Spring cleaning: a guide to good planning
Ah, the famous spring cleaning! We put it off, we dread it, and yet we know how good it feels when it's done. But before you rush headlong into spring cleaning, a little planning can make all the difference between an effective clean and a project that drags on for weeks.
In this article, I'll guide you on how to structure your spring cleaning so that it's efficient and stress-free. Once you've got your plan down, you can take action and apply the best cleaning and organization methods.
By the way, if you're looking for practical advice on how to clean each room properly, I invite you to read my other blog on spring cleaning. These two articles complement each other: this one helps you plan, and the other helps you execute.
So, let's get started?
1. Where to start spring cleaning?
Before getting out the cleaning products and rags, take a moment to observe your home. Not all spaces require the same level of attention.
Start with the most frequently used areas
These spaces tend to accumulate the most clutter and dust:
- The kitchen
- The bathroom
- The rooms
- The entrance
Spot forgotten areas
Some parts of the house escape regular cleaning. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to take care of them:
- Baseboards, fixtures, cabinet tops
- Screens and windows
- Basement, garage, garden shed
💡 Tip: Make a note of the rooms you feel should be given priority, and set an order in which you'll move through them. Don't try to do it all in one day, it's better to go one room at a time!
2. Don't spread yourself too thin: adopt a room-by-room approach
If you start cleaning without a plan, you run the risk of starting five tasks at once and never finishing them. To stay efficient, apply the room-by-room method:
What to avoid:
- Open all the cupboards at once and find yourself overwhelmed
- Start by cleaning before decluttering
- Trying to do too much in one day
What needs to be done:
- Kitchen → Sort the fridge, empty and tidy cupboards, sort utensils (no need to keep four spatulas, we keep the strict minimum 😉 ), clean surfaces.
- Bedrooms → Sort through clothes, fold carefully to optimize storage, refresh bedding.
- Living room → Organize storage space, clean textiles and carpets.
- Forgotten spaces → Entrance, office, garage, basement.
💡 Tip: Limit yourself to one piece a day to avoid fatigue and keep motivated!
3. Take inventory of equipment before you start
There's nothing more frustrating than starting a major cleaning project only to realize that you've run out of cleaning product, or that the vacuum cleaner is out of order... or, on the contrary, that you've accumulated enough products to supply a Walmart all to yourself! 😅 This step allows us to check that we have everything we need on hand, without going overboard or buying unnecessarily.
Before you start, prepare an effective cleaning kit:
- Microfiber towel
- Suitable cleaning products. In my other blog on spring cleaningI've got some great tips on the best cleaning products to use, so check them out!
- Bucket, sponge, mop
- Bags for items to be donated or thrown away
💡 Tip: Take a tour of your closets before you buy anything. We often already have everything on hand!
4. Set a realistic timetable
Spring cleaning can't be done in a single day. Drawing up a timetable avoids overload and allows you to move forward serenely.
Planning idea for a week's thorough spring cleaning:
Day 1 → Declutter the kitchen and pantry
Day 2 → Deep bathroom cleaning
Day 3 → Sort the wardrobe and put away seasonal clothes
Day 4 → Refresh common areas (lounge, entrance)
Day 5 → Tidy and clean storage areas (garage, basement)
Day 6 → Finishing touches (windows, fixtures, skirting boards)
Day 7 → Relax and enjoy a fresh, tidy interior!
💡 Tip: Plan according to your schedule and adjust according to your energy and the help you'll have. The goal is not perfection, but efficiency!
5. Don't do everything yourself: ask for help
Spring cleaning can be a big project, so why not make it more enjoyable by getting your friends and family involved?
- Make it a family activity: Divide the tasks between household members so that everyone can participate according to their abilities. Even the youngest members of the family can help sort or dust the furniture.
- Organize a "cleaning day" with friends: If you know someone who also has a big cleaning to do, offer to help each other. It's quicker and more motivating with just the two of you.
And if your schedule is already too full, or the idea of tackling all this on your own discourages you, I'm here to help! Call on my organization services for a professional helping hand that can really make all the difference!
6. Turn spring cleaning into a sustainable habit
It's good to clean house. Not having to start from scratch in three months is even better! A few small actions on a daily basis can help you avoid accumulating clutter:
Adopt the "one thing in, one thing out" principle
Each new purchase must replace an old item to avoid accumulation.
Store immediately after use
A well-organized space is easier to maintain.
Involve the whole family
Delegate tasks and give each member of the household a sense of responsibility.
💡 Tip: Establish small maintenance routines to keep the benefits of spring cleaning all year round!
A well-planned household, a lighter mind!
Taking the time to plan your spring cleaning is the best way to ensure a more effective clean, without stress or discouragement. By prioritizing the right rooms, organizing room by room and moving at your own pace, you'll avoid exhaustion and reap the full benefits of a refreshed interior.
Once your plan is in place, all you have to do is take action! This supplement will take you a step further in applying the best storage and maintenance methods.
💡 One last tip: Optimize your experience and motivation by putting on some music or listening to a podcast!
So, are you ready to get started?
