Spring Cleaning, Organizing and Maintenance

It's still a bit wintery where I live in North Dakota. We just had snow a few days ago, and although the temperatures are now above zero, it's still a little cold to seem like spring to me! Chilly weather or not, spring is here. And with not quite a week of spring behind us, it's time to think about starting up our annual spring cleaning overhaul. Here are a few ideas to jump-start your efforts:

(1) Update your files.
We all have the looming April 15 tax deadline ahead of us. This is a great time to sort through not only your financial paperwork but also other documents in your files. Clear out the old, back file what is necessary in storage, and shred whatever you don't need to keep.

(2) Prep your house for spring rains.
Check your roof for curled, cracked or missing shingles. Inspect windows and door seals to ensure they'll keep out water. Clear out your sump pump, its drains, and its filters. Ensure gutters are cleaned out, and that any downspouts and extenders are firmly attached. Keeping an organized home maintenance schedule will save you costly repairs down the road.

(3) Start spring cleaning!
Make a list of all that you need to do: take drapes to the cleaners, wash comforters and winter coats, etc. Depending on the length of the list, accomplish 1-3 items each week. By the time summer rolls around, you'll be done cleaning and ready to enjoy the sunshine!

(4) Prep for garage sale season.
Purge a room a week throughout spring. As you are clearing out a room, take the things that you want to sell, tag each one with a price and then store in a central area for all sale items. This way, you will avoid rushing around the house a week before the garage sale, trying to figure out what to get rid of. And you'll have already given everything a price, so you can avoid the late-night pricing session the night before the sale.

Posted March 26, 2008, filed in It's That Time, Organizeit Projects, Clutter Hacks