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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Workin' It Wednesdays ·

Workin’ It Wednesday


It’s Workin’ It Wednesday.

The second Wednesday of every month, Erika and I host a link up where we talk about how we’re workin’ it in certain areas of our life (and then ask you to share your advice/tips/tricks on the subject too).

So far this year, we’ve discussed these topics:

January: Keeping our New Year’s Goals
February: Keeping our marriages strong
March: Balancing work and home life 

and today…

SPRING CLEANING!

Okay, I’m going to be really honest here…I don’t feel well.

It’s Monday afternoon right now as I type this and I’ve basically been sick since 3:00 AM on Sunday morning…BUT…I wanted to make sure I posted in my own link up, so here we go.  I’m going to share a few tips and then hopefully, you’ll share a bunch.  I’m going to do an entire post on that Unstuffed book I read in March coming up soon, so if I miss something, hopefully, I’ll catch it then. I’m going to blog a bit now and then go take a nap. #wordsyouneverhearmesay

So, I love spring cleaning.  And fall cleaning.  And winter cleaning.  Summer cleaning too.

My name is Shay and I thoroughly enjoy cleaning out my house.

Nothing gives me joy more than hauling a bunch of stuff out that I don’t need/use/want any more.  Over the years, I have tried several different ways to spring clean and the more kids I have and the more I work, the more my methods change.  I used to block off an entire day and dedicate it just to spring cleaning.  Now though, that’s too tricky.  With little ones running around and daily business to attend to, I find it difficult to commit a whole day to spring cleaning, so I do a little bit at a time over about a month.  I know…it’s not the same as that euphoric feeling at the end of the day when you’re done cleaning…but, it’s better than nothing, right?!  Here’s my key to how I do it…I use lists and mini blocks of time.

Every day in April, I have been cleaning/organizing/purging something.  Sometimes, I have 5 minutes and sometimes, I have an hour.  I always keep a list on my desk of things that I need to do around my house.  If I notice the baseboards are gross, I don’t stop and clean them right then (because typically when I notice, it’s not a good time to stop and clean), I just add that to my list.  Then, every day, I see how much time I have and check something off of my list.  In five minutes, I can clean out the pen/tape/scissors/a.k.a. junk drawer but in 50 minutes, I can completely organize and purge the play room.  After I feel like I’ve cleared everything off of my list, then I wait until the next season (so for me, maybe mid-summer) and then do it again.  Keeping a list also helps me from getting distracted.  I don’t know about you…but I can be in the middle of cleaning out puzzles and games in one closet and glance at the ceiling fans and think “geez, they’re dusty” and then before you know it, I’m left the game closet and am cleaning fans and always run out of time and neither thing gets accomplished.  So, a list helps me from forgetting and keeps me on task.

Right now, this is my list…

…it’s not that lengthy (because I really do try and clean out my house about four times a year), but it’s things that I can stop and clean out daily.  For me, stopping and doing something small every day is just more feasible than taking an entire day to do it all.  This list gets longer and then shorter and I just mark something off daily as I go.

I also keep another list in this little notebook…

…this is the first page in this book.  Isn’t that the perfect quote for spring cleaning?!  (And both the notepad and notebook are from Erin Condren 😉 )!

…I keep a list of things I need to buy as I clean.  I don’t know about you…but as I’m cleaning out things, I notice that “geez, Ashby is almost five and yet all of her undies are a size 2T…I should probably buy her some more!”.  So, I keep a list of things I need to go back later and buy because if I don’t, I will forget.  (And my sweet almost five year old will be walking around in 2T underwear!)

Here are some other things we do around here for spring cleaning:

1: Right now, I have a friend who is pulling together a garage sale for an adoption, so we are really trying to find items in our house for her to sell.  This has been a big motivator for not only Andrew and me but the kids too!  I love a good garage sale and especially one for such a worthy cause!

2: We divide everything into piles: trash, donate, recycle, pass down.  I’m going to be honest, my kids have a very hard time with the “trash” pile.  They would much rather think that something is being passed down rather than put in the trash…but between you and me, we all know that the torn artwork they did one day in church that has been crumpled up under the bed with some sort of food stain on it and is no longer even legible should really be in the trash pile and not the donate pile…so sometimes, I tell them their “trash” pile is being donated too.  And by donated, I mean, donated to the recycle or trash bin 😉 .

3: This year, I have been very strict with my kids when it comes to adding things to their closet without them first taking things out.  Kensington needed new swimsuits and shorts…but I told her before we could add those items to her drawers/closet, she had to bring me down a bag of clothes that did not fit her any longer for me to either pass on to Ashby or donate.  She happily brought me a big bag full of things and then I was able to sort whether it went to her sister or was donated.  I am not going to add more things (like new swimsuits or shorts) to drawers/closet that needs to be purged.

Okay, that’s all I have in me today.  Hopefully by the time this posts on Wednesday morning, I’m back feeling like my normal self!!  In the meantime, if you’re looking for me, I’ll be asleep 😉 .

 Please comment and share your spring cleaning tips/tricks and ideas!! 

And, if you blogged Workin’ It Wednesdays today, make sure you link up below!  Next month, our topic is planning and prepping for your summer vacation and then coming up this year…

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Comments

  1. Leslie Z. says

    I’m notorious for cleaning out junk from closets and drawers quarterly. I can’t stand clutter and if I haven’t touched something in a few months, it’s either getting thrown away or donated.

  3. Erika Slaughter says

    So glad you’re feeling better!! And reading all these posts makes me want to grab a trash bag and head upstairs!

  4. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    I love that you make your kids do a lot of purging too! I think it gives them a sense of responsibility and ownership and also makes them realize how much stuff they have and what they do and don’t need.
    MeetTheShaneyfelts

  5. Sheaffer Sims says

    I have 2 junk drawers in my kitchen that I’m going to commit to cleaning out this weekend. It will only take like 20 minutes, and I know it will bring me such JOY once it’s done!!!!!!

  6. Nicole says

    Great tips! Random question, I’m always full of those. ? When you were pregnant, what did you do to work out? Thanks!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      With Kensington, I just did light cardio and weights at the gym (not every day!!) and with Smith, I did stroller strides with Kensington :).

  8. Susan Jeffries says

    Cleaning and organizing are my thing too! We recently moved and our home is smaller (which I love), so I have spent the past several months, decluttering, organizing. and donating! It is so freeing! I always get rid of items in my closet when I add something new. I also have opened a separate checking account for fun money. When I sell something, I put the earnings into my fun money account so I don’t have guilt about buying something new.

  11. Sarah says

    Ugh sorry you are sick!! Hope you feel better soon 🙂

    Great post! I also love cleaning and purging; it truly brings me so much joy! Last month, I went through and cleaned/purged one room at a time while my older two were at their morning preschool program. I got rid of SO MUCH STUFF! My best advice for getting rid of stuff is that if it’s not functional/doesn’t serve a purpose or you don’t absolutely love it, toss it!

    I like your idea of keeping an on-going list of things that need to get done. I do that for blogging, but it would be great to do that in other areas of my life, too! Thanks!!

    -Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com

  13. Lindsey says

    One thing my mom did, that I am trying to pass down to my kids is work then play. At the beginning of spring break, we had a list of chores that we would all work on together. They started out simple when we were little, and worked up to fully deep cleaning the house with my mom as a high schooler. Then after our work day, we would do something so fun like a shopping day, trip, etc. I am so glad that my mom taught me how to clean! My sister and I always felt like we had earned the reward and we were so appreciative!

  14. Angela Ellingson says

    Hope you’re feeling better this morning!! Love your running lists! I’m always making lists, too. If I don’t write something down I often completely forget! And I can definitely relate to the special “donate” pile, haha!

  15. Britt says

    What do you do about your clothes, jewelry, shoes, etc? Do you get rid of things as you buy new?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I always try and donate things I’m not wearing/using. If I bring something new in, I really try and remove something. I don’t buy new hangers just so that I’m forced to remove stuff ;).

  16. Maria says

    The most helpful thing for me was to stop buying things. I shopped so much and it all eventually ended up donated or just sits there because I can’t justify getting rid of it or have no time to sell it. Also, I have bags of clothes and random home decor and dishes that I want to donate or sell in every closet. I keep those bags to purge as I go.

  18. Amanda Wilson says

    I love all the Spring Cleaning ideas but where do you find time for basic cleaning….by the time I do basic cleaning I find I don’t have time for those big jobs!! Tips??

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I consider spring cleaning something totally separate. If you try and combine them, it makes so much more work. I think you have to consider it in addition to regular cleaning (and on a different day).

  19. Becca says

    We are in a little transition as we build a new house and living in a townhouse. I still went through yesterday and cleaned out closets, it felt so good. I listed to a podcast by Joshua Becker on Focus on the Family called Simplifying Life, Living More Fully. It was really a great reminder for me to focus on the important things in life:)

  20. Tamara R. says

    Where do you donate things? Maybe it’s just me but I feel like Goodwill gets so many donations – would love to hear some better donation ideas!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      We have some amazing shelters here for women and families! Plus, Andrew’s bestie owns a thrift shop where all of the proceeds go to fun their non-profit.

  21. Rachel says

    I’m due to do this again, but in an effort to clean out my closet I bought a new laundry basket and every day as I was getting dressed I had to find one item of clothing to get rid of and put in the basket. When the basket was full I donated it (or threw away anything that was trashed). It was also a good motivator that I shouldn’t buy new clothes until I had a full basket to get rid of. Some days I’d find more than one item, but by always finding at least one thing I made good headway!

  22. Jamie says

    Oh no! Stomach bug?! I feel like it’s running wild and longer this year! Thanks for all your tips, I need to start writing mine down and do them as I go. I always like to do everything at once, but it’s just too much!

  23. Corinne Wright says

    I just cleaned out my kids’ closets and drawers. It was long overdue. And, like you, I realized that my almost-5 year-old is wearing 2t panties. I also keep lists of what needs to be done and what needs to be purchased. I’ll be honest, right now, my house needs a good SCRUB top to bottom as well as a good purge. I may have to take time off work to make it happen, though. There just arent enough hours in the day.

  24. Eileen says

    I love cleaning/organizing/purging too! So many of my methods and tips are the same. My big phrase with the kids is “love it or lose it”. It really helps them to let go of stuff.

  25. Amanda Wilson says

    Great idea I just had a cleaning epiphany!! If I set a day or 2 away for my nap time cleaning to be the “not basic” I can attack it all slowly but surely!! I love the list ideas!! Sometimes I start something then see something else then it almost becomes overwhelming!! And with 5 kiddos 11 and under I have lots of help. Thanks Shay!

  26. heidi says

    I throw things out when I can.. i love a de cluttered space but does it ever get cluttered so quickly. I clean out my kids spaces often just because it’s easier and then I see what they need for the up coming season. I bought a label maker. . I should take it out of the box ?

  27. Marcy says

    Feel better … great tips, I plan to put in use.. time for an Erin Condren notepad update .. Madeley ?

  28. Kristy says

    I blame it on not feeling well, but my favourite line in this post is “and with little runs running…” Lol!

  29. Jenna says

    Great tips, I also try to stay focused on just one task at a time, but take notes on other tasks. Sometimes I just can’t help myself and start five other jobs before finishing the first and I am left feeling a little overwhelmed. Haha!

  30. Krista says

    Which would you recommend reading first (or if you are only going to read one) The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing or Unstuffed?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I loved them both…but the author of Unstuffed probably met me more where I am in life.

  31. Lisa D says

    I love reading all these great tips for Big Cleaning Jobs! Like many here, I keep a bag going for donations of clothing, shoes, and household items and then make a donation 2-3 times a year. My adult kids know this so periodically they bring their unwanted items to my house to add to my on-going pile! We recycle weekly through our trash pick-up so the paper clutter is really minimized. After reading this post I’m actually excited about getting a move on my Spring cleaning! Thanks MM Mama!

  32. Lesley McFarland says

    We are moving in about 2 months and I am trying soooo hard to get things cleaned out. Where in the world does all of this stuff come from. We do the same with our piles…but my kids like to sell their junk in hopes of making a few extra dollars. But I HATE garage sales….by the end I am sure most of the stuff will be donated

  33. Keisha M Dawson says

    I really hope you are feeling better by now! I’m with you, I clean all year long. It seems way less overwhelming when I do it this way.

  35. Taylor says

    I hope you’re feeling better! I love the list idea, and completing things in the time increments I can grab. I often become very unproductive when I don’t have time to do it all, which is frustrating and not helpful. So your plan is really helpful, thank you!!

  36. Jeannie Pietrowiak says

    Thanks for sharing your tips on Spring cleaning..you’ve inspired me! My husband will be happy to know I’ve cleaned out a couple of our closets when he returns from his office this afternoon 🙂 May I ask for your prayers? My sweet niece and her husband are leaving for Ethiopia this Sunday (Easter!) to meet and hopefully bring home their son, Abram! They have been waiting close to two years to meet him!! And our Mighty God has big plans for this family of four…growing to six! She’s pregnant too! She is still in the first trimester and experiencing some major morning sickness. While there is no talking her out of this long-awaited trip, I’m concerned about her health! Any and all prayers are appreciated!

  37. Candas Kerkhoff says

    I like the idea of keeping a running list! I am notorious for stopping what I’m doing to clean the vanity lights because I just noticed a cobweb, and when I don’t have time right that minute, things get forgotten about. I also make my kids responsible for some of the cleaning – baseboards are a favorite chore to pass down because my knees just don’t like all that bending down anymore.
    The undies cracked me up!!!! We had that exact same realization with Brooklyn just last month. ? #oops

  38. Kerri says

    I work outside the the house full time so for me having a cleaning person every other week is so worth it because then I am not spending my weekends inside cleaning my house…instead I can just focus on (LOL) the laundry piles, food shopping, errands, purging and oh yes, attending all the kid activities that are scheduled! I notice if we don’t have as much “stuff” it’s way easier to keep a tidy house! I just wish my 8 year old daughter wasn’t a hoarder of toys,, and all her stuffed animals make me crazy! Would love any tips on those!!!!!

  39. Laura @ Laura Likes Design says

    Oh no! So sorry to hear that you were sick! I hope you’re feeling better soon!

    I LOVE cleaning and spring cleaning! I just listened to the Unstuffed audio book and it has made me clean out my closets to get rid of more STUFF. It’s so liberating!

  40. Lindsey says

    Thanks for posting through your illness! I look forward to your blog every morning. I get to work, get things started, and then have a few minutes to indulge about 9am and I eagerly scroll through your post. Thanks again! <3

  41. Lauren says

    Hi, Random question but i think its worth asking since i’m addicted to smells. What are your favorite spring scents for spring? For a bigger house do you have smellys in each room? We are moving into a bigger house and I need some tips!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Lemon and vanilla are my faves :). Typically, I just keep one candle going in the kitchen and that’s enough for every day stuff.

  42. DonnaS says

    Great tips! I need to utilize lists more. I was keeping a running grocery list and then forgot the list on the counter when I went to the store–so aggravating! I imagine it is nice being able to check items off your list when you are done 🙂

  43. Kayla B says

    Great tips! Hope you’re feeling better. This year, for Lent, I joined in the #40bagsin40days challenge, and it was great! I don’t have much stuff to purge, but the list helped me stay on track, and I found several bags worth of stuff to donate or throw out.

  44. Cherie says

    I clean like my momma taught me – and I’ll admit I hated doing this growing up but she insisted and now I’m so glad. Whatever I’m cleaning (closet, drawer, cabinets), I start by taking absolutely everything out so it’s completely bare. Then I wipe down/vacuum/clean before putting things I want to keep back in. l get rid of so much more stuff using this method with the added bonus of clean surfaces! I find that I am much more motivated to keep it clean as well.

  45. Gina says

    Do you have someone come in and do the regular cleaning? If not, when do you find time to do that? And what days? Feel better ?

  46. Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says

    I saw the pool closet on your list and it reminded me that we’ve never cleaned ours out…and now that I’m thinking about it, I’m a little scared! Hope you feel better, girl! Sorry to hear that you are sick!! And by the way, my post today included my velour tracksuit shame…I am going to just go with what y’all said about letting go of them…(maybe). Well, it’s on my spring cleaning list. 😉

    That Inspired Chick

  47. Michelle says

    I really don’t feel like I buy the kids that many clothes, but I try and go through their closets/drawers every few months and always end up with 5 or 6 garbage bags!! Hope you feel better soon…sending BIG HUGS!!

  48. Carole says

    I thought I read once where you have someone who comes and periodically cleans your house. Why doesn’t that person dust your fans and clean your baseboards? Heck, if I’m paying someone to clean, they better clean. 😉

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I wish I had someone who came and cleaned everything top to bottom all the time, but I don’t! I have someone help with periodic cleaning (to keep us afloat!), but the major stuff is handled by us.

  50. Leiah Fuselier says

    My husband loves to tell me I occasionally suffer from ADCD – attention deficit cleaning disorder. I’ll be cleaning out the bathroom cabinets, take the older towels to the laundry room to put in the cleaning rags pile and then notice that drawer needs to be straightened. Then that leads to organizing the utility room closet which then leads to…well, I think you know where this is going.

  53. Lindsay Jorgenson says

    I was cracking up over Ashby wearing 2T underwear because I literally just did the same thing for my oldest would was wearing 4T and is now in a size 6. I love making lists as you go!

  54. Caroline says

    We are moving in two weeks (!!!!!) and I am in a massive clean out mode. If I don’t need it, it’s gone. I can’t think of anything worse than moving crap we don’t need to a new house ??? also I JUST bought unstuffed! Loved her living well spending less book.

  55. Liliana says

    I love spring cleaning throughout the year, all the time. I have two boys and a girl. What works for me in order to keep the kids drawers and clossets with only stuff that fits them is having a big basket where hand me down/ donate/ too small clothes go. After the bucket is full (like 3 times a year) I empty it. Hope this tip helps.

  56. Mary W. says

    This is a great reminder for me! We have been so blessed by friends that I hardly have had to buy my kids any clothes…we receive so many barely used hand me downs that are cute but drawers and closets galore are stuffed! I feel guilty giving away clothes that were passed down/gifted but if we don’t need them, I feel like they’re just taking up space/could go to those who need them!

  57. Niki says

    I have to purge things when my kids aren’t around because they are huge hoarders and can’t stand it when I get rid of THEIR things! I like the idea of involving them in the process though so maybe I’ll try your idea of telling them the stuff will be donated ?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      They’re all on last Friday’s post! I posted three that I wear all the time!

  59. Detroit Duchess says

    I am really trying to be better about cleaning and organizing but it is a struggle for me. A few things I am trying to commit to every year for spring cleaning include: flipping the mattress, taking the comforter in to be drycleaned, and cleaning the windows on the back doors. I did just move the dogs cage and clean the baseboards around that area (I created a reminder for myself to do that once a month).