Spring cleaning for busy people
Easy spring cleaning tips!
Let’s face it – we’re all busy. We all want a clean house, healthy meals, and an organized life, but we’re busy. We make excuses as to why things don’t get done and why tasks aren’t completed the “right” way. We’re allowed, because, we’re busy.
Right?
Thankfully, you can be busy and still do an entire spring cleaning in your home, without feeling burnt out at the end of it all.
Here’s how:
Vacuum & sweep daily
There’s something about a dirty floor that just makes an entire space look messy. If you get into the habit of sweeping and vacuuming on a daily basis, it will be much easier to maintain and your home will automatically look a heck of a lot cleaner. (Also, invest in a good quality vacuum for the best cleaning. We use a Dyson Animal and love it!)
Get rid of your junk
I hate to be blunt, but you need to really think about getting rid of everything in your home that you haven’t used in at least 1 year. Tackle one room or closet per day and purge everything that you don’t need. The more stuff you own, the more stuff you have to clean and maintain – so get rid of all the excess!
Use one cleaning product for everything
You don’t need to have half a dozen bottles of cleaners to clean your home. One all-purpose cleaner is enough. You can buy one at the store, but making one yourself is very simple. Combine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup white vinegar in a spray bottle and you’re good to go! You can add a few drops of essential oil too, for a better smelling cleaner.
Use plenty of baskets and bins
Storage bins and baskets are a lifesaver when trying to keep your home organized. Use them to store toys, food, medicines, toiletries, tools, craft supplies, and so much more. Get them from the dollar store, too – they’re much cheaper there (and pretty good quality!).
Don’t get distracted
Something that often happens when we start spring cleaning is that we like to look through boxes and bins and start reminiscing about the items that we find inside. Photo albums, memory boxes… they are fun to look through, but not while you’re spring cleaning! Set aside time to reminisce later. Right now, it’s time to clean!
Share the work
Unless you’re the only one living there, spring cleaning tasks should be evenly distributed between each member of your home. Don’t do all the work yourself! And if you do live on your own, seriously consider hiring outside help for bigger jobs, such as junk removal and outdoor work (you can usually find independent contractors on Kijiji and Craigslist for these jobs and they are often very inexpensive).
Set a timer
Personally, I prefer the “one hour a day” rule when it comes to spring cleaning. I choose one week of the month (usually the first week of April or May) and do 6 hours of cleaning – one hour per day, for six days. I like to take Sunday off to rest. These six hours is more than enough time to get everything done and by doing it for just one hour per day, it doesn’t feel like too much work.
Keeping your home clean doesn’t need to be a huge chore. When you break it down into small jobs, stay focused, and eliminate the extras in your home, it really is possible to clean your home fast.
Most people think that spring cleaning means you have to completely overhaul your entire home and clean every nook and cranny. This is simply not true. To spring clean your home effectively (and without going crazy from working so hard), clean little by little until the job is done.
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Comments
Just bought the Dyson Animal and LOVE it! Spring cleaning is feeling like a breeze this year!
Will you be posting your daily spring cleaning tasks like last year? It helped motivate me to tackle one thing a day and reminded me of things I would have never considered cleaning.
Just wanted to add in my gratitude as well for your series last year on spring cleaning. Believe it or not, it never occurred to me to clean my heat registers until you posted it. And boy, am I ever glad I did.
Thanks for the motivation you always provide! It does make a difference!
I agree. That’s one of my favorite posts. First time I ever cleaned my registers and vents and it won’t be the last:)
I do my “spring” cleaning in the fall of the year – I call it housecleaning. I do this for multiple reasons: 1. When spring is finally here I want to be outside 2. Evenings are short in the fall and it is a great way to kill a couple hours every day 3. I’m all organized and cleaned out before Christmas and can give stuff to good will.
I do a master list with detailed items for each room, and just do what I can given my time.
I see the Pampers box full of clothes to store or give away and it brings back memories! My children are past the Pampers box stage, but the need to clean out the closets still remain. I keep a large “give away” box in one closet and whenever they grow out of something I throw in the box instead of back in the drawer or closet. It has really helped with organization. Having the nice weather for Spring Cleaning really helps – windows open, air flowing through the house again, helps the house feel fresh.
I’m with Alison! Loved your post from last year,except I read while watching TV and when you were all done I wish I had of followed each day! Couldn’t live without my DYSON! Best investment ever.
Also want to tell you that I LOVED your article on spring cleaning last year, and would love to see it again but with even more days..it was very motivating!