Super Quick Spring Cleaning ... the Cheat's Guide | Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I confess I like spring cleaning.

You can conquer it a bit at a time.

But ~~sometimes~~ often life - and grey days - just rains on all those good intentions ...

... and you need to cheat your way to a super quick spring clean.

The trick is not just to do a few things at lightening speed.

You must also BELIEVE you have finished the job - if you don't you will constantly notice other stuff that needs doing.

Which doesn't mean you have to do everything ... quite the opposite ...

Rather you decide all the things you will NOT do before you even start. And you stick to this decision - religiously. NO little extras that you think you better just start whilst you're at it.

Because there's always something extra you could do and that way you will never be DONE and it will drive you crazy because it will always feel unfinished.

The cheat's method gets the critical things done and leaves you believing you're finished.

And how do I know that it works?

Well, because I've used it. And because it's the method - more or less - that the world's best software companies use to develop software; and software development - believe it or not - is very like spring cleaning!

The Cheat's Guide

So here goes - this is what you need to do in 10 easy steps ...

Get a check-list & cross off everything you're NOT going to do
Number all tasks left on list based on importance to you
Write down all the tasks you will do in order of importance
Jot down roughly how you will do each task
Work out max time you can spend in total on spring cleaning
Divvy up time between tasks on list & knock some more tasks off the list
Accept what you are NOT going to do
Collect together everything you need
De-clutter as much as you can first
Set the timer and go

1. Get a check-list & cross off everything you're NOT going to do

Nab a spring clean check-list - e.g. mine or one from Typical English Home
Print it off
Whizz through the list and scribble out an item unless it:

Drives you crazy on a regular basis
Could be dangerous if not done - think hygiene, electrics, gas
Will cost more time & money to fix if you don't do it - Ang Says has some great advice on dull things like vents, filters & fridge coils that can cost a fortune if not done

2. Number all tasks left on list based on importance to you

Roughly number items not crossed out based on importance to you

3. Write down the tasks you will do

On big sheet of paper write down all tasks you will do in order of importance
If you haven't got DE-CLUTTER on your list - add it!
If DE-CLUTTER isn't at the top of your list move it to the top!
(I really believe everyone has to work out their own list based on what is most critical for them but I will be sharing my one day blitz list next week).

4. Jot down roughly how you will do each task

If not sure how to do a task check out these tips on specific areas for advice

Kitchen - From Son Up til Son Down, Mums Make Lists, What Do I Do All Day, Townsend House,
Stove - Pin Junkie
Microwave - Happy Healthy & Domestic
Dishwasher - A Typical English Home
Bathroom - From Son Up til Son Down, Mums Make Lists, Happy, Healthy & Domestic
Shower - Pin Junkie
Limescale - A Typical English Home
Linens & soft furnishings - Mums Make Lists
Pillows - From Son Up Til Son Down
Washing machine - Ang Says, A Typical English Home
Dusting, hoovering & polishing - Mums Make Lists
Dusting - From Son Up Til Son Down
Toys - What I Do All Day
Car - Organized Chaos at Home

Don't drown in detail - skim read & jot down a few points relevant to you

5. Work out max time you can spend in total

Be brutally honest about how much time you have
2 weeks free would be wonderful but if you've got a morning that's what you've got

6. Divvy up time between tasks on list

Roughly guess minimum time you can get away with on each action
Add up all the times & add 25% extra time
If total time needed more than max time available, cross actions off bottom of list
Keep crossing actions off until time needed fits time available
Schedule separate time in your diary to give away clutter e.g. take to charity shop

7. Accept what you are NOT going to do

You now have list of the tasks you will do and EVERYTHING you won't
Accept the things you won't do - get them out of your head & lay them to rest
Remember you can do anything you want in this world but you absolutely cannot do everything and the key to success - as Steve Jobs said - is focus!

8. Collect together everything you need

Collect together all the cleaning tools & materials you need
You can go the whole hog and buy specific products for specific things but you can actually clean almost everything with just a few natural products
Pick out a "happy" play list for some "music whilst you work"
Sort out food so there's no meal prep or clearing up during spring cleaning time
Get anything completely urgent e.g. normal laundry out of the way before you start
Get everyone out of house - this isn't the time to get children involved
Put the laptop and phone away - there's no time for Twitter breaks!

9. De-clutter as much as you can first

De-cluttering is the key to keeping the house in order with minimal effort
Grab 4 bin bags or cardboard boxes
Label them - throw away, give away, mend & store
Shove as much as you can in alloted time into these bags & boxes

Put in give away box if planning to sell
Only store stuff if it has completetely immense sentimental value or that you might use for a subsequent child
Store pile must easily fit in e.g. garage, loft,you're going to put it in

Kid's toys and clothes are massive clutter culprits - We've Got Our Hands Full and Clean Lean Mommy Machine have quick tips on taming them

10. Set the Timer and Go

Start the timer for your first task and go
Only do on this task what you planned - e.g. if you just planned to throw out old food from cupboards don't start re-arranging all of your food storage!
Keep your eye on the timer and with 5-10 mins to go start wrapping up
Finish task on time and move onto next
If you uncover something critical e.g. mold on walls behind the washing machine, assess if you can resolve it in the time allocated to the bottom task. If you can, cross the bottom task off your list and tackle the crisis; if you can't, write it down at the bottom of list under title Known Problems
Keep working through tasks sticking strictly to allotted time
Tick off each task as you get to end of allotted time
At the end of the session:

store away bags / boxes to store
put give away bags in temporary secret storage no one else can find
put throw away bags / boxes out with the rubbish
put all cleaning materials completely away

Whoop, whoop, whoop you have finished!
Have a shower, put on something nice & pour yourself a drink!

For more great spring cleaning tips, check out the links below ... and do add your own ... and for more advice on keeping your house in order check out The Mommy Archive ...