It’s that time of year again. The weather is starting to warm up, the sun stays out a little bit longer, and everyone is looking forward to partaking in more outdoor activities. It is also the time that most of us dedicate to getting rid of all the remnants that winter has left behind. Now that the weather is nicer, it’s much easier to notice the accumulated dust, windows that need washing, and all the nooks and crannies that have turned into traps for dirt.
Personally, I don’t find that I dread the actual cleaning; I just dread how long it takes to accomplish all the tasks at hand. I’ve discovered that I suffer from what I refer to as FTF or “Failure To Focus.” I’m great at starting on one object but then I always get distracted by something else that needs to be cleaned and leave the initial task to work on next. This leads to frustration because while I’ve been putting in the work, I am not seeing the fruits of my efforts.
To minimize frustrations, this year I have decided to share some tips that will hopefully help make your spring cleaning an efficient effort!
Make a Plan
As the popular adage says, “If you fail to plan, plan to fail.” Spring cleaning tends to go above and beyond our usual cleaning routines. Basically, it’s the time to remember to clean things that are often overlooked. Luckily, there are plenty of premade plans on the web to choose from if you need help.
Time Management
Make sure to allow yourself adequate time to get the job done. Do you want to get it done fast, or do you want it done right? One technique you may want to try is time blocking. Take a look at the tasks you have to complete, estimate how long they will take and make a schedule to complete them. Time blocking can really help you to set the pace for your designated spring cleaning day/weekend.
Buy Supplies
After you’ve made a plan and budgeted how much time you need, be sure to check what supplies you have and make a list of what you need to buy. Nothing is more frustrating than getting halfway through your task and realizing you don’t have enough of your favorite cleaning product to finish.
De-Clutter First
Save yourself the hassle and frustration of having to clean around the clutter that accumulates throughout the house. I call this cleaning before you clean. Taking a few moments to put away the clutter around the house will let you get down to business when you are ready to start.
Hopefully these tips will be of good use when you begin your spring cleaning. If you have other tips that have helped you in the past, please share!
