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Perhaps it’s my very Virgo tendencies, but thinking about spring cleaning always makes my heart skip a beat. The rush that comes with a clean, organized space, paired with wide-open windows and sunlight streaming through, is second to none. The rush and anticipation can be short-lived, however, especially as you dive into the actual work of cleaning and organizing. Before spring cleaning can begin, there needs to be a spring-cleaning declutter. But the question of what to declutter in spring can be overwhelming.
What to declutter first? Do I need a spring decluttering checklist before diving into my cleaning? Before you know it, you may throw your hands up and abandon the whole project altogether. That’s exactly why I asked the pros for all of their spring decluttering tips.
What to Declutter This Spring: 6 High-Impact Areas to Start With
Ahead, cleaning and organizing professionals weigh in on the items you should declutter first. Tackle these spaces before you reach for the mop to get the most bang for your buck this spring.
Drop Zones
First things first, it’s helpful to check in on the spaces where you and your loved ones place items every day. Nick Friedman, Co-Founder & CEO of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, calls these spaces drop zones. “The fastest win in any home is clearing the drop zones: entryways, kitchen counters, and coffee tables,” he shares. “These spaces collect mail, bags, random gadgets, and everyday clutter. When these surfaces are cleared, the entire home immediately feels more organized. It’s a small project with a huge visual impact.”
To tackle the clutter efficiently, keep a recycling bag nearby to toss bits of paper in as you go, and a trash bag for items to discard.
Kids’ Belongings
If you have kids, you already know how much they can accumulate. Vanessa Garcia, a cleaning and organizing expert and a Tasker for Taskrabbit, encourages parents to start setting aside kids’ belongings before diving into a spring clean. “One of the biggest things that I find to be a great clean-out to-do is going through kids’ belongings—old markers, broken crayons, and old toys that could be donated,” she says. “It’s always a great time to start pulling them up and putting them to the side, because most of the time they won’t notice.”
Garcia recommends involving your kids in the decluttering process. “It can be a great learning opportunity for children to do something good with what they have,” Garcia continues.
The Fridge and Pantry
As they say, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Just like your wardrobe lightens up for spring, so does your food, especially as more fresh fruit and veggies come into season. But before you can do a deep clean of your kitchen, Cathy Orr, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life, recommends doing a fridge and pantry clean-out.
“Time to toss expired pantry goods, give the refrigerator and freezer shelves a thorough cleaning, take out food from the freezer that you never ate during the winter, and clear and clean the countertops,” she instructs. Once you create more space on the shelves, you can wipe everything down, but that initial clean-out is essential.
Closets
Going from winter to spring means your closet will need to switch with the seasons. You might as well declutter while you do it, and reap the rewards of a refreshed space. “Closets are one of the highest-impact decluttering projects,” Friedman says. “Instead of overthinking it, I encourage people to do a quick pass: if you didn’t wear it last season or it doesn’t fit your lifestyle anymore, it’s time to donate it. Most people are surprised by how much space they gain with just a 20-minute edit.”
Hidden Clutter
It can be easy to toss clutter behind closed doors. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But as you prep your home for spring cleaning, you’ll want to make room for the items you actually want to store. “Clear out the hidden clutter zones such as garages, junk drawers, and storage closets where clutter accumulates,” Friedman recommends. “These spaces may be out of sight, but they often create the most stress because they make it hard to find what you actually need. Once these areas are pared down, it becomes much easier to keep the rest of the home organized.”
I personally love tackling junk drawers—they’re small spaces that only take a few minutes to organize, tops. You can’t wipe down the drawers until they’re clean anyway!
Duplicates
As you go looking for spring cleaning supplies, be on the lookout for any duplicates. “One of the most common things we see when helping clients declutter is an overabundance of duplicates,” Friedman shares. He mentions clients often have duplicates of cleaning supplies, as well as extra kitchen tools or boxes of items labeled just in case. He encourages you to discard or donate these items. “Keeping excess often just becomes clutter. Simplifying these categories can free up a surprising amount of space,” he explains.
As you start your decluttering process, Friedman recommends embracing the excitement that comes with starting something new. “My biggest piece of advice is to focus on momentum over perfection,” he shares. “Start with the areas that will make your home feel better immediately. When you declutter the high-impact zones first, spring cleaning stops feeling like a huge project and starts feeling like a refresh.”