8 Awesome Decluttering Tips For This Spring

After a cold winter, cleaning and organizing your house is a great way to de-stress and move into a new season. Decluttering our home has the surprising effect of also clearing our minds and lifting our energy. But sometimes, it can feel like a mammoth task. Below are eight ideas to help you get started tidying up your home this spring.

1. Create a Schedule to Help You Prioritize Tasks

When it comes to spring cleaning, the last thing you want is procrastination setting in. It can be easy to overwhelm yourself, so before you begin, prioritize what needs to be done first. Creating a schedule will go a long way in making decluttering and cleaning your home feel less overwhelming. Once you’ve decided which area to start with, it’s now time to tackle it. Focus on one task at a time – maybe reorganizing your wardrobe or vacuuming your rugs. Only when it is done, do you move on to the next task on your list. Being systematic is the best way to ensure you eventually get everything done.

2. Let Go of What You No Longer Need

We’ve all been there before—having different things that sit at the back of our drawers taking up space unnecessarily. Yet, it can be hard to part with things, especially those with sentimental value. That being said, decluttering goes beyond just getting rid of things; it’s an act of self-improvement and taking back control of your home. Keep a donation basket and trash bin handy for unwanted items. For everything you don’t have space for but can’t let go of quite yet, consider a storage unit (when you have to pay for that extra space it can definitely help you become more clear on what is important to you).

3. Get the Kids Involved in the Cleaning

A study published by the University of Minnesota found that giving children household chores at an early age helps build a lasting sense of mastery, 

responsibility, and self-reliance. Even toddlers who may not be able to clean can still help. You can find small ways for them to participate, such as pressing the buttons on

 the washing machine or placing their toys in the storage baskets.

4. Take Inventory of Your Clothes

This is something we encourage our readers to do at the start of every season. If the weather has changed, switch out your seasonal clothing. This means putting away your winter gloves, hats, and scarves and pack them up for next year. A great strategy for decluttering your wardrobe is to pull out all clothing items from the closet and drawer. I like to turn my hangers backwards when I start a season, and if it doesn’t get turned back around after wearing it by the end of the season, it’s time to let it go. 

5. Clean Your Windows

If you’re able to, wash the window glass on both sides. You can use glass cleaner or dish soap diluted in water and a microfiber cloth to wipe down your windows.

 Then, spray on vinegar diluted in water, and wipe the windows with a clean towel to dry them. Also, don’t forget to wipe down

 all window sills and frames. This will take care of the pollen, dirt, and dust that can build up along your window sills. It’s also a great time to wipe the dust from all the blinds, clean window curtain rods, and wash or dry clean the curtains.

6. Declutter and Organize Your Toiletries

The first step is to take stock of what is and isn’t working. This also means trying out products that you haven’t in a while to make sure you still like them. If you have a huge collection, you can do this section by section (lipstick, foundations, etc.). This is also a wonderful time to give your storage bins or containers a good washing. Once you’ve decluttered everything, be sure it leaves the house. Consider donating unopened personal care items such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste to a local shelter or charity. 

7. Transition Your Home Decor from Winter to Spring

One of the best ways to give your home new life is switching scented candles, hand soaps, etc., from winter scents to fresh spring ones. If you have a fireplace, thoroughly clean it to remove dirt and debris from winter use. Potted faux greenery or even real plants in the living room will instantly give a fresh vibe to the entire space. 

8. Find Creative Ways to Create Extra Storage

Lack of storage space often leaves our homes looking cluttered/ If you need some extra closet space for your spring clothes and accessories, shelf dividers can help expand your already-existing space. To maintain a cleaner look, utilize hidden storage that keeps things out of sight but still accessible (storage ottomans, under bed storage, etc.). If you’re struggling to find office space with what’s become a new, work-from-home and virtual schooling normal, consider adding furniture that can convert easily for use in another way. For example, a coffee table that lifts into a workable desk with storage.

Final Thoughts

A thorough spring cleaning and is a great opportunity to establish ongoing cleaning habits. An expert cleaning tip to take home: don’t try to do all of your spring cleaning in one day or even one weekend. Instead, tackle items on your spring cleaning to-do list for just 15-30 minutes each day. That will help keep it manageable and set you up for consistency rather than burnout.