The last time my house got a good, thorough "spring cleaning" was in 2009. Recently, I've been thinking that I'd like to tackle each room, one by one, but just haven't been motivated.
So I thought I'd pose a challenge to all of my dear readers to join me. Who's in?!?
My idea is to tackle one major room/area/task each weekday for the month of March. If you fall behind, take the weekend to catch up/complete the assignment and join us back again the following Monday. If you have a blog and want to post before and/or after pictures, you can link up to the bottom of each day's post for that day's assignment. Is this sounding fun yet?
Still not motivated? How about if we make this a CONTEST??? I just came up with that...more details to come as I wrap my head around the idea...maybe I'll give away some fun organizational product...
Here is the schedule for the March "31 Days to Clean" Spring Cleaning Challenge:
Tuesday 3/1 - Day 1: Clear all surfaces throughout the house
Wednesday 3/2 - Day 2: The Master Bedroom
Thursday 3/3 - Day 3: The Master Closet/Dressers (rotating seasonal clothes)
Friday 3/4 - Day 4: The Master Bathroom
WEEKEND - catch up or take a break
Monday 3/7 - Day 5: All Other Bathrooms
Monday 3/7 - Day 5: All Other Bathrooms
Tuesday 3/8 - Day 6: Family Room/TV Room
Wednesday 3/9 - Day 7: The Front Entry/Front Hall
Thursday 3/10 - Day 8: The Laundry Room/Mud Room/Back Entry
Friday 3/11 - Day 9: Formal Living Room/Dining Room
WEEKEND - catch up or take a break
Monday 3/14 - Day 10: The Play Room/Kids Toys/Game Room
Monday 3/14 - Day 10: The Play Room/Kids Toys/Game Room
Tuesday 3/15 - Day 11: The Kids Rooms
Wednesday 3/16 - Day 12: The Kids Closets (rotating seasonal clothes)
Thursday 3/17 - Day 13: The Office/Computer Station
Friday 3/18 - Day 14: The Craft Room/Craft Supplies/Hobby Area
WEEKEND - catch up or take a break
Monday 3/21 - Day 15: The Kitchen - Pantry/Dry Food
Monday 3/21 - Day 15: The Kitchen - Pantry/Dry Food
Tuesday 3/22 - Day 16: The Kitchen - Fridge/Freezer
Wednesday 3/23 - Day 17: The Kitchen - Cabinets & Drawers
Thursday 3/24 - Day 18: The Kitchen - Junk Drawer/Junk Counter
Friday 3/25 - Day 19: The Kitchen - Coupons & Paperwork
WEEKEND - catch up or take a break
Monday 3/28 - Day 20: Non-Bedroom Closets (Linen Closet, Coat Closets, etc)
Monday 3/28 - Day 20: Non-Bedroom Closets (Linen Closet, Coat Closets, etc)
Tuesday 3/29 - Day 21: The Guest Room
Wednesday 3/30 - Day 22: The Basement/Attic
Thursday 3/31 - Day 23: The Garage
Because we'll be taking each weekend off, there are only 23 days of cleaning. Much less intimidating than 31, right?
Not every home will have each of these spaces assigned (that would be one HUGE house) so there will be other "off" days for most of us throughout the month, too.
Hopefully, each day's task will only take you 1-2 hours. Some spaces will need more time, others will be quick and easy. (All depending on how long it's been since you've tackled certain areas of your home.) The idea is to break it up into small enough chunks that each assignment is manageable without being overwhelming.
I'd recommend choosing a time to do your spring cleaning every day. While the kids watch their morning cartoons, once everyone's out the door for school and work, while the baby is napping, after the kids are asleep for the night...you choose a time that will work out each day and stick to it. If the time is set aside each day, you're more likely to complete the assignment.
Next week, I'll write about some organizing tips and suggestions to get you in the right frame of mind. Plan to make a trip or two to Good Will and maybe even set a date on the calendar for a garage sale in April. I'll be back in touch with more details later.
Please leave me a comment if you're on board - I could use the encouragement!
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10 comments:
What a great idea, Katie. I know so many people who become overwhelmed when it comes to getting organized. Suggestions for those who are on board...Purchase some shoebox bins with lids. They are life savers. In my medicine closet, I had so many different things that I took the bins and put kids cough medicines in one, band aids and ointments into another, thermometers, Tylenol, ibuprofen into another, etc. Then take your handy labeler and mark what you have inside each one. Makes it easy to find your items. I also did this in my office with different items. That way you can stack up and utilize all your shelf space. Tupperware to organize your pantry is awesome as well. You can really utilize your space when you can stack. I'm a freak and love organizing. Hope everyone gets cleaned out!!
Count me in!
GREAT idea! I am super excited and can't wait to participate :)
We just moved to a new house and I really need to do this! Unfortunately, we will be gone three weeks in March, but it will be nice to have the posts to refer back to and perhaps I can have my own personal challenge in April. I think I will try to get started with you, anyway!
I'm very surprised of the idea and I love it.
one off cleaning
Challenge accepted. I'll start this week since I will be out of town next week.
Okay....I am a "maybe" right now. I just cleared out a few of my kitchen cabinets and it felt so freeing. I really "need" to organize but most days I feel like I can only "maintain" my house. And am barely successful at that. I'll give it a go and see what I can do!
I'm in and looking forward to it. We have had a recent family emergency that came up so I am hoping to keep up but I am game. My house is in definite need of a purge. I have always had a hard time letting go of items but it is getting easier. Thank you for the encouraging words. I love how you have broke it out as to if we only have so much time, how we can manage. We do use our bins at our house :)
God bless!
Well, I'm a little late, but I'm in! Better late than never...
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