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.
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.
More Cleaning Resources:
- Hour a Day Cleaning – Take Back Your Weekends!
- Daily Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
- Easy Cleaning Tips for Busy People
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
- Use plastic washtubs to hold fabric softener sheets or wool dryer balls.
- Tin containers are great for laundry pods
- Drip catchers keep messes away when using detergent bottles.
- A plastic jute basket can be sued to toss random items found in pockets.
- Magnetic organizers stick perfectly to the washer and dryer to hold coins or clothespins.
- Magnetic lint bins are a prettier way to toss lint. This is great, especially if you reuse your dryer lint for home projects.
- I love this magnetic hanger organizer. What a great way to hold hangers in a laundry room.
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.
- If your family is small, this all-in-one cart is a great way to keep laundry sorted.
- If you have a larger family, you may want to invest in this laundry sorting setup.
- I love this sorting option because it gives you a countertop for folding and stain treatment if needed.
- Finally, a sorting cart with a hanging bar is another great way to use space efficiently.
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 member – For 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.
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.
- This mudroom bench organizer is great because it has a shelf, hooks, a bench, and cubbies.
- This farmhouse-style bench is a smaller option if you are short on space.
- This storage setup is great, as there is tons of room for shoes.
- And finally, a separate set up allows you more freedom with space and location.
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.
- Umbrella holders work great to hold baseball bats, hockey sticks, or other long equipment.
- If you have the room, an all-in-one sports organizer is an easy way to keep things put away.
Misc Items
Let’s not forget some of the other items that tend to be kept in a mudroom.
- Use a wall organizer to hold keys and outgoing mail.
- This rustic vertical organizer is great for smaller areas.
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.
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
- Use this zipper bag to hold misc chargers you may need on road trips.
- Have a first aid kit for any minor emergencies.
- Visor organizer for misc items you routinely use when you travel.
Tip #3. Kids – If you have kids or grandkids, organizers will really help to keep their stuff neater.
Backseat Organizers
- Use this seat organizer to hold toys and books for younger children.
- This portable desk is great for older children to read and work on schoolwork.
- Back seat organizers are great for any age passengers.
- Pet travel organizers are great for holding cleanup supplies, a bowl for water, and a few toys.
Tip #4. Fun Options – I am always on the lookout for unique ways to organize, and these ideas do just that!
Space Saving Organizers
- I love this foldaway snack tray; great for road trips and sports practices.
- A handbag/car supply organizer works great for keeping your entire car clean.
- A cup holder with a storage bin will give you more space.
- Car seat gap organizers work great to give more space in your vehicle.
- Car seat hooks are great for holding totes, purses, and bags.
- This side seat organizer can give you more space in your car.
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
- This trunk storage bin works great for holding grocery bags and keeping them from spilling on the ride home.
- This is a great trunk organizer for travel or families with busy kids.
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 list – As 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
- A wall system is a great way to organize hand tools.
- A free-standing storage system is good if you are short on wall space.
- A wall pegboard is great for all kinds of small toys.
Organizer for toys
- This all-in-one organizer is good for the entire family’s toys.
- You can use this toy cart organizer for an easier setup.
- If you are short on space, this toy wall system is a great option.
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:
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.
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.
More Kitchen Pantry Resources:
- How to Organize a Wire Rack Pantry
- Find Space in a Tiny Pantry
- My Top Tip for Organizing a Family Pantry
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
- Use hooks to hold large hand tools such as rakes and shovels.
- A cleaning caddy is an affordable way to hold hand tools for the garden.
- Shelves are great for flower pots and soil.
- A locked cabinet for insecticide or fertilizers.
- A hanging organizer for hoses and spray nozzles.
- Standing tool organizer for rakes and other garden tools.
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!