The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to freshen up our homes and get a head start on the seasons of spring and summer. It may feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be.
Here are six spring cleaning tips to get you started.
Clean Room by Room
Approaching your house room by room is the most effective way to deep clean it. Create cleaning checklists for each room to help you get organized and to remind you of the areas that need extra attention. Focus on the parts of your home that were largely neglected over the winter.
Organize and Clear the Clutter
One of the biggest parts of spring cleaning is often getting rid of clutter. A systematic four-step approach can be helpful for this. Identify problem areas, analyze reasons for the clutter, determine solutions, and implement these remedies. Sorting your belongings into four categories—trash, donate, yard sale, or put away—can be effective as you go through the spring-cleaning process. Move the clutter out as soon as possible.
Get the Household Involved
Young children can be excellent helpers, assign age-appropriate chores, so everyone feels included. Throwing on some music as you all clean or set up a household reward as an incentive to get the work done.
Tackle the Seasonal Chores
Many chores need to be done seasonally, especially in preparation for warmer weather. So incorporate them into your spring-cleaning routine to get them out of the way early. For instance, tackle outdoor chores, such as cleaning the grill, patio, and outsides of windows, as soon as the weather warms up. Store winter items and pull out your spring items to give your home a refreshed look.
Keep Cleaning Products to a Minimum
Myriad cleaning supplies can create unnecessary clutter, and you probably don't need all of them to keep your home fresh and clean. Opt for a good all-purpose eco friendly cleaner, and microfiber cloths. Purchase other specialty cleaning supplies only as needed.
Establish New Cleaning Habits
This is a great opportunity to establish ongoing cleaning habits which can make the next spring cleaning even easier. Don't try to do all of your spring cleaning in one day or even one weekend, instead, tackle items on your spring cleaning list for just 15 minutes each day. This will help to get everyone in the habit of tidying up for 10 to 15 minutes per day.