Simple Spring Cleaning
Spring – It’s the dreamlike time of year when the weather is heating up, the landscape is brimming with color, and we turn our attention to a new season. It’s also when we dust off the cobwebs, break out the broom and tidy up our homes. During the dormant months of winter, it’s easy to go into hibernation mode and put off those little to-dos around the house. With a new season on the horizon there is no better time to put an end to the procrastinating – use these tips for simple spring cleaning, and you will tackle that mountain of mounting tasks in no time.
Create a Cleaning Checklist
Kickoff your annual clean out by going room-to-room and creating a to-do list. Start in the largest areas first, such as your living room and kitchen and then move on to smaller spaces – bathrooms, bedrooms, and laundry room. Don’t forget other areas such as the garage and closets. Start from the ceiling and move down. Include a desired timeline for finishing each space so it’s easy to stay on course. Consider questions like “When was the last time you cleaned the ceiling fan?” “Will I need to move any furniture in the master bedroom?” “How many windows do I have to clean?”
If you need inspiration compiling your list, check out this online printable checklist:
Free Printable Checklist from Home Made Simple
Warm Up to Organization
What are you going to need before you start cleaning? Take inventory of all the cleaning supplies you have on hand, and determine what additional necessities you need.
Don’t get swept away by clutter! If you have a lot of stray items taking up room, decide which storage solutions will deliver, such as totes, shelves or baskets. Allocate a sorting space to categorize items into piles. Include a keep, donate and throw away pile. Remember – it’s better to donate than accumulate!
Put a Spring in Your Step!
Once you have your ducks in a row, it’s time to get to work. Recruit help from your spouse and encourage the kids to get involved. Open all the windows in the room and follow the same guideline you did in creating your checklist – work from the ceiling down to the floor. Dust ceiling corners and fans. Wash windows and clean curtains. Wipe down and vacuum furniture. Finish by vacuuming and deep cleaning hardwood or tile flooring and shampooing carpet floors. Before you know it, you will bust the dust in your spaces!
Take it Outside
It’s easy to focus all of your attention on the interior, but what about the outside? Consider pressure washing exterior walls and sidewalks. Wash the front door and clean out gutters. Walk the perimeter of your home, and decide if you need to do any paint touch-ups. Make sure you are BBQ ready by cleaning your grill and patio furniture.
Next, turn your attention to your garden shed. Is it ready for the spring and summer months? Clear out any unnecessary items so you are prepared for the upcoming planting season.
Spring Break
When you think about all the tasks you need to complete, it can start to feel overwhelming. Don’t try to tackle it all in one day! Give yourself a breather in between projects so you can come back feeling refreshed. Treat yourself after each room you complete, whether it’s a fancy dinner out or just a quick walk around the park.
Don’t Sweep Little Details Under the Rug
There are plenty of odd jobs that are easy to overlook. Don’t forget items like cleaning the remote, throwing out expired medicine and organizing your purse or bag. Finishing these little (but important!) chores will leave you feeling instantly better, and they only take a few minutes to complete.
Rise ‘n Shine
Although it may seem like a daunting task at first, spring cleaning can be an easy, and even fun, annual project. By staying organized, tackling each room individually, and giving yourself credit when you check a few items off the to-do list, you will have everything spick-and-span in no time. Happy cleaning!