Cleaning House
Say goodbye to winter clutter and hello to a lighter, brighter home this spring.
After a long winter of hibernating (and let’s be honest—accumulating stuff), spring has finally arrived! The first warm-ish day hits, you crack open a window and suddenly your home is like, “So… where do we start?”
Don’t panic. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or an all-day event that ends with you sitting on the floor questioning your life choices. The trick is to ease in, have a plan and keep it (relatively) light.
Start small
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to do everything at once. Instead, think of your home as a series of mini projects. One room, one zone, even one drawer if that’s all you’ve got in you. The kitchen is always a satisfying place to begin (crumbs don’t stand a chance), while closets and bathrooms offer quick wins that make everything feel fresher almost instantly.
“I recommend starting small and focusing on one or two areas at a time,” says Lisa Harris, professional organizer and founder of Paramus-based Organize with Lisa. “In the case of spring cleaning, it’s a great opportunity to focus on the spaces that may be directly affected by the changing seasons—like your closet. With the transition into warmer weather, it may be time to take out your spring and summer clothes and put your winter gear into storage.”
Before you even reach for a sponge, do a quick declutter. There’s no reason to clean around things you don’t even want anymore—and getting rid of that extra stuff makes the actual cleaning part much easier. Do you have gently used clothing or furniture to get rid of? Instead of dumping it in the trash, give your pieces a new life by donating them to one of many community closets or charitable thrift stores in Bergen County.
Build a cleaning “starter pack”
You don’t need a cart full of fancy products to get the job done. A few basics will carry you through almost everything: a good set of microfiber cloths, an all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner and your usual vacuum, broom or mop. Add a pair of rubber gloves if you want to feel extra official.
Having everything ready before you start makes a huge difference. It keeps you focused and prevents those mid-clean distractions that somehow turn into checking your phone… and then suddenly it’s an hour later.
Work smarter
There’s a reason the pros follow a system—it saves time and effort. Start high, with shelves, ceiling fans and light fixtures, then work your way down. Gravity will do its thing, and you won’t have to redo surfaces twice.
If the weather cooperates, open your windows while you clean. Fresh air instantly makes your home feel less stuffy and more like a reset. And while it’s tempting to stick to the obvious areas, don’t skip the hidden spots.
“While it’s important to keep visible surfaces clean, this is an opportunity to clean the areas of your home that are often neglected or easily forgotten, such as wiping down baseboards, dusting hard-to-reach places and cleaning appliances,” Harris notes.
Set realistic goals
Spring cleaning is not a competition, and no one is handing out awards for doing your entire house in a single day. The smarter move is to break things into manageable pieces. Maybe one day is dedicated to the kitchen, another to the bathroom and another to finally dealing with that closet you’ve been avoiding.
“Before you start, take a tour around your house and take special care to inspect areas that may usually go unnoticed,” Harris says. “Use this time to create a checklist with specific tasks for each room. This is also a great opportunity for some general house maintenance, so take note of anything that may need to be replaced/repaired. For example, washing comforters and pillows, cleaning light fixtures, grout touch-ups, scuff marks, loose hinges, lightbulbs, etc.”
“Deep cleaning and getting organized can be a time-consuming, and often physically tiring process, which is probably why we reserve it for special occasions, like spring,” she continues. “With that in mind, be realistic about your schedule and abilities. Trying to cram all your tasks into one day, or even one weekend, is probably an unrealistic goal and will most likely result in burnout.”
Keep It Fun
Cleaning in total silence is a tough sell. A good playlist or podcast can make a huge difference, turning chores into something you can actually get through without constant clock-watching. Some people swear by setting a timer and racing through a task just to make it feel like a game.
And it doesn’t hurt to have a reward waiting at the end, whether that’s a coffee run, a favorite snack or just the satisfaction of collapsing on the couch in a freshly cleaned space.
Do you have any spring-cleaning tips? Share your advice with us on Instagram @bergenmagnj.
