Spring cleaning & organizing: the best tips from the pros

Hello there, fellow clean freaks and wanna-be clean freaks! It's that time of year again - the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the dust bunnies and bugs are multiplying at an alarming rate. Yes, it's time for some good old-fashioned spring cleaning!

Now, we know what you're thinking. "Cleaning is such a chore! How can I possibly make it fun?" Well, fear not. We spoke to the pros to gain their best tips and suggestions, and with a little creativity and elbow grease, you'll have your home sparkling and organized in no time.

But where to start, you ask? Let's begin with the heart of the home - the kitchen.

Revamp your culinary space. Cooking-up a plan.

The kitchen is the heart of your home where the magic happens. It's where we whip up delicious meals and bake decadent treats to share with family and friends. It’s also where we make a mess every day. Even worse, messes can invite bugs – the ultimate unwanted guests. A few simple tips will make your kitchen spotless in no time.

1. Clean the Fridge
   
   Ah, the fridge. It's the unsung hero of the kitchen, keeping our food fresh and our drinks cold. But it can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and funky smells. Start by emptying everything out and giving it a good wipe down with some warm, soapy water. Don't forget to clean the shelves and drawers, too.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Declutter the Counter
   
   Nothing makes a kitchen feel cluttered like a bunch of stuff on the counters. Take a good look at what you have out and ask yourself - do I really need this here? If the answer is no, find a new home for it.
   
   
   
   
3. Organize the Pantry
   
   Let's be real - we've all got that one shelf in the pantry that's a disaster. Or several shelves. Or all the shelves. Regardless, it’s worth your future sanity to take some time to organize your pantry.
   
   First, spray the area with Wondercide’s Cedarwood Spray so bugs don’t ruin your pantry party. And if you do see ants or roaches, there’s no shame in your game. Morgan Tyree from Morganize with Me tells us she commonly sees insects in pantries. “One way to circumvent that is to obviously keep your places tidy and also have the right products.” Wondercide has a plant-powered aerosol spray to keep on hand that quickly kills ants, roaches, carpet beetles, and more. It’s safe around pets and family when used as directed so you can feel confident when using it.
   
   To tidy up, pull out the goods, evaluate what you have. Not going to cook those 6 cans of beans? Donate. Group similar items together, using baskets or bins to corral loose items. And give those expiration dates a peek while you’re at it.
   
   
   
   
   
4. That space under the sink
   
   Oh, that challenging space under the sink. Morgan says, “This is one of my go-to ways to organize under your kitchen sink. Grab a caddy, they’re sold everywhere, and they help to hold the bottles and supplies you need. You can even decant your garbage sacks and just stick them there so they’re ready to grab and go.”
    
   

Clean the closets and rediscover your hidden treasures. 

It’s easy to have a love/hate relationship with your closet, but let’s bring back the love. Closets let us pack away clutter we don’t have time to deal with, and then we feel the shame of our disorganization every time we open it. Have some fun with surprise items you forgot you stored in there. You’ll probably come out with some treasures, and you’ll fall in love with your new, functional space.

1. Purge, Purge, Purge
   
   The first step to a clean and organized closet is to get rid of anything you no longer wear or need. If you haven't worn it in the last year, chances are you never will.
   
   
2. Refresh the Musty Air
   
   Once you've purged, it's time to refresh the space and give it vitality. Grab a rag, and spray or wipe down the shelves and walls of the closet with Wondercide Indoor Pest Control for Home and then let dry. This will freshen it up and keep away the moths and other creepy crawlies that want to snack on your favorite sweater.
   
   
3. Organize Your Items
   
   Group like items together, such as shirts, pants, and skirts. Use hangers, baskets, or shelves to keep everything tidy. Some people like to color-organize clothing and contents. Others may do so by season. If you need motivation, just picture how easy it will be to find your favorite pants in a hurry!
   
   Chantell Dennis of Simply Organized offers these pro tips:
   
   “So here’s a few tips to tackle your closet. It’s going to be one of your more overwhelming projects, so I recommend setting a timer, starting small. The first thing you’re going to do, is you’re going to pull things out of your closet and you’re going to touch each item, and you’re going to ask yourself, “Do I really wear this? Do I love it? And would I buy it again today?” If any of those answers are no, then I would consider doing a donate pile. If something is ripped and you know it’s beyond repair, you can throw it out. Or you can even create a “maybe” box for yourself where you can put it in there and if you don’t reach for it in the next week to a month, then you know that that’s something you can donate.
   
   So start in small sections, stick with that one in and one out rule. If you get a new top that you really love, go through your tops and make sure that there’s one you can pull out as well so that you’re not overstuffing your space.”
   
   

Turn the bedroom into a sleep sanctuary. 

The beloved bedroom. It's where we rest our heads at night and dream sweet dreams. But it can also be chaotic, making the peaceful transition to sleep difficult if it’s unorganized. These easy tips will make your bedroom a haven of peace and tranquility.

1. Make the Bed
   
   This may seem simple and obvious, but it's amazing how much of a difference a made bed can make, and when you come back at the end of the day, the nicely-made bed will be more inviting. Take a few extra minutes each morning to make your bed and you'll feel like you've accomplished something before the day even begins.
   
   
   
   
2. Declutter Surfaces
   
   Just like in the kitchen, cluttered surfaces can make a bedroom feel chaotic. Take some time to clear off your nightstand, dresser, and any other surfaces in the room that are collecting random items. Use baskets or bins to corral loose items and give everything a designated home.
   
   

Take your bathroom from ordinary to opulent.

Also known as the throne room, your bathroom should be a relaxing place fit for a king. Instead it often generates clutter as we get ready in a hurry for our day, and we don’t feel like cleaning at night after a long day. But there’s no need to worry, this is how to make your bathroom a clean and relaxing oasis.

1. Declutter Your Counters
   
   Just like in the kitchen and bedroom, cluttered surfaces feel chaotic and ruin the relaxing vibe of the bathroom. Clear off your counters and only keep out the items you use daily. You may even want to consider putting those items in a decorative basket or container to elevate them.
   
   
   
   
2. Clean Your Shower Curtain and Liner
   
   It's easy to forget about the shower curtain and liner, but they can harbor mildew and bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Throw them in the washing machine (with some vinegar) and hang them back up to dry.
   
   
3. Use Natural Cleaning Products
   
   Many commercial cleaning products are full of harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment. Opt for simpler products, such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice, to clean your bathroom.
   
   

Remove office clutter and make room for focus.

1. Declutter Your Desk
   
   Clear off your desk, and it will help clear your mind. Use drawers, bins, or shelves to keep everything organized.
   
   
2. Organize Your Files
   
   Whether you have physical or digital files, take some time to organize them. Group like items together and label everything clearly. Knowing where to find your content will help you breathe easy.
   
   

Make room for your car in the garage.

Let’s take a look at what is in your garage. Aubrey and Laurel of Stay Golden Organizing, LLC told us “Garages tend to be spaces that collect items that you no longer want or need. We kind of throw them out there and forget that they are there.” Be honest, when was the last time you had room to park your car in there?

1. Purge, Purge, Purge
   
   Start at the beginning and get rid of any junk. We asked Aubrey and Laurel how they would get started, and they said, “We recommend going through and pairing items down, getting rid of trash, donating items, and just kind of clearing out all of the unwanted things first.
   
   
2. Group Like Items Together
   
   Once you've purged, it's time to organize. Group like items together, such as tools, sports equipment, and gardening supplies. Use shelves, bins, or pegboards to keep everything tidy.
   
   
3. Use Natural Cleaning Products
   
   Just like in the bathroom and office, opt for natural cleaning products to clean your garage. Not only are they better for your health and the environment, but they can also save you money.
   

If you find wasps, reach for Wondercide’s Wasp & Hornet long-range spray to get rid of them. Roaches the problem? Ant & Roach will take care of them swiftly.
 

Keep your home fresh and tidy all year round.

Congratulations! You've successfully cleaned and organized your home. Here’s that magic payoff that you’ve been building toward. Chantell tells us after a cleaning project “I feel wonderful. I feel like I can conquer the world. It just feels really good, so I’m assuming that you guys would feel the same way too when you tackle a space and let’s do spring cleaning together!”

It’s an awesome feeling to successfully tackle such a big project, but now you may be feeling overwhelmed at the thought of having to clean it again later. How do you keep it this clean? Follow these tips for maintaining your hard work without hassle:

1. Do a little bit every day
   
   The experts know this is the best way to maintain a clean and tidy home. Debbie Harwin leads an entire team of professional organizers for I Need My Space. When asked about maintenance, she said, “Once you have organized any given space, the best way to keep it up is to devote 5-10 minutes at the end of each day getting it back into its organized state. Maintenance is crucial. Without it, systems fall apart.”
   
   
2. Stick to a routine
   
   Establish a routine for cleaning and organizing your home. Whether it's a weekly deep clean or a daily tidy-up, sticking to a routine will help you stay on top of things.
   
   
3. Get the whole family involved
   
   Cleaning and organizing shouldn't fall solely on one person's shoulders. Get the whole family involved in maintaining a clean and organized home. Assign age-appropriate tasks to children and make it a family affair. No one said anything about not using bribes / rewards! Praise the kids. Praise your partner. Praise yourself!
   
   
4. Use natural products
   
   Use natural cleaning products to maintain a healthy and eco-friendly home.
   
   
5. Revisit your organization systems
   
   Every few months, revisit your organization systems to see if they're still working for you. Don't be afraid to make changes or try something new or consider a new home for an item that seems to just stay out of place. Michele Renee Hendel of Get Organized by MRH reminds us to “Give everything a ‘home.’ If everything has a home, it makes it easier to return it there after it is worn or used. Organizing is a way of life, not just something we do once in a while.”
   
   

Bring in the calm, for good!

Cleaning and organizing your home can feel overwhelming, but with these tips, you'll be on your way to a clean and pest-free home in no time. Remember to take it one room at a time, purge items you no longer need, group like items together, and use natural cleaning products. And most importantly, have fun with it! A clean and organized home can bring a sense of calm and peace to your life. 

Happy cleaning!