How to Get Started on Spring Cleaning

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

The most important step to cleaning your home is simply getting started. Create a reasonable to-do list, methodically go down the list, and set reasonable goals. Even if you only get one item done on your to-do list a day, you are still making progress – don’t give up! Download our free spring cleaning checklist to keep you on track while cleaning every room of the house.

1. Set Reasonable Goals

Remember when movie montages were popular? A character would decide to go back to school, get in shape, or otherwise achieve a long-term goal in a 30 second clip? If only cleaning the house was that easy! Long-term goals are achievable and realistic when you break them down into smaller, more manageable goals that can fit into your everyday life. Set aside 10 to 30 minutes a day, accomplish one “to-do” item a day, or even block off an entire weekend; whatever it takes to fit this goal into your busy schedule.

2. Gather your Cleaning Products

There is nothing more frustrating than motivating yourself to get something done and then finding out you don’t have the correct tool or supplies. Make sure you have everything you need to get the job done ahead of time so you don’t have to stop and run to the store. Organize-It carries a wide selection of household cleaning products and cleaning supplies, so you can order everything ahead of time.

Below is a list of common items you may need while cleaning.

• All purpose cleaner
• Cleaning gloves
• Scrub brush
• Paper towels
• Rags or cleaning clothes
• Duster
• Mop
• Broom and dustpan
• Cleaning bucket
• Vacuum cleaner

3. Phone a Friend

Remember those old game shows where you could “phone a friend” to help you out? Don’t hesitate to ask! Especially when tackling harder projects around the home. Call a friend and offer them a free meal in exchange for a couple hours of help. You can always return the favor when they get started on their spring cleaning. Can’t get a friend to help? Call on your spouse or children for help. You may hear more complaining, but they have to live here too so they might as well pitch in!

4. Organize, Organize, Organize

Are you always searching for items you haven’t seen in months/years, but you swear are in the closet somewhere? Like thousands of Americans, your closet clutter may seem overwhelming. But all is not lost. Bring organization to every room of the house by storing like-items together. As our mothers used to say, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Add baskets, boxes, and other storage containers to your house so you can effectively store everything from hair bands to Christmas decorations. Use labels to make it easy to find certain items without resorting to opening every box in the basement or garage.

5. Donate / Sell Unused or Unwanted Items

Does your home seem cluttered or bursting at the seams? Do you simply have too much stuff? That may be true, in which case you should consider selling or donating used items. With Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, and other social media platforms, it’s easier than ever to get rid of unused items while making some money at the same time. Stop keeping unused pieces of furniture, clothing, or other items simply because you’ve had it for years. A good rule of thumb is: if you haven’t used it in two years and it has no sentimental value, out it goes.

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