"Speed Through Spring Cleaning"
by Marcia Ramsland, "The Organizing Pro
Are you busy yet wondering what strategic steps to take to feel you've "Spring Cleaned" your
home? Spring Cleaning is the process of sweeping out the dinginess of
winter to freshen your home with that clean springtime feeling.
Welcome in the sunshine and spring breezes and slip on your gym shoes and get busy. One step a day and you'll be finished in no time flat!
 SPEED
CLEAN YOUR HOME - The SHORT VERSION
#1 Vacuum more thoroughly than usual. Spend a little extra time to
bring down any cobwebs and vacuum under the
furniture. Vacuuming main living areas makes the biggest cleaning difference and
shows visual results right away. Family and friends will be impressed
and think your whole house is clean!
#2 Clean Out Your Clothes Closet. Spend time one morning trying
on spring clothes, rehang out of place items by category, and giveaway
winter clothes you didn't wear. Clean closet floors, put away winter
boots and bring your spring clothes and shoes to look great.
#3 Wash the windows inside and out. Capture the spring sunlight
soon to be streaming into your home. Air out the house on a particularly
warm day. Enjoy the breeze and dream of summer coming.
SPEED CLEAN YOUR HOME - The COMPLETE
VERSION
If you
want to further "dig in" to Spring Cleaning, clean strategic spaces that make the biggest difference:
 First Room: Bedrooms -
Spring clean and reorganize one bedroom
a day.
• Wash sheets, blankets, and bedspread. Vacuum the mattress and under
the bed. The room is now half clean.
• Complete the other half by working in sections: one dresser and
nightstand at a time from top to bottom. Empty, wipe out, and reorganize
the contents in each drawer.
• Dust and rearrange the dresser top with visually pleasing items.
Done!
Second Room: Family Room- Spring clean away clutter and dust
in this busy room.
• Begin clockwise by clearing off, dusting, and repositioning
attractive items on flat surfaces such as countertops, coffee tables,
and end tables. Keep your sights on getting all the way around the room.
You’re one third finished.
 • Put away piles of "stuff" stacked on the floor and then vacuum. Now
you’re two-thirds of the way there.
• Focus on one shelf at a time. Again, clear everything off, dust,
and lineup the videos, CD’s, and books. Give several away until they fit
neatly. Whew – you’re finished!
Third Room: Garage - On a warm day it's refreshing to clean
sweep the garage floor, reorganize winter shovels and spring gardening
tools.
• Begin in the center and move items into sections along the wall such
as household tools, sports equipment, and recycle bins. Then sweep or
hose down the floor.
 * Go back and fine-tune each section, donating and tossing as much as
you can. Begin at the doorway and work clockwise around the outside
walls.
• Place remaining storage items behind closed cabinets and labeled
boxes. End with a trip to a charity drop spot with bags full of giveaway
items.
BONUS POINTS
- The final step to success for the High Achiever in you is to get rid of any accumulated paper "piles" on your desk and
countertops! Complete each area you conquer by polishing the wood or table
top underneath with a Lemon Scent for a spring scent!
Remember, anything you do will help your overall goal of a clean home.
Every step counts so congratulate yourself when you finish.
|
