Getting a Head Start on Spring Cleaning

While winter is still chilling our windows, now is a good time to start thinking about spring cleaning. For some people, the thought of deep cleaning their home from top to bottom can be daunting. But there are ways to make the process less overwhelming – and even somewhat enjoyable. By taking some simple steps now, you can set yourself up for a successful spring cleaning experience. Here’s what you need to do to get started.

Make a list of all the things you want to accomplish during spring cleaning.

Spring cleaning can be a great time to refresh and refurbish a house, but before you dive in head first with your scrubbing brushes and buckets of soapy water, why not make a list of all the tasks you want to accomplish during your spring cleaning session? Whether it’s loft conversions or skirting boards that need polishing, windows needing a wash, ceiling fans needing cleaned or carpets needing vacuuming, writing down the chores you want to do will ensure that everything is taken care of and nothing is missed. Starting with goals in mind is the best way to make sure you finish strong.

Make note of any areas that need special attention

Start making your list by assessing your home. Go through each room and make note of any areas in which you might need to do some extra scrubbing or de-cluttering. In places like the kitchen or bathroom, make sure to pay special attention to detail – tough grease and soap scum can be particularly difficult to remove without taking a few extra steps beforehand. If you’re going to need special materials or equipment to take care of any difficult spots, write it down and take the time to research more later.

Begin decluttering what you can in your home now

Take stock of what you already have and decide which items no longer serve a purpose.Go room by room and declutter. If you find that there’s clothing in your closet that hasn’t been worn in several years, items on shelves that you haven’t used lately, or anything else taking up space unnecessarily, toss them out. Giving away or selling what you no longer need is a great way to make room for whatever changes you’d like to make as spring approaches. If you’re not in a rush to discard things yet, or if you have so much to remove that it would be difficult to do all at once in the winter, then at least mark what you’ve identified and be ready for disposing of it later.

Start planning for the supplies you’ll need

Begin your spring cleaning preparation by stocking up on all necessary supplies. Start by making sure you have enough detergent, sponges, microfiber and dusting cloths, and other essential cleaning items so that when you are ready to start cleaning everything will be available for you. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of spring cleaning without having one of the crucial products on hand. In that vein, plan for any other things you might need, such as tools you made note of earlier, or using dumpsters if you’re going to have a large volume of garbage to remove. It can be a real pain to make multiple trips to a dump when you realize you could have just rented a dumpster. Taking a little time out now to make sure that you have all your ducks in a row for spring cleaning can help smooth out the process later when it’s time to actually begin!

Draw up a plan for when spring does come

To make spring cleaning less of a daunting task, why not set aside one hour each week to deep clean one area of your home? This will not only help break down the overall process into manageable chunks, but it will also be a great way to keep your home tidy and in order throughout the year. Start by setting aside some time each week or month to devote to a specific area or surface. This way, when it does come time for overall spring cleaning you’ll already have made significant progress and it will be easier to focus on keeping up with this new routine.  If that doesn’t work for you, then at least look at all the tasks you’ve set for yourself and organize in a way that fits your lifestyle – you’ll be grateful to have a plan when the time to start arrives.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a daunting task if you take some time to prepare and plan ahead. By making a list of all the areas you want to focus on, you can tackle each one systematically and methodically. And by decluttering your home now, you’ll make the job much easier come springtime. So go ahead and get started – before you know it, your house will be sparkling clean!