Spring cleaning: It might just be everyone’s biggest nightmare. Decluttering desks and rooms, going through closets and dressers, wiping down tables and more. The list just goes on — dreadfully long — unless you decide to make it fun.
When done right, spring cleaning can be a blast: You might discover old clothes you used to love; you could pick up that very important note you swore you wouldn’t lose; or you might even give your hangers a break from the pounds of clothes that drag them down.
Although spring cleaning may be less common within some households, my family does it every year before Persian New Year rolls around on March 20, with the mindset of starting the new year fresh.
We go through all our clothes and donate any that we no longer wear or that shrank in the dryer. As a young child, I found it hard to stick with one cleaning task. I often found myself left with piles of clothes or stacks of papers on the floor or across my bed. But after 10 years of taking part in my family’s tradition I’ve finally perfected the art of cleaning efficiently and have collected a list of my top tips.
Tip No. 1: Make it fun
One of the hardest parts about cleaning is gaining the motivation to start. A fun playlist or a TV show in the background can help encourage you to clean and make it a fun activity you look forward to — even if it’s only to watch the next episode of the current series you’re binge watching.
I recommend watching more audio-based shows, such as game shows to not get sidetracked. A more visual-heavy drama can lead to bed-binging, and you might completely forget your task at hand. “Family Feud” is a great show to watch while cleaning, because the humour is top tier and you only need to listen.
Tip No. 2: Declutter the least messy place first
Looking at a list of checked off places gives you a sense of accomplishment no matter how small the area is. Targeting the smaller or less cluttered areas can help you start and create a rhythm.
Checking off items on a list gives me the utmost satisfaction, but it can also be a way to procrastinate. Don’t spend forever trying to make the list — just scribble a few places that you need to focus on and add more as you check things off.
Tip No. 3: Look for stuff you have lost
Cleaning for a purpose other than simply cleaning is very important. No one wants to do something without any reward, so make a mental note of anything you lost in the clutter and get hunting!
More than half the papers I kept thinking I would one day look back on ended up in a pile to go to the recycling. While finding them was great, I realized I wouldn’t go out of my way to find them again. Don’t be a hoarder — if you lost it the first time, it just might not be important enough to keep.
Tip No. 4: Find a cleaning buddy
No more isolating yourself with a mess and struggling alone. Clean with a sibling or parent, or even pick a virtual buddy like a friend or cousin. Multitasking your disinfecting and decluttering with a gossip session or long awaited conversation is a skill everyone should master.
My cleaning buddy is usually my cousin. Since we don’t live close, we don’t see each other often. With school, sports and other afterschool activities, it’s hard to make time to talk with her. Cleaning is a perfect time to catch up and tell each other all the crazy things that have happened since the last time we saw each other.
Tip No. 5: Envision the end result
Everytime you feel yourself slowing down, think of how nice your space will look or how your parents will compliment it — don’t forget: your room will have a new look, and organization will become so much easier — at least for the first month.
Set specific goals: How many bags of clothing and other things do you want to donate by the end of your cleaning? Will your closet finally have room for your new jacket? If you rub your finger on your bedrest, will there be dust? These are all questions you should ask yourself to help plan for how you know you’re done cleaning.
These five tips should set anyone up for success, but they can’t work unless you take the initiative. Set a date in the near future and follow through. Finally find that book and donate your old clothes. Then, once you clean that last speck of dust, maybe your allergies will finally die down — just in time for spring pollen!
