A Spring Cleaning Checklist For Your Home Office Or Glorified Computer Station (PHOTOS)

You're most likely using it for junk storage, but these tips will reveal the space's hidden potential.

Spring cleaning your home office may not be too high on your list this season -- especially if it’s turned into a catch-all room. But it is important to tackle this space so you can be super productive, whether you’re using the office to try and figure out how to be the next Sheryl Sandberg, or rather, to just play around with the most recent Facebook layout update. That’s why we’ve come up with a handy little checklist to help you get started.

Clean off your desk. Whether it’s filled with piles of papers or knick-knacks from grandma, take everything off the surface and give it a good wipe down. Modern Mom’s Guide To Life has a great DIY wood cleaner/polish solution. So, you don’t even have to take a trip to the store.

Sort all of that stuff. If you can’t get the dust off a figurine or if you still have receipts from your late-night Taco Bell run, it’s time to start streamlining. Donate any unwanted keepsakes to your local thrift shop or Goodwill center. You can also create a mail organizer to help separate your bills from other documents.

Go through your drawers. This part could be dangerous -- you never know what you’ve shoved in them while in a hurry. But you should dump the units out, look through everything and save only what you absolutely need. (No, you don't need an expired loyalty card to Borders.) While you're at it, give each drawer a purpose. For instance, have one dedicated to pens, pencils and other office supplies. And another for your flask. Or your financial records. Your choice.

De-clutter the bookshelves. Do you still have your 8th grade Spanish textbook hanging around? Time to toss. It's not vintage, nor will you ever use it to learn a new language. Let's be real here.

Clean your computer/laptop. Simply take a Post-It and run it between the keys of your keyboard to get rid of dust. We suggest folding the sticky strip in half so, it can collect any crumbs that are lingering. You can also make your own screen cleaning solution to help remove dust. If you're lazy, just use a can of compressed air to blast away debris.

Tend to your houseplants. An office space is a good place to keep pretty plants as they can increase the oxygen in the room -- even when a cursory glance at your checking account makes you hyperventilate. But these can get just as dusty as that ancient printer you've been meaning to get rid of. To clean the plant like an overachiever, simply squeeze a drop of hair conditioner onto a cloth and rub it into the leaves to make them shiny.

Click through our slideshow to see more unique cleaning and organizing tricks. And be sure to check out our checklist for your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

Rub Pencil Erasers To...

The Best Cleaning & Organizing Tips

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