The coronavirus pandemic has placed us in isolation for the foreseeable future. It goes without saying that it’s an extremely stressful time, as we’re left worrying about everyone’s health. Moreover, the anxiety of the situation can be magnified by the sheer fact that we’re stuck at home.

Despite this, we should at least try to lift our spirits and stay productive. A wonderful way to do so is by cleaning and maintaining your flat. Not only will it put your home in order, but journalist Marie Claire Dorking shares that cleaning is a good way to boost your mental health, as it gives you a sense of control over your environment.

If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some tips to help you keep your flat spic and span during this difficult period.

Keep a Place for Everything

Have you ever spent hours walking around your flat because you couldn’t find your remote, t-shirt, or other belongings? That means it’s high time to start organising. As we’ve previously shared on our ‘Maximise Every Inch of Space in Your Bedroom with Fitted Furniture Design’ post, you should consider investing in furniture that optimises storage space. Alternatively, you can sort your belongings by organising them by category, and then placing them in labelled baskets. The key is to set a space for your items instead of throwing them all together, so you’ll instantly know where they are and keep your surroundings tidy, too.

Create a Cleaning Checklist

One of the most effective ways to keep your flat neat and tidy is to list down each chore you need to do. Having a guide on what needs to be cleaned every now and again is extremely helpful. The Guardian stresses that the brain responds especially well to to-do lists because such structured plans take away the chaos of life. When devising your own cleaning checklist, you should create a section for each room and write down how often it should be cleaned (whether it’s daily, weekly, or even monthly).

Assign a Weekly “Cleaning Day”

Did you know that most Brits don’t think they have enough time for chores due to the hustle and bustle of life? As we’re all adjusting to the indoor lifestyle while trying to manage pandemic-related stress, you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget to clean despite having more “free time.” It helps to designate a day of the week to be fully devoted to cleaning everything up. A “Cleaning Day” is also great for tasks that require more time, like vacuuming the floors and scrubbing down the bathroom.

Ensure Your Home Systems in Order

Flat maintenance can be a chore in itself, especially when you’re constantly out and about. But with most (if not all) of your current time is spent at home, that makes it the perfect time to inspect your appliances and home systems. For instance, Wired reveals that around 60% of London residents have aged pipes with some over 150 years old. Without even realising it, you could be putting your home at risk of a burst pipe due to increased use, as you will now be home 24/7.

If you are worried about your pipes check with your home coverage provider, as HomeServe details how flat insurance that covers the plumbing should come with a 24-hour helpline. Get the expert opinion of a specialist rather than try and fix it yourself or just leaving it as it is. In these times it is much better to be proactive and catch any issue long before it goes wrong. The last thing you want is for a burst pipe to occur due to a lack of due diligence on your part. If gone undiagnosed, you might run into even bigger problems, such as indoor flooding or structural damage. As we said, you’re mostly home, so it only makes sense to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort all around.

We hope these tips will ensure that your flat remains tidy and safe during your extended time at home. Now is the perfect time to sort everything out ready for when the lockdown lifts.