Making Spring Cleaning a Breeze- Part 2- Bedrooms

Spring cleaning the bedrooms isn't so much a hard job as it is a time consuming job. You'll need the same equipment that you used in Part 1 of this series "Making Spring Cleaning a Breeze- Part 1- Bathrooms" -that is something to listen to for entertainment or a hands free phone to talk to a friend. Again, your cleaning may inspire your friend to spring clean, so send her the link to this article so we are all on the same page.

You will still need a timer for a clean and happy home, not a clean home with a backache.

Bedrooms can be intimidating because it seems there is so much that needs to be done. Start with setting your timer for 30 minutes and strip off the bedding, take down the curtains and any throw rugs and start them in the washing machine.

This is a good time to flip your mattress. Before you flip it, spray it down with Lysol, Fabreeze or a spray bottle with water and vinegar. Once it's flipped, do the other side. You can either wash you pillows in the machine or spray them down. It depends on the drool factor on the pillows.

You should have 2 boxes, one for toss and one for donate. Begin with the dresser and start going through your clothes. If you come across that pair of 'skinny jeans' we all have- if they are more than 2 years old, donate them. I'm not saying you'll never fit into them again, but they will probably be out of style and heck, if you lose that much weight you should be celebrating with a brand new pair anyway, you've earned them.

Donated clothes should be clothes that you've lost interest in, don't fit you anymore, are free from stains and rips and something you would wear if you could.

Tossed clothes are stained, ripped and plain rags. If it's something you'd never wear in public or loan to a friend to wear, get rid of it or use them for rags.

All underwear that doesn't fit you, regardless of condition should be tossed. Can you imagine receiving a box of donated clothes with someone's underwear in it? The gross factor is off the charts with that. I'm not saying YOU are gross, just the concept of used underwear is. Sports bras do not fall under this category because they haven't touched your lady (or man) place.

This isn't a hard job, just a time consuming one. If you timer goes off while your in the middle of it- you can take a break or set it for another 30 minutes. It depends on how you are feeling.

By now you should be putting your washing into the dryer.

Now moving on to closets, before you start this task go take your break. Have a cup of coffee and a cookie because closets are the worst part of this job.

Take all hanging clothes and sort through them like you did with the dresser clothes. Toss, donate or re-hang. Some shoes can be donated if they aren't falling apart at the seams or don't stink like rotten feet.

Any boxes you have in there are really going to be your call on what to do with. My uncle had a firm belief that if you haven't worn it, used it or thought about in 6 months, you can live without it. I never agreed with that, I say if you can still shut the closet door, it isn't hurting anyone and can stay in there.

Who knows what might be in those boxes? It could be something really good. My best friend and I had a thought of giving them to our kids as moving out gifts because if we held on to them this many years, there must be something of interest in them, right?

Now that the worst part is over, you can start with dusting and cleaning your furniture, washing windowsills and wall hangings. Once you finished doing that, you can vacuum or mop your floor depending on what kind of flooring you have.

Take another break. You've earned it.

Once your break is over, your laundry should be finished. Remake the bed, re-hang your curtains, and lay down your rugs.

If this is a child's bedroom, do everything here but fill your bathtub with water and a cup of bleach. Soak their toys for at least a � hour. Also wash any stuffed animals that will fit in the machine. Spray down anything too big for the machine with disinfectant. Allow them to dry before giving them back to the child.

Toss out any toys they broke and donate anything they haven't played with in months.

Now, lay down and take a nap. You've done a wonderful job and you have earned it.