5 Things You Might Think Count As Spring Cleaning (But Don’t)
Apr 08, 2025
From 2025 resident scholar Brittnei Gaudio, owner and head nester of wellnested Living Co.
Mamas, we have had a couple of false starts here with this seasonal shift, which can really play with our heartstrings, but when you string a couple of mild sunny days together, that instinctual urge to shake off winter from your interiors comes in like a wrecking ball.
But what if I told you that some of the things we do this time of year feel productive…but don’t actually move the needle when it comes to creating a tidier, calmer home?
As your resident scholar, professional organizer and decluttering coach, I am going to share five things you think count as spring cleaning—but don’t—and most importantly, what to do instead:
Wiping down surfaces and calling it a day
Dusting the shelves and shining the kitchen sink feels satisfying, sure. But if you’re still cleaning around piles of stuff you’re not really spring cleaning—you’re making the clutter sparkle.
Try this instead: Declutter the surface before you clean it. Less to clean = less to maintain.
Shuffling stuff from one room to another
Relocating random items doesn’t solve the problem—it just postpones it.
Try this instead: If it doesn’t have a home (and you’re not sure why you still have it), maybe it’s time to let it go.
Buying a bunch of storage bins
Hot take: More bins won’t save you. They might even be making the problem worse.
Try this instead: Decluttering first, it’s more than likely that you don’t need more storage or containment—you need less stuff. Once we know what is staying and has earned its right to take up space in your home, we can figure out the best way to store and contain it.
The weekend blitz
You go hard for one weekend, feel great for a day….and then it slowly unravels again.
Try this instead: Focus on habits over heroic efforts. The Daily Reset is great for this: It’s a 15-minute all-hands-on-deck daily habit that helps you reset your space. Fifteen minutes every day beats an all-day marathon once a year. Download a checklist to get started and join over a hundred local families who have adopted this habit.
Thinking it’s just about cleaning
Yes, clean floors are lovely, but without simple systems in place, the mess will creep back in.
Try this instead: Adopt small, repeatable routines that support the season you’re in (literally and figuratively). For example, try adopting the One In/One Out Rule: For every new item that comes into the house, one thing needs to go. This works great for toys, books and clothes.
Another helpful one is the One Minute Rule: Commit to completing any task that takes under one minute. These delayed micro decisions mount quickly, and nipping them in the bud can be super transformational.
If you’re ready for a Spring Refresh that actually sticks grab our free No Regrets Decluttering Cheat Sheet—a simple guide to help you make confident decisions about what stays, what goes, and how to move forward without second-guessing every item. Download it now and start your Spring Reset without overwhelm.
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Britt Gaudio is a corporate escapee turned decluttering coach, professional organizer and home care specialist. As a mom of two, she knows intimately the challenge that comes with curating a home environment that is both functional and calming. As owner and head nester of wellnested living co., she strives to help busy parents and professionals take back their space and reclaim their calm. wellnested is based out of Burlington, ON, and services the surrounding areas in-home and worldwide with virtual services. wellnested offers the Mom Halo community 10 percent off any in-home service with code: MOMHALO10.
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