Christie C. Once the weather warms up, my first impulse is to get an extensive amount of cleaning done. The carpets get cleaned, nooks and crannies get swept, objects are decluttered, and surfaces are wiped. All of this is done with all of the windows open, inviting the fresh smell of the outdoors and the singsong of birds. It sounds rather fantastical, but I enjoy a bit of spring cleaning to help refresh the mind.
What is Spring Cleaning?
Spring cleaning is the practice of deep cleaning our homes during the springtime. This might include vigorous amounts of decluttering, organizing, dusting, shampooing carpets, and other such tactics to refresh the home. It is especially prevalent in areas where cold weather is the norm since there are fewer opportunities to keep the windows open.
Interestingly enough, this year’s spring cleaning was a breeze since I’ve been decluttering the past few months. I still have some ways to go, but as I look around, the house looks fantastic and I feel confident and comfortable. It has been especially important to keep the house tidy because Hubby and I welcomed a new member into the family. Everyone, meet Queen Cleopatra, our beautiful rescue kitty from Puerto Rico!
The addition of our sweet kitty has encouraged us both to take more time to tidy up. This not only keeps our home fresh and comfortably, but it also keeps it safe for Cleopatra.
As spring flourishes throughout the northern hemisphere, I want to share FIVE spring cleaning tips we used this year to make cleaning easier, less stressful, and practical.
1. Set a cleaning schedule
Spring cleaning does not take part over a weekend, or even a couple of days. Depending on the size of your home and how much you own, you may want to set a cleaning schedule to avoid feeling overwhelmed and burning out. Personally, I have the tendency to overshoot just how much cleaning I can get done in a reasonable amount of time, and end up burning the candle at both ends while balancing my full time job and other responsibilities. Instead of suffering, plan a schedule that revolves around your daily life; choose days and times where you will feel the most motivated, and set time limits for how much cleaning you would like to do.
Personally, I like to clean on weekdays/workdays because it leaves my days off/weekends free for recovering from work. I would spend 1 to 2 hours after work cleaning, and only 30 minutes. If time was tight, then 30 minutes sufficed. I did the majority of my cleaning on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. If I was motivated I might spend a forth day cleaning on a day off, but I typically used these days to recuperate.
2. Decluttering makes spring cleaning easier
Decluttering is what will make your spring cleaning efforts worthwhile. Most living spaces look unkept because of the buildup of clutter overtime. Surfaces, open shelving, and floors get covered with objects and closets are overstuffed. Clutter can scramble the mind, create stress, and make it difficult to focus within our own homes. Home should be the last place for feeling stressed out.
Decluttering frees up spaces, creates a sense of calm and order, makes our homes easier to organize, and easier to clean.
Go through each room and closet and donate, discard, or sell times that you no longer need or use. Be patient with yourself since this could take time. I am still decluttering and I began in January of 2024 (four months since this post). I talk about decluttering in my series Decluttering for Improved Mental Health.
3. Start high, then work low
When spring cleaning, start at the highest point in each room. Cleaning lights, ceiling fans, and other high areas will kick up quite a bit of dust, so you want the dust to be removed first rather than cleaning beginning with everything below and having to reclean after disturbing the dust. Include blinds and curtains in this category.
Wear a mask when cleaning dusty areas to protect your lungs and reduce the chances of respiratory infections. Kicking up dust can aggravate sinuses and allergies.
4. Deep clean high traffic areas and hidden spots
This is the perfect time to give extra attention to rooms that are often neglected and accumulate dirt quickly. Clean out cabinets, underneath furniture and appliances, behind shelving and consoles, and underneath area rugs.
Wipe down and deep clean doorknobs, trashcans, light switches, and any other nook and cranny that might not get as much attention. Don’t forget to vacuum those baseboards!
5. Maintain regularly
Keep your hard work intact throughout the year by implementing small cleaning tasks into your daily or weekly routine. This makes keeping your home clean much easier, and reduces the amount of work required for spring cleaning next year.
Cleopatra is so cute! Enjoy the new member of your family!
Thank you! She’s the sweetest baby! 🥰