Spring Cleaning Tips for Purging/Organizing Everything You Own

I know that right now cleaning out everything you own and driving massive amounts of donations to Goodwill is more popular than ever thanks to Marie Kondo. I personally have not watched her show, but I have it on my list of “to-watch.” But I find her method to have one big problem: time.

We all need more time, right, so how does one tackle cleaning every space in the hours given in a day between work, family, etc.? I know I struggle with it, which is why 4 times a year (yes 4 one time each season), I make it a point to clean/organize every space in our home. I’m not even kidding. And here is how I do it.

Spring Cleaning Tips:

1. Make a list of every single space in our home that “contains” things. Think drawers, closets, fridge, bins, etc.
2. Slowly tackle them one by one.
3. I never start an area unless I know I can finish it in full.
4. If you feel like you’re just reorganizing and not purging, chances are you’re just over the project. In that case, I walk away. The whole point is to truly purge while you clean/organize, so if you don’t feel like it that day or hour, walk away and try again when inspiration strikes.
5. Give EVERYTHING a place. If it doesn’t have a place, you don’t need it.
6. Bins, bins and more bins. I pick them up at Target, use baskets, etc. I think using organizers is so much easier for keeping items in their places.
7. If in question, pitch it. I do agree with Marie Kondo that it should spark joy. If it doesn’t fit, that’s not joyful, toss it (unless it has sentimental value, and try to keep this to a minimum).

I know #2 seems SO easy, but it’s true. Say I’m in the kitchen making dinner, I may clean 1-2 drawers out while I’m waiting for something to microwave/boil, etc. You don’t have to donate your whole day to “tidying up.” Some days for me it’s 20 minutes and some days it’s two hours. I make it work where I can, when I can. I think you’d be surprised how quickly you can tackle your list. I started ours around the second week in January and the only thing I have left is my closet, mostly because I am avoiding it. 🙂 Honestly though, I start with the smaller things like a sofa table, or a TV stand because it motivates me to keep going. I love the results! Once I see how wonderful having everything purged and organized is, I want to keep going!

The biggest tackle for me isn’t the act of doing it, but more so keeping it like that, so a few tips below.

1. Every few days/once a week (if it’s something you use often like kitchen drawers, bathroom drawers etc.) I try to “re-straighten.” It takes only minutes and keeps everything in order!
2. Put stuff away properly. You’ve just taken time to organize it and while I know you’re in a hurry emptying the dishwasher, make sure you’re stacking the Tupperware correctly. It takes maybe two minutes more, but it’s SO worth it.
3. 10 minute power clean up each night. Right after P’s bedtime each night, I do a power clean and put everything back in their spots. It goes by so quickly and then I get to wake up to a clean house. Once P is old enough, she will assist with this clean.

I know these spring cleaning tips all seems to much easier said than done, but I’ve been implementing these techniques and I promise it’s not only made for the OCD’s at heart.

If you’d like some more tips, go visit some of my favorite mommas! They’re sharing tips on incorporating toddlers to help, being busy mommas and cleaning, etc. I’m teaming up once monthly with these lovely ladies to bring you a fun topic! So go visit, Caitlin of The Mama Notes, Mandy of Momma Society, Lexi of Glitter Inc. and Arin of Happily Inspired – to bring you what I hope will be a super helpful guide to chores, organizing and everything in between!

I actually have organizing (and getting rid) of jeans on my list for today, but first coffee!

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