Even though the Tampa Bay area isn’t known for its seasonal shifts, we still have a Spring season, even though it may be a lot shorter than what most areas north of us do! In those parts of the country that have more pronounced seasons, concepts like “spring cleaning” take on a pretty significant meaning. At the end of winter, people start to pack up all the accoutrements of Winter like clothes, snow clearing tools and winter paraphernalia of the season and replace them with lighter clothes and items that are symbolic to the shifting warmer temperatures.

However, this doesn’t mean we, in Central Florida, aren’t subject to spring cleaning. The clothes may be less heavy, but our seasons are relative to Floridians, and certainly symbolically spring cleaning is representative of rolling into those warmer & more comfortable times.

So as we shift into that lovely, mind weather that those in Tampa Bay enjoy for only a brief few months, it’s time to shift your attention to aligning your home and office with the renewal of the warmer seasons. To get you thinking of prepping for your spring cleaning & organization, we thought we’d share a couple of great points from Sarah Winfrey which encapsulate the best way to prepare to whip your place into shape for Spring Time:

1. Get Your List Ready

I am making a list of everything that I want to be sure to get done this spring. While there are some tasks that I know by heart because I do them every year, there are a few that I don’t always do, and this is why I make a list.

I add every single task I can think of to the list, but I make especially sure that the things specific to this year get on it. That way, I won’t forget them. Making this list also helps me ensure that everything I want to do gets done. Also, I don’t always think of my spring cleaning tasks when I’m in front of the list, but having the list means I can add them later, when I see something that I want to be sure to do.

2. Get Your Favorite Supplies

I don’t know about you, but I know exactly which cleaning supplies I want to use, where I want to use them, and how I prefer to apply them…Right now, I’m making sure that I have an ample supply of everything so that, when it’s time to start cleaning, I don’t have to run to the store first. Because additional errands just slow everything down.

Buying these ahead of time also gives me the chance to make sure I’m getting the best deals possible on everything. I can scour the Internet to buy things at a discount, and even get the cheapest shipping available, because I don’t have to have them right away.

3. Begin Decluttering

I’ve found that decluttering is something that I can start at any time. In fact, it can be such a frustrating and time-consuming chore that I’ve found it better, for me, to separate it from spring cleaning entirely. Now, I try to declutter year round. I keep a stock of a certain type of trash bag and, when I get the itch to clean, I pick a room and start in on the clutter.

4. Get Your Expectations in Check!

This is one of my key preparations when it comes to spring cleaning. When I think about it, I envision a sparkling house — one without fingerprints, shoe prints, dings in the walls, and more. However, that’s also a house without small children — and maybe without people — which isn’t my reality at all.

Thus, an important part of preparations for cleaning involves bringing yourself back to what is realistic. After all, cleaning will only be stressful if your aim is perfection. But if your aim is the health, sanity, and safety of your family, you’ll enjoy the efforts so much more!

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