RPM PR's Guide to Spring Cleaning

Spring is HERE. She’s here in all of her glory, filled with almond blossoms, sunshine, and outdoorsy activities like hiking on the weekends before the summer heat hits. Like many of you, something about the warmer weather kickstarts us wanting to get our homes in order. Could it be the extra Vitamin D giving us a boost? Or is that just the shift in our Starbies orders to being iced?

Let’s face it: spring of 2020 brought quarantine, and while that may have motivated some to do a thorough clean, many of us dove into the world of underground tiger breeding (bravo, Netflix exec’s with the timing of that drop!) and breadmaking to pass the time. So here we are. We’ve had a full year of spending more time in our homes than ever before, and now it’s time to start anew with a good organizational sesh. 

Spring cleaning and organizing is a process, but once you #addressthemess, we promise you will feel so much better. Here are a few tips we’ve put together to help you tackle the clutter and potentially even give Clea and Jo a run for their money. 

Make a Plan

Before you dive head-first into that closet where you shove alllllll the things (you know the one), make a plan of action. Don’t try to do everything all in one weekend - you will end up overwhelmed sitting next to a pile of your favorite jeans from 2016. Instead, pick a section to do each day, kitchen on Monday, bathroom on Tuesday, etc. Breaking up your home by section will make the process less daunting, and you will start to see progress each day to keep you motivated to continue. 

Dump the Junk

Once you make your plan, grab a trash bag and walk your entire home (a la Emily Ley style). Immediately throw out any trash and random papers just lying around. You will be amazed at what you may have lurking in your home after a full year of binge-watching TV and eating your feelings (no judgement, because, same).  

Say “Goodbye”

Now that you’ve made your plan and cleared the trash, it’s time to get to work. There are different ways to determine what you keep and what may go. Some prefer the “sparking joy” method, but we tend to go with the mantra, “best, favorite, necessary,” because let’s be real - it’s hard to wrap your head around any kitchen gadget sparking joy. When you go with the “best, favorite, necessary” approach, you can easily edit the more mundane items throughout your home (girl, we know 2020 was one for the books, but do you really need 6 wine openers?). Ruthlessly declutter each section of your home. Have 16 pairs of jeans with 8 you haven't worn since last March? Time to edit. 

Organize and Accessorize

Once you’ve purged your spaces, put everything back in its new home. Adding organizational bins always helps the process and gives a clean, fresh feeling. You can find great options online, or even budget-friendly items at local discount stores. Using drawer dividers in the kitchen to split the spatulas (you should have no more than 2 now) from the ice cream scoops (hey, you’ve worked hard, you should treat yourself) make a huge difference, for little cost.  

Donate, Donate, Donate

When you are done, find a local organization to take your gently used items to. If you’re a Central Valley local, check out the needs of the Marjaree Mason Center or the Poverello House to see their in kind donations and wish lists - they will appreciate your support!

Sparkle and Shine

The final step is to do a thorough clean throughout the house - one that will make your freshly organized space sparkle. Screenshot this checklist for a breakdown of areas to focus on throughout the week.

Finished? Now enjoy that beautiful sunny weather in your newly organized space. Open the windows and treat yourself to a cocktail with friends to celebrate your hard work - they’ll love seeing what you have done, and you may inspire them as well. 

Happy spring cleaning, friends!