Max is enjoying the clean windows a little too soon for my liking. Yes, those are fresh noseprints.
Gone are the days when I used to whine about cleaning my room. When I used to hear spring cleaning, I would cringe and think instead of scrubbing, I could have been at Hersheypark or the mall or playing mini golf.
Now I actually look forward to ripping apart the apartment. (Truly, it often looks like a disaster as I’m pulling clothes out of my closet, canned foods out of my pantry and books off the shelves). But, once it’s reorganized, I feel so at peace with myself and with where I’m living. I can go to the mall or Hersheypark and (1) not feel guilty about the unclean state of my apartment and (2) come home to a lovely, tidy space.
Here are a few spring-cleaning tips for 20-somethings (and others):
1. Smart blogger Andrea Lazarus suggests to start with a plan, focus on windows and be realistic (I like the way she thinks.) Too often, it’s easy to start and think you will finish everything by the end of the day. Distractions happen, though, and it might not be possible to reserve 16 hours for cleaning. Try to tackle small projects each day, Lazarus suggests, and prioritize the areas that need the most attention.
2. Martha Stewart offers a few tips on cleaning curtains, windows, the fridge, carpets and wooden floors. Also included in her spring cleaning roundup: Replace batteries and restock cleaning supplies. Smart, Martha Stewart. I guess that’s why you make the big bucks.
3. About.com offers a checklist for spring cleaning (so as much as you’d like to forget about cleaning the ceiling fan, the list holds you accountable).
4. Real Simple suggests spring cleaning shortcuts, because not all of us have 16 hours a day. Brittany Wilson included some cleaning shortcuts of her own in an earlier post.
5.A little bit of labeling can go a long way. Once you’ve cleaned and reorganized, make labels so you don’t forget where you moved the sugar or that board game. Here are some creative labeling ideas from The Inspired Room and here are some labels to get you started from Smart magazine.
Does spring cleaning complete you? Or do you dread it? Have any tips you’d like to share?
