Resolution: Organize - Week 3

Week 3: Organize Your Cleaning Schedule

Well. I always got in trouble in school for reading ahead. That might have helped me this week! Last week. I organized my schedule, which to me included cleaning. So I pretty much have this nailed down. I have to tweak a few things and once I do, I’ll post the whole kit-n-kaboodle here.

The book helps motivate you to clean, in reminding you that it burns calories. I don’t consider cleaning a work out, but hey, burning extra calories is always a plus. It also suggests bringing in help if you can afford it. Or save up for the big jobs (like shampooing the carpets, which I do about every 6 months).

This is a short “chapter” but there are some tips:

·        Break down chores into daily, weekly and monthly. I have been doing this for quite some time and LOVE it. I do a room a day, with a load of laundry a day. I never get behind (unless I’m being lazy) and I never get overwhelmed.

·        Create a chore chart for the family. Well, the Hubs probably won’t go for that and the Kid can’t read. So I’ll hold off on that for a few more years.

·        Carry a basket around the house. If you come across something that doesn’t belong where it is, basket it until you get to the correct room. Saves you trips around the house. I do this with upstairs/downstairs.

·        Take 15 minutes each night to tidy up. I TRY to do this. Simple items: wipe down counters & sinks, a quick toilet wipe, pick up junk, fluff furniture.

·        Assign each family member one towel for the week. Uhm, gross.

·        Place a set of disposable disinfecting wipes in each bathroom. This aides in my nightly clean-up. Not so green, but saves time and grossness.

·        Save space by minimizing cleaners. Well, I don’t do this. In fact, I have 2 of nearly everything; a set upstairs and a set downstairs. For general cleaning though, I use vinegar. Cheap and non-toxic. The salad smell goes away after about 30 minutes.

·        Make your bed every day. This just has to be habit. If it helps, get a duvet and skip the sheet. This saves a step. Then you just need to straighten, fluff and re-pillow.

·        Play music. Lately I’ve been cleaning to Glee! So, I’ve been Gleening?

·        Once a Month: If there is a chore no one likes, rotate responsibility monthly. In our house, this would be putting away clean laundry. Gah. I just hate it!

·        Every 3-6 Months: Change/launder slipcovers. Yeah. I don’t have these. I would love them for the dog/kid sake, but the Hubs comes from a line of upholsterers and would probably die.

·        Once a Year: Steam clean your carpet & upholstery. I do the carpets; I need to consider the sofas. I bet it’s a world of difference.