It’s officially spring and that means warm weather, baseball and spring cleaning.

While spring cleaning is not everyone’s favorite task, it is something that needs to be done.

Getting organized and having a game plan can help make the job manageable.

“Start on small projects. If you do a little every day it won’t be too overwhelming,” said Kathy Sommers of Sommers Custom Design.

Diane Beck, owner of Vibrant Designs, said, “The key to getting organized and staying that way is to have the right frame of mind and do it in small chunks. Obtaining an attitude of simplicity is a must. If you’re feeling sentimental, it’s probably not a good time to organize a closet.”

When cleaning out closets, it’s easiest to follow steps, Beck said.

“I follow these steps. First, empty the space completely. Second, sort into three piles: keep, donate or sell, and throw out,” she said.

“We have all seen the infomercials claiming if we buy organizational kits, our lives will improve instantly, but this is not the case.”

Jane Hartzler of Everyday Organizers said, “People think if they buy more things to organize with then they will get organized, but it usually just means more clutter.”

It is best to work room to room and have a vision for what you want to accomplish.

“First that means it’s going to mean letting go of some things,” Hartzler said. “You go into a room and find 10 things that you don’t like.”

When it comes to children’s rooms, it is important to remember that children grow up, and they may have grown out of a lot of the items in their rooms.

“I’m not into themes; stick with primary colors. Kids will grow out of Barney and Spiderman,” Sommers said.

The key to organizing children’s rooms is to keep it simple and have a place for everything.

“They have such wonderful modular units for toys,” Sommers said. “Things like plastic pull out bins, fish nets hung on the wall for stuffed animals.”

When organizing a child’s room, it also can be important to remember to keep it fun so they are more inclined to put their toys away. Also, put things at a level they will be able to reach.

“Hang a gutter (yes, a gutter for a house) on the wall in kids’ rooms for book storage,” Beck said.

Keeping organized can save time, especially when it comes to the closet.

“Color coordinate your closet and buy whole outfit hangers,” Sommers said.

She also suggested keeping open closets looking neat by using baskets or an organizational kit. Just make sure to measure your closet before buying anything.

Beck said, “Install shelves for items that can be folded such as sweaters, T-shirts, jeans, etc.”

Linen closets can be overwhelming, but Beck said after folding your sheets place them into a pillow case that goes with the set. This will keep everything together and if it does fall out of the closet it will not unfold.

“Being organized means you will have time to do what you want,” Sommers said.

Have a place for everything, and give away or donate items that you do not need.

“Remember to simplify,” Beck said. “No one really needs all the ‘stuff’ we have.”

It may seem as if there is not enough time to get it all done, but making a game plan can help.

“Do a little bit at a time, and make daily or weekly plans,” Sommers said.

In the end, Hartzler said, “It’s about freedom.”