Spring cleaning season is just around the corner – and while it may seem like a daunting task at first, there are smart ways to streamline the process.
Scrubbing and spraying the winter grime away is best done in late March or April when the weather mellows, but there’s one thing to do first – and you can start right now! Before you deep-clean, start by decluttering!
Decluttering first will make spring cleaning seem much less overwhelming. A clear space leads the way to a clean space. Before you pull out the mop and scrub brush, take advantage of the last bits of winter to tidy up around your house!
Spring Decluttering Strategy
Where to begin? Ellen knows that cleaning and organization can seem like an overwhelming task – not to worry!
First, create your plan of attack. What needs to be tackled around your house? Make a list of all the organization tasks and projects you’d like to accomplish – big or small. Have a plan for what to throw out, what to donate, and what to sell.
After planning, divide and conquer! Avoid being overwhelmed by creating a flexible plan for handling your spring decluttering and organization projects. Ellen suggests completing one smaller task per day and managing one bigger task per week. Trying to do everything at once can discourage you and tempt you to give up.
Spring Decluttering Tasks
Make your to-do list more fun by finding a fun playlist with all your guilty pleasure songs that will get you dancing…er, scrubbing…with an upbeat attitude. You could also consider taking before and after pictures if that will motivate you to shake things up around your house. Ready to start your spring decluttering?
1. Say No to Hoarding
The key to good decluttering is a balance between appropriate sentimentality and ruthless scrapping. The general rule is: if you don’t love it or use it, get rid of it.
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- Kitchen: Time to clean out the fridge and pantry. Throw out everything that’s past its expiration date. If it’s been in the freezer more than three months, throw that out too. Once the old it out, use up what you can.
- Office: Face your paper problem. Opt to receive bank statements online, and discard coupons and receipts; then go through your mail, bills and magazines and toss as much as possible.
- Piles: Piles are a big no no. Put a box in each room to fill with ten things to donate – don’t forget old décor or wall art.
- Phone: Decluttering needs to happen on your personal device or online as well. Delete old screenshots or texts from your phone, unsubscribe from unwanted emails, and remove apps and downloads you never use.
2. Say Hello to Storage Secrets
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- Don’t start by buying organizing supplies first. Instead, tidy first and then see if you need hooks, baskets, or a labeler. Don’t put off the clutter-gutting by adding more stuff to the piles.
- Decide on a back-stocking space like the basement or a hall closet. Consolidate things like batteries, lightbulbs, trashbags, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and paper towels. Decide what belongs in each group and give it an appropriate home.
3. Say Goodbye to Winter
Once the snow is gone, take a good look at the outdoors of your home. Be sure to clear de-icing materials from your yard that can damage your lawn or gardens. Then it’s time to throw out:
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- Dead plants and broken planters
- Rusted yard equipment
- Torn or tattered furniture
- Tacky yard décor
- Twigs, branches, old leaves, dog waste
For help fertilizing your lawn and spraying your weeds, just ask Ellen! She’s got a top-notch landscaping contractor that can perfect your outdoors just in time to enjoy the good spring weather.
4. Say Hello to a Challenge!
If you have trouble strategizing your own organization plan, see if you’re up for a simple 30 day challenge that can change your home environment! “The Minimalists” (Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus) have come up with a few creative ways to cut out the stalling and to get busy decluttering! Try their 30 Day Minimalism Game or check out this 30 Day Minimalism Challenge from Elle at Modern Minimalism.
Curious about more top home care tips? Check out Ellen’s blog The Brookside Local for insider information on the best contractors in Kansas City, seasonal home maintenance checklists, and all kinds of homeowning tips.
Are you looking to sell your house or are you searching for your dream home? Contact Ellen today to take the next step in your homeowning journey!
