In my world, spring is on the way when we shift to Daylight Saving Time – which means right now. I’m aware that the gargantuan task of “spring cleaning” your home is probably something that, well, isn’t really something most people do anymore. Who has time to clean walls, floors, ceilings, wash window treatments, etc.? I don’t think those are practical activities for any busy person, myself included. Instead, try these three quick and easy spring decluttering projects to make your home feel cleaner and tidier.
Toolbox
Whether you rent or own a home, you probably have a collection of tools. Tools tend to get a little out of control over the winter months. In fact, I just did a good decluttering of our somewhat large toolbox. We had a confusing collection of random screws, parts of things we no longer own (we kept them “just in case”), multiple wrenches we hadn’t used in years and so on. After only 15 minutes of work, the toolbox was accessible again, and now we can find what we need.
Perhaps your collection is much larger than ours, and you have a sea of chaos in your garage right now. Most garages we’ve organized have little or no heat. Who wants to venture into the cold to put that screwdriver back where it came from? Instead, you left it on the kitchen counter and told yourself, “I’ll do that later.” Now, you have a messy toolbox and a missing screwdriver. Please book an hour (or more) and tackle those tools as one of your spring decluttering projects. You may end up with a transformation like this one, which is always satisfying.
Entry Closet
As the days get longer and warmer, it’s the perfect time to review your winter clothing. Browse through your collection of winter boots, coats, hats, and gloves. Donate any items you didn’t use this winter. Trust me, if you didn’t wear them this year, it is highly unlikely you ever will. In fact, I let go of a pair of boots that I owned for several years. It wasn’t easy, as they had a good amount of sparkle, and I do enjoy sparkle. Even though I wore them two or three times this winter, they were no longer comfortable. It was time to pass them along to someone who would enjoy them.
I’m willing to bet you have a random assortment of mittens and gloves that no longer have a mate. I know, I know – you plan to dig through your entire house looking for them. Please do yourself a favour and just let them go. As long as you still have enough hats and mitts for next year, you will be just fine.
Our client was totally thrilled by this coat closet makeover. It is one of those small spring decluttering projects that only took a few hours. Give yourself a gift and clear your entry closet right away.
Pantry
As the seasons change in Canada, so do our eating habits. Generally, we eat more soups, stews, and other comfort foods during the colder weather. Fortunately, barbeque season is just around the corner, so it’s time to lighten up your pantry.
You probably have some unused canned and packaged goods. Maybe you purchased them thinking you would make a warm and cozy meal, but you didn’t find the time. It’s time to pull those items off your shelves and donate them. (Please do not donate items that are past their expiration date.)
Remember the spices and seasonings! According to my research, ground spices and herbs last between one and three years. Whole spices can last up to five years. The issue is remembering when you purchased them. I know which ones I use frequently. And the ones that I don’t use? I can’t for the life of me remember why I bought them. In fact, it’s a good idea to track spices as you buy them. For instance, you could label the jar or package with the date. Alternatively, you could use an app, such as Pantry Check, Out of Milk, NoWaste, or Paprika, to enter purchase dates and receive alerts when items are about to expire.
If you successfully complete these three quick and easy spring organizing projects, by all means, keep going. Consider tackling other areas of your home, such as your bedroom closet, storage locker, garage, etc. If you feel overwhelmed or don’t have the time or energy, feel free to reach out, and the team and I will come to your rescue.