How to Start Spring Cleaning

Ahh... Spring is in the air again.
Spring cleaning doesn't need to be a hassle. It's that time of year again, time to go through all your stuff, organize it, give it away, sell it
or throw it away. Spring cleaning can be good for you, your home and your wallet. This is a guide and list to help you accomplish your Spring cleaning.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time
• List
• Energy
• Bags/Bins for organizing

1. First, make a list of everything you want to accomplish. By making a list you'll know where to begin and it will help you stay focused and organized when cleaning and organizing.
   
   Here's what your list might include:
   
   Clean Kitchen
   Clean Living Room
   Clean Bedrooms
   Clean Bathroom
   Clean all floors
   Go through cupboards and refrigerator
   Clean refrigerator
   Clean out closets
   Clean out attic
   Dust everything
   Clean all windows
   Organize bills/magazines/coupons/any paper
   Clean up the yard
   Clean bed sheets
   Go through knick-knacks, clothing, odds and ends
   Go through junk drawers
   Do a thorough sweep of whole house
   Wash ceiling fixtures
   Wash walls, cupboards

2. Second, start at the top of your list and work your way down. Decide what is most important to you to accomplish with your Spring cleaning. Do you want to thoroughly clean your whole house or just go through all your stuff and organize it or both? When cleaning each room thoroughly clean from top to bottom. Start by going through everything in the room. If there are things that you no longer use, decide if you want to keep it, throw it away, give it away or try to sell it. When going through your cupboards and your refrigerator look for anything that is expired or close to its expiration date. Throw it out if it's expired, move it forward and plan on using it soon if it is close to its expiration date or give it away free on Craigslist or to a neighbor or friend who will make use of it soon. Do you have any small knick-knacks, decorations, vases or anything laying around your house that you no longer use or is just taking up space? Is there anything you don't want or don't use that you can sell in a yard sale or on Craigslist? If you tend to collect things that you don't make use of then you may need a helper to encourage you to get rid of the items that are just taking up space in your house. Go through your junk drawers, if you have any and clean them out. Go through everything in your closet, most people will have items in their closet they can get rid of or clothing that they no longer wear or have grown out of. Also, you should go through the items you have in your attic. Oftentimes, people will have junk in their attic or stuff they really meant to throw away or get rid of.

3. Cleaning your whole house, top to bottom, is a great way to start off Spring and get rid of everything you collected over the Winter. Cleaning your yard will give you a head start on yard work for the Summer. A clean and organized house will help you feel more relaxed, less stressed and able to think clearly. Anything that you have decided to keep make sure that you have a place for the item(s) and if you do not, then make a place for them by using a shelf, bag or bin to place the item(s) in. Organize your closet, cupboards, junk drawers, office space, refrigerator and so on so that when you go to get something you know exactly where it is and when you use something always remember to put it back in its place.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a list to help you stay organized and on track.
• Get your spouse/partner/children or friends to help you.
• Be careful when cleaning with chemicals.
• Don't throw away stuff that isn't yours. Ask before throwing other people's stuff away.

Resources

• eHow Spring Guide

[Delaplane]

on 3/24/2009 Great ideas. Thank you!