10 tips for indoor autumn cleaning

It is said that we spend several days a year in total looking for things we have lost or misplaced.
I don't know whether it's true, but it doesn't sound unlikely; besides creating irritation, an untidy and cluttered home makes us stressed and uncomfortable ourselves!

Here are ten autumn-cleaning tips to help you create a little more order and space, as well as a more pleasant, fresh-smelling, and easier-to-clean home. Get ready for winter—welcome autumn with a clean and tidy home! Since you found these tips on Västerbottenssåpa, they are of course also very environmentally friendly and climate-smart tips 😉

In spring and autumn, people usually clean their windows. A good habit is also to go through and declutter other spaces twice a year. If you make it a routine, storage areas and boxes won't have time to fill up to the brim and become a huge project.
Many of us also become a little too attached to things, and this can make us create a mental barrier to decluttering. Therefore, our first tip is about changing your attitude toward collecting things.

1. Think about the following:
   – It becomes easier to clean at home when there are fewer things lying around.
   – It becomes more pleasant simply to be in your home when there are fewer things lying around.
   – You don't need to rummage around and look for things as often.
   – You have unnecessarily large amounts of money tied up in things.
   – Someone else may get more use out of things you don't use.
   So now that you've read through this and reflected on it, doesn't it feel better?!
   
   
   
2. Make room for three large bags or boxes, preferably in a large hallway or in the living room. The main thing is that it isn't a cramped space. Label your boxes/bags with #Säljes #Bortskänkes #Slänga
   Start cleaning. Go through the rooms one by one, question everything that is lying around and creating clutter. Go through the overflowing drawers.
   Throw the things away immediately into one of the boxes. Decide whether they should be sold, donated, or thrown away.
   
   
   
3. Get out the camera.
   Place your things against a neutral background, such as a blanket, and photograph everything in the pile #ForSale.
   Then list more expensive things on sites such as Blocket.se (do a quick search to see what others are charging). Cheaper items often sell well through Facebook groups such as “Buy/sell…” or “Auction.”
   Another way is to contact a secondhand store and ask whether they are interested in buying your things.
   Soon the money will start rolling in! 😉
   
   
   
4. What about the money? Strangely enough, money is one of the few things that never lies around in piles at home 😉
   An old waitstaff trick is to save all your tips in a jar for a specific purpose.
   Try saving all the money from your sales in a jar! Save for a trip, Christmas presents, or something you really want. You’ll soon see it growing in the jar!
   
   
   
5. #FreeToGoodHome. How many pairs of winter shoes do you need? If you have a pair you haven’t used for a couple of years, you can do someone else a great favor by donating them to people in need. Shelters, women’s shelters, and refugee reception centers often need clothes and shoes, as well as other things.
   Make sure your things are intact and clean, then ask someone you think might need them.
   
   
   
6. Throw things away, but sort properly.
   – Go through all the piles of newspapers and paper. Nothing creates clutter and takes up as much space as a collection of newspapers—take them to paper recycling!
   – The flowers. Throw out the dead ones! Remove wilted leaves and water the ones that are still alive 😉
   – Speaking of throwing things away; soak a slice of white bread in vinegar and place it at the bottom of your bin for at least 24 hours. This removes all soapy smells. Of course, any liquid from the rubbish must be rinsed out first.
   – Go through the fridge and wipe it out. Put a small mug of vinegar in the fridge, without a lid. This removes all bad smells. 
   
   
   
7. Now it's time to start cleaning properly. Believe it or not, the hallway is almost the most important area. Put away your summer clothes and store your summer shoes.
   For shoes that smell a little, you can pour in some baking soda and leave it for a day or overnight. Shake it out or vacuum it out, and the shoes will be fresh and ready for winter storage.
   There should be space on the shoe racks, clothes rails, and in the drawers when you are finished. Keep in mind that winter clothes take up more space than summer clothes.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Garment bags and mothballs. This is especially important if you have an attic or basement storage unit next to other tenants. Clothes moths spread easily there. To be on the safe side, only put away clean clothes. Use garment bags for jackets and coats, for example. If you don't have any, you can make one by taking a bin bag, pulling it over the hanger, and making a small hole for the hanger. Tie it closed at the bottom. Store smaller garments in airtight plastic boxes. Other textiles, such as rugs, should also be stored in bags for the best protection against moths.
   Hang a moth repellent around the hanger and put a couple of mothballs in the pockets. 
   
   
   
9. Dust from top to bottom, starting with the trim and high shelves. We recommend a duster made from real ostrich feathers that picks up dust by becoming highly static. NOTE! It is effective, so shake it outdoors at regular intervals.
   – Wipe all surfaces, countertops and windowsills, kitchen and living room tables, the kitchen counter, washbasins, and the toilet. Soap on a damp cloth works on most surfaces. 
   – Vacuum NOW (not earlier)! By now, you've probably dislodged some dust and debris by dusting and wiping, and it's lying on the floor, so vacuum thoroughly, including behind the furniture. Fabric sofas can sometimes feel a little “grimy”; freshen them up by sprinkling baking soda over the sofa and then vacuuming it up.
   – Mop the floors read a separate post about it here.  With soap, you don't spread unnecessary chemicals throughout the house.
   (Windows are an entire chapter of their own, so we'll save them for a separate blog post, but of course they should be included on the cleaning checklist.)
   
   
   
   
   
10. So yes, we have now reached point 10, which contains nothing but fun!
    – Light an eco-friendly scented candle. Make sure it is not a candle that releases toxins. Soy wax and natural fragrances are preferable.
    – Did you throw away the dried summer flowers in point 6? If so, it is now time to put out new ones.
    – Fresh flowers in a vase or a few autumnal branches in a vase “add the finishing touch.” An extra tip is to mix 1/3 glycerol (available at pharmacies) and 2/3 water in the vase. The autumn leaves will then be preserved, remain on the branch, and retain their beautiful autumn color. Your home is now ready for autumn!
    – Feel free to spruce up the kitchen counter, but an autumn-themed dishcloth is a good choice for the atmosphere and the climate.

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 Questions and Answers

- Why is it important to clear out excess items during autumn cleaning?
Clearing out excess items reduces clutter and makes it easier to keep the home tidy, while also reducing stress and increasing well-being.

- How can you effectively organize and sell unused items during autumn cleaning?
By labeling bags or boxes for selling, donating, and throwing away, then photographing and selling the items online or contacting secondhand stores, you can effectively get rid of unused items and make money from them.

- What are the benefits of saving the sales proceeds in a jar for a specific purpose?
Saving the sales proceeds in a jar for a specific purpose, such as a trip or Christmas gifts, provides extra motivation to declutter and sell items while also creating a sense of reward when the goal is achieved.

- How can you best help others through autumn cleaning?
By donating unused clothes and shoes to organizations supporting those in need, such as shelters, women's shelters, and refugee reception centers, you can help make a positive difference in other people's lives.

- What are the most important steps for effectively cleaning the home?
The most important steps for effective cleaning include decluttering and organizing items, dusting and wiping surfaces, vacuuming thoroughly, and considering eco-friendly alternatives to create a clean and fresh environment.

Use Västerbottenssåpa products to keep your home clean and comfortable!