As the weather warms, the winter clutter and dirt can build up in your living space. Whether you live in a small apartment, house or a dorm room, spring cleaning can still be accomplished. Motivating yourself to clean can be quite difficult, but it can greatly improve your mental health. Living in a clean space puts your mind into a clear and fresh start. The first step to spring cleaning is to declutter while simultaneously organizing. We keep stuff “just in case” when in reality we never use it. Think to yourself have I used or worn this item in the past 6 months. If the answer is no, either donate the item or toss it in the garbage. When organizing, keep two trash bags nearby. One for donations and one for trash. Below is a checklist I made to help you schedule and make a list of what needs to be cleaned. 

Organize and declutter

• Pick a space and start by pulling everything out and putting it back nicely organized. 
• Only keep what you use or frequently wear. 
• Rearranging and organizing can give your space a spring refresh.

Make a list & schedule

• Make a list like this one of everything you need to get done that you can physically check off the items you complete
• Schedule out you’re cleaning into days. Tackle the kitchen and living room on Monday and bathrooms on Tuesday and so on. 

Checklist:

• Vacuum
  • Before you vacuum, dust spaces that you don’t frequent enough like bookshelves or blades on your ceiling fan. 
  • Sweep hardwood or tile and vacuum carpets and rugs. Make sure you move furniture around to get every spot. 
  • Pick up cushions on couches and chairs to vacuum them as well. Spray with disinfectant spray.
  • Take off all the linens on the bed and take the mattress pad off. Vacuum the mattress and finish off with a spray of disinfectant spray. 
• Bathrooms
  • Change out your plastic shower curtain. 
  • Deep clean your sink, shower, counters with heavy cleaning products like bleach. 
  • Sweep and mop bathroom floors. While you do that, throw your bath rugs and linens in the washer. 
  • Sort through your beauty products in your drawers and under the sink. Reorganize and throw out products that are almost empty or expired. 
  • Clean your makeup brushes with face wash and warm water.  Replace beauty blenders.
• Living room
  • Change up your winter linens and put some fresh colors of spring with throw pillows and blankets. 
  • Clean windows and lampshades/lights in the space. 
• Bedrooms
  • Organize desk, nightstand, or anywhere that clutter builds. 
  • Take all your clothes out of the closet and dressers and put them back in neatly. Use this opportunity to sort through what you have not worn or will not wear, put it in your donation pile. 
  • Dust surfaces with a microfiber cloth. 
  • Wash your linens like sheets, blankets, comforters, throw pillows, and regular pillows. 
• Kitchen
  • Scrub your kitchen sink and surfaces, especially heavy touch areas. 
  • Pull everything out of your refrigerator and take the shelving and drawers out. Wash with warm water and dawn dish soap. Dry and place back in the fridge. Go through all your products and throw away any expired products. Put products back in the fridge organizing where everything will go. Bins can help to organize. 
  • Wipe the handles and outside of the refrigerator and microwave. 
  • Clean the microwave using warm water, lemon peels, and vinegar in a bowl for 6 minutes and wipe with a paper towel. Those tough grease splatter stains should wipe easily away. 
  • Organize drawers and cabinets, including those pesky junk drawers. 

Remember cleaning can be very difficult to motivate especially if you try to do it all at once. Scheduling out when you tackle each task will help set you up for success. Your mental health can be boosted from the satisfaction of cleaning and then proceeding to live in a clean and organized space. Removing clutter is the goal and making sure everything has a specific home. 

Strive for progress not perfection!

Kayla Withrow