You may have started thinking about your spring cleaning or you may have already begun.  While there are many areas of a home that may need your attention, this week, we’re focusing on a few hot spots in various rooms.  These are spots that might be neglected throughout the year and may require some special attention.  No matter the time that you have available, you can set the timer for 10, 15, 30 minutes, or an hour and tackle one of the hot spots in your home.

On Tuesday, we kicked it off with Kitchen Drawers & Cabinets.  Yesterday, we focused on cleaning in & under furniture in living areas.  Today, we’re going to focus on an area that is easy to ignore: under & around the bed.  I have some shallow tubs under my bed that I have filled up with the idea that I would get around to sorting those items eventually.  Eventually never seems to come.  I have hardwood floors in my bedroom and, under the bed, there is a layer of dust (& dust bunnies).  Beside the bed, I have a nightstand where I tend to accumulate reading and writing materials.  At the foot of my bed, I keep a big wicker chest where I store most of my gifts (shhhhh), but the chest is difficult to open at times because the lid is covered with outgrown clothing, mismatched socks, snow pants that need to be put away, and other various articles.  Do you have areas of your bedroom that are in need of some time and attention?   Members to ListPlanIt have access to a wide range of lists that can help set goals for their spring cleaning in Home Management.  Not yet a member?  Join today and make it easy to get organized for spring.

Here’s a list of things to consider as you tackle the space under and around your bed today or this week. *Warning: do not attempt to lay on the bed to clean.  

• If you have 10 minutes:  Declutter your nightstand.  Put all books in your bookcase.  Find a place to store pens and notebooks.
• If you have 15 minutes:  Add. . .Remove all items from nightstand and dust.  Don’t forget frames and lamps.  Dust the headboard and footboard of your bed, too.
• If you have 20 minutes:  Add. . .Straighten and purge any other piles that you may have in the vicinity of the bed.  Put outgrown clothes in a bag for sale or donation, and clean seasonal clothing away in the closet or a well-marked tub.
• If you have 30 minutes: Add. . .Pull out all items from under the bed.  Sweep, vacuum, &/or mop the floor under the bed.
• If you have 60 minutes: Add. . .Sort through tubs, boxes, or safes.  Purge items that are neither useful nor lovely to you.  Replace items for storage.

Done!  If you cleaned under &/or around your bed today, chime in below in the comments!