The Busy Parent's Guide to Spring Cleaning

The transition from winter to spring brings with it a natural desire to clean out and refresh your home. While a marathon weekend spring cleaning session can be a satisfying way of getting your household prepped for the warmer months to come, between play dates, nap schedules, the laundry, trips to the grocery store, and family activities, being able to dedicate so much time to one, not-so- child-friendly endeavor is, however, just not realistic for most parents. Luckily, you can spring clean your entire house in 15 to 30 minute chunks. The key is to focus on the bits of time here and there that you have got. Here is how:

Day 1: Make a List

Walk through each room of your house and jot down what small areas need to be cleaned out. Write down specific tasks, like “desk drawer” rather than “home office.” Est. time: 15-30 min.

Day 2: Prioritize your list

Ask yourself, “What causes me the most pain?” If the bin of winter gear isn’t as bad but the kitchen junk drawer makes you grimace every time you open it, then the drawer is the place to start. Est. time: 15 min.

Day 3 and after: Go.

Spend 15-30 minutes tackling one small project. Set a timer and make sure you focus solely on that project until the timer rings. If you are still motivated, move down the list, but don’t do so much that you begin to feel overwhelmed.

Here are some ideas for what can be tackled in short bursts of time:

You can clean out a kitchen drawer while you are waiting for coffee to brew.

You can discard expired pantry items while you are waiting for vegetables to roast.

You can clean out your make-up drawer while you are waiting for the shower to get hot (and cleaning out unused or expired items from under your bathroom sink will only take 15 minutes.)

By working with the slots of time you have and avoiding “an all or nothing approach,” you’ll be able to refresh your space and still have time enjoy the sunshine.