Living Simply: Spring Cleaning

     Now that spring is almost here (although I know that's hard to believe in many places right now), it's time to start thinking about how to start spring with a clean house that feels refreshed. It's time to chase out the closed in feeling of months in hibernation. Even where it's warm and sunny all winter, this is a time to prepare a few things before the summer heat sets in around May.

1.  Time to do a quick de-cluttering again. Over the winter things accumulate. Set a timer and go through each room, even if it's just one a day, and declutter for say 10 or 15 minutes. What things are you looking to get rid of? Regift or donate gifts you've gotten in the past few months you know you'll never use or need. Donate stacks of magazines and books that could benefit someone else (maybe a doctor's office, hairdressers, nursing home, library). Do a quick sweep of your pantry for items that are still good but you know you won't use them - donate them to a food bank or shelter. Throw out old take out menu coupons. Look in your closet and remove anything you haven't worn in the last 3-6 months and probably won't in the near future.

2.  Clean. Dust whatever shelves, furniture, art, and other things that need it. Dust your blinds, ceiling fans, and curtains (or wash them if you can). Wash all your bedding. Vacuum neglected areas. Maybe even call in a service to shampoo and steam clean rugs and upholstery.

3.  Service your heating/air conditioning units, and have the duct work cleaned. It's cheaper than problems later.

4.  Clean your vehicles. Remove the trash, vacuum it out, wipe down the glass, dust the rest, remove spots from the seats if you can, and give it a good wash. If you live in an area with salted roads, you really need to keep it off your car to prevent premature rusting.

5.  Office areas need attention too. File away what you need to keep. Scan what you can to avoid tons of papers. Dust and vacuum. Clear the desktop for a more productive work environment. Remove clutter that's been put down and forgotten.

6.  Bathrooms get filled so quickly with bath, body, and beauty products. Take time to throw out anything that's old (especially makeup), donate lotions, hair products, and other things you thought you wanted but now realize you never use it. Use up those half-filled containers so you only keep what you're currently using. It seems like everywhere I go, people's bathrooms are filled with dozens of half-filled products because they start one, bring home a new one, and never get back to using up or throwing out the old one.

7.  Outdoors. Clean up trash. If you live where it doesn't snow, rake or sweep up around your home, patios and balconies for apartments too. Wash the windows when you get a nice day (or pay someone to do it). Get rid of old holiday decorations left sitting outside. It's March. You shouldn't still have Christmas lights on your house.

8.  Finally, take one day and really wash and disinfect your home - floors, counters, sinks, bathrooms, all doorknobs and light switches wiped down, change batteries in smoke alarms, wipe down cabinets, clean mirrors, wipe down table tops in the kitchen, dining room, and living room, change out any burnt light bulbs, etc.

This may take you a week, maybe even two, working a little bit each day - but once you're done - you'll feel like your space is refreshed, healthier, and more relaxing. It's worth it.