Get Your Home Spic And Span In Time To Sell Your House
Article by guest author – Alice Robertson
When it comes time to put your house on the market, it’s all about staging. But there’s more to it than “surface treatment,” which refers to basic steps to boost curb appeal and “wow” prospective buyers by adding a freshly painted front door or strategic lighting. Savvy house hunters know that staging a home with all the niceties, yet the house hasn’t been deep cleaned, is like putting lipstick on a pig – and doubts will rise almost instantly.
Eliminate buyers” doubts by putting together a cleaning plan, understanding that cleaning has some enormous mental and physical health benefits, which can serve as motivation while you’re sweeping, mopping, scrubbing and dusting. Here they are…
Mental and Physical Benefits of Cleaning
It Gets You Trim
According to an article in Shape, a 150-pound person burns 153 calories in one hour of mopping, with even better results for scrubbing that bathtub, including increased muscle tone. That takes care of your cardio, so it’s OK to skip that jog if the house is in need of a once-over.
It Eliminates Illness
Did you know your home could be making you sick? According to Jeffrey May, author of My House Is Killing Me,
The whole concept of indoor pollution is pretty new. For a long time, our focus was on what was going on in the environment outside our homes. But in the last decade or so, we’ve realized that the indoor environment can be making you sick.”
Sources for illness include things like mold, radon, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. One important area to focus on is your chimney. Left unattended, a dirty chimney can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal, as well as respiratory issues, eye irritation, and skin problems. So look for a reputable, highly-rated local chimney sweep to eliminate build up from your chimney to keep your family and the future buyers safe.
It Cuts the Risk of Injury
There are many ways accidents can happen at home. The stove could cause a fire, a cabinet could tip over, or you could trip over a toy that was left on the floor. Nip that problem in the bud by organizing whatever’s lying around, then clean and dry the floors to prevent nasty spills. That’s particularly important if there are seniors in residence.
It Relieves Stress
Wracking your nerves as much as bills and work is clutter, which is little more than things you don’t need, and there’s probably a lot of that around your home. There are numerous methods to get rid of old belongings, with the Marie Kondo Method having gained adherents among neat freaks worldwide. The principle is simple: Love it or chuck it.
Decluttering has an added benefit as well: keeping things organized is much easier once you’ve done the initial grunt work, provided you simply stay vigilant and give your rooms a little attention once in a while.
It Helps You Focus
When everything’s put away where it belongs, there is nothing to distract you from getting some work done at home. A mess, on the other hand, makes it more difficult to be productive and to process information. So, tidy up around your home and watch your productivity soar.
It’s an Emotional Outlet
Sadness, anger, boredom, frustration — all of these negative feelings can be worked off with a brush or sponge in hand. Attack those grease stains in the oven as if they were the source of your malaise, and you’ll soon find a smile turning that frown upside down. After all, there’s nothing better than the satisfaction of a job well done.
It’s Aromatherapy
You may not even notice that your house stinks, but chances are, the funk is there. Get rid of it with cleansers that provide a fresh scent of lemons or fresh flowers, then let in some fresh air through the open windows. That could be just what you need to lift your spirits and get rid of some stress, as pleasant aromas do precisely that.
It Provides a Lovely Interior
Having a lovely home actually does wonders for your mental health without you even realizing it. It all comes down to aesthetics, which is really just a fancy word for a sense of beauty. You’ve put so much effort into achieving that through decorating, so don’t spoil the mood by leaving a mess where there shouldn’t be one.
Once your home’s clean, you can rest easy knowing that your open house won’t be hampered by buyers’ doubts about cleanliness and negligence. In the meantime, your family will be living happier and healthier thanks to your efforts.
Guest author Alice Robertson began her career in the home organization industry as a professional house cleaner. After cleaning and organizing her clients’ homes for years, she decided to open her own home organization business. She recently created TidyHome.info as a place to share the great cleaning and organizing advice she has developed over the years.
I have been cleaning windows in the Seattle area for nearly 30 years, and quite frankly, I enjoy it! I can also help you with your gutters and other outside tasks. I will be happy to answer all of your questions, and I know the mistakes to avoid. I clean private homes or apartment complexes.
Image via Pexels
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