Winter is finally taking its last turn. And that means spring cleaning. Before you shake your head no, take a moment to look around. Most likely, you and the rest of your family have been living more at home than ever. Things have gotten a little grubbier from more use. Many items are getting more wear and tear than ever.

So why not take the new season as a renewed sense of productivity. It can be overwhelming. And it can feel a bit fruitless. (I know cleaning that sliding door track will only lead to more dirt in the track – not to mention an aching back.)

Here are some tips to easily get started.

Sort and De-Clutter

Going through everything you own should be your first step in spring cleaning. If available, grab three boxes, sort through the small items you own and put them into “keep,” “store,” and “toss” boxes. (Hint: I use plastic tubs for the store boxes, so I can easily get them in the attic without worry.)

To make the task easier, go through your stuff while listening to music. Make it fun, sing and dance along.

Here’s a suggested playlist:

Create a Basic Cleaning Kit

After decluttering, round-up the supplies you might need to clean every surface of your home. Make sure that you have an all-purpose cleaner, disposable gloves, disinfectant, glass cleaner, microfiber cloths, a sponge, and a small duster in your kit.

This way, you don’t have to run to the store to buy any cleaning supplies when you are already knee-deep scrubbing your floors. You don’t want to lose your momentum.

Take On the Task Room By Room

Thinking that you have to clean an entire house is enough to discourage anyone. You are one person – and there are just too many nooks and crannies to go through. This is why it is smarter to clean room by room.

Set a schedule. You can set an hour or a day per room – it doesn’t matter the length as time as long as you’re consistent. This will make the task less daunting.

Reward Yourself

Spring cleaning is not easy. Especially if it’s your first time, but after it is done – it deserves a reward.  Sure, the house looks great, but give yourself some extra credit and do something for yourself.

Perhaps it’s creating your own playlist for future cleaning! Why not share a favorite song that you like cleaning to in the comments?