Spring Cleaning
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (122228)
Gainesville, Florida
January 18, 2025 4:01pm CST
Today was forecast to be a gloomy, dreary and rainy day as the Polar Vortex starts making its way down into the Deep South, so I didn't really make any plans to do anything today. But I did wake up feeling energetic and motivated, so I took the opportunity to start doing some spring cleaning at my house. On tap first was cleaning out my outside storage closet on my back screen porch so that I could put alway all the Christmas decorations (and boy do I have a lot of decorations!). I ended up filling up the entire bed of my truck with stuff to donate or throw away.
After that was accomplished earlier this morning, my daughter woke up and decided she was feeling motivated as well, so she suggested we start all of our spring cleaning inside the house and try to get rid of anything we don't need anymore. We started with all the closets, cleaning out old clothes, jackets, shoes and blankets to donate to charity. I ended up filling my truck up again with all those items, and while I left to make a run to the Goodwill donation center (for the second time), she stayed back and started making a big pile of stuff that needed to go out in the trash. It took a third trip in the truck to get rid of the final load of stuff.
We're not hoarders by any means, but it has been a good 4-5 years since we've really done any major spring cleaning. And since my girlfriend was at work today, we didn't even touch any of her stuff, not to mention that either tomorrow or next week we'll start work on other rooms in the house.
I know we're still in the dead of winter, but have any of you started your spring cleaning yet? Or started thinking about it? I was more than happy to get it all out of the way now so I won't actually have to worry about it when spring arrives.
Oh, and the last thing I need to get rid of is my Christmas tree (live tree). I hate parting ways with it since it is still nice and green, but it's time to move on from the holiday and start getting ready for Valentines Day. It's in the back of the truck and will be dropped off at one of my co-worker's place since she has a large fire pit and wants it for firewood.
12 people like this
13 responses
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
7h
We're such overachievers, starting our spring cleaning so early! lol
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (109799)
• Marion, Ohio
7h
I usually try to do mine early so I can enjoy the nice days outside
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (109799)
• Marion, Ohio
7h
@moffittjc We might get a few in March. But they get started good late April to May
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
7h
I agree, and that's why I felt so good getting all this cleaning out of the way today, on such a dreary day. Now, when spring approaches and the days are absolutely gorgeous out, I will not have any reasons or excuses not to get out and enjoy that warm sunshine!
Nice days outside will start for us here in Florida in about another month. When will nice days start for you up your way?
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
7h
@wolfgirl569 Sometimes, we'll get nice days starting in January, but this year it looks like we're having a colder-than-normal winter, so we may not get nice days until March. I've had years here in Florida where the cold has lasted well into May before we saw nice days that were suitable for being outside. That doesn't happen very often, but it has happened a few times in the past.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (51967)
• Canada
6h
That's crazy that your daughter woke feeling motivated to clean up too, you told me that you were closely connected, but that is something else. 
I usually declutter beginning when I get out the Christmas decorations, as there are always some that can go, and then when I take down the decorations, and usually the first of the year. My motto is if it hasn't been used or worn in a year's time, it can be donated.
I actually got a head start this year in November. I was coming out of a store and noticed that Plato's Closet (a consignment store) was taking inventory before their grand opening. I went home and scooped up 3 large shopping bags of clothing and dropped it off. They text you after they go through it and you go to the store and they pay you for what they want and if there is anything that they don't want, they return it to you. It's a nice arrangement.
I usually declutter beginning when I get out the Christmas decorations, as there are always some that can go, and then when I take down the decorations, and usually the first of the year. My motto is if it hasn't been used or worn in a year's time, it can be donated.
I actually got a head start this year in November. I was coming out of a store and noticed that Plato's Closet (a consignment store) was taking inventory before their grand opening. I went home and scooped up 3 large shopping bags of clothing and dropped it off. They text you after they go through it and you go to the store and they pay you for what they want and if there is anything that they don't want, they return it to you. It's a nice arrangement.3 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
6h
Nice! We have a Plato's Closet just down the street from where I live. My girlfriend gets lots of clothes from there. I haven't bought anything there yet because they don't really have a large men's selection, at least not at our location.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
5h
@Juliaacv I didn't either, until you mentioned you had one up your way!
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@rakski (128618)
• Philippines
3h
@moffittjc okay, I think I will do just that this coming week
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
1h
@rakski That's the spirit! Set a goal and stick to it. Get it all done and out of the way.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
5h
Definitely! You have to take advantage of opportunities no matter what time of year!
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@1creekgirl (42015)
• United States
7h
Goodness, you all have been busy! I did take down the Christmas tree today and made a pot of chili. Stay warm.
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (42015)
• United States
7h
@moffittjc This is the longest we've ever left our tree up, but we really enjoyed the lights.
Do you ever donate to Salvation Army? I know they help a lot of people while Goodwill is for profit. I do like to shop at Goodwill, though.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
7h
@1creekgirl I do occasionally donate to Salvation Army, but there donation collection center is all the way on the other side of the city, while we have a Goodwill donation drop-off location about a half-mile from where I live. I know Goodwill is for-profit, but many years ago I used to volunteer at one of their centers, and they do a lot of good helping others. I know they use some of their profits to help the homeless, so I don't mind giving to them and letting them sell the stuff to make a profit. Plus, they also employe special needs adults, which is also important because so many of those adults have a tough time finding jobs.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
7h
Oh goodness, that pot of chili sounds heavenly. I could enjoy some of that on such a dreary day. I hope you enjoy!
It's funny that both you and I took down our Christmas trees today!
2 people like this
@Ghostlady (1482)
• United States
3h
We are doing Spring Cleaning under Duress. 
Our landlord is selling the house we have lived in for 19 years, and we are moving on the 27th, so we are going through everything and getting rid of stuff. We have a Roll Back (huge TrashBin) out in the yard. Monday we tackle the Junk Room..(Storage Room). Most of that will be going to Salvation Army or the Trash. I mean if we haven't used it in over 5 years, it pretty much won't be missed. Been that long since I took ANYTHING out of that room. Excited about moving into a new place.
I really wish we had tackled that Junk Room long before now. But we will have help on Monday. Cleaned out some drawers in the bedroom, and kitchen. Filled up 2 trash bags. My van is filled with clothes to take to the Salvation Army Tuesday. Kind of fun going through stuff and finding stuff you had forgotten you even had.
Our landlord is selling the house we have lived in for 19 years, and we are moving on the 27th, so we are going through everything and getting rid of stuff. We have a Roll Back (huge TrashBin) out in the yard. Monday we tackle the Junk Room..(Storage Room). Most of that will be going to Salvation Army or the Trash. I mean if we haven't used it in over 5 years, it pretty much won't be missed. Been that long since I took ANYTHING out of that room. Excited about moving into a new place.
I really wish we had tackled that Junk Room long before now. But we will have help on Monday. Cleaned out some drawers in the bedroom, and kitchen. Filled up 2 trash bags. My van is filled with clothes to take to the Salvation Army Tuesday. Kind of fun going through stuff and finding stuff you had forgotten you even had.3 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
1h
Spring cleaning is much more fun when you aren't under any pressure to HAVE to get it done by a certain date. I'm sorry you are having to leave the place you have called home for the past 19 years, but I'm glad to hear you are excited about moving into a new place. And hopefully you will be fully de-cluttered by the time you move!
3 people like this
@kareng (64586)
• United States
1h
Wow! You had a super productive day today!! I have thought about a few projects to do this Spring, but it has to warm up first!!
We need to re arrange the den and de-clutter to get the huge Magnavox television set out so we can get a new 65" Smart TV in!
Then next project or may come before TV, is to get a new mattress on our bed. I also want to clean our our dresser and closet. Our bedroom is the only one in the house with a closet!! Since closets were taxed back in the day, they were not built in to the house. That is the main reason they used wardrobes or cedar robes back then.
We will also have to start our vegetable plants and be ready to get them in the ground late March or April- depending on the weather, of course.
1 person likes this
@much2say (56699)
• Los Angeles, California
4h
Please come here and do our house ! We've actually gotten a lot of stuff out of here . . . but there's always more to do. With kids here, we just accumulate "stuff". I'm just doing bit by bit . . . XYZ just happens and then I get side tracked. Hopefully though, we get things in order maybe by the end of the year (didn't I say that LAST year 
?)!
! We've actually gotten a lot of stuff out of here . . . but there's always more to do. With kids here, we just accumulate "stuff". I'm just doing bit by bit . . . XYZ just happens and then I get side tracked. Hopefully though, we get things in order maybe by the end of the year (didn't I say that LAST year ?)!3 people like this
@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
1h
Having kids of my own, I know exactly what you mean by stuff just accumulating. And of course, we all have the greatest intentions of getting rid of clutter or keeping our homes clutter free, but we all know that life gets in the way and then next thing you know 7 years have passed. lol
2 people like this
@kaylachan (73530)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4h
I still have our fake purple tabletip tree up and out. I also have something else, too. I'm a little tired, but I've been working hard to get stuff done.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (81653)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7h
Best of luck with your spring cleaning, I only have two rooms, and what I have are the last of my memories which one day as I get older will have to be just tossed since there is no one to leave them to,
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@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
7h
Hold on to those special memories as long as you can!
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@moffittjc (122228)
• Gainesville, Florida
8h
There's a lot of places that do that here in the coastal areas of the state. Farther inland where I live, our city has a biomass power plant (translation: burns wood), so they collect all the trees to send to the biomass plant for fuel.
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