15 spring cleaning tips for busy mums
Last Updated on November 6, 2024
There’s no better feeling then finally tackling the areas of your home that need a really good spring clean, which often includes a good declutter, and a much needed deep clean.
If spring cleaning is something you want to start, or you’re looking for ways to spread your spring cleaning tasks out so they’re not so overwhelming, here are 15 spring cleaning tips for busy mums that will help you spring clean in a way that suits your time and energy levels.
Choose a different season
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to happen in spring, it can happen in any season.
You may have more time to do a spring clean in summer, because it’s the time your kids are busy doing some summer school holiday activities.
Or, perhaps you’d prefer to do your spring clean in winter, because you want to stay indoors and declutter your home.
Doing your spring cleaning in a season that suits you is more likely to keep you motivated to continue with it, because you’re not feeling pressured, or overwhelmed to do it in a specific time slot.
Choose the right time
Choosing the right time to do a spring clean is one of my favourite spring cleaning tips, and it means choosing a time to spring clean when you know you can do it.
This could mean doing your spring cleaning when your kids are playing independently, when the kids are in bed, or when you know you won’t resent doing it because it’s taking time over something else that’s more important.
Create a spring cleaning task list
There’s nothing worse than finally having the time and energy to spring clean your home, but then wasting time thinking about where to start.
Having a spring cleaning task list removes this obstacle, and will get you spring cleaning straight away.
To do this, make a list of everything you want to do in your spring cleaning sessions, and once it’s time to start you can either work through the list, or work on the items in order of priority.
Include forgotten areas
There are many areas in our homes that need a deep clean, but may be forgotten about.
Here are some of them so you can include them on your spring cleaning task list.
- Door and window frames
- Skirting / baseboards
- Light fittings
- Ceiling fans
- Underneath the microwave
- Rangehood and rangehood filters
- Rubbish bins and lids
- Washing machine and dryer drums and filters
- Shower curtains
- Toothbrush holders
- Under beds
Do a spring cleaning challenge
If you’re not sure what to put on your spring cleaning task list, or don’t have the time or desire to write one, there are some great spring cleaning challenges online that allow you to spread your spring cleaning over a period of time.
Here are some that you may like to try:
Declutter first
Decluttering your home before spring cleaning it is another spring cleaning tip for busy mums that I love.
It means clearing clutter out of your home by donating, selling, or throwing out anything you no longer use, need, or that no longer works, so you have less things to take care of, and less things to spring clean.
Focus on mini projects
Starting with 1-2 mini projects is a great way to get motivated to tackle larger jobs later on.
Some examples of mini projects to start your spring cleaning with include:
- Kitchen cupboards and drawers
- Decluttering kids toys
- Organising kids wardrobes
- Toiletries
- Paperwork
Set a timer
Setting a timer to tackle a spring cleaning job means you can do a lot in a small amount of time, without wearing yourself out.
30 minutes is a good amount of time to put on a timer. It’s enough time to make good progress on a spring cleaning task, but not too long that it takes up valuable time for other things.
Stock up on supplies
Having the cleaning supplies you need to do a spring clean, including nice smelling cleaning supplies, and supplies that make spring cleaning easier for you, may make you more motivated to get started.
Ensure your supplies are accessible
Keeping your cleaning supplies where they’re needed like keeping bathroom cleaning supplies in your bathroom, a shower window cleaning spray in your shower, or having a laundry hamper where your kids leave their clothes, makes spring cleaning easier.
Make it interesting
Listening to music, an audio book, or your favourite motherhood podcast, can make spring cleaning more enjoyable.
Get your kids involved
Giving your kids age appropriate chores so they can help you with your spring cleaning activities, means you don’t have to do it all on your own.
Here are some spring cleaning tasks kids can help with:
- Vacuuming
- Dusting
- Folding laundry
- Putting toys away
Take breaks
Taking breaks when you’ve finished a spring cleaning task is a great way to avoid feeling overwhelmed and resentful towards it.
Some things you can do during a break include reading, going for a walk, or having a well deserved treat.
Don’t forget the fridge
Keeping your fridge clutter free and giving it a good deep clean, means you can easily see what food you have so you use it up, which avoids food waste, and enables you to save money on groceries.
Some ways to declutter your fridge include:
- Storing food in the same size container, e.g. storing a small block of cheese in a small container
- Putting similar items together, e.g. storing breakfast items together, lunch items together etc.
- Taking multipack items out of packaging e.g. removing kids yoghurt tubes from the box and storing them in a small space
Here are some more fridge organisation tips to tackle fridge clutter.
Hire professionals
Some spring cleaning tasks can be tackled by professionals, including cleaning couches, carpets, exterior windows, and ovens.
If you have any spring cleaning activities that you can’t do, don’t have time to do, or don’t want to do, then hiring a professional is a great solution.
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be something that causes overwhelm or feelings of anxiety, there are many spring cleaning tips that you can take advantage of to make this part of home life easier, and more enjoyable.
This can include doing your spring cleaning in another season, doing it at a time that suits you, working from a list, participating in a spring cleaning challenge, or tackling small areas first.
It could also mean choosing cleaning supplies that you enjoy using, storing them where they’re needed, listening to media whilst cleaning, getting your kids to help, or taking breaks.
However you tackle your spring cleaning, it’s a chore that can be made more enjoyable and doable with a little bit of planning and preparation.
Are there any spring cleaning tips here that you’d like to try?
