It's almost time for spring cleaning

Spring cleaning is a necessity and a ritual for some. "Out with the old and in with the new!" It is time to tackle those tasks that you have put off. There is even "National Cleaning Week," which starts March 27th and goes through April 2nd. Nationaltoday.com states that National Cleaning Week begins each year on the fourth Sunday in March. It is a week-long lineup of activities targeted at encouraging everyone to clean their homes, closets, cars, storage lockers, and offices. Also, this week emphasizes the value and importance of cleaning employees, employers, and other stakeholders in the cleaning industry

I love organizing everything and ensuring that where I lay, my head is spotless. When I go to the grocery store, I place everything on the conveyor belt in order. My veggies and cold things go first. Then my shelved products like cereal, flour, seasoning, etc., and cleaning products, dog food, toiletries, etc., go last. I get distraught when the cashier rushes me, and I cannot get them that way. In my linen closet, all towels and sheets are lined up with one fold. That means all you see is one line in the front. See what I mean below.

Example Of One Fold

I remember living in Watergut with my five kids years ago in a three-bedroom apartment. Two daughters shared a room. My son was a baby, so he slept with me. There needed to be more space for them to store their clothes. We had many shelves, but they were in the open where anyone visiting could see them. So to make everything look neat and in order, you had to fold the clothes a specific way. I showed my daughters how I wanted it, and there were no exceptions. I wanted one fold. When they half-assed it, I would knock their pile of clothes on the ground and make them start over. They would be so mad. I couldn’t avoid passing the shelf and the rows for looking wild. The disorganization would send me mad as a raging bull. Today, my daughter's closet is perfect with one fold.

When one of my daughters went to college and had four roommates in an apartment, she thanked me because she finally understood the assignment. She tried to teach her roommates, but they were not having it.

I got to organize this millionaire’s wife's walk-in closet and kitchen. Her closet was the size of a large bedroom with shelves in the middle and a hanging area. I was in heaven, putting things in the right place. I first started with the shelves. I folded sweaters, placed purses, and her jewelry so it would be easy to put them back when they were not used. Once I finished with the shelves, I moved to the hangers. I placed pants, skirts, dresses, etc., in their area, separated by colors. All hangers had to be the same and hanging in the right direction. When I was done, she could not believe it was her closet. I helped her remove clothes she had not worn in years. You know the saying, "If you have not worn something in a year, it's time to get rid of it!"

The kitchen was more accessible. We threw away a lot of plastic cups and containers. You know, the ones you get at expos and conventions and those containers that are either missing the top or the bottom. By doing that first, we have space to keep the essential things. It was perfect.

When I start your spring cleaning, I start with the room that will take the most time. I then set the best time and completed the task the same day. When I say to complete the job, I mean taking what needs to go to the dump and taking what I don't want to throw away to a church or Goodwill. Before I decide if it will go to Goodwill, I may choose to have a yard sale. I want to get something back from the things I already bought. By doing this, I have the opportunity to give to those that are less fortunate than letting Goodwill sell my items.

I am a morning person, so that I will start first thing. I am going to eat something and have my playlist ready to begin my task. Then, if I still have enough energy, I will move to the next room. I will not try to do the entire house on the same day. I want to stay calm and not leave lots of things undone.

Once I complete a room, I will sweep, mop, or vacuum the floor, change the linen, and burn my candles. It leaves the room smelling amazing and is a sign of completion. I will finish the entire house within 2 weeks. I may purchase something new to spruce up the room and make it like I just moved in. It is a great feeling walking into a room and it looks different.

Until Next Time

Simply Jaynae