Spring Cleaning… Where Do You Even Start?

Every year, as the days get longer and the air turns crisp with that first hint of spring, I feel the urge to fling open the windows and let the fresh breeze in. Without fail, that beautiful sunlight starts revealing the layers of dust that have quietly settled in over the winter. Cue: Spring Cleaning!

But here’s the thing—sometimes once you start dusting or sweeping, you inevitably stumble across all the little projects that have been put on the back burner. That board game in the closet that may or may not be missing pieces. The pile of clothes you keep meaning to donate. Seasonal décor that’s still lurking in corners. Pretty soon, motivation to clean gets steamrolled by the overwhelm of all the organizing that needs to be addressed.

That’s exactly why we suggest breaking up spring cleaning into two phases: first, decluttering, then the actual cleaning.

We always suggest a room-by-room approach for the decluttering phase. Start small—build momentum. Maybe it’s your kitchen: toss expired spices, donate those “what even is this?” gadgets, and finally give your junk drawer some love (you know the one or two or three). Or head to your closet and do a quick scan. Haven’t worn it in the past year? Flip the hanger around or set it aside. Little visual cues like that make a big difference. And remember—decluttering isn’t just about stuff. It's often emotional. We hold on to things for “someday” or for sentimental reasons, and that’s completely normal. Try asking yourself: “Would I buy this again today?” or “Does this still reflect who I am now?” That mindset shift creates real space for a fresh start. Also give yourself grace when you notice that you purchased something and haven’t used it or haven’t worn it. Sometimes that happens and it’s ok. Also remember that just because you paid money for something doesn’t mean you need to keep it, if it isn’t serving you it is costing you space and energy.  

Once the clutter is gone, your home should already feel lighter. Take a moment to celebrate—you’ve done the hardest part! Then ride that wave of accomplishment into the cleaning phase. I love using a checklist to stay focused and track progress (because who doesn’t love checking boxes?). You can grab my printable spring cleaning checklist here:
​Spring Cleaning Checklist.

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home—and your mindset. If you’re feeling inspired but not quite sure where to begin, let’s chat. Sometimes a few hours with a professional is all it takes to jumpstart the process and bring your space (and energy!) back to life. The Serene Team would love to help you sort, declutter, and create organizing systems that make maintenance feel manageable (and much easier to clean!). Reach out for a consultation and let’s make this your most refreshing spring yet!

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Cassie Thompson, Owner & Professional Organizer

Helping others by decluttering and organizing their space(s) is a huge passion of mine. Since opening Serene Spaces in 2013 it has always been my goal to help others by transforming their space(s) so that their lives can also be transformed.  Our spaces have a profound effect on our mental health and physical well being. I love to hear from clients that they have less mental exhaustion, they feel lighter, and they have more free time to do what they love. ​