Spring cleaning gets a lot of attention and hype, and for good reason!

There’s something so satisfying about about ripping everything out, dusting off the good stuff, tossing/donating the excess, and putting it back together again with some intention and TLC.

But there are some wonderfully simple ways to get a jumpstart on the process now, so it doesn’t have to feel like such an undertaking then.

1. Declutter!
   
   Start with the eyesores. What nooks and corners of your house just feel overwhelmingly full? Take some time now to get everything out of those spaces so you can at least know what you’re working with.
   
   It’s important to delineate “decluttering” from “cleaning”, because solving a clutter problem isn’t about finding another place for things to go — at least not at first.
   
   Find a box, basket, closet, or bag to put everything from said cluttered space and put it there. Now, you’ve given yourself some room to breathe. Have you solved the problem or truly begun cleaning? Not entirely, but you’ve solved two other problems: a. you’ve laid eyes and hands on the clutter, which hopefully alleviates some anxiety, and b. you’ve cleared out a space in your home that, whether you know it or not, was creating stress deep down inside.
   
   When it’s Spring Cleaning time, you can sort through the make-shift receptacle and truly get things organized. Until then, leave the junk box alone!
   
2. Get the right gear!
   
   We just mentioned it, but part of cleaning in a way that feels sustainable is about having the right storage containers to keep everything in it’s proper place, from your fridge to your garage.
   
   Nathan competed in a triathlon a few years ago, and it’s amazing what a difference the right type of bike makes for cycling. You could be far inferior as a cyclist, and even be somewhat out of shape, but if you have a top-level bike, you can compete with just about anyone in terms of speed!
   
   Cleaning and organizing may not appear to take the same level of dedication as riding a bike long distances, but the tools you use to accomplish it matters just the same!
   
   If you don’t have the right type of storage containers — they’re worn out, or too small, or too big, or you can’t see through them, or you never labeled them right, now’s the time to get what you need! Make the relatively small investment now in order to save yourself the long-term hassle and struggle of not using the right gear.
   
3. Start observing your obstacles today!
   
   When it comes to planning for spring cleaning, it’s not dissimilar from buying a gift for a friend. The best gifts to receive are the ones that make you feel seen and understood by someone else. Yes, it’s nice to get something on your wish list, but when someone surprises you with something that feels so true to you that it pierces your soul, that’s a special thing.
   
   It means that person was paying attention to you, thinking about you, and making plans for you. The best way to execute a success “Spring clean”? Pay attention, today.
   
   Think about the dirt, disorganization, clutter, and built up junk as you go through your day. What messes really affect your life most? It’s not enough to simply get to April and start cleaning up the first thing you can think of. If you want this clean to make a dent and ease your routines for the rest of the year, it takes some forethought.
   
   We’re all busy, so there’s no telling what messes or stresses you’ve chosen to live with just to get through the day. Rather than living with these “devil’s you know” take time to write them down on a notepad in your kitchen as they come to mind. If it’s not a blatantly obvious pile of clothes in your floor, maybe it’s a door that sticks, molding that needs a caulk touch-up, or some scuffs that need a new coat of paint! Whatever it is, you may miss it then, if you don’t start thinking about it now.
   

While we enjoyed venturing back out to stores for some Santa-ing around Christmas, the chill in the air has made us want to curl up by the fire for any New Years shopping. When it comes to getting our pre-Spring cleaning gear, we can’t recommend Wayfair enough. We’ve had a ton of luck finding the right type of containers on Wayfair for our space and, well, stuff, so that we can get this right the first time — and if there’s anything my dad was adamant about, it’s measuring twice and cutting once. I’m listing some of my favorite New Year storage and organization finds for your kitchen, attic, laundry room, and pantry below!