Spring is here and it’s time to do some deep cleaning around the home. As I look around, I see dusty corners, cluttered closets, and neglected spaces that have been ignored all winter long. Well, no more! This year, I am tackling those dusty bunnies head on with a thorough spring cleaning.
Assess the Neglected Zones
First, I take a walk through the house to assess the most neglected zones. These tend to be the areas that are out of sight and out of mind. My list includes:
- Closets – clothes and coats we haven’t worn all winter. Boxes shoved in the back.
- Under beds – dust bunnies galore under the beds!
- Behind furniture – surprising amounts of dust and dirt accumulate back there.
- Basements & attics – boxes of stuff we don’t use often.
I’m slightly embarrassed by how much dirt and disorder has accumulated in these zones. But, identifying the problem areas is the first step to fixing them.
Make a Plan of Attack
Next, I make a plan of attack. Spring cleaning an entire house is a big job. To stay motivated, I break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Here is a sample schedule:
- Week 1: Closets and under beds.
- Week 2: Behind furniture and under appliances.
- Week 3: Basement organization.
- Week 4: Attic decluttering.
Focusing on one area each week prevents me from feeling overwhelmed. I can also recruit family members to help with certain zones each week.
Gather Supplies
Now it’s time to gather supplies. Spring cleaning requires some specific tools and products for scrubbing, de-cluttering, and disinfecting. My essentials include:
- Microfiber cloths, rags, sponges
- Duster with extendable handle
- Broom & dustpan
- Mop & bucket
- Vacuum cleaner
- Cleaning solutions (all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, etc)
- Garbage bags
- Storage containers
Having the right supplies close at hand makes the job much easier. I also put on old clothes and tie my hair back – cleaning can get messy!
Week 1: Bedrooms and Closets
I’m starting with the bedrooms because that’s where dust bunnies like to gather most. I move the beds away from the walls and get rid of all the dust balls underneath. Vacuuming the mattresses and washing the bedding will also help diminish dust.
Now for the closets! I remove everything from the shelves and floors. Getting all the clothes and boxes out in the open is key. It allows me to dust the tops and insides of the closet. I get rid of anything I haven’t worn or used in over a year. I wash and fold the keepers neatly to put back on clean shelves.
Finally, I vacuum underneath the beds again for good measure. Much better! I feel a sense of accomplishment after week 1. The bedrooms already look and feel fresher.
Week 2: Furniture Feng Shui
This week I’m rearranging furniture and cleaning behind appliances. Clearing out the dust behind and under large furniture makes a big visual impact. I use the crevice tool on my vacuum to clean between tight spaces.
While the furniture is moved out, I give the floors a deep clean. I sweep and mop under area rugs too. Everything gets moved back into a new, more functional configuration.
Finally, I tackle the dust bunnies living under the fridge, washer, dryer and stove. Pulling those big appliances out fully takes some elbow grease but it’s worth it. The difference is amazing!
Week 3: Basement Organization
Heading down to the basement, I’m faced with a jungle of clutter. There are boxes of stuff that haven’t seen the light of day for years. This week it all gets sorted and organized.
I go through each box one-by-one and make three piles – keep, donate, and trash. The donations clear up so much space! I invest in storage containers and shelving units to neatly store what remains. Labeling the boxes makes the basement feel like an orderly storage warehouse.
While I have the space empty, I sweep and vacuum the floors thoroughly. A few added touches like shelves along the walls and a rug make the basement feel so much more inviting.
Week 4: Attacking the Attic
The final zone is the dreaded attic. It’s crammed with holiday decorations, old school projects, and other sentimental items. This is a tough area because of the emotional attachment.
To make the space functional, I have to declutter ruthlessly. I set aside a few bins of precious mementos and donate or trash the rest. Installing shelving creates organized storage for the keepers.
The attic also needs proper insulation, ventilation, and lighting. A finished attic can actually be a cozy extra room instead of a neglected dump zone!
Enjoy the Renewed Spaces
And with that, every neglected zone in my home has been tackled! It was a lot of work but I stand back feeling deeply satisfied.
The top-to-bottom deep clean brought fresh life into my home. I can breathe easier and find things more easily. Spring cleaning takes commitment but the impact is so uplifting. Here’s to entering warmer months in a clutter-free home!
