Spring Organizing Checklist

If you are looking for an easier way to streamline your home, then you found this spring organizing checklist at the best time. Many times, we talk about things to declutter throughout the year; this time, we are going to talk about the best tools to use to organize.

How to organize using the best container for each area of your home.

spring organizing checklist

Usually, spring is when you hear a lot of talk about cleaning your home. There is nothing like a little sunshine coming in through our windows to remind us they need to be cleaned.

That means that spring cleaning gets all of the attention this time of year, but I have found when you do a little spring organizing it really helps you to keep things neat and tidy all summer long.

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Spring Organizing Checklist Room by Room

This list of helpful organizers is meant for spring, so we are going to focus on the rooms that get the most traffic this time of year.

The Laundry Room

Usually, the laundry is not where I begin a list, but in the spring, things can get muddy and messy quickly. Without an organized area for washing clothes, your family can quickly turn this small space into a hot mess.

Tip #1. Labels – Since this room is a busy place you will want to have labels that are easy to see so anyone washing clothes can find what they need quickly.

Tip #2. Location – Store supplies near where you use them. This will make laundry day more efficient.

Washer/dryer area

Organizing Your Setup

If your laundry room is chaotic and hard to keep neat, you may need to rethink how you have things set up.

Tip #1. Go Vertical – Install shelving above the washer and dryer for additional storage.

Tip #2. Go skinny – Look for small space carts to hold things like strain treatment or dryer balls.

  • A full shelving system is great for giving you instant storage. Use to hold baskets, detergent, hangers, and fabric softener sheets.
  • A smaller shelving system will work if you are short on space but still want the shelves.
  • A small space cart is great for in-between appliances. You can use this to hold paper towels, stain remover, and even additional cleaners.

Sorting Laundry

Having a system for sorting laundry will really keep your area looking neater.

Tip #1. Sort by person – Only wash one person’s clothes at a time. This will make it easier to fold and put away when they are done.

Tip #2. Combine loads – Wash jeans and towels together, colors together, and white and delicates. By combining clothes, you will save time.

Tip #3. Hamper for each person – Invest in a tote/hamper for each person in your family. Be sure to label them with their name so there is no confusion. On laundry day, wash in batches. When dry the clean clothes can be returned to the hamper and carried to the room where they belong.

The Entryway or Mudroom

This is another high-traffic area, especially in the springtime. As you switch from one season to the next, shoes and outerwear will double. Having a system set up to hold all those extras while mother nature is making up her mind will help to keep this area clutter-free and tidy.

Tip #1. Basket for each family memberFor our large family, we like to have a dedicated area for each family member. This keeps things stress-free, especially when trying to get out of the door at the beginning of the day.

baskets in a mudroom

Tip #2. Hook for each person – Above each basket, have a hook. This will give them a place to hang book bags, coats, and duffles.

When each family member has their own hook, basket, or cubby, they will know right where their things are and right where their things go when they returned home again.

All-in-one options

This is a more expensive option but one that can solve many clutter problems quickly.

Coats and bookbags

Be sure that whatever you use is sturdy enough to hold the weight that will be placed on it.

  • Command hooks are great for coats and hats. If you have young children, be sure to have the hooks lower to their level as they grow you can easily remove these hooks and raise them up.
  • Heavy-duty hooks are better for older kids so they can handle the weight of a backpack full of books.

Sport equipment organizers

I love these unique ways to keep equipment organized.

Misc Items

Let’s not forget some of the other items that tend to be kept in a mudroom.

D/M Pro Tip: Hang a picture frame and put post-it note reminders for your family to see before they head out the door. Color code the sticky notes so your family knows which notes are for them.

Vehicles

Another area that needs some springtime attention is the inside of our vehicles. Now that things are warming up let’s do a quick clean-out and set up a few organizers to streamline an area that our families will easily keep up with. 

black organizer with a blue bag inside of a trunk

You do not need to keep lots of items in your car, what you have will depend on your family and your time of life. Let’s look at a few ideas.

Tip #1. Papers – Everyone will need to have important papers in their care at all times. Having an organizer to hold papers will keep them in one place so you can access them if they are needed.

Organizers for car papers

  • An accordion file is an easy fix for keeping papers organized in your vehicle. Use it to hold insurance cards, registration, and emergency info.
  • This envelope style organizer is another option I like.
  • A bigger storage option that can hold papers plus your car’s manual.

By keeping things sorted in organized didn’t make it much easier for you to find any papers right when you need them.

Tip #2. Misc items – Have an organizer set to hold different items that you tend to use often in your car.

Misc Car Organizers

Tip #3. Kids – If you have kids or grandkids, organizers will really help to keep their stuff neater.

Backseat Organizers

Tip #4. Fun Options – I am always on the lookout for unique ways to organize, and these ideas do just that!

Space Saving Organizers

Tip #5. Errands and Groceries – Finally, be sure you have containers to hold bags when you are out at the store. This will eliminate the chance of items rolling out of a bag to get lost under a seat.

Trunk Organizers

Garage

When you live up north your winter garage is nothing like your summer garage. Winter means snow shovels and salt and snow blowers and summer means pool supplies and rakes and lawnmowers.

Each year on our spring organizing checklist we do a switch over from winter tools to summer tools so that our garage is not so tool heavy and overcrowded. 

Tip #1. Clean before storing – If you have larger tools that you use in the winter, be sure to clean them and close them up so that they store better throughout the summer. If you are unsure what needs to be done, you can go online and check with your manufacturer for what you need to do for larger items.

Tip #2. Make a listAs you are putting things away for the winter, make a list of anything that needs to be repaired or replaced. Put this on your summer to-do list to update any items that need a bit of help.

Tip #3. Use zones – Zones are areas where a particular activity takes place, such as car repairs, storage, or lawn care. This will help you to keep things together where they are used, streamlining your entire garage.

Tool Organizers for the garage

Organizer for toys

Car Care Organizers

Having things organized in a garage will help you to streamline this area so it is a tool for your home and not a storage area.

More Garage Resources:

golf equipment on a organizer in a garage

Kitchen Pantry

The kitchen pantry is another area in your home that needs a seasonal dose of organizing. Many times your winter pantry will be quite different from your summer pantry. Our winter pantry is usually heavy with canned soups and chili ingredients, whereas our summer pantry has more for barbecues and picnics.

D/M Pro Tip: As the weather starts warming up, you will want to use any winter food supplies. This will help you eat anything that may not get eaten over the summer. If you have a ton of chili supplies, for example, you can make a few batches and freeze them to enjoy later.

Tip #1. Declutter – Before organizing your pantry, go through your food and check the expiration dates. Toss what is out of date and use up what is getting close.

Tip #2. Use categories – To keep a family pantry more organized use categories to streamline. Designate a basket for each food your family routine eats. You can have baskets for soups, Italian food, snacks, cereal, or side dishes.

Tip #3. Organize by family – Set up a basket for each family member. This can be helpful if you have someone on a special diet, such as gluten-free.

Organizers for a Pantry

  • Stadium risers are a great way to organize deep pantries. They will ensure you can see all the cans, even the ones in the very back.
  • Lazy Susans are perfect for corners and hard-to-see areas. Use them for canned goods, boxed foods, or spices.
  • Two-tiered lazy Susans are great if you are short on space.
  • Jute baskets are my go-to organizer in most of my home but, most importantly, in my pantry. They are super durable and look great as well.
blue labeled bins in a food pantry

Remember that whatever organizing idea you choose, you will want to keep in mind just how easy it will be for your family to stick with it. Bins without lids and large crystal clear labels are always a sure bet, no matter what age your family is. Keep it simple, so they stick with it. 

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Garden Shed

If you are lucky enough to have a garden shed, you will want to go through things before the busy season hits.

Tip #1. Toss it or fix it – Remove any broken, too bent to fix, or overly rusted supplies. If you can repair it, always take that route first; if not, you might want to consider replacing the item altogether.

Tip #2, Make a list – Summer yard sales are a great time to stock up on garden tools. Make a list of what you need and watch for sales both in person and online.

Tip #3. Off the ground – Do your best to keep as much off of the ground as you can so you have a safe area to walk through without the risk of tripping.

Organizers for a Garden Shed

When organizing your home, using the seasons as a reminder to work on key areas is a great way to stay on top of things. Switch over from one season to the next and declutter the items you are storing as you go.

Next, clean out the area by dusting and whipping things down so you are organizing a clean, fresh area. Finally, use bins, hooks, baskets, and big labels to keep things put away the easiest way. 

Do you have any areas you have a spring organizing checklist for? Let us know in the comments below, and we will add it to our list here!

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