Home Care Challenge: Spring Reset
Declutter, Deep Clean & Refresh Your Space
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When my husband and I bought our first home, it was an 800 sq. ft. townhouse. Built in the 1950s, it needed some updates, but when it came to cleaning and organization, it was easy peasy.
Then we moved into our next house—a newly built 3,000+ sq. ft. home—and suddenly, household maintenance became a whole new beast. Like the saying goes, “more money, more problems,” except for us, it was “more space, more mess.”
The thought of deep cleaning every nook and cranny felt overwhelming. And if you’re anything like me—someone whose brain jumps from task to task before actually finishing one—deep cleaning can quickly turn into a mess of half-done projects.
Blame it on ADHD, decision fatigue, or just the reality of life with kids, but breaking tasks into mini cleaning and decluttering sprints is the only thing keeping our home from descending into chaos.
We kicked off the year with our first deep-cleaning sprint, and now it’s time for round two. This week, we’re focusing on storing winter gear and tackling some of those overlooked areas that seem to collect dust and clutter when we’re not paying attention.
Quick Declutter: Seasonal Swap
With the weather warming up, now is the perfect time to pack away winter gear and make space for the new season. A quick seasonal declutter keeps everything organized and prevents the “why is this still here?” moments months down the line.
Winter Wardrobe: Sort through jackets, sweaters, and cold-weather accessories. Wash and store what you’ll keep for next year, and donate or toss anything that’s outgrown, worn out, or never got worn. This is also when I start transitioning my kids’ closets—swapping long sleeves and pants for short sleeves and shorts. And, given their ages, this usually means buying the next size up since last year’s summer clothes no longer fit.
Footwear Refresh: Clean and store away boots and winter shoes. If you have pairs you didn’t reach for all season, consider donating them. Similarly, I take this time to check my boys’ sneakers, sandals, and water shoes—evaluating their wear and fit before summer hits.
Miscellaneous Winter Gear: Round up gloves, scarves, and any seasonal sports equipment. Wash them, then store everything neatly in labeled bins so they’re easy to find next winter.
Mini-Deep Clean: The Forgotten Spaces
Now that the winter gear is out of the way, let’s shift focus to some of those areas that often get neglected in daily cleaning routines.
Under Furniture: Move beds, dressers, and other furniture (as much as possible) to vacuum up the dust and forgotten toy collection that’s been building up underneath. Follow up with a quick mop for extra freshness.
Cabinet Wipe-Down: Kitchen and bathroom cabinets accumulate grime over time. A simple mix of warm water and dish soap works wonders for wiping away fingerprints and buildup—especially around handles and edges.
Picture Frames & Wall Decor: These tend to collect dust without us realizing. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth (or a spritz of glass cleaner for framed photos) keeps everything looking fresh.
Declutter the Paper Piles: They Sneak Up on You
Paper clutter is one of those things that seems to multiply when you’re not looking. With tax season in full swing and kids’ artwork piling up, now is the time to tackle the stacks before they take over.
Tax Papers & Documents: If you haven’t already, gather all your tax-related documents and file them neatly. Shred anything you no longer need.
Kids’ School Artwork: If your little ones are bringing home masterpieces every week, it might be time for a system. Keep the most special pieces in a memory box or create a rotating display. Snap photos of others to preserve them digitally before recycling the extras.
One Step at a Time
If a full home deep clean feels overwhelming, breaking it into small, manageable chunks can make all the difference. Whether you clean by season, by category, or in short bursts of motivation, consistency is key.
So grab your cleaning supplies, turn up your favorite playlist, and tackle one thing at a time. Your future self (and your home) will thank you!
Happy cleaning!
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Products used to tackle this week’s home care challenge: