After months of 'spring cleaning' I have finally figured out the trick to it. This could have saved me hours of time and so much effort, who knows how life would be if I'd figured it out sooner.
First, let them spill. It doesn't matter what; toys, juice, water, French fries you didn't want them to eat anyway. Then let THEM clean it up. This works amazing for the dining room and kitchen floors. The entire floor will not all get done the same day, but it'll get done.
Next time you threaten to get a grocery bag and throw out whatever they don't pick up, do it. Sure you'll know how much money you spent or how bar they worked for that perfect toy, but the amount of space it opens up is amazing! Better yet, hide them, then at Christmas re-wrap tem and tell them Santa list have thought they were super good if he found their old toys to give them back. Saves time and money!
Let them play in the bathroom. I don't know what I was thinking looking at the mess and cleaning it myself. They flood it, they clean it. Just let then do it and you won't be trying to save things you might need one day. They know what's most important to mom as that's what they aren't supposed to touch, so I'm sure it'll be ok.
Those clothes that don't fit but they just won't part with, tell them if you see them they have to be wearing them. Either they'll hide their favorites so well you'll never find them, or they'll wear them until they get embarassed or uncomfortable. Either way, not your problem anymore.
Give bored kids a hose and point them at the car. If the water stops or they scream worry, otherwise just make sure the windows are up and clean out the garage.
When cleaning the kitchen make sure you have several garbage bags. If you don't know what I is, toss it or donate it (if you need an extra boost you can sell it, but that really works better with things you can name). If it is plastic and doesn't have a lid, throw it out or use it as crafts. If it's a kid with no bottom, it's now a frisbee. Wash out your cupboards and for just a few minutes your pots and pans will be stacked so nicely. Broken sippy cups are usually cheaper to replace then fix, things you have two of are an income opportunity. Tired of the message when emptying a cupboard? Empty it right into the dishwasher, they may as well get a spring clean too.
Did you know most kids will like either cleaning windows or dusting? I think it has to do with seeing the result. They can watch the cleaner go across the window (droplet races are golden as long as hey catch them at the bottom) and make pictures in te dust before they wipe it off. It's like drawing pictures on a car window.
Let them put away the laundry. Yes, everything will be in the wrong drawer and likely end up unfolded (so no point in folding at all really) but when they ask for something Wednesday morning 10 minutes before you take them to school, they will either know where they put I or you can say it's their own fault and out the go anyway.
Toothpaste spills really do make the counters, mirrors, and walls pretty and clean. Why get mad when you can just seize the opportunity to scrub the counter again. Better yet, make them do it until all te toothpaste everywhere is cleaned off. Trust me, it ends up in weirder places then you'd think.
Send them on a scavenger hunt. Whoever wipes off the most fingerprints, brings back the most missing socks, fills their garbage bag the fastest, wins a treat. Small candy, dollar store toy, extra bike ride, extra story before bed...choices are endless!
I guess the most important thing I learned about spring cleaning is that you don't have to do it yourself, and if you start on Boxing Day it might be done in time for Christmas.