Decorating Diva: Top tips for easy spring cleaning

Welcome to Decorating Diva, where every week we share fresh, fun ways to update your home and spice up your living space! ‘Tis the season for serious cleaning. Get ready to buff, scrub and polish with our tips and products that will make the whole process much easier. We swear!

We caught up with Jennifer Jones, blogger (and organizer extraordinaire) at IHeart Organizing, and asked her to share her best tips for getting your space in shape this spring.

Must-have products

First things first, you can’t clean and organize like a pro without the right products — and you (luckily) don’t need a ton to get the job done right. Jones suggests the following to help you get your space spick and span.

• High quality, versatile handheld vacuum for getting under the couch cushions, along baseboards, in the corners of the ceilings and in the backs of the kitchen cabinets
• Cleaning checklist
• Timer
• Sponges and a bucket
• All-purpose cleaner
• Pretty rubber gloves
• Music player and cheering squad

When it comes to getting (and staying) organized, Jones loves having generic, all-purpose bins around, since they can work anywhere (freezer, under the bathroom sink, inside the pantry, etc.). She also suggests picking up some drawer dividers if you don’t have any to prevent excess items from making their way into the drawers over the course of the year. Her label maker is also always on hand and stocked with clear tape. “Labels keep the whole family in check,” she tells us.

Spring cleaning: What not to do

Some people think nothing of donning their rubber gloves and grabbing a mop and bucket, while others cringe at the thought of getting near a feather duster. If you find yourself more in the latter category, there are a few spring cleaning don’ts that may be holding you back from getting the job done efficiently. “First, I think people try to take on too much, in too little time. There is no rule that it all has to be done within the first weekend of spring,” notes Jones. Rather than trying to do too much at once, she suggests keeping a consistent cleaning plan throughout the entire year, so that when spring cleaning time comes, you can focus on a few of the bigger tasks over the course of a few different weekends.

“I make a list of the items I wish to accomplish, which are oftentimes all those things I only get to once or twice a year, and then schedule time for each,” she says. “Of course, it’s always a good idea to get the family involved whenever possible, blast some great tunes and set a reward for when you check that final item off of your list.”

Streamlining the process

Now that you know what not to do and you have your basic products on hand, it’s time to streamline your spring-cleaning process. Start by getting a cleaning caddy. Jones suggests putting all of your cleaning tools (wood cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, sponges and rags, grout brushes and glass cleaner) into a portable caddy that you can easily transport from space to space. Next, set a timer and give yourself a time limit in each room, or for each project. “Remind yourself that spending a few extra minutes on each space in the spring means you will be rewarded throughout the rest of the year,” she says. “When you have accomplished your spring cleaning list, celebrate your successes by going out for ice cream or splurging on that pretty pair of shoes you have been eying up.”

Making the process more fun

Still don’t relish the thought of picking up the broom or cleaning out the closets? Make spring cleaning more fun by finding ways to relate it to what you love or any hobbies you have. “If you love to paint, craft, build or even read, there are ways to incorporate those hobbies into your projects,” says Jones. “Build an organizer, craft some labels, paint the inside of your pantry and listen to books on tape while doing it all,” she advises. “And while you are going through your home, take note of ways that you can maintain certain items and tasks throughout the year so you have less to do each year when springtime rolls around.”

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