The seasons have changed and we’re ready for April showers to bring us May flowers! But, with rain and colorful blossoms, come spring cleaning and sniffles. Here’s a few ways to prep your home for Spring and take advantage of the sunshine and rising temperatures.
1. Let in the Light
Winter is finally over, and it’s time to welcome spring into our lives and homes! One of the best ways to embrace spring is flooding your home with natural light. Open your blinds and let the sun shine! Natural light is great for putting that extra *spring* in your step. As we leave winter behind for a sunnier season, it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the warmth and glow of natural light. Sunlight is important for both our physical and mental health. Sunshine is one way that we get Vitamin D. It improves our energy and metabolism, and it also helps boost our mood. If you are the kind of person that likes to wake up by opening the blinds and letting in the light, make the switch to motorized treatments and bask in the glow of morning sun, without ever leaving your bed!
2. Time to Clean
The changing of the seasons inspires us to tidy up our space. It’s time to vacuum up the crumbs from that winter-long Netflix binge, open the windows and smell the fresh air. Spring cleaning, decluttering, and organizing is important not only for our space to look better; it is good for our health. While Spring is in the air, so is pollen. Natural light can actually help reduce allergy problems. Researchers at the University of Oregon found that allowing sunlight in through windows can kill bacteria that live in dust. Window treatments can be a serious problem when it comes to allergies. Those white shades didn’t get a brown tint because they needed a tan. Blinds and especially fabric shades collect pollen, dust, and dirt. They are often neglected in routine cleaning. A feather duster is great for light dust but for the heavy-duty jobs, pull out the vacuum and snap on the soft brush attachment. Always check your window treatment manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to reduce the risk of damaging the shades. If your allergies are really bad, look into window treatments that have a Greenguard® Certification, meaning they’re tested and approved for sensitive environments like schools and healthcare facilities.
The bedroom is often overlooked as a priority in spring cleaning, but we spend almost a third of our life in bed, so it’s important to include this room in your cleaning spree. When cleaning furniture and items in your bedroom, consider the age and condition of each item. For example, dated or cracked blinds are beyond saving and it’s time to replace them. If your mattress is older than you are, it might be time to consider upgrading to memory foam. Not only is it more supportive; modern foam has tiny pores to channel airflow and keep you cooler as the temps rise. Smaller items, such as decorations or light fixtures, tend to get overlooked. If they are beyond their age or don’t bring happiness to your space, they can be updated easily.
3. Prepare your Bedroom for Spring
Sunlight can be good and bad for your sleep. Everybody has an “internal clock” that controls your sleep cycle. This function is naturally dependent on light. If you increase natural light throughout the day, you’ll be more alert and energized. Once the sun goes down, the body will naturally wind down and prepare for sleep. Upgrading your sleeping space will not only be an investment in your home; it can change the whole mood of a room and even benefit your health. While we welcome longer days and chirping birds, light and sound pollution can disturb your rest and leave you tossing and turning at night. Plus, nobody wants to wake up to the sound of their neighbor mowing the lawn at 7 AM. Make your room a “do not disturb” zone. Start by turning off the hall lights and closing the bedroom door to block sound. If you live on a busy street, consider investing in window treatments that block light and absorb sound. Day/Night shades allow for the best of both worlds by offering a light filtering option and a blackout option all in one shade. You can also invest in an ambient noise machine to drown out outside noise and create a consistent sleep environment.
This spring, make your space a little brighter, cleaner, and sleep a little easier knowing you are ready for the season. Sunlight and sleep are both important to your happiness, health, and quality of life. Replacing window treatments is the perfect project for a spring refresh. Whether you want shades that let in natural light or blinds for your sensitive sinuses, Blindster is here to help.
