10 Simple Spring Cleaning Tips
It’s about that time of year to begin thinking about Spring cleaning! Since we just moved I don’t have any super deep cleaning to do, but I’m definitely continuing with tackling small projects each day as I get our house in order.
The bathroom remodeling saga has made a mess in three other rooms, so I’m just making the best of it. 🙂 Hopefully everything will be put back together before too much longer. {fingers crossed}
It is so much more fun to decorate a clean house, which is why I enjoy cleaning and organizing. It’s impossible to put a decorating “bandage” over a messy house. The messes will always glare brighter than a new thrift store candlestick.
Before you do any Spring decorating this year, check out these 10 Simple Spring Cleaning Tips…
1. Formulate A Plan & Set Reasonable Goals
Jot down the areas of your home that you need to clean, come up with a plan and be sure to budget in time for distractions so you won’t get discouraged after just a few hours cleaning. In essence, make a reasonable plan of attack that has at least a 98% chance of being accomplished! 🙂
2. Check For Cleaning Supplies
There is nothing more frustrating than to start a project {or Spring cleaning} only to find that you’re out of supplies. I’m on a chemical reduction kick, so when we moved, I got rid of THREE boxes of chemically-laden cleaning supplies. White vinegar, baking soda and Thieves Cleaner are among my favorite household cleaning aids.
3. Involve Your Children {or work while the littles are napping!}
I loved having small tasks to accomplish when I was growing up. My Mom was really good at delegating age appropriate jobs for us. Since Ridley is 2 years old, it’s a bit challenging to get much accomplished while he pulls everything apart behind me. I’m thankful that both sets of grandparents are close by, so I can send him to play with them, crank up some music and get busy cleaning!
4. Tackle One Area At A Time
It’s exciting to get started cleaning and I sometimes tend to get distracted with various projects throughout the house. But, I’ve found that it’s incredibly helpful and sanity-saving to work on one area at a time. Inadvertently, piles of stuff will migrate to other rooms in your house, but those can be tackled when you get to them.
5. Declutter Before Cleaning
It is frustrating to be ready to dust an area only to realize that you have to move 15 knick-knacks, 10 pieces of junk mail, broken crayons and wadded up kleenexes before you can get started. Ask me how I know. Humph. Save yourself a headache and get rid of the garbage and extraneous clutter before cleaning!
6. Use Bins To Organize The “Get-Rid-Of” Stuff
Instead of just dividing up things into separate piles that will likely get knocked over or mixed up, use plastic bins to keep them organized. I like having a bin for garage sale items, items to donate, garbage and things that need to be returned to others. Are we the only family who has five different, un-matching forks in our silverware drawer? I think they reproduce while we sleep at night.
7. Open The Windows For Fresh Air
I love filling my lungs with fresh country air. I can do without the man-ur-e smell, but I love Spring air {minus the pollen, of course}. After being shut up inside for months, it is so refreshing to open the windows and have fresh air flowing through the house.
8. Clean Each Room From Top To Bottom
Let gravity make your job easier by working with it! Start at the ceiling by dusting the ceiling fan or light fixture then get all the “webbys” off the crown molding. Work your way down the walls, over the furniture, all the way to the baseboards and flooring.
9. Change Up Your Accessories For A New Look
I don’t know about you, but I like to change up my accessories a little bit for each season. I’m not talking about redecorating necessarily, but just freshening up things. Since it’s Spring, try switching out heavy, darker items out with lighter and brighter accessories!
10 Design A Daily Cleaning Schedule
After all your hard work is done and your house looks like a magazine cover {not really!}, make sure that you have a good cleaning schedule in place. Whether you need to make one from scratch or update the one you have, set small daily tasks that will help keep your house in order until next Spring…or until you decide to deep clean your house again!
Do you Spring Clean every year?
xoxo
Myra
*****
Put Your House in Order
Put Your House in OrderI’m participating in a series, called “Put Your House in Order,” with a great group of bloggers. Each of us is tackling a different area of home management and sharing suggestions for organizing in the new year.
Check out how the others are ordering their homes this Spring:
Spring Cleaning Your Finances at Kingdom First Mom
Spring Cleaning with Kids at Smockity Frocks
Welcome Spring To Your Kitchen at Good Cheap Eats
Modest Spring & Summer Fashions at Women Living Well
I do spring cleaning, but it always ends up as rearranging furniture/accessories!
I love to deep clean. But since I work in tax, it’s usually May before I can find enough time. Then it’s bordering on being TOO hot if we’ve gone straight from winter to summer, so many years I deep clean in the fall.
I like your FB page.
I liked Shaklee’s FB page.
I ALWAYS spring clean!!!
I always START spring cleaning, but I rarely ever finish every task on my list. So I spread the remainder out and try to finish them up with my regular cleaning. 🙂
I’m trying to do some deep cleaning every month, in different rooms.
I visited the other posts listed below as part of the Put Your House In Order Series!
Thanks.
I need to do some spring cleaning!! This will be my second spring married, first time in a home…. we’ll see how I do.
I don’t typically do a deep clean but just try to keep up with my weekly cleaning chores 🙂
I love to do Spring cleaning and purging!
Yes we do spring cleaning and decluttering every year
I do tackle spring cleaning and, like you, I always love it when it’s all fresh and sparkly new. I have been toying with the idea of trying Shaklee products as I have read so many awesome things about it in the blog world. Here’s to cleaning!!! 🙂
I love to spring clean. There is nothing like a fresh, organized house!
I don’t typically do spring cleaning I try to deep clean smaller areas spaced out over the year.
I love the idea of spring cleaning but never seem to finish it. I am now at SAHGM so maybe this year I’ll get it all done.
I try to do a spring cleaning every year…nothing like the feeling of a totally clean house!
I follow on FB
My spring cleaning tends to happen gradually over the next month or two – the extra light and warm temps somehow make me see the spots I missed all winter 🙂
visited the other posts 🙂
Yes, I always spring clean! The warmer weather always gets me motivated to wash away the winter blahs!!!
I love Spring Cleaning!
I like U in facebook!
I like Safe and Healthy Solutions on facebook
Just found your blog and I am loving it. I am doing Spring cleaning. I actually started yesterday. I cleaned my room and donated tons of clothing. Next, on to my daughter’s room.
I actually got a head start on my spring cleaning this year!One room at a time and we are nearly through! Just that storage room left!
Of course the garage needs to be done yet!
My spring cleaning this year will be limited to a couple of rooms as we too have just moved and are renovating a 173 yr old house! Most of the house is stilll “under construction” awaiting hardwood floor refinishing, painting, repairs, etc. I can’t wait to have the entire house finished so maybe the construction dust will dissappear!
Yes! I love Spring Cleaning! I have already started a little by purging, and getting out a few springy accessories- I can’t wait to deep clean every room! I would love to try Basic H! I have heard so many great things about it!
Love love to clean! Use 7th generation now so would love to try something else that’s organic.
I always do a spring clean throughout the months of March to May! Helps the house feel fresher!
Spring clean? I just move and I do the BIG clean. But really, YES, I do spring clean and sometimes again in the fall (before the windows close for the winter). Where I live, I’m still waiting to open my windows and for spring (too much snow still…sigh!).
Yes! I love to deep clean the house, purge and organize everything! I usually even paint a little!
Yes, I love to get a fresh perspective in spring, so go through all rooms!
“liked” Safe And Healthy Solutions on Facebook
Liked The Casabella Project on Facebook
I don’t usually get to spring clean. We homeschool, and I am usually knee deep in “end of the school year” paperwork about this time. Most of my deep cleaning usually happens over summer break!
I “liked” the Casabella Project on facebook as soon as you started this blog!!!!! =)
I don’t usually do spring cleaning, but in the past 2 weeks I’ve cleaned out the frig, dumped about half of my desk in the recycling bin, and gotten a pile of clothes ready for Goodwill. So I guess this year spring cleaning is a go. 🙂
I do some spring cleaning throughout the year lol with 3 kids its a must! =)
Why, yes ma’am! Of course I do Spring cleaning, and fall cleaning, and winter cleaning, and… 😉 {I got the same OCD gene you did! Lol }
No, I do not normally do the typical “Spring Cleaning”, however we do try and go through our stuff and get rid of things for yard sale or donation during the spring/early summer time.
Don’t usually do a “spring” cleaning. Just try to keep up all year.
Yes, I do spring cleaning. When the weather turns warmer, I’m just itching to open the windows and start scrubbing. Lightening up the rooms as we go, and washing putting away heavy blankets/comforters. And in the fall, we clean and do the reverse.
I “like” Safe and Healthy Solutions on Facebook
I “like” The Casabella Project on Facebook!
i like to spring clean and declutter in once
Spring cleaning, what’s that?? I need to do better, but I don’t really enjoy it!
I do Spring Clean…I get the itch around this time of year to have everything clean and organized.
I like the Casabella project of Facebook!
I have already started on the spring cleaning. I need a new maid though. Mine’s not reliable. Wait a minute – I’m the maid. Oops. Better get the lead out.
Yes, I do spring cleaning! I would love to win this giveaway! I’ve been wanting to try some of the Shaklee products too!
I like Safe and Healthy Solutions on FB.
I like the Casabella Project on FB.
I went to the Spring Clean your kitchen link at GoodCheapEats and I liked the new ideas. I have been wanting to try and grow my own veggies for awhile, particularly a tomato plant but my black thumb might kill it all off!
Spring cleaning happens all the time around here 🙂
I too love the great fresh air while I’m cleaning. I’ll open all the windows. It’s great.
I love to spring clean. My house feels clean and fresh again. Now if only I could get me some new furniture…….and re-do my outdated 70’s kitchen…..new windows…..carpeting….sigh……….
I do a more detailed cleaning for spring and definitely open the windows!
Do more regular cleaning than a spring cleaning.
Not usually, unless I’m pregnant! 🙂
I follow Casabella Project on facebook
I liked Safe And Healthy Solutions on Facebook
I don’t typically do spring cleaning. However, I love the idea of changing room accessories to match the season. Maybe that will help motivate me to clean more, too.
I love spring cleaning- I clean out files, get rid of clothes, and de-clutter in general. I recently started getting rid of chemicals as well and was very interested in the cleaner!
I try to have one weekend set aside, but really wish I could work it into our regular routine more easily.
I liked Safe and Healthy Solutions on FB
I liked the CasaBella project on FB
I haven’t been one to do spring cleaning in the past but may have to do it this year.
When it comes to decluttering, I will share what helps me. As you said involving the children is very useful so I thought of some cleaning games to make them remove the clutter. It is much easier. 🙂
I always have the best intentions to spring clean, but …. I guess mine spring cleaning takes all spring and summer long.
I love spring cleaning, but have typically left it until the week before Easter. Since I am in a different climate zone than I grew up in and enjoy a much earlier spring now, I am planning to get a start on it earlier. I love washing all the bedding and hanging it to dry in the crisp spring air! As soon as spring cleaning is done I am out if the garden for the summer.
By the end of winter I am usually so tired of the monotony that I am DYING to get out and clean something! Can’t wait to spring clean!
I always try… but somehow it never seems to get completed!!!
I usually do spring cleaning in the summer when we are less busy.
I do spring clean- not sure I will get much done this year since I just had a baby and since I had some friends who “spring cleaned” my house while I was giving birth- so not much needs to b done- just going to clean my windows!
This is the first year my husband and I have lived in a house and therefore, a space large enough to constitute Spring Cleaning. I am a little overwhelmed at the prospect of it, as like I said this is really the first house I’ve been responsible to tackle and I have a 13 month old. However, I am also planning to participate in Simple Mom’s Project Simplify and hope that grants me some additional guidance/motivation 🙂 Thanks for your tips!
I don’t do a specific spring cleaning, but I do deep cleans periodically and definitely open up all the windows to get some fresh air in the house.
I try to do some sort of spring cleaning each year, but with a small baby, I don’t know how much I’ll get done this year.
I try to deep clean at least 1 room per month rather than all at spring cleaning 🙂
I visited the other posts from this series. I love when you guys so a series!!!
I would love to do spring cleaning, but I have three small children so it usually doesn’t get done. We’re working on getting our house ready to sell so I really need to do it this year.
I’m a spring cleaner. I LOVE doing it, and the freshness that it brings when everything is sparkly and decluttered! Thankfully we decluttered a ton when we were packing and unpacking from our house project, so this go around there isn’t much left to get rid of! 🙂
I’m already a fan of The Casabella Project.
I have never done a REAL spring cleaning. This is my 2nd spring in this house and I think I need to do it! I’d love to win this as I’ve been wanting some more natural cleaners!
I love spring cleaning! I had planned to clean this weekend, but the cold weather returned and squashed my excitement :(!
I “liked” your facebook page.
I typically do not do “spring” cleaning. We have a seasonal business that is extremely busy in the spring, so I clean as I get inspired through the year 🙂
I do a little bit of spring cleaning. I use a cleaning planner called Motivated Moms, so a lot of the stuff that I would normally do as spring cleaning is already done! MM adds about 15-20 minutes to my cleaning each day, but it makes a world of difference!
I’m definitely a spring-cleaner. It feels so good to know that all the nooks and crannies are clean!
I love spring cleaning!
We don’t spring clean. We try to keep up a weekly cleaning schedule and then work on the huge tasks whenever we see that they need to be done.
I might do spring cleaning this year. Normally, though, I’m on a frantically-clean-whatever-whenever plan.
Oh, I’m so glad you are advertising/offering natural cleaners! I would like to try these. I love opening the windows for fresh air, even in the winter, and even though I have a leaky (in no way air-tight house) anyway.
I FB like Casabella Project.
I FB like Safe and Healthy Cleaners.
I looked at the post about spring cleaning with kids on Smockity Frocks.
I do spring cleaning in the house, but I also do fall cleaning. By cleaning my windows inside and out in the fall, the windows stay cleaner, longer. There is so much pollen in the air in the spring, that it is better to wait until the trees are fully out and pollen is over before tackling the windows.
I typically don’t spring clean simply because I am young and move often. But I just signed a year lease after living in one pot a year. It’s time to clean!
I do! Love when I’m done and the whole house is clean! Even if it only lasts a few mins.
When the weather starts getting warmer, I start to want to clean and throw things away! LOL 🙂
we spring clean every year. we used to save unused items for a yard sale now we just donate to family, neighbors, goodwill whoever can be blessed with it. we have found it easier to clean out dressers, closets etc. during spring cleaning.
I don’t spring clean but I keep up with my regular cleaning and do a cleaning project when I have an opportunity.
I pay my adult daughter to clean my house and also pay her to do my Spring Cleaning. That is definitely easy peasy. :o)
Spring cleaning can happen any time of year and actually seldom happens in the spring for me. A week of winter weather and being cooped up will bring it on.
I try to do spring cleaning just because it makes me feel really good; refreshed and ready to enjoy summer. I also just take on big projects like cleaning and re-doing rooms whenever they start to bug me.
I always do spring cleaning.