5 Tips for Spring Cleaning
It’s that time of year when you throw open your windows, and you give into the need to purge & clean everything in your home.
Here are our top 5 tips for spring cleaning from professional organizers:
Step 1: Pick one area of your home to start.
We know. You want to start everywhere & you want your whole house to feel refreshed. We get it, but if you start everywhere you’ll get nowhere. You will inevitably get overwhelmed by the magnitude of your cleaning & purging, & probably give up. We don’t want that for you!Instead, pick one area of your home to start. Whether it’s your desk, your kitchen counters, your garage - it doesn’t matter.
Pick one space & start there.
Step 2: Set a timer or time limit.
Once you’ve picked your space, set a timer or time limit for how long you want to to spend in this area. If your kitchen counters need a wipe down & appliances need to be put away, you’ll likely only need 30 minutes. If your office is a mess, set a timer for an hour to organize your files, shred those important documents & to get your books off your floor. Tackling your closet? Give yourself half a day - at least - especially if you’re doing a seasonal wardrobe swap. Get rid of things you didn’t wear last season, neatly fold your sweaters & get your nicer garments on hangers.
When you have a better idea of how long you want to spend on cleaning a space, the task becomes much more manageable & you’re more likely to complete the task.
Step 3: Declutter using our “keep, toss, donate” method.
This is often the most difficult step, yet the most necessary. Now is the time to declutter your spaces - closets, cabinets, shelves, etc.
Start by asking yourself: is this piece (clothing or otherwise) in good condition? If it’s not in good condition, it’s an immediate trash/recycle pile item.
If it’s in good condition, ask yourself: when was the last time you wore it/used it? Do you like it?
If you don’t like it, it’s an immediate donate pile item. If you do like it, but you can’t remember the last time you used it, or you’re convincing yourself that one day you will use it, donate! If you do like it & you recently used it, it stays.
While this process can lead to decision fatigue, we guarantee that you will feel better after removing the excess clutter from your spaces.
And when in doubt, remember our golden rule: one in, one out. You can’t bring anything new into your space until you get rid of something.
Step 4: Clean.
Grab a pair of reusable, waterproof gloves, a sponge, your vacuum, some white vinegar (or whatever non-toxic cleaning products you prefer) & deep clean! After the dark & cold days of winter, now is the time to bring a light & airy quality back into your home, & frankly, there’s no better way than through some deep cleaning. We suggest starting with the baseboards in your closets & bathrooms before working your way to the more obvious areas of your home (kitchen, living room, etc.). The more dust & dander you can remove, the better you will feel about your home!
Step 5: Enjoy your decluttered, clean space.
You’ve put in the hard work, now it’s time to enjoy your space! Now that you’ve cleaned, swapped, and decluttered you can look at your space with new eyes. Is the space exactly as you want it? Does your space need a pop of color? A new candle? A decorative throw? Now, we are not suggesting that you immediately run to your favorite store and pack your car full of decor as that would completely undermine all of your efforts. However, adding a new seasonal item or two can help make your space feel new and refreshed for the spring season.
There you have it! Our top 5 tips for Spring Cleaning! Head on over to Instagram & let us know how your Spring Cleaning is going @macmomorganizing
