It’s that time of year again when the sun shines a little brighter and days start to get a little longer. It’s also the time of year that many of us take a hard look at the inventory around the house we’ve managed to store up over the winter. Spring is a great time to purge the unnecessary and reevaluate what is actually worth keeping around.
Your Ultimate Guide to Postpartum Spring Cleaning
Start Big
Forget the old adage to start small. In this case, start with the big! Clearing away large items will immediately free up space and make you feel as if you have accomplished a significant feat. It will also give you the boost you need to tend to the minute details later on.
Start with assessing the large furniture around the house. Is it time to transition your youngest to a toddler bed? Perhaps it’s a good time to think about selling the crib. Has the change table been used for anything other than another place to pile more junk? That rocker in the corner – when was the last time you sat in it? Do a walk through of your house and consider each item carefully. Does it still hold a practical use? If not, get rid of it.
Checklist: Large Furniture
- Cribs or Beds
- Mattresses
- Dressers
- Chairs
- Ottomans
- Large Storage Chests
Age-Appropriateness
Some items might be in great shape but have outgrown the little critters invading your house. If your kids haven’t picked up a toy in the last six months, chances are it has outgrown their interest. You can also try packing it away and see if they even notice. We have a rule in our house that if it hasn’t been played with in several months, it goes in the basement. If anyone notices a missing toy in the next several weeks and asks for it, we’ll bring it back up, otherwise it is donated or sold.
Checklist: What items have the kids outgrown?
- Toys
- Puzzles
- Games
- Indoor/Outdoor Clothing
- Shoes/Boots
- Infant Décor
- Infant/Toddler Bedding
Checklist: What items have your outgrown?
- Maternity Clothes
- Baby Wearing Accessories
- Breast or Bottle Feeding Accessories
Involve the Kids
You will be sure to experience a lot less grumbling if you are able to engage your kids in the spring cleaning ritual. Take it as a learning opportunity to teach them about giving away the things they no longer regularly use to those in need. Another idea might be to hold a garage sale (or even a garage sale online) and have your kids pick out the items they would like to sell. The money they earn from the sale can be used towards new age-appropriate toys or put into a savings account for a rainy day. Decide on your goals as a family and you’ll be able to make a little more room in your house while feeling a little
Checklist: Questions to ask yourself
- Do I love it?
- Have I used/worn it in the past six months?
- Is this something I will continue to use for a long time?
Create a Storage System
If at the end of the day you have gone through your checklists and decided on a number of items you would like to still keep, you will need to also decide on a storage system to keep these items organized. Some larger items like a crib or a mattress may require a storage rental space if your indoor space is limited. Small items may only require additional bins or drawers to keep items tidy. Before making the final decision to keep or to toss, consider the following:
Checklist: Storage Considerations
- Do I have room to store the item(s)?
- Is this a short-term, medium-term, or long-term storage consideration?
- Do I have the necessary storage equipment to store the item(s) or do I need to purchase a storage solution?
- Is it within my budget to store the item(s)?
What do you need to clear out of your house this Spring? Do you have a system that works for you? Leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts!
XO The Good Enuf Mommy
Tiffany Austin is a mom, a wife, writer, and educator living in Calgary, Canada. Tired of never feeling “good enough” as a new mom, she began The Good Enuf Mommy to encourage other moms to feel confident and empowered in their own decisions. Connect with her on Facebook to read more!
