While I’m not a huge fan of day-to-day cleaning, I absolutely LOVE spring cleaning. There’s just something to refreshing about finally being able to get rid of all of those winter blues as you throw open the window and make everything clean and ready for the busy summer. But, of course, I don’t just clean: I declutter at least one room during both my spring and fall cleaning sprees.
Whether you’re as enthusiastic as I am about cleaning this spring, or you’re simply doing it because the place really needs it, here are some tips to make the (possibly) dreaded spring cleaning go smoothly!
1. Have a clear goal
Know what you want to have done before you start by creating or printing off a list of some sort. That way you can make sure that you accomplish everything and you get the added bonus of being able to clearly see your progress as you check things off the list! This is especially true if you have a big house, which might mean that spring cleaning will take a couple of days.
I recommend this awesome checklist from Richly Rooted. Not only is it very extensive, but it’s broken down easily into rooms. As a bonus, it looks very summery and cute!
2. Enlist help
Get your family to help you with cleaning, and break up the chores by assigning each family member a single room. Alternatively, get together with some friends and make it an event with games and food at the end of the day! Just don’t be surprised if they ask you to help them with their cleaning in return.
3. Listen to Music
Music makes everything better, just ask Mary Poppins or Snow White. Find some music that you really love, although I find that something fast-paced works best for me. If you have people helping you out, rotate who chooses the playlist
4. Clean one room at a time
When you have a huge list (or a messy house) it can be tempting to try and clean everything at once. For example, you pick up something from the living room and carry it back to the bedroom, only to realize that you didn’t make the bed. STOP. Leave that bed alone if you aren’t cleaning the bedroom. If you aren’t careful, you’ll end up cleaning all day and not have a single really clean room to show for it! Instead, start with one room and be completely done with that room before moving on. This way if you run out of steam, it will be easy to pick up on the places you didn’t finish.
5. Plan a quick supper that night
This is something that the Richly Rooted article actually suggested, and I think it’s fantastic. After a long day of cleaning, the last thing you and your family is going to want to do is make a ton of dishes cleaning and such. Instead, plan on something quick and easy, like pizza, to celebrate.
6. Relax and celebrate!
On that note, when you’re done be sure that you take the appropriate time to relax and celebrate. Your house is clean, and you did well! Pat yourself on the back and reward yourself with a lazy evening. Just this once, everything else can wait.
What tips do you have for spring cleaning? Share with me in the comments below!
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