I think the only time I’ve enjoyed spring cleaning was when I was nesting during pregnancy, so I could at least count on one good cleaning every year. There were a couple years, probably when I was nursing the twins when spring cleaning consisted of one cleaning item –baby wipes! What can I say –sometimes you just do whatcha gotta do! I think it just overwhelmed me, thinking about trying to clean with littles underfoot. I shouldn’t have been worried because it is easier than you think and here are 10 ways to make the cleaning flow faster.

1. Turn on the music. Find or create a great upbeat playlist that’ll keep you moving while you’re cleaning.
2. Wear an apron. I don’t do this because it’s cool (and wearing an apron IS so cute AND cool, especially the ones from Flirty Aprons), but it’s practical. Keep a magic eraser in the pocket to easily remove any handprints on the walls or scuff marks on the baseboard. Any small misplaced items from the room you’re cleaning can just be tossed in your apron pocket.
3. Start a load of laundry or dishes. I love to do this right away because it gives me the sense my house is cleaning itself and who doesn’t love the thought of a self-cleaning house? Now only if the clothes would walk themselves to the laundry room…
4. Start with the easiest room first. When I’ve been busy and our home has suffered, it’s overwhelming trying to even figure out where to start cleaning. So don’t try to tackle the biggest mess first. Start with the easiest, less messy room first and build your momentum to tackle the tough jobs later.
5. Work from top to bottom. There’s no point sweeping if you’re going to follow it with cleaning the light fixtures or ceiling fans. You’ll have to sweep twice so just start at the top and clean the highest places first. The light fixtures, dust the tops of picture frames or wall art, windows, blinds, tables or countertops, then finally the floor.
6. Organize as you go. If there’s a messy bookshelf, straighten it while you’re dusting it and go ahead and glance over the books to see if there are any you don’t want.
7. Get rid of junk as you go. Are there household items you could part with? Sell them! Sell everything you can—everything but your soul, don’t sell that! Take those books you don’t want and make a stack by the front door —donations or trash. The public library is a great place to donate books you don’t want anymore. Tons of clothes your kids have outgrown? Try selling them on your local swip swap site or to a consignment shop. Keep a trash bag by the front door for everything that comes out of the house you don’t want –it makes for an easy clean up.
8. Keep a basket or box outside of every bedroom. I use this ALL the time because I’m easily distracted. If I’m cleaning the dining room first and there are a few things that belong in my bedroom, I just set them in the basket outside my bedroom door and I’ll put it away when I clean my bedroom. This may seem counterproductive but I find myself starting a new cleaning project in my bedroom and forget all about the dining room if I even ENTER my bedroom. And the point is to get this done quickly and not spend the entire spring cleaning my home.
9. Keep the kids distracted. On a normal day, I utilize my kids in the cleaning force but when it comes to spring cleaning, my goal is productivity, a thorough deep cleaning and doing it all fast. If you have older kids, assign one of them to watch the littles, preferably out of your cleaning zone (aka the back yard or porch). Get moving! You’re running out of time!
10. Adding fresh flowers creates ambience. When you’re finished cleaning, add the perfect touch of fresh flowers as your dining room table centerpiece or on the kitchen island. Ahhh. Clean and fresh! Now go enjoy your clean home!

 See? Spring Cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming! All you need is some great music and a plan, all of which you’ve got now. I’d love to hear your spring cleaning tips!