This is how stressed parents succeed in spring cleaning

When the days get longer and the sun's rays try to smash through the winter dirt on the windows, spring cleaning is on most people's to-do list. Already in the times of the Roman Empire, after the harsh winter months, it was traditional to get rid of the soot that had accumulated on walls, floors and furniture due to constant firing of the stove and moderate airing. Today it is perhaps not soot that is annoying, but rather fine dust; however, the desire for a clean and tidy home still exists. But especially with (small) children, the chaos often comes back faster than one would like after cleaning up. The Stuttgart order coach Melanie Reichold gives tips on "Ordentlich Zeit" on how routines and a simple structure help to bring order into life and the household and to maintain it permanently.

ICONIST: What's the best way to start spring cleaning?

Melanie Reichold: The most important thing: Don't stress yourself! Anyone with young children knows that completing the entire spring cleaning process in one day or weekend is almost impossible. You are welcome to give yourself a week or two for this. Don't take on too much in one day, but start with a small space like the bathroom. If it is clean, a feeling of happiness sets in and motivates you to continue.

ICONIST: What is the most effective way to do this?

Reichold: Spring cleaning is a good opportunity to get rid of unnecessary things, to only keep what is actually needed and to store these things in such a way that the cleaning effort in the future is as low as possible. If you have less, you need less space and thus save time cleaning up. Especially in the children's room. That's why you should muck out directly when wiping out cupboards and chests of drawers. Sort everything by category: stuffed animals, books, toys. What is no longer needed goes directly into an extra box and is later offered for sale on Ebay, Momox or local clothing and toy bazaars.

ICONIST: And what to do with the things you want to keep?

Reichold: They are stowed away according to genre in specially designed boxes and crates or in drawers and cupboards. Stuffed animals go in box A, books in cupboard B and building blocks in box C. The boxes should not be packed too heavily for the children and should be easy to reach. Labels such as painting and handicraft items on drawers can provide orientation. Over time, the little ones learn for themselves where their respective toys are kept and at some point they put them back in the boxes or drawers provided for them all by themselves.

ICONIST: Can I really teach kids to be tidy?

Reichold: Children as young as one know how to tidy up toys. They can show you that they need to put away the old toys before they can play with something new. Keeping things in order can even be practiced in a fun tidying up game. While a nursery rhyme is playing, all the toys lying around must be collected and cleaned up. If everything is stowed away as soon as the song is over, new toys can be fetched.

ICONIST: Which boxes are suitable?

Reichold: Closed systems are great for avoiding dust. There are some made from recycled plastic, in which things such as painting or handicraft items can be stowed away leak-proof. Otherwise, boxes or baskets made of fabric or felt are ideal. You should be careful with (moving) boxes. Some may contain acids that can stain stuffed animals or clothing over time if left in storage for too long. It is better to store books or hard-wearing wooden toys in it.

ICONIST: Are the boxes also suitable for other rooms?

Reichold: Of course! The box system brings order to the kitchen, bathroom or tool room. In order to clean up, you no longer have to take each item out of the cupboard individually, just reach for the box, wipe the cupboards or shelves clean once and put them back in their place. This also applies to changing utensils or the wardrobe. It is best to fold garments so that they can be sorted vertically by category into labeled boxes. This way you can keep track of things in the closet and find your way around easily.

ICONIST: What is the key to a tidy home?

Reichold: Order is created when we have fewer things in our possession and don't leave them lying around. The system with the boxes is one thing, furniture with drawers and cabinet systems is another. I would say that 2/3 closed and 1/3 open furniture is a good balance for tidying up spaces. We should also reconsider our consumption much more often. Especially for children, many things are sold that are actually not needed.

ICONIST: What exactly do you mean by that?

Reichold: Nobody needs an extra changing unit, it just takes up space. The same goes for a changing mat that you put on a dresser or the washing machine. Baby shampoo is not absolutely necessary either, water is sufficient to clean the baby's skin. A nappy bin is just as superfluous, because nappies can also be disposed of in a normal bin if the rubbish is emptied regularly. Many things are superfluous, others can be used in several ways and are all the more useful.

ICONIST: What, for example?

Reichold: If we buy vases, for example, we can use them for flowers or as candle holders. Lipstick looks great on the lips, but we can also dab it on the cheeks as a blush. Magazines and documents can be organized in magazine files, but there is also room for tablets, slim laptops or pens.

ICONIST: Then minimalism is the solution for lasting order?

Reichold: Order definitely starts at the front door. The less things I consume and have in my possession, the less I have to clean up and keep in order. The goal should therefore be to no longer have to do spring cleaning at all with a minimalist living concept and the box organization system, because the apartment or house can be kept clean and tidy easily and stress-free with little effort even with regular cleaning.