Spring is here and you can practically hear the fizzing of the lemon and baking soda. As you get busy cleaning and de-cluttering your home this month, be comforted by the fact there is a world of expert help out there - both online and in person- to make sure your shambles of a space scrubs up good…
It seems like the entire world has become obsessed with cleaning and tidying. Everyone is getting in on the act. Whether you’re tuning onto Stacey Solomon’s Sort Your Life Out, logging onto Mrs Hinch’s Instagram page to get tips on how to scour your skirting boards or watching Marie Kondo fold jumpers like a pro, you’re in good company.
The rise of the celebrity cleaning guru has most certainly helped elevate cleaning from a once dirty word to a glamorous, even enjoyable, pastime.
The latest celebrity cleaning queen -model Abbey Clancy - has gone from sharing her fashion choices online to posting photos of her pristine home on her social media accounts. She admits she vacuums five her mansion five times a day and won’t let footballer husband Peter use the front door because she wants her hallway to remain spotless. He calls it ridiculous; she calls it a steadfast rule.
That’s the thing with cleaning and space sorting, you’ve got to set your own rules. Just like Netflix superstar Marie Kondo who famously chucks anything in her home that doesn’t spark joy into the bin.
Not everyone can be that strict with themselves when it comes to throwing away their personal items. That’s where experts like Jacquie Robb come in. Jacquie spent 25 years working as a Metropolitan Police officer. Now she’s embarked on a second career as a decluttering expert.
Jacquie, who lives in Billericay, is a de-cluttering professional. She goes from home to home helping people streamline their spaces. Whether it’s a playroom overflowing with toys, a spare room piled up with tut or a family needing to dramatically downsize their home, Jacquie is there to help.
She saw more than a few crime scenes in her time but since she started her own business- The Declutter Constultant- in 2019 after retiring from the force, Jacquie has seen every sight imaginable- and one thing that people always worry about is, ‘is mine the worst house you’ve ever seen?’
'So many of my clients ask me this. They are really worried about it. But it’s never the worst house, I can say hand on heart! Some of the things I saw when I was a police officer were bad, nothing phases me anymore.'
Jacquie stresses no two jobs are the same. 'Every client is different so every job will be different,
'One day I might be sorting out someone’s wardrobe, the next I’m cleaning out a huge loft, the next I’m helping someone sort out their paperwork. That’s what I love about the job. I get to meet interesting people from all walks of life. Everybody has a story which I feel privileged to be part of it and when clients opens up to me about their life it can become a very personal job. They trust me to go through their possessions. I don’t take that for granted.'
So, is there something to spring cleaning? Do more people become galvanised into picking up the polish during April and May?
'In a way, yes, I think Spring encourages people to ‘Spring clean’ as the weather improves. Sunny days usually make you feel better and more focused but for me I’m busy all year round due to client’s needs.
'When I started out I wasn’t sure if I was as going to have enough work. Honestly the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.
'Before Christmas I was getting a lot of parents who need to make space in their children’s rooms or people wanting me to help sort their spare room.
'I never force someone to get rid of something if they really don’t want to but every item must be looked at individually because what you may think of as rubbish may have incredible sentimental value to someone else.'
Jacque cites busy family lives, time constraints, mobility issues and mental health issues as some of the reasons people pick up the phone to her. Sometimes she gets genuine hoarders and works to get them the help they need.
'I had one elderly man who called me on because he lived in a council house and they needed to come in and do some work on the house. Except they couldn’t get in. The house was overrun with mountains of stuff. There wasn’t single space left to stand, let alone to sit down. The man had to clean a path from the kitchen to the front door just so I could get in.
'Usually, people are concerned as they want to declutter but don't know where the things they want to get rid of can go so this sometimes prevents them from decluttering. I know of so many different charities for all kinds of things and other alternatives, so it is rare for things to go into landfill.'
One constant that Jacquie sees is the delight her clients feel when they find missing items.
'I can’t tell you the number of times people have said ‘oh that’s where it went’. Whether it’s important paperwork or an engraved pen that someone bought them or a personal letter, when clutter builds up things get lost, so when you de-clutter, you find them again.'
So does Jacquie, who charges £40 per hour for her services, suggest making a plan before you embark on a decluttering project or just getting stuck in?
'Again, it’s different depending on the person. Making a plan is a good idea but a plan doesn’t need to be detailed as sometimes that can make people feel pressured and like a failure if they don’t succeed.
'One tip I’d give to people is if you’ve sorted stuff out and are planning on taking stuff to a charity shop always ring the shop before you sent off, otherwise you could end up with bags of stuff sitting in the boot of your car for six months.
'Another tip is to photograph the room or area – even if you don’t get it done in one session. You’ll be able to keep a timeline of what you have achieved.
'Another thing I’d suggest is while you are working your way through a room cover things up with a sheet and focus on a small area and move the sheet back as you go, or work from one side of the room to another. Focus on the area and go from A to B. Don’t flit from B to C and C to A!
Listen to your favourite music while you’re working.
'Get rid of empty cardboard boxes first as that is an easy win. It's very easy to flit and get sidetracked so when you look at the room it looks as though nothing has been achieved.
'Don’t get disheartened. Remember, everything that leaves the house is a bonus.'
Jacquie admits the rise of social media cleaning influencers has helped boost her new career.
'When I first thought of doing this job after retiring from the police it wasn’t so prominent in the media and people said to me is that actually a job?
'Now they see how busy I am and that of course it’s a real job otherwise people like me wouldn’t been in demand. People are still shocked there is an Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers though!'
thedeclutterconsultant.co.uk
JACQUIE’S TOP TIPS…
*Don't buy storage it may look pretty but you may not need it and then that becomes clutter.
*Don't keep things just because they cost a lot of money, if you don't use it sell it but give yourself a time limit for this and if it’s not done in that time then donate. You will feel so much better knowing it's going to a good home.
*Remember- the space didn’t get cluttered up overnight, it’s going to take work and some time to sort it out
*Lists are good but keep it simple and tick off activities when they are completed
*We have too much ‘stuff’ these days. If you don’t use it, you won’t miss it.
Is your home bestrewn with junk? Would you like Stacey Solomon to pop round and clean it up for you? If you need help with your home you could be appearing on the next series of Stacey’s show Sort Your Life Out.
In the popular BBC One programme Essex girl Stacey and her team of organising experts help families declutter their homes and transform their spaces in seven days. Producers of the show are looking for families from Essex to take part in the next series. Visit optomen.com/Sort-Your-Life-Out for more details.
