In the early days of the pandemic, I looked around my home and came up with many improvement ideas. I was going to purge my closets and do away with all the junk drawers. How many junk drawers does one really need? After a weak start, I lost my enthusiasm and all my home organization plans faded. As with my fitness plans, I created a simple home organization system that has been working.
Bathrooms do not clean themselves
Wouldn’t it be great if bathrooms did clean themselves? They don’t. So, get a clipboard, pencil, notepad and an extendable Swiffer® and follow me. Today we are inspecting each room and hallway. Pick a room to start in and look at the ceiling. Use your Swiffer and wrangle those dust bunnies in the corners, in ceiling lights, and on the ceiling. Collect those dust bunnies on the walls, picture frames, mirrors, and other wall hangings. Now, on your notepad, identify the room and everything that needs to be cleaned, purged, or relocated. Move onto the next room/hallway and repeat.
Starter list for non-running water areas
- Windows and frames
- Window treatments – Blinds, curtains, valances, shades
- Shelves
- Cabinets
- Drawers
- Closets
- Tabletops
- Chairs
- Sofas
- Ottomans
- Bed frames
- Lamps
- Electronics
- Knick-knacks
- Potted plants
- Moldings
- Stairways
- Doors and frames
- Floors
- Heating/AC ducts
Starter list for bathrooms
- Sinks
- Tubs
- Shower stalls
- Vanities
- Toilets
- Medicine cabinets
- Closets
- Moldings
- Floors
Starter list for kitchens and laundry rooms
- Cabinets and on top
- Drawers
- Shelves
- Pantry shelves
- Sinks
- Range
- Range hood
- Refrigerator
- Dish washer
- Washer
- Dryer
- Small appliances
- Counter tops
- Back splashes
- Chairs
- Closets
- Floors
Where did the dust bunnies go?
Did you notice that you cleaned up the dust bunnies? Pretty sneaky, huh. Do not stress yourself by thinking this can all be completed this weekend. Sit down and pick one junk drawer and purge it. Small and easy. Vacuum under all of the beds or purge the bathroom vanity cabinet. Swiffer® all table/counter tops or shelves. One of my awful habits is piling things on horizontal surfaces or out of sight in a cabinet or drawer. Throw out things unmercifully.
House cleaning burns calories
Ok, probably not as many as running a 5k but still, House Cleaning Burns Calories! After the initial clean/purge/organization, you have advanced to maintenance mode. Take time out each day to pick up and straighten rooms. Clear off tables, put away clean clothes, wipe counters. Schedule yourself to clean each room every 2 – 3 weeks. I clean my kitchen every 2 weeks and my den/study is cleaned every 3 weeks. Give it a try. You are so close to a home organization system!
Have fun!
Next week: Core Values Series