Fail to plan and you plan to fail, as they say — and that’s definitely true when it comes to spring cleaning in the home. The only way this major undertaking can deliver results is if you have a logical plan of action prepared in advance.
But you also need to prepare yourself. Spring cleaning requires dedication, motivation and lots of hard work — and that’s easier said than done after a long, cold winter.
But fear not, as following these six steps should help you to prepare for the biggest and most challenging domestic cleaning task of the year.
1. Schedule your spring cleaning sessions
The chances are your spring cleaning will take place over two or more days, so take the time to think about when you can fit it into your busy schedule. To do this, of course, you’ll need to schedule some planning time too. Think about how much time the biggest and most complex cleaning jobs will take, such as cleaning the oven and defrosting the fridge.
If you need to spread your spring cleaning jobs over several days, don’t be afraid to break your time down into 30-minute chunks.
2. Write a master list
Once you have allocated your time slots for cleaning, you can start listing ALL of the jobs that need to be completed. You may have already scheduled the biggest, dirtiest jobs, so think about all of the smaller tasks that often get forgotten.
Add every task you can think of, no matter how small. You can even include jobs such as vacuuming and polishing — things you do around the year. The great thing about a big spring clean is that it leaves your house spotless… a blank canvas for the rest of the year. It’s therefore important not to leave anything out.
3. Prepare some entertainment
Most spring cleaning jobs are laborious and tedious. If you’re overly bored and frustrated, there’s a good chance that key jobs will take longer… or not get done at all. To combat boredom, create a music playlist filled with inspirational, motivational tunes. And where possible, select a few TV shows to help pass the hours. Nothing aids a thorough spring clean like the latest boxset.
4. Stock up
Once you start spring cleaning, the last thing you’ll want to do is stop in order to replenish cleaning supplies. Against each of the jobs on your cleaning master list, make a note of all the cleaning tools and agents you’ll need. This should help you to create a cleaning shopping list that covers everything.
Tip: Split your cleaning supplies to create mini workstations in all of the major rooms in your home. This will stop you from having to run around in search of the things you need to complete various cleaning tasks around your home.
5. Start with a blank canvas
Before you start spring cleaning, you should remove any clutter that will get in your way. In your bathroom, for instance, remove mats, towels, hygiene products and anything else that will slow you down. In living areas, remove toys, gadgets, reading materials and anything that isn’t essential to your daily life. You should also ensure that all your bins are emptied and taken outside.
6. Make sure your home is well lit
In order to ensure that all of your cleaning jobs are completed to the highest possible standard, you’ll need to see what you’re doing. You’ll also need to see the results of your efforts. This requires your home to be well lit. If there are certain areas of your home that are left in relative darkness throughout the day, you might need to introduce some temporary lighting in the form of a spotlight or floor lamp.
Once you have completed these six important preparatory steps, it’s time to start getting your hands dirty!
