I have to start my spring cleaning early around here. Between caring for young children at home and working at home around their schedules, it can take a while to get everything done.
In addition, my plans for spending an entire weekend getting it out of the way usually butts up against all of the spring home improvement projects that my husband has on his list. And the coming of the nicer weather makes us all want to be outside to enjoy it.
So, I’ve been sneaking up on spring cleaning this week by getting as much of my preparation done, and doing as many small things as I possibly can.
For example, I have been slowly attacking my eldest son’s room, rooting out stray legos that have fallen behind the dresser; finding several rocks that made it all of the way inside the house, up the stairs and into his room; weeding out the too-young books now that his reading level shot up from second-grade to fifth-grade, and generally assessing the state of things that will need to be dusted, vacuumed, washed and scrubbed.
While playing with the younger kids, I make a point of taking down the high baskets of toys, pulling everything out of them and going through the stuff. While they pick out toys to play with on the floor, I am watching to see which ones are favorites and which ones are ignored. As I roll several balls back and forth across the hardwood with them, I tuck away a small pile of the rejects to be added to the donation box.
While waiting for the washer to fill, I take an inventory of my cleaning supplies and products in case there is anything that is lacking. I make sure that there are enough rags and gloves as well.
Getting ready to go out to the driveway to wait for the school bus, I take a look at the hall closet and pull down any kids sandals or shoes that I know that they have outgrown, again to be added to the donation box if they are in good shape.
Do you do any preparation for spring cleaning? Do you do any spring cleaning at all? Please leave a comment and let me know.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.
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