I'm a decluttering expert - here's one small thing everyone can to do start a big clean

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Spring is the prime time for millions of Britons to clear out their homes, send old piles of clothes to the charity shop and sort ancient sentimental trinkets into 'keep' or 'bin' piles.

But one decluttering expert has revealed the common mistakes people keen to class junk apart from important keepsakes are likely making.

Speaking on Woman's Hour, Homes Therapist Michelle Ogundehin explained that many well-intentioned organisers are simply trying to go about the process too quickly.

You have to do it 'slowly', the author, who has also penned the book Happy Inside, expressed.

'It is not about thinking "right that's it it's all got to go, I want clear surfaces",' she said. 'It's about really taking it one step at a time.

'Maybe you start with a drawer. You know, we all have the drawers; they are just the kind of hidden holes of horror where we tuck everything away and ram it shut.

'So then it's out of mind... we don't think about it anymore except we do. That stuff is almost like this sort of psychological weight in our homes.'

'Visual clutter is more exhausting than we realise,' she continued. 'It's not just stuff, our brains are constantly processing our surroundings so they work overtime if they're surrounded by chaos.

Speaking on Woman's Hour, Homes Therapist Michelle Ogundehin explained that many well-intentioned organisers are simply trying to go about the process too quickly

You have to do it 'slowly', the author (pictured) who has also penned the book Happy Inside, expressed

'I love my things, I have lots of things, I think our things are like the talismans of your life.

'They tell your story but the key is to surround yourself with the things that actually tell the story that you want it to tell.

'And it's about coherence rather than chaos in editing those things and then you just keep the things that have a very positive connotations for you.'

Michelle added that 'as much as it is about getting rid of the things that don't contribute to the story you want to tell, it is also about setting a really clear intention to reduce the amount of things you buy, deciding for yourself when you have enough'.

'I promise you that when you clear away the stuff that has no purpose in your life you will feel better,' she said.

Elsewhere, one expert recently revealed their tips for one of the most dreaded household chores.

Michelle added that 'as much as it is about getting rid of the things that don't contribute to the story you want to tell, it is also about setting a really clear intention to reduce the amount of things you buy, deciding for yourself when you have enough'. Stock image used

Speaking to Femail, Paul Bangs, Wickes Category Director, gave his advice on how to clean your oven effectively.

He said firstly you should turn the oven off and it should be completely cooled before even touching it. 

'Oven trays and shelves should be removed before cleaning,' he added. 

'Most racks and trays can also be placed in the dishwasher for an easy clean but check the make and model of the oven beforehand.'

Paul also recommended looking at your oven's manual to see if it has a pyrolytic cleaning setting.

'This function uses high temperatures of 500 degrees to break down food residue into ash, simplifying the cleaning process and saving on cleaning products and time,' he added.

But if you don't have a pyrolytic cleaning function, Paul said spraying a good oven cleaner into the cavity of the oven and placing a damp kitchen towel on top can do a good job, as it locks in the cleaning agent. 

'Once the kitchen roll is removed and the oven wiped down the inside, it will be left sparkling,' he explained. 

Cleaning the oven is often seen as a gruelling and time-consuming activity that many put off for as long as possible. Stock image used

'To clear tough stains off the inside of oven glass doors use warm soap and water with a non-abrasive sponge. Most oven glass can also be removed from the doors for an even easier clean, the oven manual can be used to determine how to do this.'

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You can also purchase ovens that are self-cleaning oven, which uses steam or high temperatures to help get rid of excess food that can get congealed in the appliance. 

Cleaning carpets can also be a really exhausting task and can require a lot of time and effort, especially to remove stains. 

Around 18,000 Brits searched up how to wash carpets effectively, to which Paul said: 'Overtime, carpets can accumulate dust and hidden allergens. 

'Whilst vacuuming is essential, deep cleaning can also help to improve the overall condition of the carpet, making it a cleaner environment within the home.'

It is recommended that you scrub your carpet every six months, but if you have a busier household with children and pets or a light-coloured carpet then you will likely need to wash it more frequently. 

Cleansing your carpet with steam could also be another effective way of ensuring your flooring is spotless, and is particularly great for clearing up small stains and spills, according to Paul. 

Alternatively, you could also use a specialist carpet cleaner, some of which can double up as a sofa scrubber.

Another challenging element of a property to keep clean is a gutter, as 16,000 people searched for how to clear it. 

Gutters can get blocked easily, particularly if you have a spout of bad weather in the colder seasons, as twigs and leaves can easily get stuck inside.

Moss and dirt can also build up inside the gutter, causing it to block, with Wickes saying cleaning it is often an overlooked task.   

Chris Moorhouse, Wickes Building Category Director says: 'Cleaning gutters is hugely important but is often overlooked until there is an issue, such as water damage which can affect both the inside and outside of the home.'

You can tackle this issue by purchasing some specialist cleaning products, but for light coloured gutters, Mr Moorhouse says soapy water can be enough to keep on top of the cleaning. 

However, you can also take preventative measures such as installing a leaf protection system which can minimise debris buildup.

Mr Moorhouse added: 'When undertaking any work at a height within the home, it's also important to keep safe and follow all the correct safety measures.'