How To Tackle Spring Cleaning Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Spring cleaning can be one of the most time consuming and overwhelming seasonal tasks. In fact, many people simply end up skipping it.

Yet that means also missing out on the rewards of a thoroughly clean home. Much like New Year’s Resolutions, spring cleaning helps you get a clean slate.

How To Tackle Spring Cleaning Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Here are five strategies to help you tackle spring cleaning:

1. Give it a time limit. Make a list of all the rooms, closets and spaces you need to clean. Estimate how much time you think it’ll take to get each space clean. For example, your pantry might take 40 minutes. When cleaning the space make sure you stick to the time limit.

When cleaning, it’s easy to get distracted. It’s easy to let the job take much longer than it should. When you set a time limit you’ll stay focused on the job. Remember to take breaks in between each space too. This will help you stay energetic and motivated.

2. Create a checklist. Checklists help you stay focused. They eliminate overwhelm. You can simply go down the list, check tasks off and finish your spring cleaning quickly and efficiently.

3. Spread it out. Rather than tackle cleaning your entire home in a day or a weekend, spread it out. Tackle on big job each weekend. Tackle smaller jobs during the week.

For example, spring cleaning your kitchen is a big job. Schedule it on the weekend. Cleaning your coat closet shouldn’t take more than an hour. It’s something you can do in an evening.

4. Gather supplies first. Before you clean any space in your home, gather all the supplies you’ll need. Consider getting a tote box for cleaning supplies. Assign a tote box for each space.

For example, your bathroom will have a designated cleaning supplies box. Your kitchen will have another. In addition to the cleaning products you will also need tools.

For example, you might want a used toothbrush to clean the grout from your shower tile. Collecting the supplies before you clean means you won’t have to stop in the middle of a task to hunt down the necessary equipment.

5. Create a system. Systems ensure an efficient process. One efficient system to consider is grouping like tasks.

For example, when you’re vacuuming the carpets, also vacuum the air vents, the corners of the ceiling and the blinds or window treatments. It saves time and energy.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be an overwhelming job. With a few simple strategies you can enjoy the benefits of spring cleaning without the stress and anxiety. Find the strategies that work for you and create a workable plan to enjoy the fresh start that a good spring cleaning brings you!

by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
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Comments

    • Laurie
    • March 1, 2011
    Reply

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    • Small Footprints
    • April 3, 2013
    Reply

    Excellent advice. I especially like #3. I used to be one of those people who got up on a Saturday morning and cleaned all day. I somehow thought I had to do it all in one day. It’s so much easier to spread it out. Can I add a 6th tip? Make it “green”. One of the things which has always made spring cleaning difficult for me is the smell … it actually gave me headaches. I’ve since learned that there was a reason … the cleansers I was using contain toxic chemicals. When I switched to Eco-friendly versions, it made a huge difference. Nothing will sabotage cleaning faster than when it’s a pain (literally).

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