There is nothing like the crisp smell of spring in the air. It starts to get warmer and you want to open the windows for some fresh air and do some spring cleaning! I always need to figure out where to start with my spring cleaning and initially, it can feel overwhelming. If you’re looking for a cleaning strategy to help get your spring cleaning started, you’ve come to the right place. Also, check out the free Spring Cleaning Checklist!
My Spring Cleaning Strategy
The Spring Cleaning Checklist
I like to first create a checklist. My spring cleaning checklist does not include things I would do weekly (for the most part)! I need a list that gets down to the nitty-gritty, the things I don’t clean often. Take some time to write out a list of everything you would like to include in your spring cleaning this year. To make it less overwhelming and streamlined, do not include things that you regularly do. For example, dusting is something I do every week but I do not dust the ceiling lights and fans so I include only those on my list. I wash the bedding and the duvet covers regularly but I do not wash the pillows, so I’ll put that on my list.
This is the spring cleaning checklist I made for this year! Download your free copy!
The Calendar
To make spring cleaning more fun and less overwhelming, set yourself some realistic expectations. If you’re like me and enjoy cleaning, don’t try and cram cleaning into one weekend and lose the fun fresh feeling of it. I also set realistic expectations for myself and give myself a month to complete it. I work full-time during the week and spring cleaning is a weekend-only activity for me. I will schedule time in my planner to allow for a few weekends of cleaning. Occasionally if the mood strikes, I will do something during the week as well.
Getting Help
Recruiting some help is also helpful. If you have people that live with you, involve them in the hype of spring cleaning. My husband is active in the spring cleaning process, as well as my stepson. For him, since he is 8, I have him focus on tasks that pertain to him. For example, I will have him pick 5 toys he no longer plays with to donate, as well as sort through any clothing that doesn’t fit him. He participates in cleaning his room and often gets really into it. My husband usually gets delegated spring cleaning the garage. He also likes to open the garage door and let the fresh air in as he listens to music. I usually let him pick the tasks he prefers to do because really, I like to clean everything and he doesn’t.
The Playlist
When planning to do my spring cleaning, I like to include planning my playlist as part of my spring cleaning preparation. This helps me look forward to the time and I go between music and some podcasts. See this post for some podcasts I have been listening to recently. I encourage you to take some time to find an awesome playlist to listen to as you clean. Blast it through your space or throw some headphones in!
Take advantage of the “cleaning moods”
Open the windows and let some fresh air into your home! I don’t know about you but I can sometimes get into these cleaning moods. I feel the sudden urge to rearrange something, organize, or clean. I like to take advantage of these moments and even if I complete one smaller task on the list, at least I’m one task closer to being complete and the house is cleaner!
Pets
Spring weather warms things up and my animals bring dirt and mud into the house. The cats like to do their business outside when it warms up which is great but also muddy. I have purchased a paw cleaner that I can use to clean off their paws at the door so they don’t track in mud when I am trying to keep it out. I have linked it here. I do not often clean the cat and dog beds, so I make a point to throw them in the laundry during my spring cleaning.
I hope you find some motivation and inspiration here to get your spring cleaning started!
