As winter comes to a close and spring draws near, many begin to feel the dread of the ordeal ahead of them: spring cleaning. Just picturing all of the time-consuming vacuuming, dusting, rearranging, folding, washing, and emptying can make a person run and hide under the covers! Luckily, there are a few pointers that can help make cleaning considerably easier.

1- Separate tasks

One of the hardest parts of cleaning is actually finding the right place to start. Instead of doing everything at the same time, try doing small sections of a room or clearing out specific objects like clothes, books, or old papers.

2- Setting mini-goals

Cleaning takes time and patience, and having to clean a lot of space can be exhausting. You may find it helpful to clean rooms separately. I recommend taking breaks in between each room. This way, you can be more emotionally, physically, and mentally prepared for your next course of action. To help you find your “me time”, come up with a time frame and to-do list to visualize what you need to get finished. Cleaning does not need to be done all in one day, so it is okay to take your time. When you finish something, check it off your list! If you feel like you are getting burned out, stop and take a break. 

3- Prioritize

Going back to the idea of separating tasks and cleaning each room separately, it is more effective and logically sound to start cleaning rooms that are used the most. Many people will often clean an area at random. This will not only use up a lot of effort, but it will also be futile. Imagine how frustrating it would feel when a guest doesn’t notice the hard work you put into cleaning the attic. Instead, they will have a hard time finding a seat in the messy living room. Get the idea? 

4- Make space

We have all been guilty of keeping at least a few of our old things with the same idea: it’ll come in handy one day. The truth is, the majority of the time that “perfect moment” doesn’t come. Donating, however, will be a great way to make more space and be a helpful member of your community! Is it too old and broken to give away? Throw it out and remember to dispose of it correctly (i.e. recycling).

5- Dusting and vacuuming

Dirt and dust is unavoidable! Dusting and vacuuming will help prevent unwanted buildups and create a cleaner, more breathable space. This goes especially for those of you who are sensitive to dust. My recommendation is to look for an air purifier to solve this issue.

6- Make cleaning entertaining

Another very common problem with cleaning is the monotony of it. To combat that, you can listen to music or put on a favorite movie in the background. Maybe you can even come up with a fun game to help you get the job done! Get creative!

7- Don’t wait to clean

The biggest culprit of a dirty house: avoiding cleaning altogether! The more you wait, the more work you will have to end up doing. Try putting things away right after you use them or throw things out when you are done.

Cleaning is no easy feat, but having a few tricks up your sleeves can make it much more enjoyable. Also, keep in mind that it is not a one-person job. Involving your family will help get the job done faster and will give you a chance to spend more time together. Good luck to you all!

Image source: 

Kerr, Jolie. “10 Essential Cleaning Tools to Keep Your Home Sparkling.” Better Homes and Gardens, 18 April 2023, https://www.bhg.com/essential-cleaning-tools-7377862