How I Make Spring Cleaning Super Satisfying, Rather Than Soul-Sucking
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As someone with a textbook Type A personality, I'll be the first to admit that I'm in the minority of people who actually enjoy cleaning. There's something incredibly satisfying to me about scrubbing the bathtub until it shines — yes, really.
That said, even I need some encouragement to get stoked about Spring cleaning. The idea of scrubbing my apartment from top to bottom is overwhelming, but I still love nothing more than knowing every inch of my home is sparkling clean afterwards. Here's how I turn Spring cleaning into a task I actually enjoy.
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Break It Up
I'm not a fan of trying to tackle my entire home in one day. Even though my one-bedroom apartment is pretty small, spending an entire day vacuuming, washing the floors, wiping down every surface, stripping the bed, and deep cleaning the bathroom seems excessive.
Instead, I like to tackle Spring cleaning room by room over several days. If I take on the bathroom on a Sunday, I might wait until Monday to deal with the kitchen. Not only does it fit better into my schedule this way, but I also tend to do a better job of actually cleaning when I'm not rushing to get everything done.
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Get the Right Gear
Over time, I've learned that investing in some quality cleaning supplies makes a huge difference. In college, I pretty much used whatever was on hand — and that was usually a combination of the cheapest possible cleaning solution and paper towels. Yes, it was budget friendly, but it also wasn't effective, so I ended up scrubbing so hard my arms got tired.
No joke, realizing that high-quality cleaning products actually make cleaning easier was probably one of the most valuable adulting lessons I've learned. Now, before I start Spring cleaning, I make sure I have everything I need on hand. I always pull on a thick pair of reusable rubber gloves to protect my manicure and rely on a hardcore sponge-scrubber combo to do some of the work for me. I'm also careful to pick the right cleaning product for each job, like Clorox® Clean-up® Cleaner + Bleach for the kitchen counter and Clorox® Toilet Bowl Cleaner Clinging Bleach Gel for the toilet.
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Have Fun With It
Just because I can find the joy in cleaning doesn't mean I always find it convenient. A gorgeous sunny day can be enough to make me push off Spring cleaning just one more day, because what's a little more dust going to hurt?
To make Spring cleaning seem a little more fun, I'll blast some late-2000s throwback jams while sweeping the floors, or turn on a reality TV show to half-watch while I fold laundry. If I need even more motivation, I'll treat myself to a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie from the bakery down the block — but only after I finish my to-do list for the day.
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Focus on the End Result
I'm convinced one of the reasons why I never wanted to clean my room growing up was because I couldn't see the point. Why should I put all my dolls away before bed if I'm just going to get them out tomorrow morning?
Even as an adult, I still need to know that every chore I'm doing has a point. When Spring cleaning rolls around, I make sure that everything I'm doing will have a tangible result: I should be able to see the bathroom mirror sparkling back at me and look in every corner without finding a dust bunny. Simply knowing that your actions have a purpose can be a powerful thing!