Your spring cleaning hacks

Last week, we covered the physical and mental health perks of cleaning and decluttering your bedroom, office or home this spring.

• Readers across the country sent us their best tips, from where to start to what tunes to play when you're working.

Why it matters, via reader Clare Michel Smith of Princeton, N.J.: "Last spring, I turned 70, and I vowed that, before my next birthday, I wanted my whole house decluttered. ... I accomplished my goal and so, this spring, I feel lighter, accomplished, at peace and loving my house! And I don't have that nagging feeling when I leave the house that I should be home working on my house."

Your tricks:

🗄️ "Whenever you open a drawer, cupboard, cubby or closet, get rid of at least one item. Guaranteed you won't stop at just one item. Actually, you won't be able to stop." —Janet Patterson, Tigard, Ore.

⏲️ "I set a timer for a predetermined amount of time. By biting it off in small pieces, I'm not overwhelmed by the enormity of it all!" —Joanne Kaufman, Minneapolis

📦 "Clean with three boxes: things to keep, donate and trash. My wife and I have used it in our respective home offices as well as my official work desk when I retired recently. More fun (and faster) with a partner!" —Mike McGlone, San Antonio

💃 "Play great tunes — loud! We started this when our three kids were young, and they still do it today in their mid-30s. Family classics include: 'Cleaning Windows' by Van Morrison, 'Stay Up Late' by Talking Heads and, of course, Barney's 'Clean Up' song!" —Fran Zeuli, Edina, Minn.

🌅 "Tackle a cleaning job during the part of the day that is your 'sweet spot' for concentrated work. For me, that's late afternoon or later in the evening." —Gail Black, Highlands Ranch, Colo.

🚗 "We keep a bin in our basement, and if we find something we no longer need, it goes in the bin. When it's full, we drive it to a donation center." —Chris Vujnov, Clinton Township, Mich.

📸 "Best decluttering tip I ever read: PHOTOS! If you just can't bear to live without that reminder of a special event or person, take a photo of it. Save the photo, and remove the object." —Andria Anderson, Chicago