Spring Cleaning | John D Cleaning

Photo by @agnormark via Twenty20

Spring cleaning can be hard work, but once the job is complete, the rewards are well worth the effort. So get ready and roll up your sleeves, it is time to get your home in order. The cold days of winter are over and the fresh breezes of spring have begun to blow. As the flowers bloom and the birds chirp, many of us take a look at our homes and want to rid ourselves of the stale, winter feeling and start the season off with a clean and organized home.

There are three basic steps to spring cleaning: Deep Cleaning, Organization, and Maintenance. Deep cleaning consists of wiping down walls, cleaning windows, wiping out cupboards, and cleaning under furniture. This is the messy part of spring cleaning, but it will rid your house of the dirt, grime, and germs that you have collected over the winter.

Organization means cleaning out closets, drawers, and cabinets. Go through clothing and toys to get rid of things that have been outgrown. Free yourself of all of the unused and broken items around the house and create more space to properly store the things that you do use regularly. Having a well-organized home can make life easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

The first two steps can be completed at the same time, but maintenance will take some extra steps and dedication on your part throughout the year. Keeping up on organization is usually the biggest hurdle for most families, as old habits can be hard to break. Make sure you get everyone on board to keep your house as neat and orderly as it will be when your cleaning is complete.

While jumping into spring cleaning feet first might seem like the best way to approach the tasks at hand, your best bet would be to take your time and plan things out before beginning. Complete the following list of tasks before starting your spring cleaning and you will find your project going faster and smoother than you ever could have imagined.

• Start by evaluating each room and it’s organizational needs. Grab a notebook and jot down everything that needs to be addressed in each room before starting. For instance, if there is a messy stack of magazines on the coffee table, make a note to buy a magazine rack.

• Take stock of what cleaning supplies you already have on hand and what you will need to complete all your jobs. Add to the list any organizational tools that you need for each of your rooms. Having your supplies ready before you start will save you from running to the store, filthy from cleaning, to replace something that you have run out of, which might also cause you to lose motivation.

• Have a few motivators on hand. Find some type of reward for yourself for completing the larger tasks, such as a favorite snack for breaks. Turn on some upbeat music to keep you going and make the job go by faster.

• Give each room a quick straighten before starting your deep cleaning. If the dishes are washed, toys are picked up, and laundry is done, you will have the necessary space to get into the bigger jobs.

• Return to your notebook and formulate your plan of attack. List each room and all of the tasks that need to be completed in detail. As you finish a job, check it off and see just how much progress you have made throughout the day.