By Vicki Little
Spring is finally here, and given all the de-cluttering I’ve been doing lately, one might mistakenly think that I’m a pregnant mom who’s fully immersed in nesting. There is something about the fresh air blowing through open windows that inspires people to do a deep cleaning of their home. It could be that the breeze and the brighter sunshine spotlights the dust particles hanging in the air. Or maybe that funky, stale smell that settled in during winter has become too much to bear. As much as I want the spring cleaning done, I don’t enjoy doing it. There are three steps to ensuring your spring cleaning is thorough, and you can take it even slower by making each step a different day.
STEP ONE: PURGE
The goal is to de-clutter. If you haven’t used it in over a year, you don’t need it. You have been through all of the holidays and seasons. If you forgot you had it, you REALLY don’t need it. If it doesn’t fit, just assume it will be out of style by the time it does. If you have five of them, you probably only need one — and please check all expiration dates and toss out the old. One suggestion is to wait until the kids are outside playing to go through their rooms. They have an amazing ability to convince you why that broken Happy Meal toy is so important. Here are easy places to start:
- Clothes
- Toys
- Food
- Medicine
- Make-up
STEP TWO: DEEP CLEAN
Now that you have cleared the clutter, you have more room to really get down and dirty with the deep cleaning. Pull out your rubber gloves and all your cleaning supplies. Crank up the music and get to it! Remember toothbrushes from the dollar store to get the small crevices, and you will finally have to look under the bed and the couch cushions. Be sure to get all the following areas:
- Showers and sinks
- Fridge and Freezer
- Dishwasher and Oven
- Carpets and Floors
- Furniture
- Beds
- Windows and Coverings
STEP THREE: ORGANIZE
This is the most fun because you already got rid of all the junk. Everything is clean, so you won’t get dirty, and the job is almost done! Before you start, check out these 5 Common Household Items To Organize Your Life and then get started! Following are the places that will save you time (and money), if they are organized.
- Under Sinks
- Hall Closets
- Pantry
- Garage
- Laundry Room
- Drawers and Cupboards
Vicki Little is a work-at-home mom with two young kids. A Colorado native, she is the Publisher and Editor of Macaroni Kid Aurora and Downtown Denver. When she isn’t writing or trying to keep up with her kids she can be found volunteering, reading, or enjoying a bottle of wine with friends.
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