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Spring into action and bring order out of chaos
With warmer weather comes the desire to start anew and slough off the old. Nothing accomplishes both more than spring cleaning. Numerous commercial and organizational Web sites exist to assist you. The chore of spring cleaning can seem overwhelming, but by following these five steps you can stay on track and begin bringing order out of chaos.
Checklist: To get started, you might want a checklist of duties to tackle. For a basic checklist, try Home Made Simple's "Spring Cleaning Checklist" http://homemadesimple.com/organizedlife/chorechecklist.htm. The list can be printed and checked off as each chore is accomplished. A more in-depth list can be found at ListOrganizer.com's "Home Maintenance Checklist" http://listorganizer.com/springcleaning.htm. This list covers cleaning the entire home, inside and out.
De-clutter/purge: Once your list is ready, you might want to de-clutter or purge the areas you eventually will clean. OrganizedHome.com has an excellent de-clutter Web site called "Cut the Clutter" http://organizedhome.com/declutter. It includes tips on de-cluttering kitchens, baths and children's rooms. "The Clutterer Within" section describes five types of clutterers and provides tips to overcome the urge to hold on. Once you've battled the clutter monster, you're ready for "De-clutter 101: Where to begin De-cluttering at Home."
Clean naturally: Now that your home has been pared down to the essentials, it's time to clean. Try taking the natural route. Turning to natural cleansing products is a simple and easy way to minimize your exposure to the harsh toxins found in many commercial cleaning products. You can mix your own supplies using common kitchen items like vinegar, salt, lemon juice and baking soda. The Natural Fairy: Clean and Green Made Easy has compiled an exhaustive list of natural cleaning remedies at http://pages.ivillage.com/cleaningfairy/GreenRecipes.html. "Cleaning the House Safely" http://pinksunrise.com/fixit/cleaning.htm by Elizabeth Hughes includes great ideas for natural remedies for tough messes like crayon and mildew stains. If you don't want to chance mixing your own solutions, Green Home Living has a review of eco-friendly cleaners at http://www.greenhomeliving.com/001/whichwork1.html.
Organize: After all the planning, purging and cleaning are done, it's time to organize what remains. Oprah.com has an entire Web site devoted to home organizing at http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/home/home_housekeeping_landing.jhtml. Try "Getting Organized with Julie Morgenstern" or "Connect to Your Organized Self." If your closet has become your biggest nemesis, try "Three Steps to an Organized Closet" at http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/housing/gh5800.htm. The site covers how to determine your space needs, functionality and storage accessories. For some quick tips, Our FamilyPlace.com has a short article called "Getting Organized" at http://www.ourfamilyplace.com/organize.html.
Yard sale: Rather than toss the items you've purged, why not donate them or host a yard sale. To get the most out of your yard sale experience, take a look at The Yard Sale Queen's "Having a Successful Yard Sale" http://www.yardsalequeen.com/yardsale.htm. The yard sale queen covers everything from choosing the right dates to where to place the price tag. In the end, you might make enough money to buy new organizing and storage accessories from Closet Maid http://www.closetmaid.com/main.cfm, Organize-It http://www.organizes-it.com/ or Hold Everything http://www.holdeverything.com/.
Once you're organized, don't forget to sit back and enjoy the benefits of your spring tonic!
—Laura Taddeo and Cynthia Tysick, University Libraries