SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST FOR ORGANIZING LIKE A PRO

It's Spring cleaning checklist time! Springtime evokes a sense of renewal, lifting our spirits as we let go of the dreary, cold winter months and get ready for warmer temperatures and the greener landscapes. It’s a season of fresh starts and motivates us to get productive and tackle those lingering to-do lists! It’s a great time to clean, organize and declutter our homes. 

If you’ve been putting off some major cleaning and organizing tasks, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into those once-a-year (or let’s be honest, once-in-several-years) chores that often get neglected—starting with one of the biggest culprits: the garage.

Cleaning the Garage

Be honest - when was the last time you actually parked a car in the garage? For many of us, the garage becomes a catch-all storage space, collecting dust and clutter until it starts to feel too overwhelming. But with some effort, your garage can turn into a clean and functional space. 

Step 1: Declutter with the Two-Year Rule

The first step in reclaiming your garage is getting rid of items you no longer use. A good rule of thumb? If you haven’t used something in two years, you probably don’t need it.

Of course, there are exceptions—seasonal tools, project-specific equipment, or that snow blower that’s been sitting there due to mild winters. However, if you’re still holding onto gardening tools despite giving up gardening years ago or keeping bikes and sleds your now-adult kids have not used in 10 plus years; it’s time to let them go.

Step 2: Organize What You Keep

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize. Some great storage solutions for the garage are the following:

• Shelving Units – Maximize vertical space and keep the floors uncluttered. Shelving units like these from Ikea work great in garages and basements.

• Clear Bins & Labels – Keep items visible and easy to find

• Hooks & Racks – Ideal for storing tools, bikes, and sports equipment easily 

• Pegboards – A variety of items that you use frequently can be accessed easily.

By clearing out the clutter and creating designated spaces for the items that you need, your garage can go from a disaster zone to a functional addition of your home.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Now that you have the garage cleaned out, it’s time to focus on the chores we don’t want to do, but need to do. 

• Clear out landscaping - After the winter thaw, garden beds and landscaping will likely be covered in leftover fall leaves. Now is the perfect time to clear them out and prep your yard for planting or fresh mulch.

• Clean the windows - And no, we don’t just mean a quick spray of Windex! Remove screens and windows for a deep clean. Wipe down window sills and seals, as dirt and grime tend to build up over time.

• Wash window coverings - Now that your windows are crystal clear, you;ll want to make sure that your blinds and curtains are too. Make sure to wipe down or wash any window coverings.

• Shampoo carpets and rugs - After months of tracking in snow, dirt, and grime, your carpets and rugs could use a refresh. Whether you rent a carpet cleaner, do it yourself, or hire a professional, you’ll be amazed at the difference!

• Clean light fixtures - Often overlooked, light fixtures collect dust and grime over time. Remove bulbs and coverings to give them a thorough cleaning your lighting will shine brighter instantly!

• Wipe baseboards - Baseboards are another dust collector that once a year deserves a wipe down. 

• Deep clean kitchen appliances -For appliances used daily, they’re surprisingly easy to forget about. Don’t forget to take everything out of the refrigerator and clean the shelves and drawers. 

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - It’s good to get in the habit of replacing the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every year or at least checking to make sure they are working properly.

• DIY projects - Now that warmer weather has arrived, you can tackle those DIY projects you’ve been thinking about all winter long. Whether it’s staining the deck, starting a garden, or refreshing the landscaping, you can finally get started on them.

What Spring Cleaning Chore Do You Dislike The Most?

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• Cleaning the garage
• Cleaning windows
• Cleaning light fixtures
• Cleaning appliances

Once you have tackled all the spring cleaning projects that you typically avoid, you will feel accomplished and ready to tackle any other project that comes your way. A fresh, clean and organized home is the perfect way to welcome the season!

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Kristyn Drury is the Co-Founder of Real T Simplistic, an Associate Broker, a Certified Senior Move Manager, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Kristyn loves working with senior clients and their families to help them transition and meet their relocation goals.

Nicole Hyman is the Co-Founder of Real T Simplistic, a Realtor, a NASMM Certified Senior Move Manager, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Nicole enjoys working closely with seniors and their families to create a stress-free transition whether moving, downsizing or just decluttering.

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Real T Simplistic Senior Move Managers is a team of experts helping seniors and their families to make "Thoughtful Moves." because moving a lifetime is always more than just a move. Real T assists with every aspect of senior transitions, from decluttering and rearranging to age in place, to downsizing or relocating to a smaller home or assisted living community.

Real T prepares a personal moving plan for each client, their home and their possessions. Real T is also uniquely able to help with selling the family home, and buying or leasing a new place -- taking care of marketing the home, locating the best new home and all of the paperwork details in between. Relax. You're in the right place. We've got this.