Spring clean like a pro with these expert tips
“For people who want to get their s–t together but don’t know where to start.”
By organisation expert, Steph Pase
Nothing shakes off the winter blues and clears the mind quite like a spring clean. It’s the perfect opportunity to literally wipe away the germs and shake off the general heaviness of winter, and reset the home for the incoming warmer weather and festive season (and we all know how much I LOVE being prepared for the festive season!). It’s an investment in our future selves.
There’s just one problem: right now, we’re busy, tired, overloaded, maybe a bit anxious, definitely hungry and, most of the time, we simply can’t be stuffed.
So how can we find the time or motivation to tend to this important household task?
Enter: Organisation for the Overwhelmed, a concept I created for people who want to get their s–t together but don’t know where to start.
Organisation is really about simplifying your life and breaking things down into manageable steps. This can be applied to any area of your life, and the spring clean is no exception.
From one overwhelmed, lazy girl to another, trust me when I say how much better you feel and how much easier the household runs with a little spring clean organisation.
How to approach a spring clean
A little goes a long way: You might like to dedicate an entire weekend to a spring clean, and if that’s how you roll, go for it — these tips will still work for you.
For me, I find the huge, all-at-once, whole-house nature of that overwhelming. Instead, I live by this mantra that honestly changed my life: do little bits more often.
Tip: Living by this mantra all year round can actually eliminate the need for a full spring clean altogether, because you’re already on top of it. Head here to check out my daily and weekly cleaning routines.
Have a plan: If you’re a hot mess like me and will absolutely forget things, create a spring clean master sheet. Divide it into sections of the house (bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, living areas, dining, office, outdoors, etc.) and in each section, list all the tasks you need to complete. Include columns for status, assigned person, equipment needed, date for completion and, of course, the all-important ‘done’ checkbox (is there anything more satisfying?).
Tip: Colour coding is so helpful for the overwhelmed brain. On the spreadsheet, assign a colour to either a room or household member so you can compartmentalise, at a glance, what needs to be done.
Gather supplies: Make sure you have everything you need before you start to make the tasks as smooth and pain-free as possible. Take inventory and create a shopping list, because nothing derails momentum quite like running out of something.
Tip: A universal cleaner cuts down on the number of products you need and is better for the environment.
Enlist help: If you live with other people, make sure everyone pitches in. Even the kids can help with age-appropriate jobs, such as organising their toys, dusting low surfaces, stripping sheets off beds, sweeping, etc.
Tip: If your budget allows, consider hiring a professional cleaner, even for just a couple of hours, or bribe some friends or family members to help, with the promise of a meal and your fabulous company!
Declutter first: Cleaning is easier and faster without mountains of stuff in the way. In each room, make piles or have a bag or basket handy for things that can be thrown out, things that belong elsewhere in the house, and things that can be donated to friends or charity.
Work from the top down: Doing things in the wrong order can actually create more work (ever dusted furniture after you’ve vacuumed? Yep, been there). In each room, start with ceilings, lights, fans, vents, high cabinetry; then move to furniture, upholstery, walls and windows; and finish with skirting boards, rugs, carpets and floorboards.
Tip: Don’t forget to deep-clean your high-use appliances, like the oven, washing machine, dishwasher, fridge and air-conditioner.
Make it fun: Make a playlist, have some snacks on hand, take regular breaks, and have a reward to look forward to when the job’s done.
Remember, a little effort now saves a lot of pain later on. A clean, organised home is really just an exercise in making your own life work FOR you, not against you.
So, now that the place is sparkling and fresh, if everyone could just stop living here, that would be great!
For more of Steph’s Organisation for the Overwhelmed series, follow Steph on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
