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When I first became a homemaker I struggled to get our home clean on a regular basis.  I had all the desire to get it done, but I would lose focus easily and find lots of other things to do.  Or I would create more messes in one area of the home whilst cleaning another.  It seemed like there was always something more to do and I didn’t have time to do it.  I wound up cleaning certain areas of the house over and over, while ignoring other areas because I would always start in the same place.

Just when I got a normal routine figured out and was starting to clean the whole house well, we moved house.  And the house we got was much bigger!  I had the same problem all over again!  I couldn’t figure out the routine that worked for me.

Then I sat down and made a list of the rooms that needed cleaning and what it took to clean each room.  Then I put each item for cleaning on a weekly calendar, dividing up tasks by day and grouping like tasks together (all sweeping and mopping done on the same day, upstairs vs. downstairs cleaning, etc) .  This made such a huge impact on my cleaning schedule!  I was suddenly focused on the tasks for the day and not overwhelmed by attempting to clean everything every day.  I could even let myself off the hook if I didn’t get everything done because I knew it was on the list for the next week and (really) it could wait.

Having a plan and a list of tasks for my day made keeping my house relatively clean possible.  But  I found that sometimes I would still be cleaning the same parts of the house over and over and leaving other parts dirty each week.  By the time Thursday would roll around, I would be busy with other things and oops, forget to do number four on my task list…for four weeks in a row.

Then I had an aha moment…

I should reverse the order each week.  This means that the tasks I would do on Monday one week, would be switched to Friday the next week, and so on.  Wednesday is the only day that doesn’t get a reprieve (that might tell you what kind of tasks need to be scheduled for Wednesdays). That way if I didn’t get the tasks done from the week before it was not a whole week until it got done.

Do a little switcheroo and problem solved!  it is procrastination and focus-loss proof.  It also keeps me on my toes for cleaning and helps make it a little less boring.

So today’s challenge: Map out your house and make a list of the tasks that need to be done each week.  Then put each task onto a specific day of the week.  Make it something that works with your schedule.  If you are gone one whole day out of the week, I don’t recommend putting anything for that day.  Similarly, if you are home for an entire day with not much to do around the house, you might consider putting a few extra tasks into that day.  Here is mine (sorry for the picture quality):

So, Day 3 and still no specific cleaning assignments…what gives?  I am a little bit more philosophical (aka procrastinatorial – yes that is a new word) about cleaning.  I am a planner, so I like to have everything ready before I begin.

So on day one, we got the essentials together and on day two, we created a plan for weekly cleaning.  What’s next?

Timing!

One of my cleaning essentials is a timer.  I am a huge fan of the timer.  I can’t tell you how much the timer has changed my perspective on cleaning.  Go. Get. A. Timer. Today!

How much time?  15 minutes.

Seriously!

I have a rule that I don’t like for my rooms to be beyond “15 minutes clean.”  Because I use a timer so diligently, I have discovered just what I can get done in that amount of time.  And let me tell you, it is MUCH more than you might think.  Thus, I have this sense that a room is getting too messy and I can start the tidying process before it gets too far beyond what I can handle.

Obviously, this is more of a maintenance cleaning tip.  But the way to make it work even if you are, shall we say, beyond 15 minutes is to multiply by 3.   Each week day, three times a day, set the timer for 15 minutes and get moving.  I recommend you always have the kitchen as one of your hot spots for 15 minutes.  Then I would say the main living rooms of your home and an area of your home that really needs some attention.  If you do this Monday through Friday and just once on Saturday, you will have given only 4 hours to keep your home clean each week.  Not bad when the alternative is slaving away all weekend to get the house clean.

Oh, and break it up.  If you are multiplying the 15 minutes by 3, don’t do it all in one run, if it doesn’t work for you.  Take 15 minutes in the morning to get the main living areas clean.  Then take the project area on in the mid-afternoon.  And before you go to bed or after dinner, tackle 15 minutes in the kitchen.

So the challenge for today: get your timer, set it for 15 and get cleaning on an area of your choice.  You might be surprised to see what you can get done in such a short amount of time.

Leave a comment letting me know what area of your home you chose and what you were able to accomplish.

One week through the March MAIDness and so far so good, right?

I have been thinking about cleaning instruments lately.  Seriously…I have devoted literal moments to thinking about when and how to replace and clean my broom, mops, and sponges.  How very Martha Stewart of me.

So I thought today we would talk about the how and when of cleaning and maintaining your supplies. An artist has got to take care of her tools, right?

Brooms:

• To clean – run the bristles along a hard edge surface (like a front stoop or a the edge of a piece of wood).
• To store – Avoid storing standing up on the bristles.  Hang up on a hook in the garage or a pantry.
• Replace when – it shows wear like broken bristles.  You can test this when you are sweeping into the dustpan.  If there is a gap in the debris that is picked up, it might be time for a replacement.

Mops:

• To clean – after each use rinse really well with hot water and squeeze out as much water as you can.  You might also check to see if your mop head is detachable and machine washable.  If it is, throw it in the washer about once a month and make sure to dry it very well before storing it.
• To store – Do not store your mop seated in the bottom of a bucket (full or water or empty).  Rather, hang it mop side down in a well ventilated area with the bucket underneath to catch excess water.
• Replace when – it is overly stained or smells even when it has been cleaned.

Sponges:

• To clean – squeeze out excess water EVERY time you are finished using it.  Every few week or so wet the sponge and place in the microwave and heat on HIGH for 10-15 seconds. Wait for a moment to pick it up and wring it out.  You could also drop it in the basket of your dishwasher and run it with a load of dishes.
• To store – After you have squeezed excess water out of the sponge (see how important it is) lay it on a shelf to dry or place it in a drying basket where it can drip dry.
• Replace when – it is soiled or about every 2 weeks.  Really…every 2 weeks!

Today’s challenge is to do a check-up on your cleaning supplies.  When was the last time you replaced them?  (if you can’t remember, see Day 4 of this series and put it on the calendar for next time)  Do you need to make sure they are clean the next time you use them or has it been so long since you cleaned them, it is time to replace.  Remember your nose is a wonderful guide to what is not good for you.  If you smell mildew, there is bacteria in there.  It is time to replace.

Have a wonderful weekend!