Spring Cleaning & Organizing

The flowers are blooming; the birds are chirping…ok, maybe not quite yet.  But look on the bright side; the temperatures are slowly rising and spring is on its way.

Spring cleaning is a tradition in colder climates where we freshen up our homes and offices from top to bottom after the long winter. Many people associate spring cleaning with scrubbing, dusting, vacuuming, etc. While these activities are necessary, I argue that one of the most important parts of spring cleaning is getting rid of clutter that you don’t need. If you start by de-cluttering, you will have a lot less to scrub, dust and put away when you clean.

Here are some tips to help you start the season off right.

• Open your windows – Nothing compares to a breath of fresh air after a long winter. As you’re cleaning, open the windows to let the fresh air and sunshine in, and remove musty winter odors.
• Eliminate distractions – Schedule a block of time on your calendar, and do your best to eliminate distractions.  Don’t open email, let your calls go to voicemail, and turn off the TV.
• Focus on one space at a time – In the office, take it one drawer at a time. At home, take it one room at a time. Don’t move on until you have finished a space.
• Make yourself a checklist – Create a checklist of the tasks that you only do once or twice a year so you won’t forget about them.
• Be ruthless – If you don’t use it, or you don’t love it, get rid of it. Be ruthless when you de-clutter.
• Donate, sell, or give away – If you have items in good condition that you don’t use, they are prime candidates to sell, donate, or give away. If you choose to donate, many organizations will even pick up your donations for you.  If you have something to give away at no cost, consider online resources such as Freecycle or Craigslist who allow you to post items without any fees.
• Make your spring cleaning project fun – Play some fun music. If you are spring cleaning at home, get the family involved. Give everyone a task, and then have something to look forward to afterwards. You can also make it into a game if you have younger children.

Spring is often associated with thoughts of crisp, fresh air, buds on the trees, singing birds and a sense of renewal. Spring cleaning will help to bring that wonderful fresh feeling into your home and office.

Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.

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