The weather is getting warmer and spirits are getting lifted because spring has finally arrived! After months of cold, snow, and ice, there’s nothing like a breezy, sunny day to put some pep in your step and give you an extra dose of happiness. When springtime rolls around, the world feels fresh and new again, so it’s no surprise that many of us have a desire to get organized and do some deep cleaning around this time of year. In this season of renewal, it’s time to clear out the clutter and start scrubbing!
If you’re like most of us, it can be difficult to find motivation during the winter months. It’s so tempting to just sit on the couch and binge-watch our favorite TV shows, conveniently forgetting all the laundry piling up and the holiday mess still lying around. In spring, as the world changes and renews itself, it can be easier to get inspired to make positive changes in your own life. Here are some tips to help you take advantage of the sunshine, harness the energy of the spring season, and get to work!
Make a Checklist
If your home hasn’t been deeply cleaned in awhile, it can feel overwhelming to try to start spring cleaning. Instead of coming out of the gate without a game plan, try creating a checklist that includes all the tasks you want to accomplish for your spring cleaning. A checklist can help you feel organized and can help you prioritize tasks in a way that makes the cleaning process more efficient.
Organize, then Sanitize
If you have a lot of clutter lying around your home, it is almost impossible to begin cleaning without clearing out the junk first. Before you pull out any cleaning products, put all your loose belongings away into their respective places in the house. If you have lots of miscellaneous items with no designated space to go, create new spaces for these items. For example, if you have shoeboxes filled with family photos, send the photos into Southtree and have them digitized to maximize space in your home for other belongings. The organization phase of spring cleaning is the perfect time to go through all of your items and decide which things you want to keep and which can be thrown away or donated. Minimizing possessions can help you feel lighter and can help keep your space simple and decluttered.
One Room at a Time, Top to Bottom
You may find it easier to focus on organizing and cleaning one room at a time. By focusing all your efforts on a smaller space, you are less likely to become overwhelmed by the process and are more likely to pay attention to detail. Another key to spring cleaning is to clean from the top to the bottom of each room. This will ensure that all dust and debris will fall to the ground, leaving every surface free of dirt and grime and preventing you from having to clean surfaces more than once. Start with dusting cobwebs from the ceiling, then scrubbing any scrapes or marks off the walls, moving downward to countertops and other surfaces, and finishing with sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming floors.
Corners, Cracks, and Crevices
It can be easy to skimp out on the detail work during spring cleaning. However, you’re actually creating more work for yourself further down the road when you skip over corners and crevices. Take the extra minute to get behind and under all moveable furniture and appliances to sweep, mop, and scrub as best as you can. These small spaces can seem insignificant, but over time they can build up dirt and dust, and sometimes grow mold and mildew. Do yourself a favor and take care of those tiny spaces now to avoid a bigger problem in the long run.
Spring Cleaning and Self Care
Spring cleaning can be tiring, especially if your home has not been deeply cleaned in some time. Listen to music or podcasts while you work to stay entertained. Make sure you take lots of breaks, drink plenty of water, and go easy on yourself. Spring cleaning is not only about your home - it can also be about your overall health and well-being!
These tips can make your spring cleaning process easier and quicker than ever before. The most important thing to remember is that slow and steady wins the race - don’t push yourself too hard, and don’t let the mess overwhelm you. If you pace yourself, you’ll be done in no time, and you can sit back and appreciate a fresh, clean home for you and your family. Happy spring cleaning!
