leaves people feeling overwhelmed. Experts say that having stuff stacked around the house can make you feel listless because the mess seems like too much to handle.
If that’s you, don’t put off de-cluttering because it seems too daunting. Start with a room, a cabinet, or even a task, such as paying bills online instead of by mail.
Indoor Air Can Make You Sick
If your house is chaos, it’s a sure bet that the indoor air quality is suffering. You could have irritants in your air from devices such as gas stoves, water heaters, and space heaters. Make sure gas-burning appliances are installed properly and serviced to annually to ensure they are burning cleanly.
Also, pet dander, mold, and dust mites could be fouling up the air. That can lead to headaches, colds, coughing, and even asthma symptoms.
One of the best ways to help keep the air clean is to run the air conditioner. It keeps the humidity down and removes pollutants attracted to the moisture in the air. Make sure your AC is serviced annually by an HVAC professional so it’s not running efficiently and not contributing to the problem.
Using a disposable HEPA filter with your AC may help to remove even more indoor air pollutants. Most are easy to install.
Beware the Trouble Spots
Common trouble spotsaroun d a home include the heating and cooling vents. Mold, allergens, and debris can build up in the vents and ducts.
Vents should be cleaned routinely. If you feel the air is making you sick, it’s also a good idea to have a professional inspect inside the ducts to see if mold and debris need to be cleaned out.
Vents and ductwork aren’t the only trouble spots, though. Bed sheets contain traces of dead skin, which attract dust mites. Wash them regularly.
Additionally, your bathroom and other damp areas can attract mold, which can cause feelings of nausea and worse. Spots of mold can be cleaned with detergent.
Clutter Equals Stress
A cluttered home leads to feelings of stress and guilt and the sense that the work will never get done.
One tip is to create a closed-off space for things you use often and put them out of sight. The idea is to create open spaces — such as countertops — that are free of clutter.
Get rid of stuff that you don’t need or use. If you can’t quite bring yourself to do that, try putting some items in a box with a date on it. If you haven’t used it in a year, you probably don’t need it.
Conquering a messy home is possible, and it could do wonders for your health. Start by incorporating more storage to help you stay organized. Make sure everything has a place, and get rid of things you don’t need. Cleaning will be easier, and you’ll feel more at peace in your new clutter-free home.