(photo credit – here)

It goes without saying that you should start by treating yourself to an extra strong fancy coffee before putting yourself up to the task of a major cleaning.  I usually try to do one major cleaning every quarter but sometimes it’s every 6 months or so which is terrible but at least I can admit that I needed some help.  Along the way, I’ve picked up some really helpful tips that I thought I’d pass along.

1. Start from the left and work your way right. 

I picked this up from a co-worker and find it very helpful.  Sometimes there are so many areas that need some help it’s easy to get distracted and bounce around leaving everything half cleaned/organized.  By focusing on an area, it is less overwhelming and you can focus better.  At least if you only get halfway done, that half of the room is going to look exactly how you want it.

2. Go top to bottom.

Another tip that seems like common sense but you don’t want to work the other way around because you will end up cleaning/organizing the bottom of the same section twice.

3. Give back.

It’s so easy to just toss things in the trash and sometimes things need to be thrown away but if things are in good condition, donate them.  As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!