Have you started spring cleaning yet? Or do you spread the tasks out over the year so you don’t have to partake in this springtime ritual? Spreading out the cleaning makes more sense when one’s time and energy resources aren’t what they used to be (um, like me?). However, there is something rather satisfying about having an entire house all sparkling clean at the same time.
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Spring Cleaning: Tips & Motivation
Allow me to admit that I haven’t been doing the extra, deep cleaning all along, a little at a time. That means that if I want to enjoy a thoroughly clean house I’ve got to get busy and start spring cleaning. I’ve spent some time gathering resources to help motivate me, as well as some good tips for a couple of problem areas in my home. Let’s take a look at what I dug up.
Spring Clean With Dee
First up, how about some motivation? Here is a great video by Melissa of “Clean My Space”:
If you enjoyed that video, check out her YouTube channel for more. She’s got some great videos.
Now that we’re all motivated and raring to go, let’s do some planning.
We all know Martha Stewart is the homemaking guru so why not start with her? Here is her spring cleaning checklist, including a printable chart:
Spring-Cleaning Checklist by Martha Stewart
My plan is to start with the master bedroom. Ours is upstairs and since no one else sees it, it tends to get the least amount of regular cleaning attention. Here’s a post about deep-cleaning a bedroom:
29 Steps to a Deep-Cleaned Bedroom by Time-Warp Wife
And speaking of neglected areas:
Spring Cleaning – The 10 Neglected Areas by Premeditated Leftovers
If your time is really limited, check out this 7 day approach:
How to “Spring Clean” Your House in 7 Days by Wrapped in Rust
If your time is REALLY short, perhaps you need to skip some tasks. Here are some things you can let go, guilt-free:
What NOT to Spring Clean by Ask Anna
Once you have a general idea of what tasks you want to accomplish and your time-frame, then it’s time to sit down with pen and paper and create your plan. Here is a free printable to help you do just that:
Free Spring Cleaning Printable by Retro Housewife Goes Green
Personally? I’m intrigued by The Seasonal Scrub by Alison of Brocante Home. I love the idea of slowly going through my home, room by room, and lavishing attention on each area. Not just scrubbing and polishing, but adding those little touches that make a home special.
The Seasonal Scrub by Brocante Home
My plan is to combine The Seasonal Scrub with my ongoing decluttering project, then throw in a few other tasks here and there. I printed off the first month of The Seasonal Scrub a few days ago and read through it. I’ve blocked off some time tomorrow to get started. I’m going to put The Seasonal Scrub pages in a binder, along with Retro Housewife’s printable. I’m then going to sit down with my planner and schedule spring cleaning at la maison du Dee.
It’s going to be clean and sparkly around here in no time!
Follow Life With Dee’s board Spring Cleaning on Pinterest.
You may also enjoy:
10 Things to Do Instead of Spring Cleaning
This post is linked up at Hip Mama’s Place. Check it out for more spring cleaning ideas!
Most of my stuff is still in boxes, since we haven’t gotten as far as I’d hoped we would by now with getting the shelves and such sorted. But when we finally do get the shelves, I’ll be organizing and cleaning as we sort those.
Cleaning and organizing just kind of go together. If I’m organizing an area it just makes sense to clean it at the same time. Good luck with your unpacking/organizing project. I know you’ll be happy to have it all sorted.
Thanks! 🙂
Deanna, These are such great tips! You have given us so much information. I am pinning this!
Oh, I’m glad you found it helpful. Thanks for the pin. 🙂
Great resources of motivation! Thank you for introducing yourself at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth! You have a nice blog here!
love,
JES
Thanks, JES. I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂
Great tips! One more thing I’ve found helpful during spring cleaning—don’t forget to vacuum the return vents. Not just the covers, but the area just inside the vent, too. A lot of dust settles right at the opening, especially on larger returns, and it often gets overlooked. I use the hose attachment on my vacuum after removing the grille, and it really helps the air flow better and keeps the new filter from clogging up too quickly.