Make Your Home Sparkle & Shine This Diwali

One of the biggest Indian festivals is coming up, and we cant contain our excitement! Yes, Diwali is less than a month away, and its time to start prepping. We are talking about Diwali cleaning, of course. Its believed that Goddess Lakshmi graces our homes during Diwali to shower us with happiness and prosperity. So what better way to welcome her than with a clean, tidy and well-decorated home? Starting now gives you ample time to plan a relaxed cleaning routine and come up with dcor ideas while adding a little festive fervor at home.

We understand that deep-cleaning your home is no easy task. But these tips and tricks and a curated weekly plan will help you clean, dust, declutter, and revamp your home without stressing you out. Ready to channel your inner Marie Kondo? Lets get started!

1. The KonMari method

Renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo took the world by storm with her KonMari method of tidying. Heres how to organize things the KonMari way.

Step 1:

Imagine your ideal lifestyle before you start. Keep in mind your mental state, day-to-day activities and what you like to be surrounded with.

Step 2:

Before you start cleaning, declutter the space. Marie says you need to pick up an object and ask yourself if the object sparks joy in you. If it does, you can keep it. This step helps you understand what you love and what you need. According to Marie, if you want to let go of something, thank it for its service and for enhancing your life. She believes that giving things you no longer need a proper send-off (a Japanese tradition) helps you be grateful for how those things have helped you.

Step 3:

Tidy by category. Marie explains that tidying by location isnt as effective, as it means repeating the same work. She asks people to start with the easiest categoryclothes. Then move on to books, papers, miscellaneous things and sentimental belongings.

2. 5S System

This Japanese system aims to reduce clutter to improve productivity and continuity. 5S stands for:

• Seiri (Sort): First, sort through a room or space and remove unwanted materials, creating more space and fewer obstacles.
• Seiton (Set in Order): Decide on where what must go and assign a place for objects to improve workflow. Use labels and markers to spot items quickly.
• Seiso (Shine): Clean your home to improve its aesthetics and to keep it safe.
• Seiketsu (Standardize): Establish routines and methods, and split chores between family members to ensure that your home is clean and organized.
• Shitsuke (Sustain): Sort, clean and organize regularly till it becomes a practice for the whole family. This way, your home will look neat, and your work will be minimal.

3. The one-year rule

This simple method helps you decide what to keep and what to throw away. Just ask yourself: Have I used this in the past year? This way, the unused things at the bottom of your shelf and the clothes you never wear can finally be discarded or donated.

4. Would you buy it again?

We often hoard too many similar things at homemore than one pair of the same-colored jeans, old movies, unused electronics, or footwear. Ask yourself if you would buy them again if you got rid of them. Discard or donate that extra pair of shoes or that unused blender.

Cool hacks to try now

• Pillowcase to clean ceiling fans: Avoid the mess of cleaning ceiling fans by using a pillowcase. Put a pillowcase on one blade of the fan (like you would put on a pillow) and wipe the blade clean. Repeat for the other blades. This way, the floor or your mattress stays dust-free while you clean!
• White vinegar for spotless glasses: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Spray this mixture on glasses or mirrors, leave on for a few minutes and wipe it with a clean cloth.
• Stain removal with baking soda: Sprinkle a little baking soda on bathroom or kitchen fittings like washbasins and taps, and scrub them with dish soap to remove stubborn stains.
• Vinegar and baking soda for mattresses: Want to get rid of dust and odor from your mattress? Spray vinegar all over the mattress and then sprinkle baking soda over it. Leave it on for a couple of hours and then brush it away, or vacuum the mattress.
• Apple cider vinegar for hard water stains: Do you always struggle with hard water stains on taps and utensils? Just spray them with a mixture of equal parts of apple cider vinegar and lemon, leave it on for about 15 minutes, and wipe it with a clean cloth.
• Lemon for your microwave: Before you start making Diwali snacks, give your microwave a deep clean. Squeeze half a lemon into a small bowl of water, add a few drops of vinegar, place the bowl in the microwave, and heat it till the water boils. Turn off the microwave and let the bowl sit for about 10 minutes. Then, wipe the microwave with a clean cloth.
• Toothpaste for wall scribbles: Your child may love to scribble on walls, but getting the marks off the walls can be tricky. Try removing pencil marks with an eraser and more stubborn stains with toothpaste. For crayon markings, use chalk, denatured alcohol, or hairspray.
• Make brass shine with vinegar: If youre planning to display decorative brass items, make them shine with this hack. Make a paste of salt, white vinegar and water in equal parts, and apply it on brass ornaments and door handles. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wipe with lukewarm water.