For some of us, spring cleaning comes naturally. And if you’re one of those people, that probably means you’re deep cleaning your house or apartment at least quarterly each year by default.
But for the rest of us, myself included, cleaning isn’t a sixth sense. The instinct doesn’t come unless I schedule it and remind myself to get to work.
Now that spring has hit, it is time for me to get spring cleaning on the schedule and I want to take you guys along for the ride.
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Let’s be honest, you need to get spring cleaning and you need a guide to help you through it.
Learning how to spring clean for the first time doesn’t have to be overly complicated or confusing. In fact, you can use this blog post to guide you through each room of your primary residence.
While being successful in your 20s and setting up the right habits while adulting is the mission of this blog, this is my first post on cleaning. I wish I had hit this one on the head sooner because a clean house really does impact the rest of your life.
In this post, I’m going to cover how to spring clean for the first time by talking about what you need to be cleaning, why you need to clean it, and how I spring clean.
Follow these simple strategies and spring cleaning as a 20-something for the first time will be a breeze.
WHY YOU NEED TO SPRING CLEAN FOR THE FIRST TIME
In my early 20s, I realized that I had mastered some spring cleaning, but it wasn’t the full-on deep cleaning schedule that I needed to learn as an adult.
If you’ve just moved into your first apartment or own house, then you may be realizing this same thing. It’s easy to clean here and there, but spring cleaning involves getting deep and dirty.
First, when you spring clean for the first time it gives you a sense of energy and purpose as you enter into a new season of life.
I think the Midwest especially experiences this in the United States. After a long and brutal winter, there is nothing like the rush we experience when the sun comes out more often and the birds begin chirping.
Winter is a time when dust collects, and things just tend to get dirtier as we track in more dirt, slush, and grime. It is also a season of less cleaning because we become very comfortable indoors.
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We open our windows very little in the winter and that makes it harder for us to clean, as there is no fresh airflow when products are used.
Let’s not forget that winter usually comes with a lot of sickness and germs as well. Spring cleaning makes your place healthier and gets rid of anything that’s been sitting around for the long winter months.
Second, we spring clean to help prepare us for the upcoming summer months.
According to Wikipedia, spring cleaning originated from different religious views. An example is the Jews preparing for Passover.
And while that is not the main reason most people in today’s culture, it is the same sense of entering into something new.
Those are simple reasons to spring clean this year, but reason enough to set a date on the calendar to get spring cleaning today. A clean home is a happy home.
Third, when you spring clean it affects your emotional state.
This article on Goodnet gives some really good points on why cleaning is more about our emotional state than our physical state.
Yes, we cannot ignore that spring cleaning will be healthier for you as all the nasty winter germs are still lingering, but your emotional state can improve in huge ways as well when you spring clean.
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As the article says, spring cleaning can increase your mood because you are more productive, are able to accomplish a big task, and even get some exercise out of the process increasing your happy vibes (or endorphins to the brain!)
I’m not a scientist by any means, but having experienced this myself, I know that spring cleaning will always be something that gets me into a happy mood and prepare me for the future months ahead in huge ways.
Don’t wait to learn to spring clean for the first time, especially if you are in your 20s and in your own place for the first time.
Begin making a habit of spring cleaning as soon as you can and you will see a huge opportunity to start the summer months off in a happy and healthy state.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SPRING CLEAN FOR THE FIRST TIME
Here is the exact method I use to spring clean my apartment. And while I have a tiny two-bedroom apartment, this could definitely be used for a larger house or residence.
Follow these steps to help you spring clean for the first time:
First, make a list of all the places you need to clean with estimated time slots.
I take a sheet of paper and write down each room I am going to clean, and if it is a larger room I divide it up. I will also include the time estimated to clean it. For example, I’ll list the kitchen and eating nook separately and then write 15-30 minutes next to each.
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Second, gather your cleaning supplies and make sure that you have enough to get the job done. More on the cleaning supplies I use in a little bit.
Remember, some rooms may require different supplies than others. Some will need a mop while others will need a vacuum. Some may need smaller rags and other cleaning sponges for larger spaces.
Third, make a playlist. Don’t spring clean for the first time without some sort of motivation. For me, that involves a whole lot of country music (anyone else?) but for you, that may mean something completely different.
When you make the day fun, spring cleaning becomes a really fulfilling moment as you close out one season of life and enter into another.
Fourth, pick a day and put it on the calendar.
Now, a lot of you reading this are going to skip this step completely because you are just not wired to schedule plans like that. However, now that you know how important spring cleaning is, it’s time to make it a habit and a priority.
A hack I use is to spring clean on a sunny day. It motivates me in huge ways and allows me to open the window while I clean as well.
Fifth, schedule breaks.
Snack breaks are huge when it comes to cleaning. The best method I have found for me as I go down my list of cleaning rooms is to cross them off one by one and schedule a break during one room, not after.
Did you hear that? Don’t schedule the break after a room is completed. And while that may seem logical and even tempting to do, it will make quitting and stopping easier.
The biggest mistake people make when they spring clean for the first time is that they don’t allow breaks, and if they do, they put them at the wrong time.
Start by spring cleaning one and a half rooms. When you are halfway through the second room, take your first break. No one wants to stop cleaning in the middle of the room.
And going off of that here is the last point I want to make.
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Six, don’t quit.
Get it all done in one day. Seriously, schedule the whole day, gather the supplies, make a game plan, and get it all done at once.
This is the most effective way to spring clean for the first time and make a habit of it.
When you jump around day after day or week after week nothing actually gets quite deep cleaned. You are doing the same daily cleaning plan you usually do.
Spring cleaning is a deep cleaning that requires energy and hard work. To spring clean for the first time in your 20s, take the time to be prepared and get it all done in one day.
I promise it will be better for you in every way.
HOW TO SPRING CLEAN FOR THE FIRST TIME
Ok, so what is the best way to spring clean? Well, I think that comes down to what is best for your body.
Chemical-free and green products are the best way to go. Not only is it doing yourself and your body a favor, but you are also helping the environment at the same time.
Green and clean products allow you to avoid nasty chemicals that hurt your body and instead, allow you to boost your immune system and support your body in natural ways.
For all my spring cleaning, I use the Thieves line from Young Living Essential Oils. It is chemical-free, made from all-natural ingredients (including essential oils!), and can be used to clean almost everything! Just check out how it’s described on Young Living’s website.
There’s no denying that the Thieves line has become widely successful and that’s because it doesn’t contain all the chemical items and products you are going to see on your local store shelves.
Each product in the Thieves line contains Thieves essential oil, a blend of clove, cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. The Thieves products include Thieves Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Cleaner, Hand Soap, Spray, and Hand Purifier.
Each Thieves product is so impactful to my everyday life and it makes getting clean, chemical-free products all from one place extremely easy. Young Living even has a monthly subscription service you can sign up for with amazing benefits called Essential Rewards.
Cleaning with Thieves is extremely easy because one bottle of Thieves household cleaner makes hundreds of more bottles through dilution charts and it’s a one product fits all method!
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Here is just a simple example of all the ways I use Thieves household cleaner every time I spring clean:
- Thieves as an All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner with 2-3 cups of water.
- Thieves as a Degreaser: For light degreasing, mix one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner with four cups of water. For heavy degreasing, mix one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner with one cup of water.
- Thieves as a Glass and Mirrors Cleaner: mix one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner, five drops of Lemon essential oil, and one teaspoon of white vinegar with three cups of water. Portion out into a spray bottle.
- Thieves as a Laundry Detergent: substitute one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner for your regular laundry detergent.
- Thieves as a Dishwasher Solution: substitute one capful of Thieves Household Cleaner for your regular dishwashing detergent.
Thieves Household Cleaner is an all-purpose, one-stop shop for all your spring cleaning needs.
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It is formulated with 100% plant-based and mineral-based ingredients, which means you don’t have to worry about nasty chemicals affecting your body’s health.
Thieves allow you to spring clean for the first time with confidence and get everything done with one product. How could you not ask for anything more?
The best way to get these products is through a Young Living distributor (like myself!) because you get access to hundreds of free classes, resources, and information that only members of my exclusive team receive.
Plus, I send a welcome packet to you right away to get you started!
Click here to head over to my essential oils page and learn more about Thieves essential oils, the Thieves line of products, and so much more.
Or, grab your kit today so that you can begin tackling your place and spring clean for the first time in one easy method with one easy product!
Have you made your spring cleaning schedule and grabbed your Thieves products to get you started on the path to spring cleaning? Adulting isn’t so hard when you know what you’re doing.
Follow this spring cleaning guide and you will be all set on the way to cleaning success!
Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried Thieves products before and what questions you have about them. I read every single one!
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Oh man I LOVE spring cleaning. I’m sick right now but as soon as I’m feeling better it is time to get to work. Can’t wait!
I know, writing this post motivated me too!
Spring cleaning is a must, glad you are starting early in your 20’s. It is a good habit to get into 🙂
Me too(:
I swear I needed this information when I first started to realize how important it is to deep clean and get rid of old items. I am good at deep cleaning once a week but getting rid of old items…not so much! Great tips
Thanks Jess, yes so important! Decluttering can be so releasing too!
I agree with you. Whenever I do this, it feels like a new beginning, a fresh room, and positive energy vibes. Nice, you have those non-affecting oils something that I would like to have.
Yes, essential oils work wonders!
Great tips on spring cleaning. I’m sort of weird, but I do a good “Spring Cleaning” every season lol This is mostly wardrobe related, though. 🙂
That’s awesome Vivienne!
I love spring cleaning! But, I am a bit of a clean freak and do rip my house apart on a regular basis.
Haha that’s better than not being clean at all(:
I find spring cleaning a great and useful idea and to it all the time. But I have to face it: I deeply hate it in my heart. rearranging clothes and my closet, getting read of what I don’t need… we also try to refresh the walls this year. Horror.
Haha I hate it too most of the time! It’s a reality we can’t hide from(:
I look forward to spring cleaning now but yes the first time in my 20’s was def challenging. However after deciding on letting one item go it became easier to keep letting go
Exactly Katrina! Letting go does get easier over time!
Spring cleaning leaves you with such a good feeling when it’s done. I go all out with mine.
That’s awesome Rosey!
It’s an good habit. I also love spring cleaning. Will start soon then I will relax when all cleaning is done
Yes, relax after for sure!
I’m all about that deep Spring Cleaning time… Not to say it’s my favorite thing to do, but it sure feels amazing afterwards. Oh, and music is a MUST when I clean!
I live in the cold MN and I can’t wait to open my windows and get that fresh spring air, so excited!
Yes Eloise! I’m in Wisconsin so I am right there with you(:
This is actually well written and well detailed on spring cleaning, thanks for sharing..
Thank you for the compliment!
Cleaning is very interesting and i agree with the fact that when you are spring cleaning, it has to be scheduled.
Yes, you need a plan! Thanks for commenting!
Nothing beats the feeling of a fresh clean house after you have spring cleaned. The bad bit is the hard work that’s needed to do it . 😀
Totally agree Nayna!
Spring cleaning is really great and good habit. When it is done feels like a new beginning. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for commenting!
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