Ok lovelies! Spring is officially in full swing and so is our Spring Cleaning Challenge 2014!!! This is the first of a 5 week series where we will tackle those dreaded spring cleaning tasks together! We’re leaving no man (or woman) behind! So let’s get started!

Week 1: Declutter

What? Did you really expect me to start the challenge off with how to make your bathroom tiles shine? Hold your horses! Before we can truly deep clean our homes, it is essential to declutter and get rid of any unwanted/unused stuff.

This is probably the most rewarding (as well as the most challenging) step in spring cleaning. Imagine how refreshing it will be at the end of the week to be able to open closet or drawer without fear of its contents falling on your head. However, many find the decluttering process to be overwhelming due to a loss of where to begin!

To help keep you focused, I’ve come up with 5 of the most common areas of clutter which probably need your attention.

1. Closets

• Go through your clothes and coat closets.
• Store away winter gear and donate anything you don’t wear.
• Once you think you’re left with your keepers, TRY THEM ON!! As much as we hate to admit, there are probably a few items that just don’t work anymore. Either they don’t fit, or just simply aren’t as flattering as you remembered.Editing your closet definitely takes discipline but keep at it!

2. Cabinets and Drawers

How many times have we all found a pen and simply put it in a drawer rather than in its designated place?

• Having a place for “junk” is natural, but it’s a good idea to go through and occasionally familiarize yourself with what you’re actually storing.
• There’s probably a better spot for many of the items you’ll find so put it there!

3. Refrigerator/Freezer

Discarding leftovers or unused fresh meat and produce is something we all probably do weekly. But what tends to get neglected are condiments and the freezer.

• Make sure that your mustards, soy sauce, and any other door shelved items are fresh.
• Check for freezer burns on meat and take an inventory of what’s in your ice box. I guarantee you that you probably could eat defrosted chicken for a week 🙂

4. Pantry

Similar to your refrigerator, your pantry tends to collect items throughout the year.

• While checking expiration dates, look for duplicates of products. If you’re like me, you probably picked up another can of corn because you couldn’t find the can you were storing for weeks.
• Make a list of remaining pantry contents. That way, you’ll know you don’t need to pick up these items on your next shopping trip.
• Once you’ve gone through everything, organize your panty in sections of like items- grains in one basket, soups in another.

5. Office

It’s amazing how quickly junk mail and documents can pile up. Now’s the time to purge anything you don’t need to keep.

• Separate all documents or letters into 3 separate piles: file, shred, or trash.
• Be sure that you examine all materials before discarding them to ensure that they do not contain any personal or financial information.
• Create a “coupon” folder for any valid offerings (unexpired of course) that you’d like to take advantage of. Trash the rest.

How are you feeling? Deep breathes everyone, take it one day at a time. Here’s a few tips additional tips for getting through the week:

• Take breaks. You’ll be more productive when you’re well rested
• Work one area at a time. By working in sections, you can see progress more quickly than if you were all over the place. Stay focused!
• Empty out the space first-.Take everything out and only put back what you’re keeping.  This might sound messy, but it’s really the best way to make sure you evaluate every item. It also allows you to re-organize at the same time!
• Use the 6 month rule. Don’t use it? Lose it! With seasonal items being the exception, if you haven’t used it in 6 months, it is probably time to get rid of it.
• Get it out of the house! Once you’ve determined something as trash or a donation, get rid of it! If you get it out the house immediately, you won’t be tempted to hang on to it.

Well, I’m off to start in my kitchen cabinets. A few of my cabinets serve as my “catch-all” space and could definitely use some organization!

Share your progress with me! Comment below on which projects you’re tackling and send me space photos at info@myknottedlife.com. You could be featured in a future post!

Good luck everyone!!

Click here for week 2 Challenge

Linked Up at Keeping it Simple, DIY Show Off, Coastal Charm, A Stroll Through Life, Cozy Little House, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Not Just a Housewife and Twelve O Eight