Spring Has Sprung! | Tips to Lessen Your Spring Cleaning Burden

While temperatures around Western New York can vary greatly at this time of year, , spring is officially here.  Spring provides the opportunity to open the windows, bring in the fresh air and clean out the dust and accumulated clutter from a long winter.  Spring is a time of renewal, a new beginning.  Though cleaning, dusting and polishing can be tiresome, many people see Spring as an opportunity to   reorganize and make  a fresh start as we head toward summer.

 

With a couple good habits mixed and a handful of helpful tips, spring cleaning  can be a manageable and even fun task! 

 

Spring-cleaning is not a solitary task; get the kids, significant others or roommates to chip in and help.  Not only will it cut down the time each task takes, but it can provide opportunities for younger family members to learn valuable lessons - if those who share  an environment make the mess, they should help clean it.  Additionally, tackling the process as a group can be a fun family day for a rainy Saturday afternoon. 

 

As you (and your team) work your way through each room, make sure you're making a conscious effort to determine what's really needed.  Spring also provides an opportunity to reinforce the concepts of recycling and donation.  Recycle old magazines and paper from the previous year. Donate items you no longer need or use, like clothes the kids have outgrown, toys, small appliances and other household items.   You may be able to help people in need while also deducting donations from your taxes - a win-win.

 

Thinking about cleaning your entire place of residence can be an overwhelming thought.  It was Henry Ford who said "Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs." To make the task easier for family members, try  writing down all your rooms on a piece of paper, then have the kids check  off each room as you advance through them.  If you  work on  two or perhaps three rooms each week, you'll get it done while still having time for  fun, leisurely endeavors.  .

 

Try to stay focused by not allowing yourself or others to become distracted by reminiscing over old photos or other trinkets as you come across them; it can elongate the process.  Using a timer will help everyone stay on task to avoid falling into those scenarios.  You can also use the timer to signal designated snack or rest breaks to keep workers fresh.

 

Making a list of what needs to be cleaned in each room will help you stay organized.  Before you even begin, walk through each room and document what needs to be accomplished.  It will help ensure you have all the cleaning supplies you'll need and save time down the road.  Once the actual cleaning process is set into motion, clean from the top and work your way down, clear away any dusty cobwebs from the ceiling spaces, thoroughly clean ceiling fan blades, take down and wash  curtains and windows and work your way down to vacuuming the furniture and floors. When in doubt about how to clean something, check with the experts, there are plenty of sites devoted to help you clean every room in the house.

 

Spring cleaning can seem like a huge commitment, but with a solid plan, you can scale it down into smaller, less intimidating tasks.  Let grimy surfaces such as the bathroom floor and/or in the kitchen soak in cleaning solution while you tackle something else - working smarter, not harder will help ensure you remain fresh and avoid burnout.

 

Having the whole family help get your home organized can help students of Catholic schools prepare for a strong finish to the school year. Stay tuned to the WNY Catholic Schools blog for more family friendly tips, and fun activities for the summer!