Spring is here!! 🎶🎵 Spring weather makes me so happy. Maybe it's the sun finally coming out from behind the clouds, the fresh breeze, or the new growth pushing up through the ground ~ but something about spring makes me feel so refreshed and excited.
Unfortunately, with spring comes spring cleaning. For some of you, that might be super exciting and fun ~ finally, an excuse to organize for hours!! But for the rest of us *cough cough normal people*, spring cleaning isn't our favorite spring activity. We'd rather be taking walks in that warm spring weather, gardening, or hiding Easter eggs for the umpteenth time for you littles;).
If you're like me, spring cleaning tips are always welcome! So I put together a list of the best spring cleaning tips. Hopefully they jump start your spring cleaning mission so your house is fresh and ready for summer!
Let's dive in:
1. Make A List
If you feel a little overwhelmed with all the spring cleaning that needs to get done, make a list before you start! Add boxes so you can check them off as you go for added satisfaction;).
I'm a huge list person, so putting everything on paper declutters my mind and helps me focus. If you're the same way, this is a great way to start your spring cleaning!
2. Organize Cleaning Supplies With A Cleaning Caddy
It's hard to get motivated to clean when your cleaning supplies aren't put in order. Cleaning caddies are great because they are easy to store and carry around the house while you do some spring cleaning!
We're a little biased, but we think our Felt Caddy works great for cleaning supplies. If you like a more compact style, the Regular size is perfect! But for those heavy-duty mamas, our Large will fit all your supplies perfectly ~ and it looks cute. With big compartments and smaller pockets, everything will have it's place!
3. Start With The Easiest Tasks
Okay, this one is up for debate, because a lot of people claim doing the hardest task first is best. But for me personally, doing the easiest things first helps me build momentum.
Once I complete a small task, I think "wow that looks great," so I want to keep going. It's just a simple way to get the ball rolling!
4. Clean In Blocks of Time
If cleaning is not the way you like to spend your time, try cleaning in little sprints. Set the timer on your phone for half an hour and force yourself to clean the whole time. Once the timer goes off, you can take a 10 minutes break before jumping back into it.
This is great for chores like cleaning the bathrooms, hand washing dishes, or dusting. See if you can get each chore done faster each time! You'll be finished before you know it.
5. Clean Smarter, Not Harder
Even if you like cleaning, you probably don't want to be doing it all day long. Here are a few hacks that will help you clean smarter instead of harder:
- Wear an apron while you pick up toys in each room. If you find anything out of place, stuff it in the apron pocket to put away once you're done cleaning.
- Carry all-purpose cleaner as you go. You can use it to wipe countertops, toilets, sinks, and basically any other surface.
- Wash toys in your dishwasher! You can de-germ a lot more than just dishes with your dishwasher.
- Use creative items to dust like soft gardening gloves for delicate knick-knacks and coffee filters for TV and computer screens. Think outside the box.
5. Delegate Spring Cleaning Tasks
You don't have to do all that spring cleaning alone! Delegate the chores between your kids and husband so it's a team effort. Have your kids pick one or two chores a week so the house stays fresh.
Unloading the dishwasher and dusting are great chores for littler kids, but as your kids get older let them get creative with their chores! If they like grocery shopping, let them take over each week. If they like mowing the lawn, let dad pick a different chore to help with;).
5. Get Rid of Stuff
As you go through your house while you're spring cleaning, make a pile of all the things you don't use anymore. If you haven't worn a piece of clothing for a year, get rid of it. Collect old toys, outdated decorations, and furniture that clutters the room.
The Good Will is a great place to drop off all your giveaway items! Your house will feel so much more fresh and clean without all that extra clutter lying around.
6. Involve The Whole Family With Spring Cleaning
This pairs with the tip above about delegating spring cleaning tasks, but it's a little more specific to spring cleaning. Plan a spring cleaning weekend in advance with your whole family so they can block off that day to help you out. If they can plan for it, they'll be much happier to help.
Set the expectation with your kids about which chores you want them to do. Then, if everything gets done at the end of the day, treat everyone to ice cream! Little kids will do anything for the promise of ice cream;).
7. Make Spring Cleaning Fun
Spring cleaning doesn't have to be so grueling! Turn on some music and dance while you vacuum the kitchen floors. Put on your headphones and listen to that audiobook you've been meaning to read.
If your kids are helping you, get them a reward at the end of the day. Treat them to ice cream or a dinner out if they get all their chores done to finish off a long day of cleaning with a little fun.
8. Store Cleaning Supplies Where You Use Them
A huge mom hack! Store bathroom cleaning supplies under the bathroom sink, laundry supplies in the laundry room, kitchen essentials in the kitchen cabinet... you get the idea.
Make sure to keep flushable wipes under your bathroom sinks for any unexpected messes. They're great to have handy! And always keep a roll of paper towels nearby. You never know when you'll need them fast.
9. Declutter With A Laundry Basket
If you're going from room to room, picking up toys and decluttering, carry a laundry basket with you to collect everything that's out of place.
If you find toys that belong in the basement but somehow made it to the kitchen, toss them in the laundry basket. Then, when you're downstairs to clean, you can easily unload and organize.
10. Use Cleaning Supplies That Motivate You
I personally have the hardest time cleaning with chemical-based cleaning supplies! They make my eyes water and they just don't smell fresh. My solution? Purchase natural cleaners and carry essential oils with me!
Having a diffuser out on the counter will make your house fell much more fresh, and using cleaning supplies that actually smell nice might make spring cleaning a little more enjoyable (at least for me!).
11. Try Natural Spring Cleaning Supplies
Besides using essential oils and natural cleaning supplies like these, there are tons of natural cleaning hacks out there for natural mamas. Vinegar is a great cleaning supply that can run through your dishwasher or washing machine to make it fresh.
Take lemon rinds and put them down the disposal to make your sink smell fresh. Bring plants into your home to lighten the mood and clean the air. Even opening the windows is a great way to freshen the air in a natural way!
12. Build Good Habits
Cleaning shouldn't be a one-time spring event. If you build good cleaning habits, your house will stay fresh year-round (and that's the goal, isn't it?).
Rinse and load your dishes right after you use them to prevent pile up. Train your kids to do the same! After a big load of laundry is dry, fold it and put it away right after. Your clothes won't be so wrinkly and you won't have to look at a pile of laundry for a while until you muster the motivation to get it done.
Little things like this are great habits that will keep your house clean throughout the year.
13. Spring Cleaning Isn't About Perfection!
Focus on progress instead of perfection. If you're a mama, you know life is all about balance, and sometimes spring cleaning just doesn't happen. The important thing is building healthy cleaning habits so your house stays fresh year-round ~ instead of letting it all pile up for a huge spring cleaning spree.
Give yourself grace! Being a mama is hard work, and it's okay if your house isn't always tidy. You're raising beautiful kids and that's a messy job.
Hopefully you can take some of these tips and get started on your spring cleaning journey with gusto;) Good luck mamas, and have some fun!!
Check out some of our other blogs below ~ hopefully they can help you out on your cleaning and organizing journey!
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