Pre-Spring Cleaning and Home Organization: How to Stay on Task

Winter is a great time to take care of the things inside your home. Many of us are not able to do outside work during the winter months and when spring arrives we don't want to spend the time indoors taking care of organizational things. This is a good time to knock those unpleasant jobs out of the way freeing you up for springtime. Spring is just around the corner, so it is time to get busy!

It is often hard to stay on task if you spread your work around your home. Start in one room, and work your way to the opposite end of your home. It will be easier to stay on task if you start with the easiest room in the house. Progress will be more visible and easier to obtain and you will be less likely to become discouraged and stop.

I always start in a bathroom, emptying all the cabinets and drawers. Discard anything that you have not used in three months. Most makeup and medicines have expiration dates. Check these products closely. If they have expired, or are close to expiring, throw them away. I keep a list of the things I threw away that will need to be replaced. A fresh coat of paint and a new shower curtain will bring a tired bathroom back to life and spur your productivity.

Moving on to the linen closet, sort and discard all frayed or worn linens and miscellaneous items in your closet. In this area, I discard things that I have not used in the last year. A nicely organized closet makes finding things easier. Use baskets for the smaller items.

The living room is probably the easiest room to clean. In your living room, apply a fresh coat of paint and rearrange the furnishings. This will give your room a new feel. You can also "trade" your accessories with those in another room. Swap lamps and vases, pictures and other ornamentations. Many of your things will have a different feel in a different location and bringing them into the living room where everyone can enjoy them will be a bonus.

The kitchen is a little more difficult and will take a little more time. The kitchen is the room that many families spend the most time in, therefore it is certainly one you will want to include. Every kitchen has a junk drawer. Begin here, emptying and discarding everything you have not used in six months. Move on to your cabinets and pantry, cleaning and discarding things that you do not loose. Here again, you will want to check for outdated products, replacing all that is necessary. Plates, cups and dishes can be reorganized. Now is the time to move them to a more accessible spot if necessary. A new coat of paint and fresh new curtains will give you a new kitchen, ready for springtime entertaining.

The bedroom I save for last simply because it takes the most time. Organizing and purging your closest and drawers can be very time consuming, but also very rewarding. When sorting through clothing I sort according to colors, matching outfits and eliminating multiples. Who really needs six pairs of black pants? A new spread and curtains, along with a new coat of paint and you have completed your work!

When purging clothing and kitchen articles, consider taking your discarded items to a local resource center for recycling. Most of the items you donate will be tax-deductible donations and can be put to use by another family!