Is spring cleaning a little daunting for you, or are you one of those one-in-a-million folks who absolutely love it?

I don’t know about you, but I’m fed up with winter. Living in the northeast, this winter seems to drag on endlessly. I’m tired of the chilly, brief days, the lack of sun on my face for weeks, and having to bundle up in layers and heavy coats. I am ready for the spring energy, its warm, long days, and its blooming nature. But if there’s something I’m not looking forward to, it’s the annual spring cleaning.

Growing up, my mother planned this dreadful event every year, and we all had to participate. I always complained, but whether I liked it or not, spring cleaning has stayed with me all my life. I’ve tried to skip it one year, but my mind craves the calming atmosphere and the sense of accomplishment and relief I feel when this deep clean is over.

Back in the day, when people used to heat their homes with fireplaces, spring cleaning was necessary to remove all the dust and smoke. Sometimes, this deep clean was done to get ready for a special religious holiday. For instance, I fondly remember how my grandmother always prepared her home for Easter. In college, my Iranian friend shared the beautiful tradition of ‘shaking the house’ during the Persian New Year, which falls in March.

Spring cleaning appears to have always existed. Earlier generations were likely just as bothered by it as we are. Its enduring presence highlights its importance, making it clear that it is a necessary task. The process can be overwhelming, and you may hate it but always focus on the result and the feeling of a clean, fresh house. Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to release the old, welcome change, and breathe new life into our spaces.

I tend to be quite lazy and prefer not to work more than needed. Over time, I’ve crafted a strategy to make my spring cleaning efficient, and fortunately for you, I’m excited to share it. Here are five steps to make you feel like you’ve achieved an extraordinary task with minimal time and effort.

1. Declutter first

Starting your deep-cleaning journey is a breeze when you begin with decluttering! Spring is the perfect season for it. As the days get warmer, it’s a great opportunity to pack away those bulky winter clothes and welcome in your airy spring wardrobe. You might discover some lovely pieces you haven’t worn in years that deserve a new home. To make this task even easier, organize your items into three simple categories: “keep,” “donate,” and “discard.” This way, you’ll create more space and make the cleaning process feel so much faster!

Decluttering is not only for your closet. Take it room by room, sort your drawers and toiletries, and don’t forget about your pantry. Look at what you have, check the expiration date if applicable, and see if there are some things you can donate if you don’t use them. Organizing your home can save you time when looking for items. You won’t need to search through the back of the shelf just to locate what you require, only to rediscover it later.

Deep cleaning becomes much easier and more manageable once your belongings are sorted and organized. Create order in your closets, cabinets, pantry, and your thoughts.

2. Create a checklist

Before starting any project, whether big or small, it’s beneficial to write down your goals and the steps necessary to achieve them. This approach will assist you with any overwhelming project by breaking it into smaller, more manageable tasks.
I like to make a list of what I generally have to clean in all the rooms in my house. The idea is to tackle spots you don’t typically hit during regular cleaning.

Dust and clean baseboards and moldings. You might not realize how distracting the accumulated dust is until a guest arrives, and all you can focus on is the grime on your baseboards. To clean baseboards, start by using a vacuum equipped with a bristled brush hose attachment to eliminate dust. Next, use a damp microfiber cloth along with an all-purpose cleaner to wipe them down.

Clean the walls and ceilings. Over time, unwanted marks accumulate on these surfaces. Begin by vacuuming to eliminate dust. Then, use a solvent-free degreaser to address stubborn grime commonly found in kitchens.

Dust accumulates in every corner. When dusting, start from the highest surfaces in the room and proceed downward, vacuuming any dust that falls to the floor. Be sure to reach challenging areas, including the tops of ceiling fans and window frames. Also, remember to dust books, bookshelves, picture frames, and decorative items. Remove everything from the shelves and use a duster to clean them. Don’t forget the light switches.

Give your rugs some love! You can deep-clean synthetic carpets and rugs with waterproof backing using a rotary shampoo machine and a hot-water extraction machine. However, it’s best to leave the cleaning to the professionals for rugs without backings.

Clean your vents. You may be surprised by how much dust accumulates in them and how this impacts your home’s air quality. Before investing in an air purifier, clean your vents with a powerful vacuum cleaner. If you feel it’s too much work to do yourself, you can hire specialized services to handle it for you.

Vacuum your mattress and your couch, and wash your pillows and comforter. If you haven’t washed them before, why not make this the year to start? You’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from sleeping comfortably, free from any pesky germs that may be lurking around!

3. Take it one room at a time

I believe it will take me about two days to completely declutter and organize my house, not to mention tackling every little corner like my mom used to. However, this doesn’t discourage me from trying hacks to simplify this enormous task into manageable segments — even if it requires a few weeks instead of just days.
I like to make a plan and choose a room for each day. Focusing on one room at a time to keep things manageable helps prevent that overwhelming feeling. I thoroughly clean each space before moving on to the next one.

On days when I lack time or just don’t feel like doing much, setting a timer for 40 minutes and doing what I can within that time motivates me and helps me achieve my tasks. Having a specific time dedicated to cleaning makes it more approachable, and you will be amazed at how much you can do in just 40 minutes. After that, I feel like a weight is off my shoulders, and I can concentrate on better things.

4. Embrace natural cleaners

Choose eco-friendly cleaning solutions such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. These effective alternatives are kind to the environment and gentle on your home, and they don’t contain harsh chemicals.

In the kitchen, I clean my sink using a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. Ensure that your sink’s material can handle this paste without getting damaged. I also use a couple of lemons for the garbage disposal; this will clean and give a fresh smell to your sink.

Reusable bottles are essential for everyone, but after a few days, they can become slimy, mold may start forming, and the water may taste bad. To prevent this, I wash my bottles daily, using white vinegar and a drop of dish soap.

In the bedroom, I sprinkle the mattress with baking soda mixed with a few drops of lavender oil. This deodorizes and freshens the mattress and gives the whole bedroom a fresh feel.

Once you’ve sorted through and donated, upcycled, or tossed out what you no longer need, tackle that musty smell that’s been hanging around all winter. Place a box of baking soda in your closet to soak up the winter staleness and refresh your space! These are just a couple of examples of how to use simple ingredients we all have in our kitchen to clean the house.

5. Involve the family

My mother was right: involving the whole family creates a fun family activity out of spring cleaning by giving everyone different tasks. This way, it’s more efficient and a wonderful opportunity to learn teamwork together.
If you are like me, this can be stressful, especially if you like things to be done a certain way. However, I’ve learned to let go of this impulse and enjoy the quality time I spend with my loved ones.

If this article motivated you to start your spring cleaning, check out 7 Smart Kitchen Wall Storage Hacks to Maximize Your Space for more ideas.