Put Some Spring in Your Spring Cleaning Step

This post was originally published in March 2010

Yay it’s that time of year again – spring! Even though we awoke to a couple of inches of snow on the ground this morning I’m willing to over look it and continue on with all things spring; and that includes spring cleaning.

At just a mention of spring cleaning  there seems to be a collective groan of disappointment. The pure dread of scrubbing and moving and washing and dusting and purging and organizing the list seems pretty endless.

Spring cleaning can be fun if you decide ahead of time that it will be.

Here are some ideas I have on how to make this years annual spring cleaning marathon a lot more enjoyable.

1. Talk with your family and plan. Talk with your spouse, children and anyone else you may recruit into helping you get the job done. Discuss what you would like done, lay out your expectations and be ready for some serious negotiating. Remember not everyone is as pumped about this as you are … err I am.

2. Make a list of responsibilities. Write a list of all the things you need done and take turns choosing what responsibilities you’ll each take on board. You’re more likely to get a bigger buy in when you let people choose where they will help you as opposed to strict delegation.

3. Have everything you need. There is nothing more annoying than just getting started only to find you’ve run out of all purpose cleaner, vinegar or sponges. Double and triple check that you have everything you need and the right quantities (let’s just say three people cleaning and only one sponge, not ideal). Start the week before so you’re ready to hit the ground running.

4. Spread it out. Don’t try to accomplish everything in one day or in one weekend. Spread it out over a couple or a few weekends so nobody is burning out. When people start getting annoyed, tired or sore it’s time to stop.

5. Have a reward. We all like working towards and end goal and a sink you can see your face in isn’t a reward to everybody. Consider taking the family out for dinner or all cooking your favorite meal together at the end of a busy day. Let the kids stay up a bit later, watch a movie, go for a walk or just relax outside.

6. Gratitude. They are your family, they do live there too but don’t miss an opportunity to show how grateful you are for their help. A simple “thank you”, “the yard looks fabulous” or “look at how much more room you have, awesome!” goes a long way.

Other ways to make spring cleaning fun:

• play music – L O U D
• use a kitchen timer and clean in 5 minute bursts with a water break or dance party break in between
• make it a competition to see who can get their chores done first (still need to have a quality clean though
• put on some funky cleaning clothes and bedazzle your rubber gloves and apron

Whatever you can do to make this a fun and energetic time is awesome. Time will fly and before you know it you’ll have your whole place looking like new and be able to eat off the floors.

What ideas do you have for making spring cleaning fun?

*******************************************************************************************
I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know about a new program Leo (from Zen Habits) and I are offering through Zen Family Habits. It’s called the Ultimate Family Bootcamp. It’s designed to help and inspire families of all shapes and sizes to regroup, reconnect, feel happier and move forward in their right direction.

This is a 10 week multi-media bootcamp with 10 modules discussing topics like creating your ideal family, getting on solid financial ground, time management for real people, organizing and decluttering, mastering the art of self-renewal and much more. These modules consist of a combination of weekly videos, articles, workbooks, printables as well as expert interviews.

If you would like more information please check out the course page here. Leo and I look forward to you joining us this April for a bootcamp – family style.

See also:

House Maintenance: Spring

Spring Cleaning Food: Use Up The Old, Make Way For The Fresh

Quick Clean Your Home In Under 20 Minutes

When Life Gives You Lemons…Use Them!

Photo courtesy of: daveaustria . com