It’s time for spring cleaning!

It’s April. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and our homes are screaming for a good cleaning. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to freshen up our homes, weed out all the clutter, and get a fresh start for the new season. These tips will make cleaning your spaces a snap and much easier to maintain throughout the year.

1. Declutter and organize. Everything should have a place in your home. If something does not have a place or you cannot find one, ask yourself, “Do I need this?” Your home and your mind will be much less cluttered with organized spaces. Sort items by their function. Decide where they are most useful, and where they should be stored. If an item really does not serve a purpose, consider donating it to a charitable organization. While organizing, do not fill closets, drawers, shelves or bins to their maximum capacity. Leave some extra space. Extra space keeps areas looking neat and clean and also allows room for something new in the future.

2. Let it go. We all hold on to things we think we may wear again one day or something we may claim has sentimental value. Ask yourself, “Have I worn this item in the last year? Do I love it? Would I re-buy this item if I were to donate it? Will I miss it if I get rid of it?” If the answer is no, then get rid of it. Do not be afraid to part with the evening gown you wore 12 years ago or the kitchen items you have never used. Chances are, if you have owned it for a while and have not used it, you are not going to ever use it. Why hang on to something someone else could really use or need? Use this same concept when purchasing new items, and ask yourself if you need it or can live without it. You will find yourself with less clutter and more money in your pocket!

3. Scrub top to bottom, room to room. Now that you have organized your spaces, you can scrub them clean! Work top to bottom, from the ceilings and light fixtures to the hanging pictures, walls and windows and finally the baseboards and floor. Wipe down every surface, including the ones you typically skip over. Windows can be the toughest to clean. Use a microfiber cloth with a water and vinegar solution to ensure your windows are streak-free.

4. Freshen up your textiles. Take down your window treatments, pull off the couch slipcover, and grab your pillow shams and throw blankets. It’s time to wash them all. These are items in your home that are used daily, but you likely never think to clean them. It might be a long process, but it will be worth it!

5. Don’t forget your fridge and freezer. One of the easiest ways to add a sense of order to chaos in the home is a clean refrigerator and freezer. Toss all the food, condiments and drinks that have been in there too long, including the long-lasting frozen foods. Remove all remaining items and give it a good wipe down. Defrost the freezer to get rid of any built-up frost.

6. Maintain. It is inevitable that you will acquire new things, and they will be added to your decluttered spaces. Keep evaluating your areas for things you no longer use or need. If they are items you do not need then donate or sell them. Minimizing your spaces will help maintain your efforts from spring cleaning the whole year through. Remember, a decluttered home is a decluttered mind.