The War on Clutter: Week Two- How to Put the CLEAN in Spring Cleaning

Spring is upon us and, if you haven’t already begun, join me for a month of eradicating dust bunnies, clearing cluttered spaces, and finding new homes for old stuff. Every Friday, I’ll be posting about tips, tricks, methods, and my own journey to tame the mess. Catch up with Week One, then grab your spray bottle and a garbage bag and let’s get started!

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As important as it is to clear away clutter, spring cleaning is, at its heart, about deep cleaning after a long winter or, in some cultures, in preparation of a big holiday. It is a chance for renewal and a preparation for the coming season.

Warmer weather is the perfect excuse for opening up all the windows and airing out the house. And all that sunlight makes it hard to ignore the little things that we’ve let slide all winter. No judgement- I’m not washing windows during a snowstorm either.

But with spring here, it’s time to get out our toothbrushes and grout cleaner…no?

For people who make cleaning a priority in their everyday life, it may seem silly to put so much emphasis on a season to clean. But for a lot of us who struggle to keep up with just basic maintenance, this is a chance to catch up with all that gets pushed aside for something more important or urgent.

But even when cleaning becomes the priority, we don’t always meet our own expectations. I used to picture myself on hands and knees, scrubbing our grout, or pushing a carpet cleaner across the bedroom floors, or cleaning the leather of our couches, wax-on-wax-off style. In reality, I only cleaned the couches like that once when I was nesting before my son was born, I could never figure out the carpet cleaner, and my grout is still awaiting an introduction to that toothbrush.

The moral of the story is not to overwhelm yourself with over-inflated ideas of how you are going to turn your home into a showroom. Cleaning is important for a lot of reasons, from health to comfort, but so are the things that hold sway over your life the rest of the year.

So how do you fit deep cleaning into your schedule in a way that works for you? Here are few thoughts:

• Walk through your house and make a list of everything you want to get done, regardless of time. This list is more idealized, but will give you a starting point. My list includes cleaning the leather couches, but it might not make the final cut.
• Prioritize the list. Put your list in order of the most important, need-to-do tasks. Cleaning out my fridge is always near the top, as is cleaning the ceiling and wall vents that often get overlooked.
• Gather your materials. Whether you buy your cleaning products at the local superstore or make them yourself, make sure you’re equipped for the job at hand. You don’t want to waste time running out for some shower cleaner when you’ve got to get to school or work in an hour. My must haves are these cleaning wipes, window cleaner, bleach, and this shower cleaner. I also use this all-purpose cleaner I make at home.

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  Match up your decluttering tasks with your cleaning tasks. If you’re organizing the out-of-control Tupperware cabinet (guilty!), then make sure you wash the shelves, walls, and door. If you’re clearing the clutter off your desk, pull out the computer and dust and polish the wood.

• Remember who you’re doing this for. Your friends and family are not going to notice if you hand scrubbed the kitchen floor or used a mop. They won’t notice if the fan blades have been dusted (well, mine won’t). Spring cleaning is for you and your family to enjoy the results of and not to be used to impress or shame anyone else. And don’t let anyone else’s efforts make you feel inferior.

Spring cleaning is a great chance to refresh your house and yourself. Enjoy the fresh scents and clean carpets, the sparkling windows and dust-free picture frames. Take in the beautification that your efforts have produced. And remember that no matter how much or how little you’re able to get done, your home is now more welcoming and comfortable to those who enter it. Including you.

 

How do you spring clean? Do you have any methods or products that work great for you? I’d love to know!

 

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