I followed a spring cleaning checklist and this is how it went

A cleaner home makes life easier and more pleasant.

After three months of cold temperatures and chilly wind, a wave of motivation comes as the flowers begin to blossom with the arrival of spring.

At this time of the year, you start to see lots of posts and online content about spring cleaning and organization tips. People get excited to begin the season fresh by cleaning their living spaces and decluttering.

During reading week, I decided to use the time to follow a spring cleaning and organization checklist. I hadn’t given my room a deep clean in a while, so I thought the week off from school would be the perfect time to tidy up my space.

I find that I work better when my surroundings are clean and organized, and since my living space is also my workspace, I wanted to make sure my room was in top shape for studying and working.

These are some of the tips I followed for a week and this is how it went:

Make a plan

Picture of a spring cleaning checklist on a white board. — Photo credits: Fernando Bossoes

Believe it or not, if you want to follow a spring cleaning schedule, you need to make a plan.

To make sure you don’t get too stressed out with all the cleaning tasks, it’s smart to plan ahead. This helps you have an idea of which rooms need the most attention and which ones need some decluttering.

Also, don’t forget to assess your cleaning supplies beforehand. It’s super annoying to get all set to clean – you’re even playing your cleaning playlist – and then realize you don’t have the right stuff, isn’t it?

I planned and wrote down my tasks on a whiteboard, and that helped me stay on top of my game during the week.

Start a donation box

Picture of a donation box with two sweaters, a hat and a pair of goggles. — Photo credits: Fernando Bossoes

Before you even start thinking about sweeping, vacuuming or mopping, it’s a good idea to go through your stuff and see what you can get rid of.

Decluttering the things you don’t use anymore is a great option to make your space less cramped. You can sort out two piles: one for stuff you want to keep and one for things you can donate to others who might need it more.

I donated some clothes I hadn’t worn in ages, and it felt great to tidy up my space while helping others.

Time to clean

Picture of cleaning products. — Photo credits: Fernando Bossoes

Now that you’ve made a plan, decluttered your stuff and assessed your cleaning gear, it’s time to get started with the hard part, the actual cleaning.

Put on your favourite playlist and begin by moving your furniture to reach those hidden spots. But before you grab a mop or start scrubbing, use a vacuum to get rid of the dust that’s been accumulating. Believe me, just by moving my drawer I found a desert lying there.

After months of keeping the windows closed to keep out the cold, it’s time to give them a good wash. And don’t be so hard on your duties, let yourself enjoy the fresh spring breeze.

Organize your home office

Picture of a DSLR camera and books organized in a shelf. — Photo credits: Fernando Bossoes

Set aside some extra time to tidy up your home office space.

Since I occasionally work from home for one of my jobs, having a clean and organized workspace is essential for me. I’m quite the fan of organization, so if my workspace is messy I just can’t function.

Take a moment to go through your office supplies and replace anything that’s running low. Also, make sure all your electronic devices are working. If you come across something that’s no longer functioning, take the time to check the proper way to dispose of it.

Consider what you keep

Picture of cleaning products organized. — Photo credits: Fernando Bossoes

Spring cleaning isn’t just about making your space look shiny and bright, it’s also about organizing what you decide to keep.

Take the time to arrange your items by product department and consider investing in some storage containers. This not only makes it easier to find what you need but also helps keep everything dust-free.

IGNITE staff organizing business cards. — Photo credits: IGNITE

Using a spring organization checklist not only kept me productive during the reading week but also gave my living space a clean and fresh look. It helped me maintain an organized home office and create a zen environment where I can rest my mind.

Are you looking for a spot on campus to escape from the rush of assignments and exams? You should visit the IGNITE Zen Zone!

The Zen Zone is a quiet space where you can take a break and calm your mind on campus. Visit the Zen Zone from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the basement of the K building.

Feature image courtesy of IGNITE.

Are you looking to know more about the Zen Zone? Check out how studying at the Zen Zone can be beneficial!