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Maybe it’s my Virgo tendencies, but thinking about spring cleaning always makes my heart skip a beat. The clean, organized space, with wide-open windows and sunlight streaming in is second to none. However, the rush and anticipation can be short-lived, especially once you get down to the actual work of cleaning and organizing. Before spring cleaning can begin, spring-cleaning decluttering is required. But the question of what to declutter in the spring can be overwhelming.
What to remove first? Do I need a spring decluttering checklist before getting into my cleaning? Before you know it, you may throw up your hands and abandon the entire project altogether. That’s why I asked the pros for all their tips for decluttering in the spring.
What Clutter to Clear This Spring: Start with 6 High-Impact Areas
Ahead, cleaning and organizing professionals note the items you should clean first. Tackle these spots before you mop to get the most bang for your buck this spring.
drop Zone
First things first, it’s helpful to check the places where you and your loved ones keep stuff every day. Nick Friedman, Co-Founder and CEO college hunk hauling and passing junkThese places are called drop zones. “The quickest win in any home is to clear the drop zones: entryways, kitchen counters, and coffee tables,” he shares. “These spaces collect mail, bags, random gadgets, and everyday clutter. When these surfaces are cleared, the whole house instantly feels more organized. It’s a small project with a huge visual impact.”
To deal with clutter efficiently, keep a recycling bag nearby for throwing away pieces of paper as you go and a garbage bag for items to throw away.
baby stuff
If you have children, you already know how much they can deposit. Vanessa Garcia, a cleaning and organizing expert and a tasker taskrabbitEncourages parents to start putting away kids’ stuff before diving into spring cleaning. “One of the biggest things I find best for clean-up is to go through kids’ stuff — old markers, broken crayons, and old toys that can be donated,” she says. “This is always a good time to start pulling them up and putting them to the side, because most of the time they won’t notice.”
Garcia recommends involving your children in the decluttering process. “This can be a great opportunity for kids to learn how to do something good with what they have,” Garcia adds.
Fridge and Pantry
As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Just as your wardrobe becomes lighter in the spring, so does your diet, especially as more fresh fruits and vegetables arrive this season. But before you deep clean your kitchen, Kathy Orr, co-founder well organized lifeRecommends cleaning out the fridge and pantry.
“It’s time to throw out expired pantry items, thoroughly clean out the refrigerator and freezer shelves, take out food from the freezer you never ate during the winter, and clean off the countertops,” she instructs. Once you’ve made more space on the shelves, you can wipe everything down, but initial cleanup is essential.
closets
Going from winter to spring means your wardrobe needs to change with the seasons. While doing this, you can also clear away the clutter and get the benefits of a fresh space. “The closet is one of the highest-impact decluttering projects,” says Friedman. “Instead of overthinking about it, I encourage people to take one quick step: If you didn’t wear it last season or it no longer fits your lifestyle, it’s time to donate it. Most people are surprised at how much space they free up with just 20 minutes of editing.”
hidden clutter
It can be easy to create chaos behind closed doors. Out of sight out of mind, right? But as you prepare your home for spring cleaning, you’ll want to make room for your items. In fact Want to store. “Clean out hidden clutter areas like the garage, junk drawers and storage closets where clutter accumulates,” Friedman advises. “These spaces may be out of sight, but they often cause the most stress because they make it harder to find what you really need. Once these areas are narrowed down, it becomes much easier to keep the rest of the house organized.”
I personally love dealing with junk drawers – these are tiny spaces that only take a few minutes to organize, tops. You can’t wipe the drawers until they’re clean!
Duplicate
As you go looking for spring cleaning supplies, be careful of any duplicates. “One of the most common things we see when helping clients declutter is an abundance of duplicates,” says Friedman. He noted that customers often have duplicates of cleaning supplies, as well as extra kitchen tools or boxes of labeled items. may be necessary. He encourages you to discard or donate these items. He explains, “Too many often leads to clutter. Simplifying these categories can free up a surprising amount of space.”
As you begin the process of clearing out your clutter, Friedman recommends embracing the excitement that comes with starting something new. “My biggest advice is to focus on speed more than perfection,” she said. “Start with the areas that will make your home feel better immediately. When you clean the high-impact areas first, spring cleaning stops feeling like a big project and starts feeling fresh.”
