Spring Cleaning. The two dreaded words that make everyone want to run the other way. Stop. It doesn’t have to be a scary time.
In fact, spring cleaning can be a great way to stop the madness and get organized. The hardest part is getting started.
Once you’ve started you’ll find that not only does it get easier, but once you’ve done the initial organizing, it will only take 10-15 minutes per day to keep it organized.
Here are some of my favorite tips on how to get started:
Formulate a Plan and Set Reasonable Goals
Decide which areas of your home need to be cleaned and allocate time to get it done. Allow time for distractions, so you won’t get discouraged if the job doesn’t get finished as quickly as you hoped.
Make sure your intentions are a reasonable plan of attack that has at least a 98% chance of being accomplished!
Involve Your Family
Spring cleaning isn’t just your job. Divide the list by family member, so that everyone is accountable for something. Even young children can be responsible for small jobs.
For example, school-age children can sort through gloves at the end of the season and discard any that don’t fit or are missing a mate.
Tackle One Area At A Time
It’s more efficient and sanity-saving to work on one area at a time. Focus on a specific coat closet and complete that project before moving onto the next one.
You’ll have more of a sense of accomplishment if one area is completely organizing than if many areas are only partly finished.
Spring Clean on Your Own Timeline
Just because the calendar says it’s spring doesn’t mean you have to drop everything and clean.
If summer is better for you and your family because there’s less going on, spring clean in July. If you try to conform you won’t accomplish anything.
Donate, Toss and Sell
This is a great time to go through all of your kids’ belongings, including clothes, toys and books. Anything that your child may physically or mentally outgrow should be weeded through twice a year.
Make three piles – donate, toss and sell. If things are broken, torn or just not used, throw them out.
Great tips. I really need to go through my kids toys. The house is overflowing!
This is my biggest challenge too! My youngest is three; it’s time to get rid of those baby toys!
Hubby and I love to get the house aired out and rid some of the junk we have collected over the winter. Nothing says spring cleaning like fresh air in the house (to me, at least!)
Oh I so agree! I am giddy for the day we can open up the door and let the breeze run through; it’s going to be awesome!
Where is the tip about hiring a maid service? (haha) My problem lately is that I can barely find time to sit down and relax, never-mind clean the house.
That is the best tip of all, Elizabeth! Lol
These are great tips, I find that cleaning as you go is good too and eliminates the having to clean all at once!
That is an awesome tip, Nancy! I’ve been trying (somewhat successfully) to do this an even a few minutes every day makes a big difference over time!
Great tips! I’m one of those crazy people who look forward to spring cleaning! lol I love the feeling of decluttering and reorganzing!
Lol! I love it when it’s done, but I sure don’t look forward to it! ;)
These tips are fabulous. I am a year-round cleaner, but spring time definitely motivates me even more! My favorite tip is the tackle one area at a time as you become too overwhelmed otherwise. Thanks for sharing.
That’s one of my favourites too! I did my kitchen and living room like that; still have the boys’ rooms to do but I’m in the home stretch!
Ugh! I feel like I’ve been Spring cleaning forever! You have great tips. I always do one room at a time because then you feel you’ve accomplished something. I have always donated, but I think I’ll try selling stuff. Why not make a few bucks? Thanks!
Such a good point; after all that work, making a little money is always a bonus! :) I feel the same way but the bigger rooms are done, so at least I’m in the home stretch now!!