Typically, we all have lazy ways when it comes to cleaning up our space, especially after a long day at work. For instance, have you ever cleaned up clothes off the floor by stacking them in a pile somewhere in your room? If you answered “yes”, then you are not alone. However, it is a habit that should be kicked immediately. Here is a plan that will empower you to keep organized by tackling your clutter, exfoliating your messy demons, and giving you a jump start on spring cleaning!
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Day 1 - Clean your nightstand: We are going to start small by beginning you with your nightstand. You should only keep what you are going to need by your bed in your nightstand. If you have an open style nightstand instead of one with a drawer or cabinet, situate a decorative box to keep belongings hidden. -
Day 2 - Clean under your bed: Sleeping over dust is not going to help you. Find out what is hiding under your bed and rid it! Clean out whatever is under your bed and wipe it down with a dust rag and cleaning spray. Be sure that whatever you store under your bed is inside under-bed storage boxes or zippered bags to make it easy to clean at least monthly.
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Day 3 - Evaluate your sheets and pillow: Take a look at your sheets and pillows. If they display a hint of yellow, it is time to buy new ones. Pillows should be changed every 3 to 5 years and cleaned at least twice a year. Any sheets, pillows, blankets, and comforters you are planning to get rid of, you can donate to your local vet or animal hospital.
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Day 4 - Eliminate bedroom clutter: We all have that one thing we have been meaning to tackle or get rid of for months now. It is time to stop making your bedroom a dumping ground for things you do not want to put away or deal with. Now is the time to dispose of all unwanted good in your home!
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Day 5 - Closet stock: Start by putting off any empty hangers and clothes you know you do not love anymore. Now that you made a little room, think about how you dress and group your closet in that order. If you are unsure, the best way to start is by grouping categories: tanks, dresses, pants, sweaters, etc. Another way is to go by color. Sort them in the way that will work best for you. After you are done, go through the clothes one last time and take away any items you are on the fence about.
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Day 6 & 7 - Channel your home: You have made it one week through decluttering your adult home. Take these two days to look around your home and make sure everything there expresses you best. Make sure everything is what you want and how you want it.
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Day 8 - Organize your medicine cabinet: Products do not last forever. Your first step here is to throw away anything way past its expiration date. Toss anything that looks or smells funny, as well as anything you tried but did not like. Group the remaining products by type: face, body, hair, nails, day, night, etc. Keep the things you use most often in your medicine cabinet, and add large products like mouthwash and lotions in your lower vanity.
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Day 9 - Shower zen: Throw away any old bottles you have not used and are never going too. After these two days of getting rid of products you no longer need, your bathroom will feel less pressing and overwhelming.
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Day 10 - Bring life to your linens: When towels get dingy, keep one or two for cleaning and dump the rest. If this happens, go out and buy new towels.
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Day 11 - Floor plan: If you are feeling cluttered, try moving things a couple of inches; it can make a big difference! The key is flow. Do not place things just to place them. For an example, a desk needs to be by an outlet, but if that position is awkward, place the desk where you prefer and run an extension cord. Just be sure to hide the extension cord!
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Day 12 - Reduce by recycling: Recycle old magazines you will never read. Another thing to do is to go through your books. Pull out anything that can be tossed. Local bookstores and libraries will take these books off your hands.
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Day 13 - Clear you console: Same goes for your CDs, DVDs, and video games. When was the last time you used these? Will you watch/listen/ or play this disc again? Depending on your answer, toss them out! CDs can be digitized and downloaded onto your computer. After that, you can get rid of the ones you do not physically need to hold onto. This can eliminate so much clutter. If you do not want to part ways officially with these items, consider storing them in boxes and keep under your bed or in a closet.
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Day 14 - Tackle you counter space: keep things manageable in your kitchen, starting with the countertop. If the microwave is rarely used, place it on top of your fridge; do not clutter your countertops with appliances you only use every now and then. Utilize your draw and cabinet space. Which is why you will need to… -
Day 15 - Clean out your drawers and cabinets: Stop wasting space with a junk drawer; have a drawer dedicated to junk means you will always keep junk. Once this draw is empty, you will now have this additional drawer to store things.
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Day 16 - Clean fridge: Just like your medicine cabinets, throw away any food you do not use or that is expired. Once you accomplish this, clean each shelf in your refrigerator. End this task by adding a box of baking soda on a shelf in the fridge to keep thing fresh and odors at a minimum.
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Day 17 - Clear out under you sink: Once again, get rid of any cleaners you did not like or do not use. Store the one or two cleaning towels under here.
Now that your home is clean of clutter, you can create a cleaning schedule to help you keep up with the tidiness! You can even refer back to our cleaning schedule to help you out, click here or the link below!