Spring Cleaning Tips

1. Trash Pile

This pile is for anything broken beyond repair, expired, stained, or simply unusable.
Be honest with yourself, when was the last time you actually used it? Throwing things away can feel wasteful at first, but clearing out what’s truly unusable opens up physical and mental space for the things that matter.

2. Donation Pile

Perfect for those items that aren't worth keeping around, but are still good enough to be used. Think clothes that don’t fit, kitchen gadgets collecting dust, or books you won’t read again.

These things still have value—they just don’t serve you anymore. Donating is a great way to extend the life of your belongings while giving someone else the chance to enjoy them.

3. Relocate

Items worth keeping, but are better organized elsewhere.
Maybe it’s a pile of tools in the kitchen drawer, important documents on the kitchen table, or a winter coat which would make more sense being tucked away in the back of the closet.

A cluttered space is often just a collection of things that haven’t made it back to their proper home. Set them to the side for now, and focus on the decluttering.

4. Put Back

Do these items belong in the space you're currently cleaning? Set them aside, and once the space has been completely decluttered (and cleaned) you can start reorganizing.

Dust shelves & ceiling fans first

With respect to gravity, it's best to start cleaning at the highest points—the tops of shelves, cabinets, and ceiling fans.
Dust and debris will inevitably fall downward, which you'll take care of later with sweeping and vacuuming.

Don't ignore those hard to reach areas

It’s tempting to ignore those awkward corners, tight spaces, and undersides of furniture—but they’re often where the most dust and grime build up over time. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to attack them.

Pro Tip: Use an old toothbrush or small scrub brush for narrow gaps and grout lines.

Fridge

Your fridge may or may not be housing any items overdue for trash day, but it more than likely would benefit from a deep clean (seriously, where does all that grime in the fridge even come from?).

After cleaning the shelves and drawers, you get the bonus satisfaction of reorganizing your fridge as you put the items back. You'd be surprised by how much extra space you end up with.

Freezer

Who knows what ancient relics are lurking in the back of your freezer... Frozen waffles from 2020? Leftovers from Thanksgivings past? Spring cleaning is the perfect time to face the frosty unknown and give your fridge and freezer the deep clean they’ve been waiting for.

Start by emptying everything. Toss expired and questionable items, as well as anything freezer-burned. As you go, group what you're keeping by category to make reloading easier.

Remove shelves and drawers and wash them in warm, soapy water. Wipe down the inside with a solution of vinegar and water (or a little baking soda) to eliminate odors and grime. No harsh chemicals needed.

Commit to 10 minutes

Cleaning your house can feel like a daunting task. Start by focusing one one area, and setting a timer for ten minutes. You'd be surprised by how much you get done, or by how easily that ten minutes can turn into more.