Spring Into Cleaning - Family Style!
Editor’s Note (Updated 2025): This post has been refreshed for clarity and formatting. Ernest Homes proudly builds energy-efficient new homes across Savannah, Richmond Hill, and Guyton. Explore our communities at ErnestHomes.com.
Everyone knows that spring is the traditional time to take on some serious cleaning. After a long, chilly winter, the sunshine and warm air make you want to open the windows, clear the clutter, and start fresh. But getting the whole family involved? That’s often harder than the cleaning itself!
This year, don’t do it alone. Try these smart strategies to motivate your crew and knock out your spring cleaning in a single day.
Plan ahead
Gather all cleaning supplies, tools, replacement bulbs, batteries, and anything else you may need before you begin. Running out of window cleaner mid-task can ruin momentum and derail the day.
No excuses
Choose a day with no other commitments—no soccer games, birthday parties, or appointments. Let the whole family know the date in advance and make it a required “family event.” Give each person a reminder card or note and ask them to keep the date clear.
Go incommunicado
Turn off phones, tablets, and laptops. Let friends and family know ahead of time that you’ll be unavailable for several hours. Reducing distractions keeps everyone focused.
Let the music play
Have each family member select a playlist or favorite album. Draw names to determine the listening order and rotate songs or playlists each hour. Music makes even the toughest chores more enjoyable.
Set predetermined break times
Knowing a break is coming helps everyone push through. Offer favorite snacks—brownies make surprisingly strong motivators!
Make all chores age-appropriate
Little ones can’t move furniture or dust fragile items, but they can sort toys, put items into color-coded bins, or keep pets busy in another room. If your children are too young to safely assist, consider hiring a sitter so you can work without distractions.
It’s all a game
Turn chores into a friendly competition. Create teams and distribute tasks evenly. The first team to finish (to your standards) wins a small prize such as ice cream gift cards, a favorite drink, or a magazine.
Or make cleaning fun with a household scavenger hunt. Hide small items—coins, candy, trinkets—throughout the house. As each person finds items, they place them in a personal basket. Once the entire house passes inspection, your family can keep what they found. But if anything isn’t up to par, all prizes are forfeited until next year’s challenge!
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. With planning, music, teamwork, and creativity, you can turn this annual tradition into a rewarding family event.
