Thanks for joining me for the third day in my Spring Cleaning Festival. Before I introduce today’s special guest, I want to announce the three winners of the free download of “31 Days to Clean” by Sarah Mae. Congratulations to: Sarah Kissling (posting at 11:03 a.m.), Michele Morris (posting at 9:17 a.m.) and Renee (posting at 8:27 p.m.). I’ve given your contact info to Sarah Mae and you’ll be hearing from her soon.
Today I’m delighted to welcome Mandy from Biblical Homemaking. What a lovely young woman of God she is. I’ve spent all kinds of time on her blog and absolutely love it and her. Today Mandy is going to be sharing about cleaning in a busy season, which seems to be every season of my life so far. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any busier than toddlers, they started school. Now mine are teenagers and we are still busy.
So I’ll be hanging on every word Mandy shares today. I’m sure you will too, but in case you get distracted by someone tugging at your sleeve, make sure you come back and read to the bottom for a special giveaway she’s offering. Now here’s Mandy;
If you’re in a busy season like me, just thinking about spring cleaning may seem overwhelming!
These days we are still in a challenging season. We homeschool our four little ones, eight years old and under, so our spring cleaning has to be very simple in order to be possible!
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| (this month, I’m challenging myself to spring clean our living room) |
Maybe you’re there with me? Here’s how we keep spring cleaning simple in the midst of a busy season:
1. Make a realistic spring cleaning list.
With all the resources available on the internet, it’s very tempting to use a template cleaning list for each room. Whether you’re in the trenches of motherhood or just doing regular life, resist the temptation to try to accomplish every possible task you can do. Instead, scan them and use their great ideas to make your own very simple spring cleaning list that works for your family.
Walk through each room and make a list of things that you would like to clean, and write your tasks down in order of highest priority to least.
Keep your list fairly simple, and don’t worry about the time frame. The beautiful thing about “spring cleaning” is that it doesn’t have to happen only during the springtime! You can breathe a little easier knowing you don’t have to have it all done in two weeks.
2. Break your list into quick 5-20 minute tasks.
When you’ve made your list for each room, break it down into simple tasks that can be completed in 5-20 minutes, if possible. Breaking your big chores in small chunks will really help motivate you to get moving! And if you only get to spend five minutes spring cleaning one day, you’ll have accomplished one task!
3. Aim to complete one to three tasks each day.
Again, keeping it simple is such an important key to staying motivated to spring clean. Aiming to complete just one to three tasks per day will keep you moving and allow you to meet your goals.
4. Spring clean with joy!
God is so good to us to give us a home to keep! Whether it’s big or small, new or old, it’s yours, and He provided it out of His love for you. When we start to look through the lens of thanksgiving and praise, even cleaning becomes a joy!
We get to spring clean, sweet friends!! Because of His mercy and love for us!! How exciting is that?
Keep it simple, and rejoice in your daily spring cleaning, because the God of the universe loves you and has given you all good things! He is GOOD. In everything you do, give thanks to Him!
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Amen! Mandy you said it beautifully. Thank you so much for joining me and sharing such encouraging and practical words. I love the 5-minute cleaning idea! I’m going to use that right away.
The blessings continue because Mandy is giving away a $25.00 Target card to one person who comments today. We’ll announce the winner on Thursday. To leave a comment you’ll need to get to my blog by clicking here. This applies to everyone reading this in an email. SORRY – THE CONTEST IS CLOSED. PLEASE STOP BACK THIS WEEK AND NEXT FOR MORE SPECIALS AND GIVEAWAYS.
Don’t forget to stop over at Mandy’s blog too. Just beware that it will be hard to pull yourself away.
Join me tomorrow for another great guest post in my Spring Cleaning Festival.
Grace & Peace,
Glynnis
The timing of this article is a God-send. I’ve been wanting to tackle our master bedroom closets (his & hers) & yet keep getting overwhelmed. Thank you for showing me that it can be stretched over time!
I think women have put so much stress on the word “spring” cleaning – i look at the house (post Christmas, winter,…) and wonder how to get it all done, along with all of the other daily things, plus working full time outside the home. always good to get these reminders that work CAN and SHOULD be broken up in segments – “segmental” cleaning!
I have really never thought of planning and making a list for cleaning. Usually I just try to get done what I can when I have that time, but lately hasn’t been easy with two little one’s and other priorities.
Love the idea to make a custom list!
Never really thought of cleaning as a “joy”. It’s always been just another job on my “to-do” list that never gets completely done.
Thanks for the grace that just flows from your writing. I really need to let go of the perfectionism.
Breaking the list down into 5-20 minute increments is genius!
The part where she said “Spring clean with joy” stuck out to me! It’s not just about getting it done….we should have a good attitude, and in turn, display to our children that we practice what we preach!
I love your last point, Mandy! The cleaning goes from drudgery to privilege when we view it through that lens. Thanks!
I love the idea of a “realistic” list. . .I always try to do too much, like moving the furniture, painting, re-arranging. . .and then I get overwhelmed!
Stopping by from Mandy’s to say hi! I’m a list gal, so I love that part of this idea. Always can use an attitude check. Your newest FB fan! Glad Mandy sent me over.
Thank you Mandy, for the reminder to thank God for EVERYthing! Even being able to clean my house!:) I love the tip on making a list, that would seem much more manageable than just walking into a room and trying to decide where to begin. That’s my biggest challenge…where to begin!
Thanks Mandy! I liked your reminder about unrealistic standards. I think many of us grab onto those. I have 6 homeschooled children 16 to 3 that are always in and about our home. It seems that the house never gets truly ‘done’. I honestly wish that maybe 3 rooms of the house could be clean at one time, maybe one look like a magazine cover…haha! Granted, we aren’t dirty…mold, mud, and muck everywhere…but with 8 bodies in and out…the dust never stops, feet turn dark when barefoot, and that bathroom…ugh!
Thanks for the pointers.
(and HOW do you keep a white couch clean with such young ones? Awesome!)
Thanks for all the lovely tips! What a great surprise blog hopping…The Pleated Poppy. Biblical Homemaking. And here!
I love the idea of breaking tasks down into 5-20 minute bites. I work outside of our home 9 hrs a day, plus an hour commute each way. So by the time I get home in the evening my energy is running low and housework is not high on the priority scale. And I do not want to give up the whole weekend with my family for cleaning the house all day. Breaking it down into small tasks I can accomplish each night is something I can do and feel good about because progress is still being made … and I still get to enjoy my family.
I love the idea to have daily goals vs. killing yourself all in one day. I think that will definitely make it more enjoyable and the cleaning will be better because more time will be spent on each task! Thanks so much for all of the tips!
Great tips!
Thank you for keeping it real. I love your idea to accomplish one task a day. I struggle with being over commited, over scheduled and never able to meet my unrealistic “to do” list each day! Thank you again.
Love Mandy’s blog! Great tips!
The thought of spring cleaning scares me…lol. I had surgery last year and have just recently gotten to the point where I can deep clean my house again, but there is so much to do.
I really like breaking it down into 5-20 min. sessions. I tend to try for 15 min cleaning sessions and it is AMAZING all you can accomplish in that short of time! Thanks for sharing
Great tips! One bite at a time…
I love the idea of setting realistic goals. I have 3 small children so sometimes a 5 minute task is all I can handle.
Popping over from Biblical Homemaking! Like the looks of your blog, and am definitely adding it to my list.
Thanks for the great tips!
You are wonderful at breaking it down into realistic goals, a few things at a time. And you make a great point about cleaning with joy, it is a blessing that we have a house to keep, laundry to wash, dishes to clean after a good meal. Thanks for the encouragement!
Lately I have been totally shocked at myself while cleaning. I’ve actually found myself SMILING while I work. What is up with that?!
I take so much joy in the fact that I am able-bodied and that I can serve my family and my Jesus even in the menial tasks of everyday life. Its gotten harder as I went back to teaching full time this year. Balancing everything has been a big challenge but I know I’m where I am supposed to be. There is grace to do it!
Great ideas!
This is such great advice! I am a new homeowner as of almost a year ago, and I feel like I’ve already had to go through my things multiple times to de-clutter. Isn’t it crazy how the papers can stack so quickly? Haha! Well, thanks for the tips…my sanity will be increased 10-fold if I focus on bits and pieces at a time instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything left to do. But as Scripture says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!” I am very confident in my ability to defeat a messy household.
I am very thankful for this series! Having just had my first baby and gotten married in the last year I am overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to me a good wife/mother/homemaker. I need God’s grace and the grace of other women! Looking forward to each of these posts daily.
I like the idea of prioritizing and breaking tasks into smaller tasks, but I am most challenged by the “why” concept. I need to do what I do as a service to my family with JOY!
I love the attitude of gratefulness for what God has blessed us with in talking about cleaning!
My parents are coming from out of town to visit….good motivation for spring cleaning this week! Breaking it up into areas/days has really helped. I’m even enjoying it. Clean and less cluttered.
Thank you for the great tips! I love throwing the windows open and letting the beautiful spring air and sounds drift in…it makes cleaning s bit more enjoyable!
Great advice!
I love the advice. As much as I look forward to Spring Cleaning it can be a bit overwhelming as well. I am recovering from postpartum depression and my house cleaning took a back seat to that for a few yrs and now I have so much to do it seems like I won’t be able to actually do it. One step at a time though!
When it comes to corning…just do it and do it with joy. Thanks for the reminder!
I REALLY need to start doing this!
Spring cleaning for me, is a time to change things up. I have decided to move the furniture around, purge the house of clutter, and gradually change the theme color of red, to a comfy blue. I love spring!
I love the idea of breaking tasks down to 5-20 min segments. That way it is not too overwhelming. Thanks for the ideas.
Thanks for the great tips! Cleaning can be a huge task if you don’t break it into more manageable chunks and having a good attitude can make all the difference. My word for the year is joy so I am striving to live joyfully in all that I do!
Love Mandy’s advice on keeping things realistic and breaking tasks down to smaller ones. That’s hard to do when there’s so much to do!
This is the first year I’m attempting any sort of spring cleanIng, so I appreciate the encouragement to go about it in little bits each day. Definitely doesn’t seem as overwhelming that way … well, except for cleaning the windows!
Thanks so much for the great post!! It is so encouraging, and practical as well!
With six kids, several with special needs, I take every tip I can get!!!
I just found Mandy and then through her, your blog! Thank you so much for both being such godly women encouraging others. This is what I long for! My favorite part of Mandy’s post today was that we GET to clean our homes. We are so thankful to have a home that doesn’t leak, has good floors, feels crowded but really does have a place for everything. Today I GET to wash walls and scrub baseboards. Such good words to start my morning with!
Great idea on the 5-20 min. increments. I always look at spring cleaning tasks as hours at a time. Thanks for the different perspective. God bless you for helping moms like me who need to look at things differently! I can’t wait to check out your blog….
Your home is beautiful Mindy. When I had kids at home I used a system to keep the house clean-Sidetracked Home Executive or something like that. It broke down everything into little manageable segments.
I have 3 boys and one on the way…we are remodeling for the 2nd time….Spring cleaning will be a must for me! I love Mandy’s blog and so glad to have found yours through hers!!!
Love Biblical Homemaking Blog!! And could sooooooo use that $25 Target card! pick me! haha
Thank you so much for the very tips Mandy!!! Will start today!!
love these tips thanks! could really use the 25.00 as well
Great tips! Thanks! I don’t know if I will spend the money on cleaning supplies or clothes for wiww. I will have to think about it….
Thank you for reminding us that we don’t have to get all of our Spring cleaning done in one day. I don’t know about others, but I always try to get a million things done all at one time. And of course fail miserably. So it’s nice to be reminded that hey, take it slow and easy and you will get tons done.
What a good reminder! Finding joy in cleaning is something I need to do!
I LOVE Mandie and I’m visiting from her blog. Thanks so much for the cleaning inspiration!
great ideas! I need to make more time to do the spring cleaning thing!!
Interesting article. I would like to hear some tips for motivating teens to clean, joyfully, or at least not mad.
I love Mandy’s writing! It is inspiring to know that there are other young Christian mother’s out there that have Christ-centered family friendly goals! I can’t wait to find joy in getting my home refreshingly clean! Thanks
I have already made a list for my Spring Cleaning. I was disappointed not to get it all completed last weekend. I am glad for the reminder that it doesn’t need to be done all at once and I can work on it in 10 – 20 minutes a day.
I like the idea of breaking it up into smaller, more manageable tasks. Then it doesn’t seem so overwhelming!
Thanks for the chance to win. I need to work on breaking things down into manageable parts, I think of the big picture and get so overwhelmed that I do nothing.
Thank you for the reminder that we have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful that I have a wonderful house that I GET to clean. So many people have lost so much lately. I will clean with joy today.
Wow. How simple and yet how complex. Thanks for sharing and reminding me that cleaning should be done with a grateful heart.
Excellent perspective to give thanks and glory to God as we are good stewards of the blessings (our homes) that He has given us!
love the aspect of being thankful for having a house to clean! It often feels like a burden, but how truely wonderful that God has provided for us to be able to own a home to clean!
God IS so good for blessing us with a home to keep! That’s a great perspective to see my spring cleaning through:).
Great tips. We are so blessed to have a home to clean and maintain.
I was feeling a little overwhelmed because I had copied off one of those “template lists” you mentioned. Just keeping up with the everyday chores is enough, but adding Spring Cleaning tasks to the list seems like too much. Thank you for the helpful tips and the reminder to be thankful for the home God has provided. I think I can easily manage 5-20 minute tasks each day! Looking forward to reading more and to having a cleaner home!
I’d love to say it gets easier as kids grow up…but being the mom of sons who have decided to live at home due to work situations…it seems harder. (Their idea of clean and mom’s are vastly different.) Thank you so much for the ideas! God is good…He has richly blessed me and mine!
Going to take a look at her blog…she has some great ideas! How true, we are so blessed to have a home to spring clean!
Thanks for the great tips! I can’t wait to get started!
Blessings,
Janet W.
Wonderful and very timely advice for me. Thank you for this blog and post. I have lots of plans running around in my head that will make it onto my own custom list very soon. God bless!
Thank you for the great advice! I am a working mom of 2 wonderful, full-of-life boys and I find that even the thought of spring cleaning is daunting. I love the idea of making a list of priorities in each room and creating small tasks to be done here and there – not all in the same day!
I really dislike cleaning so it’s very hard for me to even make the first step. I appreciate the ideas and suggestions every day and am really working hard to get my home in order. It’s not a mess, it’s just a bit dusty, but I still need to make the first move. I really have to pray about it too! And, with money so tight, I really don’t have the finances to buy organizers and handy dandy cleaning tools, but I’ll figure it out.
Thanks for helping make a big job doable. I love the idea of 3 20 minutes tasks a day. Takes the overwhelming out of the cleaning.
It’s hard for me to set the goal to accomplish 1-3 things a day. When I get something in my head, I feel that I have to do it all at once, or it will never get accomplished…
Lovely blog and timely advice! Working on my custom list now!
thank you(!) for the part about gratitude for our homes that we need to keep up-for His honor and glory! sanity and order is an intended bonus!
Love the outlook on cleaning shared in this post. I had never thought of it as I have somewhere to clean. Thanks so much sharing these helpful tips – can’t wait to get started using this new method!!
I love the idea of breaking up chores into smaller chunks. I have a tendency to look at all I need to do and get overwhelmed and discouraged and end up getting nothing accomplished. I think if I focus on just a few things a day, I might actually see some progress. I’m definitely in a busy season. I have a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and. 2 week old, so there’s always someone who needs something from me.
Thank you for that. I feel so overwhelmed when I look at those lists and think how am I ever going to get all of that done? It was just encouraging to be reminded that I don’t have to have it done in a 2 week time span or have to do EVERYTHING on the list. So, THANKS!! again.
This was so timely. I have been lying in bed at night trying to come up with a “doable” cleaning schedule and I always get overwhelmed. I, too, work outside the home 8-10 hours per day and an hour commute. It is so difficult to get anything completed besides dinner and dishes. I love the idea of breaking tasks down into 5-20 minute bites. I really can accomplish something in 5-20 minutes on a daily basis and put the larger projects off until the weekend. Thanks for the encouragement! (And note to Mandy, what is there to clean in your den?!?!? It looks magnificent!)
Great advice to break the cleaning up into smaller segments. I usually try to get two things done each day. That way I’m not overwhelmed, rushed or taxed for time. Works great for us!
I loved the five minute idea also, this is so helpful for me because not only are my children pre-teens and teenager but I am also a nursing student and there are days/weeks/months that I barely have time to do the dishes or throw laundry in the washer. So thankful for women who are encouraging and let us other women know it is ok to not be superwoman!
If I don’t overwhelm myself with a big “to-do” list then I am okay to do 1 or 2 projects daily. I also subscribe to Mandy’s blog and love her inspirational posts! Glad to see her as a guest blogger on your post! Would love to win this giveaway! Thanks!
Love the idea of 5 – 20 increments…great way put it in perspective..:)
Thank you so much for your series on cleaning…and the new perspectives with different schedules, projects & tasks! Thank you for your heart, encouragement, and dedication to this ministry!! God bless!
These are ideas that we can apply to everyday, not just spring. If we continue to work in increments instead of beating ourselves up with the idea that it all has to be done in a designated amount of time, then we can free ourselves up to enjoy all that our wonderful Heavenly Father has to offer us. Soaking up sunshine, admiring nature and most of all talking to Him. Have a Jesus filled day.
Thanks for the tips! I recently painted one room in our home and decided that’s the easiest way to really deep clean. I thought it could be done in a matter of hours (painting that is), but actually it took a day to clean the walls, baseboard and dog hair hiding behind the desk and chest before I could actually paint. But, boy what a difference that made. I’m ready to tackle the rest of my “to-do” list! I love walking into a room that just looks fresh! Now on to the rest!
I always think big then got so overwhelmed that I end up going in circles and accomplish nothing. A smaller list that gets done is better than a big list that just sits there!
Thank you for the tips! I have a tendency to make big to-do lists and then don’t get anything done on them. I also need to remember to break it down room-by-room because with two boys under 5, there is no way I can get the entire house clean in one day. Oh and to be thankful to God for blessing me with a home to clean is the biggest one of all! I try to remember how blessed I am to have all that I do.
First, I would like to say that Mandy has GORGEOUS hair! Second, I would say that I’ve been trying to do the very thing Mandy is suggesting for a while now. At first, it didn’t work very well because I would fall back into the rut of thinking of everything that needed to be done instead of concentrating on one or a few things a day. But in the last month or so, it has become easier; and I can say that it really works!
Love the blog on spring cleaning. Great ideas. I have found that completing one task at a time makes you feel you have fulfilled one goal. So to keep completing each task, at the end of the day you feel better about yourself as well because you have fulfilled some of the task. Just marking them off the list makes you feel better and when complete, it is a victory.
Can you hear my applause? So many busy women struggle in this area. Your tips to simplify and make small bite-sized jobs reminds me of a song my three kids learned:
Little by little,
inch by inch.
By the yard, it’s hard,
by the inch, what a cinch!
Never stare at the stairs,
just step up the step.
Little by little,
inch by inch!
So maybe I should stop staring at fascinating blogs and go tackle my junk drawer! Done!
You almost made spring house-cleaning seem fun! I am all over this advise and cannot wait until the weekend to try it out.meanwhile I’ll start with the lists!
Right on! My mother always said, “Honey, if a visitor will just give us a 15 minute notice before a drop-in visit, we can work wonders!” When I’m motivated like that, I’m a whirlwind in action.
This is such great advice! Currently my husband and I are both in graduate school with a 3 month old baby girl. We will be finished with school in a month and will then make a big move, which means I have a lot of spring cleaning and organizing to do in the meantime! I am thankful for the suggestion to split your goals up into 5-20 minute tasks so that they can be done in between all of the parenting and homework.
THANK YOU for the reminder of what a blessing it is to have a home to “spring clean”!
I just spent 15 minutes cleaning off my dresser that my husband has been asking me to do for weeks. I was so happy (and so was he) and now I have accomplished a task that I dreaded before. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks so much for sharing Mandy’s ideas. I needed to hear them. I have been feeling very overwhelmed with my spring cleaning and am encouraged with the idea of making lists and breaking it down into small chunks. Can’t wait to get started.
Thanks so much for all the great articles to inspire and motivate me to get my house in order. But most of all, thanks for not making me feel guilty that I can’t seem to get it all done in a day!!
Today’s post spoke to my heart. I am also a homeschooling mom and our lives never seem to not be busy!! And to just keep the day to day cleaning done is a lot for me and the idea of spring cleaning is overwhelming! I love the idea of just taking one room at a time and not to limit yourself to the spring season
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Thank you and Blessings
You make it seem do-able!!! Now today’s task needs to be to find time to make that list!!! Maybe tomorrow’s will be breaking it down into small “bites” that can be done! Thanks!
Mandy is too cute; can’t wait to start following her blog! Love the tips about keeping tasks SMALL!
Since my daughter moved away, I have had to deal with an empty nest and now that I have filled my home with 4-legged children (think perpetual toddlers),
cleaning can be a REAL chore (how can one person and 3 dogs make such a mess every day?), but I make it a practice to clean joyfully, (thinking and praying out loud, listening to praise and worship music as i clean can help change my ‘tone’ if I’m not quite motivated) and I learned long ago to set little goals like accomplishing 2-3 tasks each day to keep from being so overwhelmed. However, Mandy’s idea of breaking my chores into ‘chunks’ is brilliant! Now if I could design little dustcloth shoes (that would stay on), for the dogs, the floors would stay clean during the week and I could eliminate the daily sweeping and mopping!
Thank you Glynnis and Mandy for sharing your gifts (of words and ideas) with the rest of us!
As a mother of three (eight and under) who works from home, I am an expert at setting unrealistic goals for myself! The reminder to set reasonable goals, and aim for 5 – 20 minute tasks, is a point well taken. I regularly aim for this for my paying work – why not for spring cleaning?
My daughter has been telling me that our cluttered house is stressing her out and she’s only 9 yrs old! I will be using these ideas! Thank you!
Great tips! I need to think smaller increments so I don’t get overwhelmed with it all.
Thanks so much for this post…I have five children (age 8 and under) and the task of spring cleaning often seems daunting. Your post has giving me encouragement to make it doable!
I have put off cleaning the areas of my living room that you never see, under and behind furniture, I will break it into smaller tasks and it won’t feel like so much.
Thank you for the ideas!
LOVE this! this touched me and encouraged me! thanks!
What great point about trying to have realistic expectations and goals. When you have little ones around it’s so easy to overload yourself and have unrealistic goals. Trying to accomplish just 1-3 things from your spring cleaning list is definitely manageable! And I love love love Mandy’s blog! It inspires me daily
Thank you so much for this encouragement to view my home as a gift from the Lord! I so often feel overwhelmed and feel that a clean, tidy home is just not something I can accomplish in this busy season of life, so I often just “throw in the towel” and continue on in the barely staying afloat mode. I needed this realistic, doable approach!
I’ve been using this 5-minute method for years! We have 8 kids, now ages 7 to 22 with 3 in college and 5 still home schooled. I rarely get everything done in the same week, but at least some things get done, and I pick the things that are bothering me the most. This week it was washing just one window ~ the one above my kitchen sink ~ so I could enjoy the view of the lilacs beginning to bloom
That was all I could get to since I had to finish our tax returns as well. Next week it will be cleaning and packing away all the winter coats, snowpants, boots etc. that come with life in Michigan. If it snows again, they can do without! I’m just ready for that clutter to be gone for a few months.
Great tips! I’ll have to try them out!
Thank you for your writings and thoughts. As I read today I remembered a dream I had just last night. I dreamed it was April and my Christmas Tree was still decorated and standing out for all to see. Well, I have to say it is not but there are still fall, Christmas decorations and now Easter stuff out of place in a few different rooms of this house. I feel sometimes that I need to empty everything out onto the lawn and then paint, clean and only bring back in the items that have a place. This would probably take a year. The story is much too long to tell, but I am working daily and getting a routine so things are beginning to come together. Thank You and God Bless You and Your Ministry!
Thanks for the great tips. . .w/ 3 kids 5 and under cleaning seems like a never ending chore. Thanks for the reminder to make realistic goals!
Great idea to tackle a few things at a time!
I love the words, “We GET to spring clean.” Great reminder to see cleaning our houses as a blessing because we have a house to live in to begin with!
Thank you so much for the much needed reminder to be thankful and chose joy for my home. It seems so easy to overlook the many blessings I have and I need to remember that even in the mundane things like emptying the dishwasher and staying on top of the constant laundry is such a gift as there are many who are unable to do even the littlest of things. Thank you again and may God continue to bless you in your home and ministry.
Thanks Mandy (and Glynnis) … I feel inspired to do some SPRING cleaning around my place mainly because you kept it simple and achievable by breaking it down in bite size nuggets … that’s really cool for me especially here where I live in Florida where we only have ONE season and spring is not it!
I have really appreciated this series and look forward to the inspiration and motivation it provides every day. We are remodeling our house and are expecting our fourth boy in the coming weeks. I have gained a new sense of housekeeping and organization that will be so helpful when we move back into our “new” house. Thank you!
I enjoyed your segment on spring cleaning. I have always dreaded the ever “spring cleaning” routine because it seemed so overwhelming. With your suggestions, I feel that it is doable. I have 5 – 20 minutes a day. Also the list idea is one that I will surely use. Breaking chores down into smaller tasks will not seem to be overwhelming. And I never looked at cleaning as a way to serve God for the blessings of having a home. Now, instead of dreading cleaning I will be more joyous in keeping his gift to me clean and in order.
I love Mandy. I want to be her when I grow up…
Yes, it certainly is a joy to have a home to clean! I’ve spent the last 7 or 8 years renting rooms in other people’s homes and finally this past December was able to afford an apartment of my own. It is such a wonderful and beautiful blessing from God. I am enjoying keeping it clean as a way to praise Him!
Thank you for reminding us that unrealistic expectations will steal our joy. So important to remember. I’m so glad for the fresh start we get each day to begin again, the grace to start over. Blessings to you from one homeschooling Mama to another!
I almost cried tears of joy the day I found your blog, Glynnis. I have walked around for the past decade (My eldest is 11!) saying, “I used to be so organized!” I try to keep it together, but with very active children, a first responder husband, and an adoreable goldendoodle, I can bearly stretch myself thin enough to get everything done. I teach in a small private school, too. Your practical advice, as well as Mandy’s has provided me with the motivation to get going again! Thank you! I will keep reading and applying your strategies to my daily life. You are a blessing!
What a sweet reminder to be joyful for the home that God has provided for me to keep! As for the seasons of “busyness” just let me say that there is no end! My children are grown and my grandchildren are growing faster. I seem to be busier than at any other time in my life! However, I thank God for all the activities and the opportunity to see my precious grandchildren each and every day as they spend time with me before and after school.
Great tips on spring cleaning, and life.
Thank you so much for sharing! I get so overwhelmed with how much I need to do. Doing small jobs will help me feel I’ve accomplished something, even if there is a ton left to do. Time to turn on the praise music and get my lists made.
Love the 5-20 minutes idea for attacking the task list. I’m a victim of being so overwhelmed by just the thought of all that needs to be done I have no idea where to even begin. Unfortunately, that translates into not beginning at all.
I think all Mandy’s ideas are fantastic–and I particularly love the Spring Clean with Joy–sometimes that’s the hard one, and her perspective for it is awesome. Have a blessed day everyone.
Reading, I get a sense of relief — followed by a nervous “there is no way I can get to all this” panicked feeling. It is in the pith of my belly and it causes me to overload and shut down. I hate the feeling of never wanting anyone to come over because I am so terribly embarrassed.
thanks for the reminder to clean with JOY!!
Mandy, although all of it made such good sense the thing that struck a chord with me was giving praise. Thank you for the reminder that just having a home to clean is such a blessing and that we can worship Him as we clean. And the other thing for me was the small “bites”; there is such a feeling of accomplishment when we can check things off the “list” and if doing just 5 minutes of work puts a check mark on that list it can motivate us to more and more.
Thank you!
Love Mandy’s blog…she’s a daily read for me! Thank you the great Spring Cleaning inspiration today ladies!!
Simple but easy to implement! Thanks for sharing!
It’s so good to know I’m not alone! I am a stay at home, homeschool mom with 5 children ages 9 down to 21 mos. We live in a 3 bedroom house and my kids have grandparents who LOVE to buy toys for their grandbabies! Since I have been pregnant for the last 10 years ( well, maybe not the WHOLE time, but it sure seems like it!
), I am just now trying to get an organizational stance on my house. This can be VERY overwhelming at times!! I know with the Lord, I CAN DO ALL THINGS!! Espescially since He’s the one who has blessed me with these beautiful little ones!! THANK YOU for this blog to encourage me to press on!! I LOVE the helpful tips!! Thank you and BLESSINGS!!
Thanks for letting me know its ok not to do it all at once. I tend to be a perfectionist and if I can’t make it spotless it overwhelms me.
Breaking up your list and prioritizing are key. I love being able to check things off my to do list. It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something. Thanks for the new perspective on finding the joy and priviledge of having a home to take care of. I am so blessed and so thankful!
Great tips. Seems to be getting busier and busier around here. Always looking for those tips to help make things a little more smoothly. Thank you for sharing.
I love the idea of 5 minute tasks! Thanks!
Love the positivity of this post, and the idea to look at spring cleaning as a blessing — WOW!
Love the idea about looking at one room at a time and identifying what is important as well as the 5-20 minute segments. This is totally doable and makes it less overwhelming! Thanks!
Mandy,
Thank you for the tips and the advice to keep it
simple. I get overwhelmed at the thought of
“spring cleaning” my daughter’s room. I like the idea of during
over a month’s spam of time and focusing on just
three things. That I can do!
This post was so positive! I love to thank the Lord for all He has provided my family and I. Spring cleaning is such a blessing because I have a house to clean. I like the tip on tackling smaller parts of the spring cleaning at different times – makes it seem so much less overwhelming. Then again, so does GREAT music!
Thank you!
Thank you for the tips on customizing cleaning for my family and the 5 minutes is great – I think I need to start using a timer! I get easily side tracked and it seems like I never finish what I start. I look forward to checking out the blog!
Emily
I don’t have the excuse or blessing of having small children in my house anymore, except when the grandchildren come over. My biggest excuse is that after I get the regular household chores done, I literally have no energy left. I like your suggestion of breaking the tasks down and trying to do 2-3 each day. Maybe that’s my problem, I try to do it all at one time!
I love the idea of breaking the spring cleaning (or other) projects into 5-20 minutes chunks and then doing 2-3 a day!! I haven’t been looking at it that way and have been thinking I can only do these projects on weekends when I have a lot of time. This should really help me get something done and help me stop feeling bad about myself for not doing them!!! Thanks!
I’m 51 years old and have enjoyed cleaning in my younger years. My lack of energy stems from caretaking of my elderly parents and in-laws. As you said, we have to consider what season of our life we are in and accommodate. I just need to relax more about it and not feel so defeated when I don’t accomplish all that I want. God is so merciful to me and I really want to set a good example for my children. Thanks for the ideas and encouragement.
I really appreciate the fact that you brought up being thankful to the Lord that we have a house to keep clean. What a wonderful place to start! Also, going to each room and making a list of what I want to accomplish in the order of my priorities is a very practical way to begin. We will be moving to a different home in the next couple of months, and I want to use some of your ideas in that process (which also seems overwhelming after 37 years in this house). Thank you for your ministry.
I love this perspective! Thanks for reminding me that we are so blessed that God has entrusted us with a home and that we can, and should, care for our home with thanksgiving in our hearts! I also love the breaking it down ideas!
After years of working fulltime, being a Grandmommy, and caring for aging parents, I’ve been so frustrated at doing things in 15 minute snatches… but that seems to be the norm. I do love your suggested one room a month idea and a doable list to check off, that does fit in my norm. Your ideas reminded me of a favorite article that encouraged me as a younger, stay at home Mom, to be thankful for the laundry to wash, house to clean, food to eat, healthy children to nurture, and the physical ability to serve others. Keep up the GOD work!!!!
I loved the reminders of God’s goodness to us and to be thankful to even have a house to clean. So important to check our attitudes. I also loved the idea of setting a goal to just do 1-3 tasks a day. That IS doable and will help me to feel productive and then motivated to keep doing a few tasks each day.
I was meant to read this post. I found your blog through Money Saving Mom a few days ago, and found it hard to pull myself away. I have to step-kids; 13 year old boy and 10 year old girl, plus 9 month old twin boys. I have felt so defeated when it comes to housekeeping lately. There is so much to do, yet it seems that as soon as I get one thing cleaned, it gets cluttered right away. My to-do list now has ‘make a project list.’ Then I will be applying these tactics and working 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there.
Thank you so much for this wonderful post. I needed reminding that this is a busy season of my life. The family does not care if my list gets marked off, they would rather a calming atmosphere and my undivided attention. Thank you again!
Thanks for the great tips!!
I love the idea of making a list of small tasks! I am such a list girl and, as a busy teacher with a husband in nursing school, there never seems to be enough time in the day to get it all done. This will make cleaning more manageable AND I’ll actually feel like I’m accomplishing something in that area at home and at school! Thanks!
Love the simplicity of these tips. I seem to look around and become paralyzed at the thought of all the things i want to accomplish and then 4 boys come around the corner and i think why bother. I’d rather be playing with them, but the 5-15 min a day and small tasks seems like a great way to do both! THanks,
Thank you for the reminder that God has blessed me with a home to keep. I often lose sight of this in the “to-do” or “to-clean” list I keep in my head.
Great tips and I love Mandy’s blog!
As someone who has been chronically and seriously disorganized for a LONG time, it was really a blessing to hear that I could actually feel okay about spending 5 minutes on cleaning! I have been slacking off because I set a goal of 30 minutes each day, and I don’t always have that kind of time. It sets up a downward spiral that is hard to get out of. I think there are things I can use in this information!!
Many Blessings!
Carissa in eastern Iowa
Breaking the big job of spring cleaning into smaller tasks is something that has worked great for me. A simple index card for jobs in each room keeps me on focus and the date is recorded when the tasks were completed.
I file my cards (different color) in the same index box as memorized verses.
So true! It’s easy to get wrapped up in those obessive lists and tasks.. I love the idea to keep it simple. With a 2 year old “tornado,” I definitely have to be quick with whatever task I attempt! Thanks for the opportunity.
I started cleaning my kitchen this morning. I did about 20 minutes. I scrubbed my counter tops and they are shiny again. Thank you for the series. Thanks for Mandy. I am hooked on her sight now……lol
Oh! These are great tips. I’m at work (on break) at this moment and I so want to get home and get started! You just gave me great incentive! I love the idea of breaking it down into smaller tasks, because I normally feel too overwhelmed to do anything! Thanks mostly for reminding me to be thankful for what I have. That puts everything in a different perspective!
Thank you for answering God’s call on your life to share with others!
Anxious to get started!
I have a new puppy who is peeing and pooping everywhere (despite the fact that I take her out every 15 minutes) so I’ve been doing a lot of cleaning — just not necessarily ‘spring’ cleaning.
I get discouraged because I never seem to complete a task – I will try to see the little segments as progress! Thanks for the tips & giveaway. Jenny C.
Babysteps or 5-20 minute task are a blessing to the home. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Thank you for breaking it down and helping me to realize it doesn’t have to all happen at once. It’s so discouraging after having been incapacited over the last 2 years ( surgery, broken ankle, emergency back surgery and then emergency gall bladder surgery) I’m barely keeping my head above water at my job (and they’ve been wonderful) but when i get home all i see is mess everywhere with nowhere to start. I never even thought of making a list of areas /tasks and then goaling to do a little at a time. I’m starting today! Thank you so much!
Wow. You have a mostly white room with 4 small children. Love it!
Being a mother of a 3, 9, & 12 year old, working a full time job, and being very active in our church means that my schedule stays very busy. I get so overwhelmed by the day to day chores that I often just “give up” on the major ones. Thank you for suggesting just 5 minutes at a time, even I can find that much spare time in my day!
Wonderful post! Great reminder to be thankful and to do things in small increments. Thanks for sharing!
I loved the part where Mandy said “We GET to spring clean!” what a shift from my usual thinking of “We HAVE to Spring clean!”
I love your focus on being thankful that we have homes to spring-clean! Sometimes that thought can escape my vision when all I see is what needs doing or cleaning or dusting or organizing, etc.
I also really appreciated your tip to divide chores into smaller pieces so that small amounts of time can also be put to good use.
Now I am going to head over to your blog! Happy day!
Great ideas. Can’t wait to get started. Happy Spring!
Thank you for the encouragement. I have been working 12 hours days outside of the home for the past 4 months and your work plans/ideas are confirmation in my spirit as to how I am to maintain a clean home. My husband and son tries but it is not the same. thank you again
Love the tips…definitely will try to apply them to my spring cleaning this year.
Thanks for all the awesome tips!! Can’t wait to use them. Happy spring cleaning!!
I am no longer young, nor do I have little ones at home but I never lose the joy of seeing the sun through sparkling clean windows or my reflection on newly dusted wood/glass top tables. I LOVE a clean house and can now do it at my leisure. I probably don’t clean as often as I should, but when I do, it’s a joy. Thank you for your motivation
Change of perspective from I “need” to clean to I “get” to clean starts me off with a thankful heart to be able to clean for my husband, foster sons, family, friends or anyone who may enter our home–thank you for the new perspective. Like the idea of cleaning 5-20 minutes and then taking a coffee, smoothie, go outdoors for a few minutes break.
Sometimes it is really hard to be realistic when we strive for perfection. We think we must be on top of everything all the time. I have been trying to prioritize my lists but if I put everything on them it would be overwhelming! We farm/ranch plus I have one daugher graduating High school (we host a huge community grad party at our farm) plus our older daughter graduates college the week before, is planning a wedding and moving out of state. So I am pulled in more directions than I can count. Luckily our Lord will be my savior and help me threw. Thanks for the tips!
I’m so far behind I don’t know where to start. I’m a full time caregiver along with all of my other responsibilites…and sometimes the housework has to be put off. Oh, I try to keep things clean, but it does get cluttered….sometimes I can’t find the clean bar for all of the papers stacked on top! But I love the idea of making a list and spending 5 to 20 minutes on cleaning the trouble areas….and I have many right now. I’ve enjoyed all of your suggestions, and I’m going to start putting this one into action right away. God bless you and thank you for your wisdom and motivation.
Spring cleaning this year is be fairly “easy” this year. We’re moving back to the south in a couple of weeks so I’m for Ed to go through all our stuff!
I appreciate the tips! Now to get started!
Thanks so much for the reminder to clean with joy! We are blessed in so many ways, and yet I often find myself considering my blessings to be a chore.
Thank you to Mandy for helping me to realize how blessed I am to have a home to clean. I take things for granted sometimes and need to be reminded of just “loved and cared for” I am. God is an awesome provider!
God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect! In addition to the simplicity of steps this blog offered, I began to REJOICE at the closing. Although I live with my husband and two young boys in an apartment, I GET to spring clean! OMG!!! What an honor and a privilege it is to donate items, have supplies to clean with, and a home to clean. Thank you for this spring clean series. I’m refreshed and renewed.
I like the encouragement to do one-three things on your list each day. Then you actually get to SEE the progress and when it’s broken down, it’s so much easier to do! Thanks for the encouragement!
First of all, Mandy you are beautiful!!! Thank you for the encouragement. I work two jobs so life is constantly busy. To eliminate undue stress, I have a list of items that I do on the first of each month (or around there :>)). Things like washing the pet beds, wiping off light switches, etc. Things that need to get done but don’t need done on a daily/weekly basis. Knowing that those items will get done on the first of the month allows me to breathe easier and worry about the daily things of just picking up.
OMGOSH! I absolutely love this blog and the guests that are on here. This is the perfect thing for me. I love all the blogs. I have not found one that does not apply to me. Thanks for sharing with us stressed out moms and homemakers!
Blessings
Angel
This message really spoke to me today. Instead of thinking of spring cleaning as one big enormous job, I can give myself permission and break it down into small tasks over several weeks or even months.
I really like the idea of breaking the cleaning into 5-20 minutes. It helps not to feel the pressure of getting it all done at once.
I am not much for Spring Cleaning, but really like today’s insight. Thanks!
I too love the suggestion of 5-20 minute breakdown of tasks! My favorite expression with my kids applies to that! I always ask how do you eat an elephant….one bite at a time. Sometimes the task seems overwhelming but God is always there!
Thank you again for your help.
Can you please give me some examples of 5-10 minute tasks? Everything I can think of that needs done will take longer than that, or else I can’t figure out how to break them down! I hate leaving projects “unfinished,” but I guess I need to get over that because I’ll never get anything done if I never start!
Ahhhhh….Yes!!! Spring Clean WITH Joy
Amen! Thanks for that much needed reminder 
Spring cleaning – any cleaning – is so frustrating because as soon as you’re done you have to do it again!
Thanks for the reminder to do all things with joy.
Still working on the clutter, much less get to Spring Cleaning. I am optimistic that someday (maybe when the kids are gone) that I will manage that too.
What a wonderful way to look at cleaning! You have such wonderful advice and when coupled with “God is good” and he gives us our homes out of his mercy and love, I am inspired to keep going and “spring clean” with a joyful heart. Thank you!
Thanks for the message. Maybe I will get the ceiling fans cleaned yet!
Great suggestions!
What a fun blog and positive way at looking at cleaning!
Just what I needed! I will be joyful as I tackle all the things that I procrastinate on!
Thank you!!
I like the “realistic” list and breaking it down into smaller tasks…it is overwhelming to do a Spring Cleaning when you think of it in one big chunk
I love these practical tips to apply to my spring cleaning! May the Lord grant me the grace to apply the last one especially. That I may find joy in my cleaning, and remain thankful and full of praises for Him would be a blessing to myself, my family, and to Him. Thank you for sharing! God bless.
I started my spring cleaning during my spring break from my school district job, but didn’t finish. I have felt a little defeated now that I’m back to work. I LOVE the idea of a master list of manageable jobs that I can do during the work week. Thank you!
Perhaps I can get each family member to do 5 minutes each weekend day…seems like a doable plan for adults and teenagers! Thanks for the insight!
I really, really, really need to find joy in cleaning. I hate to clean. And I try not to use that word, ‘hate’. Cleaning is boring and laborious to me. I don’t consider myself to be a lazy person, but I cannot find anything fun in my own natural strength in cleaning. However, I am going to take these tips and pray that God will give me a newfound appreciation for having my apartment clean. First, it will show God that I appreciate what He has given; second, because I know my husband will be happy to come home to a clean place; and three, because I ought to like coming home to a clean place!
Great, great blog – I feel inspired! Finally!
Thank you for the great suggestions…………..I never thought about breaking the spring cleaning down in short timeframes over several days.
I’m starting with my kitchen! If I can organize that I can organize the closets!!!
God Bless!
Dina
Can’t wait to make my list and get started….Thanks so much
Great approach! Seems much more sensible to approach spring cleaning in smaller bursts. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you for all of this great advice! Right now, I am in a transitional point..we are living in a duplex and plan to be building a home very soon. I am excited to have my new home and be able to make it comfortable and beautiful so that my family and I can enjoy it!
Great ideas here. Thanks for the reminder to look at all I do through the lens of His grace and goodness to me. Off to make my list!
Thank you for some great ideas, Mandy! I am excited to put them to use!
God Bless!
Well said – Thanks for the helpful info.
-Colleen G.
God is good to provide us with a home to clean. Thanks for that reminder! I like the idea of completing 1-3 tasks per day. Perhaps I can actually do that.
I am inspired to get to work! Thanks!
I get so side tracked! 10 min segment seem to help me focus.
Beautiful living room. Thanks for the great advice!
I like the idea of 5-20 minute tasks and doing 1-3 of them each day. It makes it seem more do-able!
Thanks for the great tips! Have read several of your other articles too.
What an inspiration-thank you for making Spring cleaning seem manageable!
Getting over my perfectionism–exactly as you wrote finding the right “list” or even the best way to record my cleaning priorities–will definitely help.
I’ve been wanting to tackle this, and the task seems insurmountable. Thanks for the ideas!
Thanks so much for this whole week of cleaning inspiration! The best thing I took from
Mandy’s article was to clean with joy!!! What a great idea! How would each of us feel
if we didn’t have a home. I know so many people who have been affected by one
tragedy or another and have actually lost their homes. I’ll bet they would be so grateful
a house for of dust or just any house at all.
I will definitely look at these dirty windows in a whole new light!!!!
This speaks to those of us beyond child raising years, too. Unscheduled, wide-open time often allows for nothing to get accomplished. So even the 5-20 min. task idea and one to three tasks a day is helpful in defining a structure for us.
Started spring cleaning my kitchen yesterday. Thanks for the tips.
Awesome tips! Thank you!
I love the reminder that God is so good to us to give us a home to keep! That does help to change the focus from dread to thankful to take care of what He has given us. I love also the idea of breaking things down into smaller chunks of time and tasks to feel a sense of accomplishment and motivated to continue on. I am looking forward to the rewards of a clean house!
Just went to Mandy’s Blog. Now I am a follower. I love to clean house. So much so I clean other people’s houses –everyday! Love to read your adventures in cleaning.
Thanks for the reminder that we “get” to spring clean! And I do love me a good Target clearance too Mandy!
LOVED the blog today. Simple, Practical and do-able! Especially loved the reminder to be thankful and joyful. Makes such a difference!
As a serial procrastinator, I really appreciate your fresh perspective on my less than favorite chores. Blessings.
I’m already totally in love with Mandy at Biblical Housekeeping and I’m so glad she led me here! Great Spring cleaning tips! Thanks so much!
Love hearing everyones’ comments and advices on spring cleaning. I am a long time Mom, with a 22 year old and a 20 year old. Sooooooo! I am sure I have some advice to offer younger Moms. I do not know how you get it all done with working, shuffling kids around, cleaning, cooking, and now blogging!!! I find ways to make cleaning a challenge or Fun! I play games like pickup, which means I need to go around the house and pick things up and put them away. I try to get a high number of things and reward myself with something when I am done. Sometimes shhh it could be a glass of ice tea, or wine.
Another fun game I play with myself is Follow Through, like a being a follower of Jesus, I follow through with something until its done. Example could be making muffins, I will follow it through to completion including the dishes( that means putting them away) I feel so good when I see all that I followed through. I also make realistic goals each day. Yes, I put make the bed, sounds easy but when one task like that is done, it makes you want to do more things to create a relaxing and organized home. Hmmmm what would I do with a $25.00 gift card, why I will by some awesome cleaning supplies!!! tHANKS Mandy for the opportunity to win the gift card. I love your blog, came over via Lisa Leonard.
Easy to do tips that don’t make you feel overwhelmed!
Am starting my list now! Love the idea to plan on only doing 3 things a day. Makes the tasks seem less insurmountable! Thanks for sharing.
I love the post by Mandy! If we can not be thankful for the small stuff (including the dust that accumalates) how can we be thankful for the bigger stuff the Lord gives us? We must be thankful for our homes all of it including the dirt that we have the strengh to clean!
Love the idea of 5-20 minute tasks instead of trying to tackle a whole room. I’m doing that this week. Maybe my spring cleaning will actually get done doing it this way
I LOVE Biblical Homemaking & what great tips for spring cleaning! I have my list made but breaking it down into smaller tasks will make it much easier to accomplish. Thank you!
I just love all that Mandy has to share! What an inspiration to see a woman who puts GOD first all the time!
Thanks to you and Mandy for challenging me to be thankful that I have a home to clean, even if it seems like it’s all I do
Thank you for another encouraging post! I like your Festival!
I have been spring cleaning all wrong. This is much better. I need to pick one room and just tackle it before I move to another. I tend to be all over the place at once and that just is too big.
What an awesome idea and yet so simple. We waste so many minutes here and there. We don’t want to start anything because we don’t have time to deep clean the room. But we do have a few minutes to clean out a drawer at a time. What a great idea!!!
It’s amazing how good you can feel when you’ve been able to set smaller, attainable goals and achieve them! It motivates you to continue the next day, and the next! Too often I set unattainable lofty goals and feel defeated. Not the way to go….
Bless you Mandy for sharing with us who are frustrated with how to keep a balance in our lives. Breaking house cleaning down in workable portions does make it more Joy Filled activity. Thank you for the reminder that I have a house to clean and a husband that is a “messy” loving, hard working christian man.
Perfect timing! I have been so overwhelmed with work that I’ve let the house keeping go. I’ve been encouraged to pick up pen and paper and make a simple list for each room. Starting with the small steps will give me victory!
What an encouraging post! I know I have an extra 5 or 10 minutes to spend making a big difference in my home over time.
t/y for the refresher! God has been so good to me…a home and family to clean and care for…sometimes the blessing gets blurred under all the laundry and thru the grimy windows…and i appreciate your reminder. thanks !
Love the practical tips – it’s easy to make your lists too long, too time consuming, and then just end up feeling guilty when it doesn’t get done! This is guilt-free spring cleaning, wonderful for a perfectionist who gets too overwhelmed by the lists to even start!
Such great tips for spring cleaning! That $25 Target gift card could help me get some great clearance stuff – love those red stickers!
“God is so good to give us a home to keep!” If I keep that in my mind as I clean, it makes cleaning so much better….thank you for that reminder. I have been blessed to have found Glynnis’ spring cleaning festival. It has given me inspiration! Thank you both.
Encouraging post – thank you
I have always struggled with housekeeping. I will be trying these suggestions, hoping to make improvements in my life. Thank you for sharing!
This is great advice especially the part about not using cleaning templates instead create your own. I have tried several templates only to find myself back to where was a few weeks before I started using the template.
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged trying to do it all. Thanks for the reminder to keep it simple.
I am starting with window washing! Little kid finger prints are every where.
Great idea to break “spring” cleaning into small jobs. Also, the fact that it doesn’t have to be spring to do the cleaning. Spring is actually my busiest season as then I’m working two part-time jobs. Thanks for all the ideas.
forgot my email
Great ideas. Simple and not overwhelming. Thank you! And thank you for the opportunity for the gift card!
Love, Love, this posting….I love the idea of making a list custom to my house instead of trying to do what others think should be done. I also like breaking it down into smaller sections…not so over whelming.
Be blessed today because you are a blessing to someone!
Smiles & Blessings, Robin
Loved the advice and so admire the fact that your home is so beautiful with homeschooling 4 kids! That’s absolutely amazing to me! I think the 5-20 min per task should keep me in line. I tend to start one task and see other things that need to be done and then an hour has passed! I certainly need time limits on myself. Thanks for your tips and inspiration! Can’t wait to check out your blog!
Love the idea of small tasks each day! I can do 15-20 minutes each day -just can’t handle the huge tasks all at once! I can’t wait to go and read your blog!
GREAT advice!! I always try to put everything on my to do list and end up discouraged because I can’t get to it all!Spring cleaning in itself is over whelming when you try to do it all in one week of Spring Break (Yes, I’ve tried and failed to do it in one week!). We should think of a new name for it. The whole point of it is to thoroughly clean, it doesn’t have to all be done in the Spring!Thank you!!
I love these ideas! This can really help me feel like my head is above water again! And of course would love to get some spring finds at Target
Tomorrow I am going to make my list. I was also inspired to clean up the kids play room today and see how much clutter, broken toys that need to be thrown out so it is going on the top of the list!
I like her comment about spring cleaning with joy! Usually a spring cleaning list can feel quite daunting and intimidating. However, when we realize that it is actually a blessing, that helps to erase those negative feelings. Thank you for that friendly reminder.
Great tips and perfect timing! I have been grumbling, grumbling and overwhelmed with my house. I have 5 kids, and granddaughter all living at home now. My home is such a blessing, I almost forgot the abundant blessings amongst all the laundry, dishes, dog hair, finger prints, homework papers etc. 8 of us at the dinner table every night, two precious giggly babies, one sweet 10yr old boy, one onery 15 year old, my beautiful daughter, son-in-law, hubby and me:) God is so good all the time! My house is full of love and laughter, chaos, toys, shoes, clothes and the list goes on. I am reminded today though, that I am here to serve my family with joy in my heart. I am healthy, capable, and truly blessed! One day it will be hubby and me, with peace and quiet….I am certain I will miss these days. I long for a moment of quiet but I know I better enjoy my chaos now, while it is mine to enjoy!
Wow! Goals and planning I can really implement and make sense. Very realistic and I felt a big weight lifted. I’m a neat freak that’s had to make-do after having 3 kids. But, it can still get under my skin and ruin my day. I’m wondering why didn’t I think of these things before. Break down the Big Spring Cleaning down into 5-20 minute chunks. How awesome is that? Anyone can do it. “Progress”…that’s the name of the game. Thank you!
Spring Cleaning has always seemed overwhelming. I love how you make it seem so “doable” and joyful!
What great advice. I never really thought of a clean house as a spiritual thing. I detest cleaning and can never get ahead. This seems like a good start! I’m hopeful.
We are getting ready to move and these ideas will really be helpful. Go room to room to see what can be packed and what needs to stay out. Thanks!!
Thank you sooo much for this article! I usually take one look at everything that needs done and turn around and walk the other way. NOTHING GETS DONE! I will definitely try breaking it down into smaller pieces and maybe this year my house will actually have some spring cleaning done:)
Love the list idea! Breaking things down helps so much…”spring cleaning” can be so overwhelming!
Now 5 minutes I can handle! Now where are they?
What simple, practical tips!
Going to work on cleaning with a joyful heart and attitude!
Wow! This inspired me greatly! I am encouraged by all that was said. Thank you so much.
The message really spoke to me-thank you for all that you shared. I loved the ideas of the chores being broken down into small chunks. Also, a new perspective of how to view our homes.
I am a faithful reader of Mandy’s blog and love what she shared here. Now if I can just put it to work.
Thank you for the encouragement and reminder that even small steps can eventually get you to where you are going.
I love the idea of cleaning in 5-20 minute spurts. I’ll definitely be stopping by your blog.
Thank you for reminding me go take joy in all I do…even cleaning!
I’ve always hated cleaning, but Mandy is totally right in that we should see it as a blessing that we have a home to clean. I would have never looked at it that way. What a wonderful eye opener!
Cleaning 5 minutes everyday sure can add up in the course of a week. I am going to try it for a week and see what I can check off my cleaning list this week!