When I was a kid, my parents would joke that they were lucky to see a clear path from the bedroom door to the bed…unfortunately, though, it wasn’t a joke, and more often than not there was no path to be seen. For all my type A tendencies, I remain pretty messy when it comes to my home. I wish I were better organized, but I find it hard to prioritize small, regular cleaning tasks over the fun stuff: reading, cooking, bumming around with my roommates, and so on.
Of course, the lack of regular maintenance means that once every couple months, I become completely appalled by the state of my apartment. I dive headlong into a quest to eradicate every dust bunny and finally clear off my desk so I can write blog posts somewhere other than my dining room table. I wait to indulge in a big spring cleaning bender until I’m ready…and then, once I start, those few hours of deep cleaning feel therapeutic. Cleansing catharsis.
In the spirit of the season, today I’m sharing my messy-hearted approach to spring cleaning, focused on my two very important areas: the bedroom and the car. Common spaces are more straightforward–sweep/vacuum/mop/throw away unused junk/dust–and if you have roommates, you can enlist them for a mass cleaning session. If you’re pretty clean, you might wrinkle your nose at my limited cleaning tactics, but hey–baby steps, okay? I’m obviously not the expert here, so I’d love your tips on what you think are the absolute spring cleaning necessities.
The “Why” Behind the Bender
Spring cleaning isn’t just about chasing dust bunnies—it’s a ritual as old as time, rooted in the human need for renewal. Historically, it aligned with the end of winter, when homes sealed against the cold were thrown open to fresh air and sunshine. In many cultures, it’s tied to holidays like Nowruz or Passover, where clearing out the old makes room for the new. For me, that symbolic reset is half the appeal. There’s something deeply satisfying about transforming a space from “lived-in disaster” to “intentionally messy but clean.”
Psychologists have weighed in, too. Clutter can increase cortisol levels and make us feel overwhelmed, while a tidy space promotes calm and focus. Even if you’re not a neat freak, the act of cleaning can be meditative—repetitive motions, tangible progress, visible results. It’s one of the few tasks in life where effort directly correlates with outcome. So when I finally tackle that pile of clothes on the chair, I’m not just clearing fabric; I’m clearing mental space.
Of course, knowing the benefits doesn’t make the process any less daunting for those of us who’d rather do literally anything else. That’s why I’ve learned to embrace the “bender” approach: wait until the mess reaches critical mass, then dive in with reckless abandon. It’s not efficient, but it works. And if you’re reading this with a similar mindset, know that you’re not alone—plenty of us are messy-hearted cleaners, just doing our best in between bouts of productive panic.
Beyond the Bedroom and Car: The Kitchen
The kitchen is arguably the most intimidating room to deep clean, especially if you actually cook in it. Grease, crumbs, mystery spills—it’s a war zone. But because it’s where we prepare food, it’s also the most important space to tackle. I start with the obvious: clearing counters, doing dishes, and wiping down surfaces. Then I move to the less glamorous tasks, like scrubbing the stovetop, degreasing the hood, and cleaning the oven (if I’m feeling particularly virtuous).
One trick I’ve adopted is to work top to bottom, left to right. It prevents re-cleaning the same area and gives a sense of systematic progress. Here’s my typical kitchen deep clean checklist:
- Declutter counters: Put away appliances you don’t use daily; clear off mail and random items.
- Clean the sink: Scrub with baking soda, then disinfect with vinegar or bleach. Don’t forget the faucet and handles.
- Wipe down cabinets and drawers: Use a degreaser for the outside; empty and wipe inside if needed.
- Scrub stovetop and oven: For gas stoves, remove grates and soak. For electric, use a ceramic cleaner. Oven cleaning can wait if it’s not too bad.
- Clean the microwave: Heat a bowl of water with lemon for 5 minutes, then wipe away steam-softened grime.
- Disinfect high-touch areas: Door handles, light switches, fridge handle, trash can lid.
- Sweep and mop: Don’t forget under the edges and behind the trash can.
If you’re short on time or energy, focus on the sink and counters—those make the biggest visual impact and are most important for hygiene. The rest can wait for the next bender.
Decluttering Without Losing Your Mind
Decluttering is the unglamorous sibling of cleaning, but it’s essential. No amount of scrubbing will make a room feel clean if it’s buried under stuff. I used to get paralyzed by decisions—“but I might need this someday!”—until I adopted a simple rule: if I haven’t used it in a year, it’s out. That’s not foolproof (seasonal items, sentimental keepsakes), but it handles 90% of the junk.
My favorite method is the four-box approach: as I go through a room, I have four containers labeled Keep, Donate, Trash, and Relocate. Everything must go into one. The Relocate box is key for people like me who find things in the wrong room; instead of wandering off to put it away mid-clean, I toss it there and deal with it later. It keeps momentum. When the box is full, I spend 10 minutes returning items to their proper homes.
For tougher decisions, I ask myself a few questions:
- Would I buy this again today if I didn’t already own it?
- Does it serve a purpose or bring me joy? (Thanks, Marie Kondo.)
- Is it easily replaceable if I regret letting it go?
- Have I used it in the last 12 months?
If the answer to most is “no,” it’s probably safe to donate or trash. And remember: decluttering is not about deprivation; it’s about making room for what actually matters. Even if you’re messy, you deserve a space that doesn’t stress you out.
The Messy Person’s Cleaning Arsenal
You don’t need a closet full of specialty products to clean effectively. In fact, most pros rely on a handful of basics. I’ve whittled my supplies down to the essentials, which saves money and cabinet space. Here’s what I keep on hand:
- All-purpose cleaner: A simple mix of equal parts water and white vinegar, with a few drops of dish soap if needed. Skip the vinegar on stone surfaces.
- Baking soda: Gentle abrasive for scrubbing sinks, tubs, and stovetops. Also deodorizes.
- Microfiber cloths: Reusable, lint-free, and more effective than paper towels. Have a few for dusting, wiping, and polishing.
- Spray bottle: For homemade cleaners; label it so you don’t confuse it with water.
- Vacuum with attachments: Essential for floors, upholstery, and tight corners. If you have pets, consider a model with a HEPA filter.
- Rubber gloves: Protect your hands from hot water and harsh chemicals. Also psychologically signals “cleaning mode.”
- Trash bags and donation boxes: For decluttering as you go.
For tougher jobs, I keep a bottle of commercial degreaser (for the kitchen) and a toilet bowl cleaner with bleach. But honestly, the basics cover most tasks. And if you’re into DIY, check out our DIY Projects category for homemade cleaning product recipes and other home hacks.
Making It Stick: Habits for the Chronically Untidy
After a deep clean, the challenge is keeping it that way—especially if you’re naturally messy. I’m no paragon of tidiness, but I’ve found a few small habits that help without feeling like a second job. The key is to lower the bar: you don’t need a spotless home, just a functional one.
One habit that works for me is the “two-minute rule”: if a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. Hang up the coat, put the dish in the dishwasher, wipe the spill. It prevents small messes from snowballing. Another is the “10-minute tidy” before bed: set a timer and spend 10 minutes putting things back where they belong. It’s amazing how much you can reset in that short window.
For those who struggle with motivation, try attaching cleaning to something enjoyable. I listen to podcasts or audiobooks while I clean, turning the chore into “me time.” You could also reward yourself after a cleaning session—nothing wrong with a little positive reinforcement. And remember:
“Progress, not perfection. A home that’s lived in and slightly messy is still a home worth loving.”
If you have a garden or outdoor space, spring is also a great time to tackle that. Our Garden section has tips on getting your outdoor areas ready for the season. Ultimately, the goal is to create a space that supports your life, not one that demands constant upkeep. So embrace your messy heart, but give it a little structure now and then.