Step 1: Plan ahead. Before you break out the broom, start by going from room to room, assigning job tasks for each area. Once you know what needs to be done, make a schedule for when you plan to tackle each task. Plan for one hour of cleanup on both Saturday and Sunday, so it doesn't feel like you spent your whole weekend doing housework. You'll feel less overwhelmed and have a greater sense of accomplishment.
Step 2: Eliminate clutter. Before you can really start cleaning, you need to eliminate the clutter that seems to build up in every room. Start by sorting your clutter into three piles: keep, trash, donate. Save the essential items and throw away anything you no longer need. Not sure what to do with all of your old clothes? Take your unwanted but usable items to a local donation centre. You can clean up your surroundings and do something good for your community at the same time.
Step 3: Have your tools on hand. No spring-cleaning event is complete without a basket full of cleaning products. But what do you need to get the job done? Because you've already established the chores you want to accomplish for each room, making a list of cleaning supplies should be simple. If you plan to dust, mop, sweep and scrub, your list is pretty much laid out for you. Just be prepared when cleaning time comes. Have your tools on hand ahead of time, so you're not scrambling at the last minute to get to the store before you can really start cleaning.
Step 4: Get everyone involved. Liven up your spring-cleaning session by getting your entire family involved. Divide into teams and turn the day into a friendly competition. Offer prizes for the team that finishes its room the fastest — and most efficiently, of course.
And don't forget to have all the essentials present: music, munchies and motivation! Play upbeat music to keep your team members pumped and ready to work. Use the team atmosphere to drive individual motivation. By working toward a common goal, you're likely to accomplish more work in less time. Not only will you reach your spring-cleaning milestone, but you just might have fun doing it.
Step 5: Clean the concealed. In addition to standard spring cleaning, don't forget these often-overlooked areas. Use spring-cleaning to tackle some forgotten chores:
• Flipping and rotating the mattress can improve your sleep — and extend the life of your mattress.
• While vacuuming eliminates visible debris on carpets and rugs, we rarely take the time to freshen these areas. Use Febreze® to eliminate odours that occur underfoot.
• If your ceiling fan is just spinning dust around, try Swiffer Dusters® with Extendable Handle to clean dirt and dust in just one swipe.
• Eliminate stains and water spots on walls by washing these areas with a mild cleanser, making sure to work from the bottom up to avoid streaking. For extra help with tough wall stains, try Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser®.
If your refrigerator spring-cleaning consists strictly of wiping down the inside, it's time to give the summit a good scrub — and while you're at it, clean underneath the fridge as well.
