I have been on a terror lately with our home. I feel like spring is the perfect time to do that annual deep clean before the chaos of summer overtakes us. Not only is it a great way to refresh your home and get rid of all the accumulated clutter, but also a great time to dust the allergens from winter.
Not gonna lie, it can be overwhelming! I’ve found breaking down the tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make the whole process feel less daunting. I even take photos with my phone of the “before” and “after” and sometimes I use a timelapse video to see my progress. It helps me to stay on task and focus on finishing the project.
So how do you do it? First, you need to create a realistic schedule. I recommend one task a day. If you have a busy day, the task can be as small as organizing one small drawer in your kitchen. If you don’t have a busy day, you can tackle that mountain of a closet that’s become a catch-all. This will make your tasks much more manageable and less overwhelming.
Materials Needed
There are a handful of cleaning supplies you’ll need, a lot of these can be purchased at The Dollar Tree!
- Bucket
- Disposable gloves
- Clean cloths
- Sponges
- Reusable spray bottle
- All-purpose cleaner
- Duster
- White distilled vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Vacuum
- Mop
Decluttering and Organizing
1. Set Goals: Determine what you want to achieve and set realistic goals for each room or area.2. Start Small: Begin with one small area at a time.
3. Take a Before and After Photo (and video) to see your progress!
4. Sort Items: Sort items into categories: keep, donate/sell, recycle, or toss. Be ruthless in deciding what to keep.
5. Declutter Regularly: Make decluttering a habit by setting aside time each week to tidy up and get rid of items you no longer need.
6. Organize: Once you’ve decluttered, organize the items you’ve decided to keep in a way that makes sense and is easily accessible.
What to Clean in Every Room
1. Baseboards
Show those neglected baseboards some love! This is a great chore for the kids to do!
2. Dust
Dust just loves to make itself at home in every nook and cranny of your house. Don’t forget to show those hard-to-reach spots, like the peak of the ceiling fan, bookshelves and the window perches, who’s boss!
3. Vacuum and Mop
Go over all of your floors with a vacuum to get up any crumbs and loose dirt. If you don’t have a “no shoes in house rule” this might be a good time to implement it.
5. Wash Rugs
Synthetic carpets and rugs with waterproof backings can be deep-cleaned. Rugs without backings will need professional cleaning.
6. Wipe Walls and Ceilings
To give our walls a good scrub, start by dusting them with a vacuum cleaner. Then, go to battle against the tough greasy spots, especially those rebellious ones in the kitchen, armed with a solvent-free degreaser. Magic Eraser works great for crayons on the walls (don’t ask me how I know this…)
8. Clean Furniture
If there are stains, check the labels for cleaning recommendations.
9. Wash Screens
Screens can get very dirty throughout the year. Clean them using warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid, scrubbing each screen with a brush.
13. Clean Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans
Light fixtures: the cozy homes for dust bunnies.
14. Fire Safety
Remember to give those smoke detectors some TLC and change their batteries twice a year.
What project will you tackle first? What is your Must-Do to get organized this spring?
Leave a Reply