SPRING CLEANING TIPS

THE WEATHER IS TURNING WARM HERE IN CHICAGO, WHICH MEANS IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR HOME OUT OF THE WINTER BLUES AND FRESHEN IT UP! STANDING BACK AND LOOKING AT THE SPRING CLEANING YOUR HOME NEEDS CAN SEEM DAUNTING. BUT, WITH THESE HELPFUL TIPS, IT WON’T BE DIFFICULT AT ALL.

DECLUTTER

MOST HOMES ARE FILLED WITH THINGS THE HOMEOWNER EITHER DOESN’T USE ANYMORE OR DOESN’T NEED. IT’S TIME TO GET RID OF THE CLUTTER.

TAKE SOME TIME TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AREAS IN YOUR HOME, WHETHER IT BE THE JUNK DRAWER IN THE KITCHEN OR STUFFED-TO-THE-BRIM GARAGE CABINETS. ONCE YOU’VE FOUND ALL THE AREAS THAT NEED DECLUTTERING, SORT YOUR BELONGINGS INTO FOUR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES–GARBAGE, DONATIONS, STORAGE, AND KEEPING.

GET RID OF THE JUNK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. DON’T LET IT SIT AROUND AND BECOME MORE CLUTTER. DONATE IT TO GOODWILL, HAVE A GARAGE SALE, OR THROW IT AWAY.

CLEAN ROOM BY ROOM

THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO APPROACH SPRING CLEANING IS TO CLEAN ONE ROOM AT A TIME. CREATE SPECIFIC CHECKLISTS FOR EACH ROOM TO KEEP THE PROCESS ORGANIZED AND TO REMIND YOU OF AREAS THAT NEED EXTRA ATTENTION.

FOCUS FIRST ON THE AREAS OF YOUR HOME THAT WERE MOST NEGLECTED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

PUT THE FAMILY TO WOR

GETTING THE ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD INVOLVED IN SPRING CLEANING CAN HELP MAKE THE CLEANING PROCESS FASTER, AND ALSO MORE FUN! ASSIGN AGE-APPROPRIATE TASKS TO THE KIDS AND MAKE THEM FEEL INCLUDED. THROW ON SOME MUSIC OR MAKE A GAME OUT OF IT, AND ESTABLISH A REWARD FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY AS AN INCENTIVE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

ESTABLISH NEW CLEANING HABITS

USE SPRING CLEANING AS A WAY TO ESTABLISH A NEW, ONGOING CLEANING ROUTINE. BY DOING SO, YOU’LL MAKE NEXT YEAR’S SPRING CLEANING EASIER.

DON’T TRY AND COMPLETE YOUR ENTIRE SPRING CLEANING IN ONE DAY OR EVEN ONE WEEKEND. TAKE 15 OR 30 MINUTES EACH DAY TO TACKLE ONE SPECIFIC TO-DO. THIS WILL GET YOU USED TO TIDYING THINGS UP FOR 15 MINUTES EACH DAY EVEN AFTER SPRING CLEANING HAS ENDED.

ONCE YOU’VE COMPLETED YOUR SPRING CLEANING, MAKE SURE TO TAKE SOME TIME TO ENJOY YOUR NEWLY REFRESHED HOME. IT’S IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE YOUR HARD WORK AS IT CAN HELP THE CLEANING PROCESS SEEM LESS OF A CHORE.