How can I Make Spring Cleaning Easier?

Do you dread spring cleaning? Does it seem overwhelming? You know you will feel better once it is done, but sometimes it's just hard to get started. Fortunately, there are several tips you can employ to help make spring cleaning faster and easier.

The first step is to de-clutter, and that means getting rid of unnecessary items and trash. Next, go through the house and tidy each room. Fluff pillows, put away toys or clothes, make the beds, and generally straighten up. You will be surprised how much better your home will look within a few minutes, and you will be motivated to continue. It is also much easier to do your spring cleaning when you are not trying to clean around the clutter.

Spring cleaning involves lots of cleaning supplies, so the next step is to load a bucket with everything you will need. This will save time because you won't have to run back and forth to grab supplies as you need them. Also, add a trash bag to the bucket to have it handy, as you'll probably find other things that will need to be thrown away.

Make sure you include convenient products such as a roll of paper towels and specially treated household cleaning wipes. Some cleaning products may seem like a splurge, but if you consider the fact that saving time is an important part of saving money, they are well worth it. They will make spring cleaning much simpler, because you can quickly wipe down a surface and throw them away, instead of having to rinse out rags to re-use them--then wash dirty rags later.

You can spray fabric refresher on upholstered surfaces to remove stuffy odors that accumulate when the house is closed up all winter. When your home smells clean, it feels cleaner. If you have pets and carpeting, you might want to use a carpet deodorizer, such as a spray or powder. Make sure the product is labeled pet-safe, and even so, it's best to keep furry family members off the carpet until sprays can air-dry, or powders are vacuumed. Any residue they pick up on their paws will likely get licked off.

As you begin spring cleaning, don't go back and forth from room to room; start at one end of the house and work your way through. Straighten and unclutter each space, dust and wipe surfaces in each space, vacuum from one end of the home to the other, and then wash floors. Too much stopping-and-starting will waste time. It might also cause you do get distracted, which may keep you from completing your spring cleaning.