Preparing for Spring Cleaning

Here in the midwest, the snow has melted and the temperatures are warming!  Spring is right around the corner!  Soon we will be opening our windows to welcome the fresh air.  With the first official day of spring nearing, this change in season is the most common time for spring cleaning.  As tempting as it is to dive in and tackle all the chores, experts agree preparing for the big clean is a crucial step in the spring cleaning process!  In fact, cleaning professionals have an entire routine to prepare for spring cleaning each year.  Are you ready to get a jump start on your spring cleaning?  Follow these 6 steps to prepare your home for a successful spring cleaning!

 

1.  MAKE A COMPREHENSIVE CHECKLIST

 

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love that satisfied feeling that comes with crossing things off you checklist!  Preparing for spring cleaning starts with just that, a cleaning checklist.  This will help you prioritize while making sure nothing gets missed.  Make a list of all the rooms and areas of your home you want to clean by asking yourself these questions;  “What areas of the house drive you the craziest every time you walk by?  Is it next to impossible to find the ingredient you are looking for in the pantry because it is utter chaos?  Which area or room takes you the longest to clean?  Is it because it is littered with clutter?  If you are unsure of where to start, experts recommend starting with the most used, high traffic rooms of your home.  For instance, your kitchen or bathroom are great places to begin!  These are areas where messes are most noticed because you are frequenting these rooms the most.  Spring cleaning is a massive task to take on so to prevent feeling overwhelmed, it is helpful to break your workload down to smaller, more manageable pieces.

 

2.  STOCK UP ON CLEANING SUPPLIES & TOOLS

 

This step may seem obvious, but having your cleaning supplies and tools ready to go will save you time and frustration when it’s time to start cleaning.  Take inventory of the supplies you have and restock as needed.  Think beyond cleaning solutions and add supplies such as garbage bags, scrub brushes and a ladder to your list of necessary items.  Don’t forget your garage, yard and other outdoor spaces when compiling your list of equipment needed.  Linked with stocking supplies is checking existing equipment to make sure everything is in tip top shape before embarking on your cleaning adventure.  If you are planning to use equipment that needs to be charged be sure to do that ahead of time so you are working with a full battery.  There is nothing worse than running out of vacuum battery to ruin your spring cleaning groove!  Pro Tip:  Consider having a “cleaning caddy” to keep all of your most used supplies at your side as you move from room to room.

 

3.  DECLUTTER YOUR HOME

 

It seems decluttering and organizing top most of our lists here at Closets For Life and for good reason!   A home can be cleaned from top to bottom, but if it is cluttered with items, it won’t feel as clean as it might be.  Decluttering may seem like a spring cleaning chore but by performing this task in advance you will allow yourself to really focus on the deep clean.  By taking the time to go through your home, room by room, you will get rid of items no longer needed and organize frequently used areas such as closets and pantries.  If you find your problem with keeping your pantry organized starts with the lack of shelving to store items or a layout that just doesn’t suit your needs, consider upgrading to a custom pantry!  This will benefit your spring cleaning enormously by opening up more space to move around as you are completing your spring cleaning tasks.  Not to mention reducing your stress levels as you deep clean, knowing all that work has already been done!

 

 

4.  DO YOUR LAUNDRY

Along with decluttering, another necessity is washing your most used household items.  Blankets and pillows in common living areas get tons of use so it is a good idea to throw them in the washing machine to freshen them up!  Remember to include curtains, furniture covers and throw rugs to your laundry list.  Getting all your fabric items laundered is a great first step to getting things tidy and prepped for the big clean.  Don’t leave out the bathroom!  Shower curtains and liners can get pretty gross, often harboring bacteria and mold.  For an instant refresh, replace your shower liner and toss the curtain in the wash!  Pro tip:  If there are any stains on upholstery or fabric now would be a great time to address those areas by pre-treating them with a stain remover.  This will ensure the stains are fully removed during the deep clean later on!

 

5.  TACKLE SMALLER CHORES TO PREPARE FOR THE LARGER DEEP CLEAN

I know you are thinking cleaning to prepare for cleaning sounds a bit goofy but when dealing with deep cleaning areas that tend to get overlooked, doing everyday cleaning tasks can help you move through those larger areas more smoothly later on.  Keep in mind spring cleaning typically refers to those chores you do only about once a year inside and outside the home.  Furthermore, you are looking to remove the dirt, grime and clutter that has set in over the winter months by performing a thorough deep clean!  So, if you have already prepared for spring cleaning by accomplishing smaller tasks such as a regular bathroom cleaning or a quick bedroom tidy up then you will allow yourself more time to focus on the actual deep clean.

 

6.  GET YOURSELF MOTIVATED TO CLEAN

Last, but definitely not least,  is to get yourself in the right mindset to clean!  Without it you will most likely burn out midway through your deep clean,  leaving you feeling overwhelmed and defeated.  How do you do that you ask?  Experts recommend looking online or in magazines for new cleaning tips and techniques to inspire you.  Or maybe now is the time to purchase that new cleaning tool you’ve been wanting to try!  Another motivational idea is to create a playlist of your favorite upbeat songs to keep you energized during your spring cleaning.  Some people find planning a reward for themselves after completing each cleaning task or goal is the trick to keeping them motivated!  This can be treating yourself to your favorite beverage or planning a fun outing to do as soon as the cleaning is completed.  Pro Tip:  Wait for nicer spring weather so you can open the windows and doors to let the fresh air in.  Breathing in fresh air instantly puts you in a better mood!

 

Spring cleaning is a big chore to take on, but by following these steps you will set yourself up for success!  Remember spring cleaning benefits the whole household.  Be sure to involve the entire family in the process,  from preparing to the deep clean itself.  Stay tuned for helpful tips to deep clean all areas of your home this spring!

 

YOUR HOME ORGANIZATION RESOCURCE IN WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA & BEYOND

 

Are you ready to take the next step in preparing for spring cleaning by adding a custom closet or pantry?  At Closets for Life, we specialize in all areas of the home, including closets, garages, kitchens, home offices, laundry rooms, pantries and more.    From cabinetry finishes to finding the right layout that perfectly matches your needs, our locally-owned closet design and installation team can create customized storage solutions that make getting and staying organized effortless!  Contact our custom closet design team today to schedule a free in-home consultation.