Spring is the time for new beginnings. The days are getting longer, and the trees are budding and blossoming, so it’s time to freshen up your home and office. Take a load off, enjoy that fresh air, and drink in the sunshine—in short: it’s time for No Mess, No Stress spring cleaning!

Tidying up your home or office space is more satisfying than tidying up your home or office space as part of some self-care routine. So why extend the first warm days of spring into a little productive fun? It’s the time of year that feels like a fresh start, and you can do it in your own home—and have fun while you’re at it.

11 Tips For Stress-Free Spring Cleaning

1. Plan it out.

Spending an afternoon tidying up can also be a great way to get some of that stress out of your system. If you have a couple of hours to spare, give yourself a manageable goal you’ll enjoy ticking off your calendar. If you’re feeling exceptionally organized, list things you’d like to accomplish or tasks you want help from friends and family members. If you’re tackling cleaning your home, it’s also a good idea to involve everyone in the household for everyone’s sake.

2. Be realistic with yourself.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to have the same strict approach as fall cleaning; if you’re not in shape to give yourself that much exercise, try to make small steps towards spring cleaning every day and then reward yourself by giving yourself a more extended period in which you can put your feet up and relax.

3. Start with the small stuff.

Too many people decide to battle spring cleaning with a complete overhaul from top to bottom and end up exhausted and frustrated. If you’re trying to tackle spring cleaning in a “go big or go home” style, you’ll end up stressed out at the very least—and probably overwhelmed as well if you’re going at it in an unfocused manner. Your home or office will look better when everything is neatly stored away instead of on the floor.

4. Start with one area at a time.

If you can only tackle one room, start small and work your way up to the rest. And don’t forget about putting things away when you’re done—you can always revisit certain areas later if anything else needs to be done. Still, it’s better not to leave things lying around, hoping everything will eventually be dealt with.

5. Use the tips of your friends and family members.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help with spring cleaning, especially if you’re unsure how to tackle an area or area of your house or don’t have the time. If someone around you is good with picking up after themselves, ask them for help as much as possible—or head to a local charity store or thrift store and ask about volunteering for some spring cleaning.

6. Don’t be afraid to get dirty.

In addition to its business advantages, a clean home is also great for your health. It’s natural to want your home and surroundings as tidy as possible, but this doesn’t mean you should turn away from the mess simply because you don’t like getting dirty or being near hard surfaces. Do what you can without damaging your home or yourself, but don’t be too concerned about having some dirt lying around.

7. Be aware of your home’s weaknesses.

Sometimes, a house just needed to be built right. It could be that the foundation is too weak to support its contents or that there are too many doors and windows to give it a vital air of security. It doesn’t mean you need to move out, but it does mean some spring cleaning tips are in order.

8. Get a little extra help.

It’s easy to underestimate the amount of work required to clean a mess thoroughly, and if you’re exhausted from spring cleaning before you’re even finished, it’s not necessarily your fault. You can give yourself a bit of extra push in a few ways. Get someone else to take care of your cooking and laundry while spring cleaning. Also, reduce alcohol and caffeinated drinks—they can make you jittery and even interfere with your sleep cycle.

9. Remember your pets.

Watching your furry friends, especially if they have loose or tangled fur, is always a great idea. It always helps to brush them down when it’s warm and rainy outside rather than waiting for the weather to turn colder and icier. And make sure you do an excellent job cleaning up after them, even if they don’t care much for the outdoors.

10. Reorganize your office as well.

If you’re fortunate enough to have an office where you spend a lot of time, make sure it’s fit for purpose. If you need to get things done, try to avoid using too much of your space to put all the clutter—it will not only give the room a poor atmosphere but also prevent you from working efficiently. Remove unnecessary items and rearrange your furniture for better efficiency and organization.

11. Clean up outside.

Maybe you don’t have much of a garden, but you can still clean up your surroundings. Give your yard an overhaul, especially if you plan on entertaining guests or having guests over for the evening. Don’t forget to pick up the dog’s poop either—hopefully, this one is self-explanatory, but people overlook it as an essential part of spring cleaning.

Are You Ready? Then Get started!

When you’re ready to tackle spring cleaning, be aware of the basics, what to avoid doing, and how much is enough. Start with general cleaning of your home—you want your home to smell fresh and clean, but not too scented, as this can be pretty off-putting—and then move on to the most critical areas of your space. After completing the main jobs, take a spring cleaning break to relax and enjoy the sun and fresh air.