During the past few months of social distancing and staying at home, your living space certainly got a workout. It may even look a little more lived-in now. As the total number of global COVID-19 cases continues to grow every day, it looks like we’re going to continue to spend more time at home. With this in mind, is your home ready for the next round of COVID-19 quarantine? Shove open the shutters and shake out those sheets: It’s time for some COVID-inspired cleaning activities.

Spring cleaning: Not just for spring anymore

A clean, organized workspace can help improve your focus, stabilize your mood, and give you that creative boost you desperately need. According to the South China Morning Post “[C]lutter can make us feel frustrated by the way it invades our home, which, for many of us, is our safe space.” Look around at your home: Did it become messier during the last several months of quarantine?

The answer? Declutter that mess! It may seem hard to get started, but once the clutter has been reorganized and everything is put in its place, that sense of frustration will dissipate. You may even find that if you do work from home, your productivity will get a boost since your focus is on the task in front of you instead of the clutter in the corner of your eye. (It also doesn’t hurt to also spend some time sanitizing your living space, as research shows that cleaner homes promote healthiness and physical activity.)

In addition to a thorough decluttering, a deep cleaning from top to bottom will serve you and your home well as you prepare to hunker down. Work from top to bottom, and get into the nooks and crannies to ensure you’ve addressed every space and crumb. If you’re feeling less than inspired to take this on, why not splurge and outsource to a professional? The experts at The Cleaning Club can take your home from dirty to dazzling, giving you more time to work on prettying up your space. 

Comfort central: Cozy up your couch

One thing you can do to ensure maximum comfort is to turn your attention to furniture and decorations. Add a colorful rug or two in the bathroom and kitchen; apply fabric deodorizer to curtains and, if you’re feeling especially motivated, dust the blinds. Does that recliner in the corner look a little drab? If you know how to crochet or knit, easy accent pillowcase patterns provide a way for you to add a personal touch and splash of color to your living space. 

Of course, if your furniture is structurally sound and simply needs a bit of a sprucing up, reupholstering is always an option. Maybe that floral print from the ‘70s isn’t doing it for you anymore, or the cat stretched with claws-out too many times — whatever the case, choosing a new fabric can be an exciting way to welcome a “new” chair or couch into your space. Don’t forget to factor in budget when researching chair upholstery pricing. On average, the cost to reupholster chairs can run anywhere from $350 to $1,000, including labor and fabric costs, depending on the design.

Internet capability: Stress-test your Wi-Fi

Stanford University researcher Nicholas Bloom noted that for those Americans working from home, internet access is not as ubiquitous as it should be. Before the next round of quarantine, even if you’re not working from home, be sure to metaphorically dust off your Wi-Fi router and make sure your plan can handle increased usage. Visiting internet speed test sites like SpeedTest.net can give you an idea of what kind of load your pipes can expect to successfully carry. You can even contact your internet service provider and ask if they are ready for the increased usage.

Don’t wait

Your home should be your sanctuary — especially now. Don’t let indecision keep you from creating the most comfortable shelter for your needs. Before the next round of lockdowns, take the time to address any concerns you may have with your current space, so you can meet this year’s extraordinary challenges with one more arrow in your mental-health quiver.