Declutter Your Life This Spring!

Yes, I enjoy spring cleaning. Am I weird?  I LOVE sprucing up our home…cleaning, reorganizing and de-cluttering.  Ahhhhh! Spring just brings this out in me.

You don’t have to do your spring cleaning all at once. It’s too overwhelming when projects are overwhelming there is a good chance it won’t get one.

Just take one task at a time, maybe even just one a week, and by summer you will feel decluttered and fabulous.

Tip #1 – Pick one room at a time.

My husband and I just had this conversation.  We think it will be much easier to take it one room at a time, versus having a massive Spring Cleaning marathon (especially with kiddos).  It’s a lot less overwhelming this way…and we like that we’re not just waiting until the weekend (which is our sacred family time) to clean.

Tip #2 – Tackle your “junk” drawer.

Everyone has one, right?!  When I want to feel cleaning “accomplished,” and I only have a few minutes, I start with my junk drawer.  It’s amazing how much better I feel when it is cleared out.

Tip #3 – Clean up your makeup.

Anyone else out there a makeup junkie?  I have lots of different makeup in lots of different bags.  And multiple makeup brushes.  Spring cleaning is a great time to clean out any old makeup, wipe out your makeup bags, and clean your makeup brushes. I found these great makeup brush cleaning tricks from Pinterest…cleanmama.net to be exact.  Check it out!

Tip #4 – Go through closets and dressers.

I scan my closet and drawers…and my kids’ closets and drawers…and grab anything that is too small, too worn, or past it’s “season.”  I bag ’em and donate them. Involving your kids is a great way to show them that their gently loved clothes can go to other kiddos that can still use them and appreciate them.

Tip #5 – Toys, toys, and more toys.

If your kids’ toys are taking over your home (like my kids’ “treasures” are), it’s time to weed out toys that your kids have outgrown…and donate them to others that can enjoy them.  I wrote a blog about great service project ideas to do with your kids – check out #4 in this blog for ideas of how to work with your kids on cleaning out their toys…and how they can help others!

Tip #6 – Clean out your “to-do” pile on your desk or counter.

Paper piles.  Ugh.  Even though I try to stay organized with my stacks of papers, sometimes you just have to take the time to file, recycle or finally get around to doing those “I’ll do them later,” action items. You’ll feel better, I promise!

Tip # 7 – Your car…need I say more?

Hmmm…Cheerios, smushed granola bars, crumbs, toy parts, Kleenex, dried baby wipes, coupons…ugh.  Now’s the time to give the inside (and outside!) of your car a little facelift.  Take out your carseats, vacuum the gross ickys, clean your carseats, and pick up any trash.  Wash the outside of your car (kids love to help!), clean windows, and shine your tires.  Make this a family activity, or simply splurge on a deluxe carwash at your local carwash place.

Tip #8 – Organize your email inbox.

Now’s a great time to clean out – and file – your electronic “to-do’s.”  Today, it seems like everything is online.  So why not take this opportunity to organize, file and clean your email inboxes?  This task may take longer than the others…so I try to spend just 10-15 minutes a day.

Tip #9 – Clean out your pantry and refrigerator.

This is one your kids can get in and help with.  Take everything out, look at expiration dates, and toss anything that needs to be cleaned out. Wipe down shelves, disinfect, and organize the remaining food.

I’ve also found that having a “kid-friendly food” shelf or drawer has been awesome!  I put all of the “nut free” products here that they can have at school.  It makes it so much easier to make snacks, lunches, and even for the kids to “grab and go” themselves.  I’m all about making things easier!

Tip #10 – Get your kids involved.

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a punishment!  Turn on the timer, turn on the music, give each kid an age-appropriate job, and everyone pitches in and cleans until the timer beeps.  I explain to my kids that part of being a family is that everyone contributes to taking care of our home.  Most of the time, my kids are happy to each have a “job.”

What are your Spring Cleaning tips?  Do you dread it or enjoy it?
Share your easy ways to declutter your life!