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The birds are chirping the sun is shining, and it’s that time of year when we almost WANT to do spring cleaning. Now’s when we get to throw open the windows and get a handle on our homes before the business of summer sets in.
To have the most successful spring cleaning event as possible, you’ll want to consider these tips and strategies to get your home ready for the deep clean of spring.
Related Article: Top Ten Spring Cleaning Tips from A Professional House Cleaner
Table of Contents
Strategies for Successful Spring Cleaning
1. Clearing Clutter and Organizing During Spring Cleaning
You’ve been cooped up all winter and maybe collected some items along the way that you want to get rid of. Sometimes the biggest part of spring cleaning is getting rid of clutter that you don’t need.
More often than not you own duplicates of things. Maybe you have three staplers, 300 pens, and three sets of measuring cups.
This is not uncommon.
When we start to organize our homes we typically find we not only have too much stuff but multiples of things.
Getting rid of our belonging can sometimes be difficult. Your personal possessions have value to you, whether you’ve formed a personal bond with your stuff or you believe you’ll “use it one day.” But most of the time, “personal bond” means guilt and “one day” never comes.
Before you start hyperventilating, we’re not talking about going to the other side and becoming a minimalist, although that’s certainly an option; but rather, making an effort only to keep the things in your life that you actually use and that matter to you.
Three Rounds and You’re Done!
Before you start cleaning, you’re going to need to get rid of your clutter, and you’ll accomplish this in three rounds. I do this twice a year, once in the spring before my spring yard sale and in the fall just before the fall yard sale. But even doing this once a year is a huge step in the right direction in clearing the clutter in our homes. I suggest doing this on a separate day before the big clean.
Read: A Step by Step Guide For Getting The Most Cash At Your Yard Sale
Round 1 – You’ll toss items that need to be trashed
Round 2 – You’ll put things into boxes for donation
Round 3 – You’ll put things aside that have some value, and you’d like to sell.
Start with what you want to throw away. That’s usually the easiest.
Round 1
Go room by room and put into the trash bag all the stuff you want to throw away. As you pick up an object, think about the last time you used it, whether you truly love it and how hard it would be to replace it down the road if you change your mind. If you hate it, don’t want it, or it’s broken, toss it into the trash bag.
Round 2
Once you’ve complete Round 1, you’ll go back with a box to start Round 2 and begin to box up the things that you’re ready to part with, but would like to give away. Again, you’ll ask yourself how much you love something, and how hard it would be to replace the object down the road.
Round 3
Finally, you’ll box up what you want to sell at either your next yard sale or on a yard sellers site.
That’s it! The house is decluttered, and you’ll have an easier time cleaning.
2. Get The Whole Family Involved
Everyone who lives in the house should participate according to their age and capabilities. This includes smaller children and even grandma.
Have a quick family meeting a week or two before the planned spring cleaning day and make it clear that no one is excused from helping. All other activities should be rescheduled to another day. No excuses – make sure everyone knows their presence is required.
Read: No More Excuses! How To Get Your Family On Board and Cleaning
Invite all family members to bring their favorite CD so that everyone has a chance to rock it out on cleaning day! To be fair pull names from a hat to determine the order. This way you’re not playing “favorites.”
Plan some great snacks and foods for breaks and lunch. Be sure to have all the family favorites on hand and schedule all breaks to keep your family on task and motivated.
Make sure chores are age appropriate. Don’t have your smaller children scrubbing the tub and grandma on the ladder washing light fixtures. Yes, everyone needs to participate but according to their abilities. If you have really small children (ages 0- 4), ask a friend or family member to watch them so they not in the way and have proper supervision.
Finally, plan a nice reward for the family when the chores are done. Maybe you all go out to a movie and dinner night, or you plan a special trip a week or two after your spring cleaning day. Just make sure you don’t forget to follow through with the reward.
3. Using the Right Tools and Cleaning Supplies
Nothing will derail your spring cleaning faster than if you find yourself without the proper tools and cleaning supplies. Before you begin, check to make sure your devices are working properly.
Vacuum – Do you have all attachments available, is the machine in good working order, do you have enough vacuum cleaner bags?
Mop – Does the mechanism on the mop work properly, is the mop head new? If using the Swiffer or another system, do you have enough replaceable or disposable pads, do you have enough cleaning solution?
Read: The Best Cleaning Tools To Get The Job Done Fast
Duster – Does the Swiffer extender pole extend properly, do you have enough Swiffer dusters on hand?
Cleaning Brushes – Are they in good working order?
Mr. Clean Sponges – Do you have an adequate amount on hand?
Sponges – Are they new, do you have enough?
Squeegee – Is the rubber in good shape free of cracks?
Cloths – Do you have enough on hand for the whole family?
Cleaning Products – You’ll need to make sure you have on hand enough cleaning supplies, so you don’t run out.
I have all my cleaning supplies delivered directly to my home through ePantry! I absolutely love this company because I never have to run to the store to get what I need.
Read: Creating Your Cleaning Bucket
[tweetthis]The most productive spring cleaning days are the ones where you’ve taken the time to plan ahead. [/tweetthis]
Making sure you have the proper plan of decluttering first, getting the whole family involved and making sure you have supplies that are plentiful and in good working order are essential to making the most of your clean up day.
Before you jump in, make sure you’ve tackled all the pre-cleaning chores so it can be the most successful spring cleaning day possible.
I’m a professional cleaner with over 13 years of hands-on experience cleaning homes, a published writer, certified money specialist, and the founder of A Mess Free Life. After paying off over $50,000 in debt, I dedicated myself to helping others master their homes and their money — proving that a clean, organized, stress-free life is possible no matter where you’re starting from. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me cooking, playing bocce, sipping an extra dirty martini, or enjoying the ocean with my cats nearby. I’m also a proud mom and grandma who cares deeply for my mother at home.
