If you're planning to do a big tidy up this weekend, make sure you don't fall into these potential pitfalls
We’re all want a spotless home, but with busy schedules, kids and pets it can be quite difficult to achieve. Most weekends are spent sorting and tidying in a desire to get our homes looking shipshape for the week ahead. Binning things, clearing that dust… It’s all so satisfying and we salute your efforts – just beware of taking your decluttering too far. Clean is good, but an empty shell won’t feel terribly homely. The over-cleaning bug can be hard to spot, so here are some of the signs to look out for…
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1. Your kitchen is so shiny that you can see your own reflection in the units

Image credit: Rachael Smith
In order to keep it this way you have to wander around after everybody, cloth in hand, to get rid of their grubby fingerprints.
2. Every single shoe has to be stored out of sight

Image credit: Paul Reside
You also have a strict no shoes policy indoors. And God forbid anyone who puts their dirty socks on your freshly vacuumed carpets!
3. Your bookcase is sorted in alphabetical order
And you get nervous if anyone moves any of the spines just slightly out of line.
4. Your child’s toys and books have been used to create a pretty display

Image credit: Louise O’ Bryan
But you know that it can’t possibly stay that way once they get their mitts on everything.
5. You’ve carefully chosen barely visible new furniture
You have also streamlined all your accessories. Fewer possessions means a lot less dusting!
6. You’ve taken colour coding to a whole new level

Image credit: James French
These bookshelves are a dream!
7. You’re afraid to step inside your front door incase you ruin the minimalist feel
After all, everything has to be perfect.
8. You’re considering ditching the only piece of furniture in your space
Minimalism at its finest.
9. You’re scared to stain your perfectly white worktops

Image credit: Lizzie Orme
In fact you barely cook because you are worried about a dirty oven, stained splashback and greasy extractor fan.
10. You’d move the bath safely out of sight if you could just fit it into the cupboard

Image credit: David Giles
Slightly farfetched?
How many of these statements describe you?