Spring Cleaning - Decluttering

In my last post which you can read here, I mentioned that I wouldn't do any decluttering during my spring cleaning, as I knew I wouldn't finish what I set out to do...

Well I couldn't do it... I ended up decluttering :)

I got rid of (or put things aside for garage sale and returning to rightful owner) 50 items yesterday.

Rubbish and Recycling

• 1 x (empty) box from Missy's room
• 1 x lolly bag from Missy's room
• 1 x lonely Dora domino from Missy's room (the rest were lost long ago)
• 2 x catalogues from kitchen
• 2 x wrapping paper from main bedroom
• 1 x lolly box
• 1 x bear shaped eraser (It's been around since I was a kid)

Donate

• 1 x toy turtle with hammer
• 3 x handheld games
• 1 x jumper
• 1 x jacket
• 3 shirts
• 5 x singlets (day wear)
• 1 x baby jacket
• 1 x toy dog carrier
• 1 x purple toy
• 1 x tiger toy
• 1 x toy guitar
• 1 x kids toy cup (again the rest were lost long ago)
  

Garage Sale

• 1 x 2 pc PJ set
• 3 x sz 0 tops
• 2 x glass serving trays
• 1 x glass bowl
• 2 x glass candle holders
• 2 x small glass jugs
• 1 x glass measuring cup
• 1 x glass thing.. I have no idea what it is
• 3 x nappy covers
• 2 x 2pk newborn nappies
  

Returning

• 2 x reusable nappies to cousin
  

I was going to donate it all, but seeing as though my mum is having a garage sale in a few weeks, and I need to raise funds for our possible move, I thought I may as well try and sell some things.

Spring Cleaning - Zones

With spring finally arriving, it's time I started thinking about spring cleaning. Even with only one parent working outside the home, we've been struggling to keep up with the everyday basics, due to our busy lives. The house is starting to look a little neglected, and it's time to do something about it.

I've split my home into 4 zones, and I'll be working in one zone a week during September.

They are as follows:

Zone 1: Hallway (entryway) and  Lounge room
Zone 2: Kitchen and Laundry
Zone 3: Bedrooms 1 and 2
Zone 4: Bedroom 3 and Bathroom

• Each zone will get a thorough clean and tidy, Which includes:
  
  General - All Rooms
  Dusting (inc. walls, fans, picture frames etc)
  Vacuuming (inc. behind/under furniture)
  Washing down of all hard surfaces (inc. walls, doors, windows etc)
  Clean switchplates and door knobs
  Clean Blinds
  
  Bedrooms
  General - All rooms
  Clean air con filter
  Wash bedding, inc. pillows and blankets.
  Air out Mattress
  Dust and wipe over lamp shade
  Deodorise carpet
  
  Bathroom
  General - All rooms
  Scrub/steam clean grout
  Touch up grout
  Reseal grout
  Scrub taps
  Remove seat and scrub seat bolts
  Scrub bath
  Scrub toilet
  Scrub shower
  Mop floor
  
  Kitchen
  General - All rooms
  Clean oven
  Clean microwave
  Clean out fridge and freezer
  Clean underneath fridge
  Vacuum and clean fridge coils
  Descale kettle
  Clean dishwasher
  Mop floor
  
  Loungeroom
  General - All rooms
  Clean air con filter
  Vac lounge
  Spot clean lounge
  Wash cushions and throws
  Mop floor
  
  Laundry
  General - All rooms
  Clean washing machine
  Clean Dryer
  Shine sink
  Mop floor
   
• I haven't included jobs such as cleaning vanities, kitchen cupboards etc, as this is part of our weekly cleaning. 
• I won't, or I should say I'll try not to declutter at this point, unless I finish that weeks zone early, otherwise I know I'll get distracted and end up not finishing what I set out to do.
• I'll work little and often, instead of trying to do everything in one go and end up overwhelmed, frustrated and stressed and most probably give up. 
• The zone cleaning needs to fit around our routine/schedule instead of us fitting around it. I still have appts to attend, make sure everyone is clothed, fed, clean, happy and well rested, aswell as keep up with my daily must do's. So there's a good chance I won't get it all done this month, but as long as I do what I can, I'm ok with that.
• Most importantly I must remember to keep positive, smile, crank up the stereo and enjoy myself, after all a happy wife is a happy life :)

This was meant to be ready and posted by Saturday 1st Sept, but thanks to our crazy life its a few days late, so seeing as though it's Tuesday...

...I'm linking up with the lovely Jess at Diary of a SAHM for IBOT :)