Spring Cleaning 2013

It's that time of year.  Time to refresh.  Time to eliminate some of our excess.  Time to take care of the home we've been blessed with.  Time to redeem the embarrassment of having my nephew negatively comment twice on the state of our kitchen.  So I'm jumping into spring cleaning and hoping to just do a couple things each day to get the house in shape without letting this process consume my life, derail our homeschooling or prevent me from cooking for my ever-hungry brood.

With a large family I am realizing the constant care our stuff is requiring of me, and I do not like it.  In some ways I feel like our stuff is owning me, owning my time and attention, rather than us owning our stuff.  In the summer I read the books 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess and Cleaning House and while I don't agree with everything therein, I was greatly challenged in my thinking and inspired to action.   Then came the start of school, a huge road trip, Thanksgiving, a week of the flu, preparations for Christmas, a bathroom makeover, etc. and I haven't really acted on that inspiration.  Until now.

Here's the list I made up which suits the current needs in our home and life.  I've posted it to the fridge to remind and encourage me to keep going until the job is finished.

Spring Cleaning 2013

1 or 2 tasks a day until the job is done

Master Suite

__ wash all bedding (pillows, quilt, blankets, sheets, mattress pad)

__ move bed and clean under it

__ wash windows & blinds

__ wash walls, doors & baseboards

__ wash curtains

__ detail vacuum

__ scrub shower tile & sinks

__ sort & purge clothing, bring out summer items

__ go through hope chest, store winter linens

__ move baby clothes to girls' closet

Boys' Room

__ wash all bedding

__ scrub bed frames & dresser

__ sort clothes, note any needs

__ wash walls, window, doors & baseboards

__ wash curtains

__ detail vacuum

Girls' Room

__ wash all bedding

__ scrub bed frames & dresser

__ sort clothes, note any needs

__ wash walls, window, doors, mirror & baseboards

__ wash curtains

__ detail vacuum

__ declutter dresser & toys/books

Upstairs Hallway

__ detail dusting

__ detail vacuum

__ go through cupboards

__ wash walls & baseboards

Kids' Bathroom

__ bleach & embellish shower curtain

__ recaulk shower

__ make & hang “Create in me a clean heart” sign

__ sew loops onto all kids bath towels

Front Entry

__ detail vacuum steps, wash walls & rail up staircase

__ wash floor, door & baseboards

__ fix display board

__ sweep front porch

__ dust/wash plant shelves & light fixtures

__ repot/divide fern

__ wash blind & window

Living Room

__ clean inside & top of armoire

__ detailed dusting

__ detailed vacuuming, including couch

__ organize bookshelf & wipe down each shelf

__ clean side table

__ vacuum couch

__ wash walls, fireplace & baseboards

__ wash blinds

__ return curriculum to school

Kitchen

__ clean fridge – inside & out

__ empty, clean & organize each cabinet & drawer

__ organize pantry

__ wash windows & blinds

__ wash curtains

__ replace curtain brackets & patch & paint wall

__ scrub floor, walls & baseboards

Laundry Room, Back Hall & Powder Room

__ scrub floor, walls & baseboards

__ detail vacuum closet

__ organize closet

__ put away ALL laundry and wipe down machines

__ recaulk sink & toilet

Garage

__ take all donations to Goodwill

__ take liquids, expired meds & light bulbs to hazardous waste disposal

__ sweep & wash floor

__ get stuff sold on Craigslist

Basement

__ sweep & wash floor, rail and stairs

__ organize & purge toys (limit to 30 min. - timed)

__ secure shelf and cabinet to studs

__ put away all items on table and collapse table

Miscellaneous

__ wash all rugs

__ scrub and sanitize all trash cans

Hooray! You're Done!

Treat yourself to a new dress.

How do you tackle these big jobs and motivate yourself to follow through?