Spring Has Sprung
Spring is my favourite time of the year, beautiful weather, baby animals, stunning flowers . . . and my birthday . . . just saying! My mum used to tell me that I was born during the most stunning time of the year.
She didn’t however mention the whole “Spring Clean” thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for clean, but like Valentine’s Day, I don’t think it needs to be saved for one day, or time of the year. If we keep on top of all these smaller tasks it doesn’t need to become this huge overwhelming event! Nor do we have to have the feeling of failure if we don’t get the all jobs completed between the months of September – November!! Besides, what would we do between the months of December – August??
Who am I kidding? I’m just as guilty as the next person for not keeping up to date with all the cleaning jobs around my home. As I look around the only clear, organised space is my entry hall table. It’s free of clutter, dust and has just the items that are meant to be there. Ah, relief floods through me! I can tick that task off my Spring Cleaning List.
Life continues to happen so no wonder it’s so difficult to keep on top of everything. Of course if I won Lotto I would have a cleaner to come once a week and do it for me.
So, for those of you, like me, who don’t have the luxury of a cleaner, live in a home full of partners, children, cats, dogs etc. It’s time to get prepared. izmir escort kızlar
Plan of Attack: This is imperative before diving in head first (also extremely important when planning a de-cluttering session).
Determine which are your main area’s of priority. It might be the kitchen/pantry or ensuite bathroom. Don’t set yourself up for feelings of failure by thinking you are going to complete your whole home over a weekend or week.
- Decide on specific cleaning days/times. Be realistic about how much time you can put aside. Unfortunately we can’t send our partners, children and pets elsewhere to be taken care of for interruption free periods of time. Who of us don’t wish that could be done on occasion!!
- Write a check list for each room. There are sooooo many sites on the internet that have taken the hard work out of this job. Google “Spring Clean Plan of Attack” and hundreds of sites/ideas are at your fingertips, including free printables. These are a fantastic resource! I love being able to tick off an item on my “To Do” list.
- Cleaning supplies – do you have all the products/accessories that you will need? If you think that you may need any additional items check first to see what you already have in the cupboard. No use buying seconds of products (another de-cluttering rule)
- Start with your most dreaded room in the house. Once that’s out of the way everything will seem a lot easier.
- Last, but not least it’s very important to have a motivational tool. Reward yourself after you have finished a particularly large job. Take time out for yourself, have a facial, massage or take yourself on a window shopping expedition! Please note I did not mention any purchasing, unless you are prepared to get rid of one item of matching functionality when you get home!
Back to the first room to tackle. My “dreaded room of choice” is my daughters’ bathroom. During the year I try, very, very hard, to leave it up to my two daughters’ (18 and 25 yrs) to manage this room. These two girls are always, always immaculately groomed outside of the home. Their bedrooms and bathroom unfortunately, are not given the same attention. Ugh!! To add to the chaos, our 18 year old is a make-up artist. This means ridiculous amounts of product (really, who needs 20-30 different types of foundation, at least 50-60 lipsticks?? Don’t get me started on eye shadows!! Sorry, I digress. I’m meant to be assisting you, not griping about make-up. . .
My bathroom check list would look something like this:
Spring Clean Tasks
❐ Use vacuum cleaner for hard to reach place such as ceilings/mouldings and walls
❐ Remove and clean exhaust fans
❐ Clean and disinfect light switches and fixtures
❐ Remove and clean light globes
❐ Clean and disinfect toothbrush holders
❐ Clean windows inside and out. Don’t forget the hard to get places such as the frames/tracks
❐ Clean shower caddy/replace if necessary
❐ Clean mirrors including the frames
❐ Clean shower curtain/liner
❐ Use an old toothbrush to clean around taps and spouts
❐ Remove and clean shower heads
❐ Re-seal tiles and grout in shower
❐ Unclog/clean drains
❐ Clean and de-clutter cabinets/drawers
❐ Unclog and refill lotion dispensers
❐ Clean and disinfect bathroom rubbish bin inside & out
❐ Mop and hand scrub bathroom floor paying special attention to grout lines, corners and mouldings
❐ Check for any plumbing requirements
❐ Check for any broken/cracked tiles
Remember, always call in the experts for plumbing issues, replacement of broken/cracked tiles and major grouting/waterproofing issues etc. Although this requires a cost to yourself in the short-term, it may save you larger $$$ in the long-run.
I hope this helps you to get started on your Annual Spring Clean. Good Luck and don’t forget the feeling of accomplishment is worth all the hard work!