The last weekend in March was a magical glimpse of the warm weather and sunshine that will soon be here to stay. If you suddenly looked around your house and noticed that things looked a little cluttered and dusty… you are not alone! That warm weather encouraged us to open our windows, think about our plantings, and maybe even consider some spring cleaning.

People tend to spend more time indoors during the winter, so it makes sense that your space would feel more lived-in than when the weather is nicer. Cleaning is the last thing anyone wants to do when it’s cold and dark.

The thought of tackling a deep clean can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Take advantage of the sunny days and the tips below to whip your house into shape for spring and summer. Trust me…you will thank yourself.

1. Outsource

Hear me out! Your time is actually precious, and part of the joy of being alive is that you get to choose how you spend it. If you are able, I highly recommend hiring someone to do at least a one-time deep clean of your space. You will spend your time pre-cleaning by clearing things from counters, putting clothes away, and doing all those little tasks that only you can do to prepare your space for the professionals. After that, step aside and let them work their magic. Homeaglow offers completive rates and easy digital scheduling.

This is also a great jumping-off point for keeping your house clean after they leave. I was hesitant at first, but after talking to a few friends, I found out that almost all of them have used a cleaning service in the past or still do!

2. Come up with a plan

If you want to dig in and do things yourself, make a plan to avoid getting overwhelmed and then stick to it. Don’t let yourself get distracted playing with newly re-found items that may have been lost under the couch for several weeks. I like to put these items in a pile to look at later.

Think about how much time you want to spend, then set a timer to keep yourself on track. You can go room by room or task by task. There’s no wrong answer, just get started! Check out this guide to getting started by Simply Everyday Home

3. Declutter

Now isn’t really the time to go through closets and drawers purging. You have a deep cleaning plan to stick to! At this step, you are clearing countertops, dresser tops, and any other visible surfaces. Your goal is to put things away in their designated spaces so that you can clean the surfaces they were on.

Not everything has to go, but the things that stay should be there purposefully. We are loving this article by Good Housekeeping on tips and tricks to a perfectly organized home.

4. The big show

You’ve planned, you’ve picked up all your clothes off the floor, and now you’re ready to put some headphones in and get started. No one loves this step, but there is something satisfying about walking around with a duster or scrubbing your tub.

This is the last step between you and your beautifully cleaned home. You can do it!

5. Make a vow to keep it clean

Once you have a good base, it’s so much easier to keep your space clean. Keep reminding yourself to put it away, don’t just put it down. Spend 5-10 minutes a day doing a quick dust, vacuum, or declutter. Those few minutes add up!

I imagine getting married and having babies are top-tier best days of people’s lives, but having a decluttered and sparkling home feels pretty amazing too. Now go on & light a candle to set the scene. You deserve it ✨