In all likelihood, your spring cleaning is well underway. However, for those of us who might be a little behind, Property Brother Jonathan Scott has revealed an encouraging piece of information: spring cleaning is not just a once-a-year ritual for him.
'I spring clean, like, three, four times a year because I love to just reduce down to what we really need,' the Celebrity IOU host revealed in a recent Instagram video.
In the clip, he breaks down his simple, three-step process for spring (or really, year-round) home clean-outs, and we are taking notes to carry into the months ahead.
Shop spring cleaning essentials
The Method disinfecting sprays are made with plant-based ingredients, limiting toxins in your home while killing germs.
If you don't mind working around the room manually, a microfiber cloth is a great tool for collecting dust and polishing baseboards.
Ideal for fridges and pantries, clear stackable containers make use of high shelving while allowing you to see everything you have in one glance, limiting food waste.
First and foremost, plan out how you want to tackle your cleaning. 'Do all the planning in advance when you’re calm, you’re not frustrated, and set a budget,' Jonathan says. 'Do you need to get extra storage containers? Dividers? Cleaning supplies? Whatever it might be, plan it all in advance and then stick to the plan. Because in the heat of it, when you’re covered in dust and you’re frustrated, that’s a bad time to start changing things.'
Once you have landed on your essential cleaning supplies and accessories, Jonathan suggests organizing.
'Take everything out of the room or the cabinet or the drawer, then lay it all out and divide it into four categories: Keep; toss; recycle; donate,' he says.
Jonathan suggests being very honest with yourself about the belongings you do and don't need. 'Do you really need to have that hose that’s 40 years old and has holes in it? Probably not,' he states. 'Do you really need to have 14 different types of containers? No, you probably don’t. So, sort down to what you really need, and that makes it a lot easier.'
The third and final step: be patient. 'Don’t take on so much that you’re going to get frustrated – you’ve got cobwebs in your hair and you just want to give up—because nobody wants to live in a mess. Tackle what you can accomplish in a short period of time, and it will make it a lot easier for you,” Jonathan says. 'Just have fun, take it in bite-size chunks, and you’ll really be successful.'
We are certainly feeling motivated to keep the spirit of spring cleaning with us throughout the other three seasons of the year with these attainable tips.
