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Spring Cleaning – It’s Not Just Washing the Walls
By Sheri Bruneau

Living in parts of Canada, you can be in the season of spring, yet still feel like you are in the dead of winter. It’s a bit crazy – the days are getting longer, the birds are starting to chirp; yet there could be a least a foot of snow still on the ground! In Calgary, AB, we can go from warm, mild weather to a full-fledged snowstorm in one week! Whatever the weather, usually around this time of year people start to get stir-crazy with being cooped up all winter long. The excitement of warmer weather, spending more time outdoors and seeing the new spring fashion trends are enough to get the blood flowing. The words “Spring Cleaning” can be heard and seen everywhere – in newspapers, magazines, TV, etc. Most people think that spring-cleaning revolves around washing walls, windows, etc. While that may be true and is a great idea to do all of that cleaning, spring-cleaning shouldn’t be focused around vinegar and water, Mr. Clean, Norwex or whatever you clean your home with. Spring-cleaning should also involve de-cluttering and some serious soul-searching of why you keep the things you do. When looking at spring-cleaning your home, follow these steps to ensure it’s just not the walls that are getting cleaned:

1. Start in one room of your home. If it’s a bigger room, you may want to divide that room into two smaller areas.
2. Go through cupboards, drawers, nooks and crannies and empty everything out. Yes, you heard me. Take everything out.
3. While you are taking items out, start to group your items into ‘like’ piles. This is sorting out your ‘goods’.
4. As you are sorting, be ruthless and ask yourself: “Do we still use this? Has anyone a need for this anymore? Do I know what this belongs to? Does this still fit?”
5. As you sort, you will also need to create a ‘Give Away’ pile, ‘Recycle’ pile and a ‘Garbage’ pile.
6. Once everything is out and placed into piles. Wash out any cupboards and drawers, do any vacuuming behind furniture that now can be moved (because it is empty) and yes, wash the walls behind the furniture!
7. Before placing items back, look at each pile that you created. Look at your space and decide on the best place for those items to go back.
8. Place the items back into places. This is where you may decide to purchase (if you don’t have) any baskets, bins, etc. to containerize your items.
9. One the floor is clear or all of your piles, vacuum up the rest of the carpet or mop the floor.
10. Remove all bags (recycling, give-away and garbage bags) to your vehicle or a spot where you will not forget to take them. Give yourself one week to get rid of the bags!

©2011 Get It Together Inc.

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