Seven tips for seizing the spring cleaning season

Traditional reasons for spring cleaning are not relevant to contemporary Australian life. We do not need to wait for the snow to melt before beating a winter’s worth of dust from our rugs. Few of us are obliged to undertake a thorough clean in preparation for a religious festival.

The reason that spring cleaning remains relevant is simple: it feels good. No, not the actual cleaning. Unless you are one of the few people who actually enjoy hard and mucky work, it’s all about the afterglow. It’s about being able to see the spring sunshine through clean windows and lying in bed without counting the cobwebs.

The most common definition of a spring clean is a thorough clean of the entire house. For most of us, that’s a tad ambitious. Yes, it would be lovely to have every nook, cranny, cupboard, line of grout and skirting board clean. But if you don’t have time or energy for that, a partial spring clean is a great compromise. Here are seven tips for getting the most clean for your effort.

1. Manage your expectations

Don’t start with a list of what you’d like to achieve – this will only lead to disappointment. Instead, work out how much time you have to allocate to your spring clean. Schedule one or two sessions, each for between three and six hours. Any more than that and spring will turn into summer and you’ll feel trapped in a never-ending list of jobs. Approach your spring clean with the mindset that every task you do is a bonus.

2. Preparation is key

Get yourself ready by dressing in old clothes and not washing your hair. This will ensure that you’re less tempted to pop out for a coffee during your allotted cleaning time and will put you in the mood for some serious grot. Get your cleaning gear prepared. This is not an excuse to procrastinate or to spend up big in the cleaning section but acknowledges that there is little point in getting yourself kitted out and up the ladder only to discover that you’ve run out of sugar soap / metho / sponges / vacuum cleaner bags.

3. Big rocks first

Tackle the job that has been most annoying you first. You’ll be surprised, once you get going, how little effort it takes to clear those cobwebs that have been plaguing you for a year. Then move onto the job that’s been annoying you second most. Continue until your allocated time is nearly up – making sure you allow some time to put the house back in order.

4. Friends with benefits

Spring cleaning is a job best shared. Get everyone involved, remembering that even kids can be allocated manageable jobs. Not only is there the concrete benefit of getting twice as much work done, but the camaraderie is invaluable. A bonus is that you can divvy up the jobs so each person can avoid the task they hate most. If you live alone, find a friend who does too and agree to help each other out.

5. Prioritise the extraordinary

Don’t try to combine an ordinary clean with a spring clean and certainly don’t do regular cleaning in the days before a spring clean. Not only will it distract you from the main job, but you will find yourself cursing the wasted effort of having vacuumed just before de-cobwebbing the ceiling. Once some extraordinary jobs have been done, you’ll find yourself inspired to do the ordinary ones in the coming days.

6. Outsource when needed

If you’ve got a bad back, a litter of young kids or literally no time, consider outsourcing your spring clean. Though it can get pricey, hiring in experts to get specific jobs done can be well worth the money. Window cleaning, gutter clearing and thorough oven cleans are some good jobs to consider outsourcing.

7. Reap the rewards

A spring clean can give you a deep sense of accomplishment and re-enliven your joy in living in your home. Enjoy the fruits of your labour. Maybe don’t throw a party (as that will involve more cleaning). Instead, simply enjoy your environment as you go about your everyday activities. And rest well in the knowledge that you are reaping the rewards of continuing the age-old tradition of spring cleaning.