Springtime Brings Spring Cleaning

The long, cold days of winter have come and gone.  For months your home has accumulated lots of clutter.  With springtime upon us, it is time to remove the clutter and do some old-fashioned spring-cleaning.  Most of us dread the thoughts of starting such a major project, but plans must be made to get the job done.  Here are some tips to help make your spring-cleaning a little more enjoyable. 

*Save Time:  One of the aspects of spring-cleaning is the time it will take to get the job completed.  First of all, look at the areas to be cleaned then develop a schedule to follow.  Make the bigger jobs less time consuming by taking it piecemeal.  Instead of spending an entire day on cleaning the garage, try tackling it for an hour every afternoon.  Before long you will have the area clean and the task can be checked off the list as completed. 

*Make A Plan:  Before you begin your spring-cleaning, develop a plan and make a schedule for the days you will devote to the project.  Be sure to list the tools needed and supplies to have on hand.  You do not want to start cleaning only to find you are without the supplies needed to get the job done. 

*Family Project:  While there are some people that would love to join your efforts to clean your home, garage and storage building, most people especially children would rather be doing other activities on a warm, spring weekend.  

Parents can make the work more enjoyable by assigning various tasks to each child and encouraging a teamwork approach.  Since no one really likes to work alone, be sure you work alongside of your child.  Find ways to make the chores fun by playing music, singing fun songs, dancing around when you can and telling funny jokes while getting the job done.  At the end of the day, the work is done and quality time has been spent with your child. 

*Donate:  Often times we continue to hang on to items that are never used, but add to the unappealing clutter.  Instead of continuing to clean around these things, why not box them and take to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill Center as a charitable contribution.  For items that are to be discarded, bag these and place at the curb for pick up.  By taking this action you are removing clutter that once occupied the shelves and closet space of your living environment.  With many of these items removed you will visibly notice less clutter and you will see the benefits of your labor.  

By diligently following the plan, you will soon have every task checked off your spring-cleaning schedule and everyone can feel proud of the work accomplished and the teamwork efforts involved.  Next, make another plan.  This one is to reward your family for their hard work with a fun and relaxing family outing.  

 

Springtime Brings Spring Cleaning