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Spring is definitely in the air and I couldn’t be happier! With the sun shining and warmer days ahead, it's time to tackle the infamous task of spring cleaning. As an entrepreneur and busy mom, I know just how daunting that can sound. But with a little planning and a whole lot of patience, we've got this.
First things first, we’ll need a game plan. I find that breaking down the tasks into manageable chunks makes the whole process a lot less overwhelming. Here's our spring cleaning to-do list, tailored specifically for moms with little ones running around:
In my home, I like to start cleaning from the top down, starting with the bedrooms and ending in the basement. I find that most unwanted items end up in the basement, so by starting from the top and working my way down, I can make sure nothing ends up stashed downstairs.
Closet Cleanout
It's amazing how quickly kids outgrow their clothes! Take this opportunity to go through their closets and drawers, donating items that are too small or worn out.
Bonus tip: Get your kids to try on clothes while playing dress-up—it's a win-win!
I like to do the same in my closet too!
Bathroom Blitz
Give them a good scrub from top to bottom, including the dreaded grout lines. Remember to clean those bathroom fans and lights too.
Once the upper level is complete, I like to move to the main level, starting with the kitchen.
Kitchen Deep Clean and Purge
Now onto the heart of the home—the kitchen. Empty out those overstuffed cabinets and purge expired pantry items. Don’t forget to wipe down your shelves and organize those Tupperware lids.
Next, tackle the fridge. Take everything out, throw out anything that is expired, wipe it down and fill ‘er back up!
Living Room
If you’re like me and have lots of decor in your living room, take everything down and wipe each piece individually. I also like to look through my cabinets and purge any books, DVDs (yes I still have some of those), and games that we no longer use/ need.
Foyer and/ or Mudroom
As a busy family of 5, this is arguably the most used part of our home, more so than the kitchen! I like to take out everyone’s coats, shoes, hats, gloves etc. and separate them into 3 categories - donate, store, put back. This usually leaves us with putting winter clothing and shoes in storage bins, and taking out our lighter Spring coats and rainboots.
Toy Overhaul
Ah, the never-ending battle with toys. Round up all those wayward Legos, abandoned dolls, and random toys that have accumulated from birthday parties. Donate or store toys that are no longer played with, and organize the keepers into bins or baskets for easy access.
Basement
If you follow the same method as I do, the basement feels daunting because it contains all of the clutter you brought from upstairs. I like to get the donations out of my home first before I begin organizing everything into bins.
Now that the house feels ‘lighter’, I do a quick clean…
Dust and Shine
Grab those dusters and tackle those forgotten corners and ceiling fans. Keep any high up surfaces in mind and wipe down all of your plant leaves.
Products I Love
Here's a peek into my cleaning arsenal at home, where I strive to keep things as natural and effective as possible. While I'm still on the journey of discovering what works best, here's a rundown of the products I'm currently loving and experimenting with:
Dishes: Attitude Dishwashing Liquid. I am a big fan of the Attitude product line because they are so effective, yet made with natural products.
All-Purpose Cleaner: Attitude All Purpose Cleaner, and a game-changer for tough spots, the Universal Cleaning Stone (seriously, this lasts forever and works like magic).
Laundry: Puracy Stain Remover (LOVE this stuff), and I rotate between Puracy Detergent, Nellies Detergent, and TruEarth Detergent Strips - I don’t have a preference between the 3.
Floors: Currently using Bona Floor Cleaner, but I'm on the lookout for a cleaner alternative that's just as effective. Suggestions are more than welcome in the comments!
Produce: I keep it simple with white vinegar and baking soda for cleaning my fruits and veggies.
Glass/Mirrors: Attitude Glass Cleaner leaves my surfaces sparkling clean and streak-free.
Cleaning Tools: I rely on a few trusty tools to get the job done efficiently - Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber, Bona Hardwood Spray Mop, Dyson v15 for those hard-to-reach spots, and the Vileda EasyWring Spin Mop for a squeaky-clean finish.
I think we're ready to conquer Spring cleaning and enter this season with a fresh and decluttered home. So let's roll up our sleeves, put on our favourite playlist, and dive headfirst into the wonderful world of spring cleaning.
Here's to a fresh start and a sparkling home. Happy cleaning!
Xo
Caroline
