Spring has a way of making us all want a fresh start. The days are getting longer, the weather is starting to change, and suddenly we notice everything feels cluttered and messy around our homes. There is just something about spring that makes you want to clean up your house and create a fresh start.
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If you’re a mom juggling kids, schedules, and a mile-long mental to-do list, spring cleaning can feel less refreshing and more exhausting before you even begin.
The good news is that spring cleaning doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It doesn’t require an empty house, an entire weekend uninterrupted, or have a Pinterest-worthy end result. It just has to fit this season of motherhood without making you feel crazy.
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Let Go of the Pressure to Do It All
Traditional spring cleaning is, in my humble opinion, unrealistic for moms with young kids.
Our homes are lived in and there are tiny people always working so hard to undo all of our hard work.
Spring cleaning isn’t about achieving some Pinterest level of perfection. It’s about making your home feel more in control, organized, and easier to manage day to day.
Instead of trying to tackle your whole house, ask yourself what would make your daily life a little easier.
Start with the Areas Causing the Most Stress
When your time and energy are limited, focus on what’s bothering you most.
For me, that was:
- My kitchen. The dishes were never-ending and I dreaded having anyone over because I could never keep it clean.
- Our entryway. With a large family, there are always shoes (and sometimes random sports equipment) to trip over.
- Paperwork. Just never-ending amounts of paper everywhere…especially the kitchen and any other flat surface.
I chose just one place to start and I highly recommend you try to do this too. You don’t need to tackle the whole house to see a huge difference.
Use Small Pockets of Time
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to happen in one big push, though we’ve somehow been made to feel that way. In fact, it’s often more sustainable when it’s done in short bursts.
You can tackle your junk drawer while making dinner. You can tackle one drawer during naptime or clear the bathroom counter while you’re drying your hair.
You’ll be amazed by how much you can clean and declutter in tiny margins of time.
I realized I was losing SO much of my life to doom-scrolling on Instagram. I decided to give that up until I felt my spring cleaning was done.
Instead of reaching for my phone, I committed to putting away (or throwing away) one small thing.
Something magical happens when you start that ball rolling. You may throw away one piece of clutter sitting on your counter, but more often than not, you’ll feel motivated to keep going for a minute or two.
That one thing you decided to put away can have a cascading effect.
Declutter for Your Current Season
Now is the time to get rid of toys your kids have outgrown, broken toys and games, and clothes that no longer fit.
It’s also the time to get rid of everything you’ve been keeping for all of the wrong reasons.
Lots of people keep things for “just in case” scenarios, but my toxic trait is keeping anything I’ve spent too much money on.
For example, I had this Kelty baby carrier that we never used, but it was super expensive. Keeping it felt like I hadn’t actually wasted money on it, because we could still technically use it.
But the truth was, keeping it didn’t make the money magically come back. It just took up space and added to my mental clutter every time I saw it.
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to be honest about what is actually serving your family right now.
If something worked in a previous season but no longer fits your life, it’s okay to let it go. Holding onto things out of guilt, obligation, or cost only makes your home harder to manage.
Your home should support your current season, not remind you of past ones.
Focus on Systems, Not Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning has its place, but systems are what make your home easier to keep up with.
While you’re cleaning your home this spring, notice your biggest problem spots and ask yourself why these areas continue to be an issue.
Does an area need more storage bins, less items, a new home altogether?
Our dishes continued to be an absolutely massive problem in our home until my husband realised that the only solution was to simply have less dishes. We got rid of all of our extra bowls and plates, keeping only one per member of our family.
It meant we had to load the dishwasher after every meal, but that alone miraculously solved our overflowing sink problem.
Solutions in your home might not require such drastic measures, but I hope my crazy example gives you the permission you may be looking for to make big changes.
If you have an area of your home or routine that is truly cutting into your ability to function and enjoy your days to the fullest, do whatever it takes to regain control. Even if it’s as extreme as throwing away most of your dishes!
Final Thoughts
Spring cleaning as a mom doesn’t have to be overwhelming, all-consuming, or perfect to be worthwhile. It’s about spending your very limited time making changes that will have a lasting impact on your days. You don’t need a spotless house or a finished checklist to feel like your spring cleaning was successful. Progress counts, even when it happens in tiny pockets of time between meals, naps, and everyday life. Give yourself permission to go slow, focus on what matters most, and let your home grow and change right along with your family. You’re not behind, you’re doing the best you can in this intense season of motherhood and that’s more than enough!
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