As Told By Kimber

1) Be Prepared

You know that song from the Lion King (best Disney song ever)? I sometimes interpret it to mean we need to be prepared when taking care of some house cleaning business. Let's face it, whenever we clean, there is going to be a good amount of decluttering involved, which is why there is a need for more supplies than your simple all-purpose cleaning spray and paper towels. It's no small feat, so here's what you'll need:

       -Bags on bags on bags: For trash, donations, and miscellaneous

       -Organizational totes, boxes, or clear containers: big and boxy, flat and                  storable, clear, colored - whatever fits your style, storing access and makes              your organizational guru happy (we all have one, whether they speak too                much or hardly ever). 

       -Spray + Paper Towels: If you have a carrier to better carry these things                    around, awesome. If you're like me and try to carry everything in your arms            from one room to another for the sake of making it in one trip, awesome. Be          sure to pick our the cleaner that doesn't contain toxic ingredients and won't          cause red, watery eyes and head aches (when in doubt, go as unscented or as          lightly scented as possible).

        My go to is Mrs. Meyers Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner (lemon and                      lavender scents are heavenly!). If you want next level, I've heard from a few            friends and family members that DoTerra's On Guard Cleaner Concentrate 

       mixed with water does wonders. It costs more upfront, but lasts a lot longer.

       -Note Pad + Pen: When you're cleaning out a lot of things, you realize                      what you need. Keep a list with you to keep track of what you'll need to                  grab during your next store run

       -Water + Snacks: Don't be stupid, stay hydrated and keep some good snacks           nearby. Having this on hand will lessen your temptation to take a five hour           long water break.

       -To Schedule Out Breaks: This one is so important. It doesn't seem like                     something you need to "block out" time for, but it is. Either you get into                 a rhythm and you don't want to stop or you're barely making progress with           your tossing of things from one drawer to another, planning 15 minute                   breaks to sit, lie down or go on a walk does a lot of good. If you're the busy             body, it forces you to acknowledge where you are and embrace the fact that           your body can't continue boss mode without some decent rest. And if                     you're on the lazier less motivated side, it gives you that push with a goal in           mind that you like more then the cleaning itself.

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2) Put On Some Background Noise

You know, the kind of music that doesn't make you want to sleep. You sing along to it and maybe even do a little shimmy (or break out in a full dance and song like you're playing live). Good music helps make the time more enjoyable and can even make the cleaning go at a faster pace.

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3) Take it One room at a time

It is so easy to start making progress in the living room, but then when you are bringing in some of what actually should be in the bed room, you start to do some cleaning in there at the same time thinking this way of multi-tasking will save you time. WRONG. Do yourself a favor and stick to that one room you're in. If you have items that should go somewhere else, put them in a box or just start a pile for that room and wait until the room you're making definite progress in is complete before diving on in to the next challenge. No need to put that extra stress on yourself.

 

4) Divide & Conquer

This kind of takes my schedule breaks advice onto a new level. Spring cleaning does not get done in a day. I don't care who you follow on social media or what amount of space a small box can hold says about their perfect kitchen. It takes time to get good results. I am personally really bad at remembering this, and that is why I need to write it down and stick it on my fridge and bedroom mirror. You're not a failure if you take up to a few weeks to get your home to feel like home to you. It confirms the fact that you're imperfectly human and that's better than any fabulous looking square you can get. 

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5) Be Mindful

When deciphering whether or not to get rid of or keep something (be it clothes, a gift, wrapping paper) consider these things: how often you've used it or had it out in the last 30 days, the expiration date (p.s. toiletries expire), and is there someone you know who would like this more than you. We tend to go to the extremes and either limit what we get rid of out of fear we'll wish we hadn't or go too far and get rid of half of our house. Be practical, but also be mindful (and if you need to, there is no shame in texting a friend, outside advice is hardly ever a bad idea).

 

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There you have it! Spring cleaning is not limited to dusting the hidden areas and deep cleaning the carpet, it's an opportunity to gut out a lot of areas of your home and get rid of what you just don't need.

Key take aways: think minimalistic and space savers

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Learn something new? Be sure to share what helped you or what system you've come up with to help you take care of Spring business a little differently! 

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p.s. don't forget to celebrate your  awesome achievement with a refreshing iced tea or latte and get a fresh bundle of flowers at Trader Joe's or farmer's market for your Spring ready home.

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