Your Seattle coffee has been replaced by instant coffee and commuting to work means going from your bedroom to the kitchen. Your time in quarantine may be shedding light on spots around the house prone to disorderly chaos. You’re probably storing more supplies and groceries than usual to avoid frequent trips to the store – and possibly to accommodate more people living under one roof. If you’re trying to reduce the stress of quarantine-living, here are a few ways to spring clean and bring order to the chaos:

1. Spring clean the pantry and refrigerator

Start by clearing everything off the shelves and putting it all back in a stacked, organised, and easy-to-reach manner. A pantry, or fridge, will have greater capacity – and be easier to navigate – once the contents have been rearranged to save space. Check dates for expired condiments, which hog room along the door shelves, and consolidate loose items like granola bars into boxes or jars so no quarantine snack gets left behind.

2. The bathroom basin could be the answer to your quarantine stress
This location may not be causing the stress, but its underutilised storage capabilities can help alleviate stress by clearing up space in other messy zones. The cabinet underneath the bathroom basin isn’t just for items like Band-Aids and plungers. Perhaps you have excess paper goods on hand – such as, ahem, toilet paper. This hidden gem storage area is the perfect spot for concealing odds and ends.

3. Spring cleaning includes putting clothes back in your wardrobe
So many shoes by the door and coats hanging over chairs but nowhere to go! If we’re honest, most of us clutter our spaces with slippers, sneakers, rain jackets and bags hanging on hooks, countertops, and unused armchairs. Store these items inside a closet. This will free up some much-needed space and leave your home feeling much more organised and less stressful.

4. Clear the kitchen table at night
While your kitchen table might need to function as your home office or a homework spot for your children during the day, it doesn’t need to stay that way at night. Try to keep this space as orderly as possible, not allowing clutter to linger when the workday or school day is done. Unless you’re in the midst of a great big puzzle, clear off the kitchen table at the end of each day so your house feels normal again when it’s time to unwind.

5. Clean high-traffic areas regularly
You may still be feeling stress from the dust and dirt around you, so try and get into the habit of running a vacuum through high-traffic areas, like the living room, every few days so that visible dirt never piles up. Though life is out of routine at the moment, stick to regular maintenance such as wiping down kitchen counter surfaces daily and giving the bathroom a good scrub on the weekends.

Maybe it’s time to move into your quarantine dream home?

Several factors in any household are notorious for causing stress; some are easier to fix than others. But, if too little space in your home is causing unnecessary stress for you and your family, then now is the perfect time to consider moving. At the current interest rates, buying a new home has never been more affordable. To get a feel of what you can afford, speak to your nearest RE/MAX agent and explore your options.