Jenny at Absolutely Bananas has asked for some advice about ways people keep their houses clean. She asks this like there is some sort of secret to doing it. You know what? I think there is.
I believe that there is an Ancient Society of Neat People that holds the key to how to properly keep your home tidy. It is an exclusive club that you are born into. Sometimes I think that the members of this society keep this a secret because it makes them feel superior to those of us who are in the Messy Club.
I’m in the Messy Club.
Surprisingly, all of my friends are neat. Every single one of them. And I’ve watched them. Oh yes, when they weren’t looking I’ve picked up on some of their housekeeping ways.
(I also keep thinking that maybe if I hang around with them long enough that some of their neatness will actually rub off on me, but unfortunately this hasn’t happened yet. Yes, it seems only the yucky things like lice, pink eye and the flu are contagious. You can’t catch the cleaning bug.)
I’ve also watched countless hours of Clean House, Clean Sweep, Mission Organization, and Neat (which, by the way, is my third favorite thing to come from Canada after Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams) hoping that maybe they will accidentally leak some of the society’s ancient secrets.
I’ve struggled with this all my life and over the years I have learned a few things from all this observing. These five things have really worked for me when I do them. The key is finding the motivation to actually doing them on a consistent basis. I think that is the real secret. The secret that the members will never give away and the shows will never reveal.
Hopefully these tips will be helpful to Jenny and any other “domestically-challenged” individuals out there:
1. Go on a Cleaning Blitz: I set my timer for as much time as I have or feel like dedicating to a given room. It is usually about 30 minutes. Then I work like a maniac to straighten, dust, vacuum, etc…
2. Make The Job Fun to Get It Done: This could be just putting on some music or maybe listening to a book on cd or a podcast while you clean. (My mom swears by having the tv on, but that has never worked for me. I get too sidetracked and end up sitting down with my feet on the couch. I do better with just listening to something fun or interesting.)
3. Reward Yourself: It is important to reward your efforts. There are many different kinds of treats, but you have to find out what is most motivating to you. Maybe it’s a bubble bath or an hour with a good book after your cleaning blitz. (I’d love to say my treat didn’t involve chocolate, but who am I kidding.) I’ve even set long term goals with bigger and better treats in the past. For example, if I vacuum every day for a week, I might treat myself to going to see a movie or a bottle of red wine. I’ve even thought of trying to reward myself for a month’s worth of progress with something really awesome like a massage, but sadly I haven’t been able to stay focused enough to do that..
4. When In Doubt, Throw it Out: If you haven’t used something in the past year, get rid of it. If you aren’t sure whether you may need it or not, I always lean toward just letting it go. If it’s not something that is used on a regular basis, it is probably a good chance that you don’t need it. It is so much easier to clean if you have less clutter sitting around.
5. There Is No Perfect Time To Clean: Look for small bits of time to do mini-jobs. See a finger print on the wall, grab that Magic Eraser and wipe it off. Crumbs on the floor? How long would it really take to sweep it up? Probably not even five minutes. It’s these little things that really start adding up and keep the house looking great.
Now, if I could only follow my own advice. See I know what to do, but just have trouble actually doing it.
For more great tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.
Edited to add that this post is also part of Jenny’s Housekeeping Tips Carnival.
I am so looking forward to reading all the good tips everyone has to share!
a big thing for me is living by the “just do it” philosophy…don’t put xyz task off until later…just do it now…it never takes anywhere near as long as I think it will. The other big thing I’ve observed is “deal with it appropriately the 1st time” - I’m terrible about moving stuff around constantly and it always being in the way and still needing to be dealt with….like the mail. I’ve finally gotten myself into the habit of throwing away the junk immediately & putting the keepers in a bin in my office - what a difference!
I think I need to do #4 more. That would reduce a lot of my messy-house anxiety, I think. Thanks for the tips!
I love tip number five, before you know it, a bunch of stuff gets done!
I’m working on our tips.
I just have my little routine I follow every day. First I gather all the dishes and take them to the kitchen. Then I gather all the dirty clothes and put them in the washing machine. Then I gather all the trash and throw it away. Etc. Doing it all in one sweep instead of bits at a time. I do a load of laundry every morning and a load of dishes every night. Voila! Clean house.
Ooh! Number four has been my mantra for years, although I use it more for cleaning out my closet. My other rule is that if I buy something (clothes) and I don’t wear it within two weeks, I return it. Now, about keeping my house neat, that I’m still trying to figure out.
There are GREAT tips and very motivational. But best of all I like the idea that there is a Messy Club because NOW there’s a club where I can be president! Woohoo!!!
You are SOO right! I do all these things and I would be living in a pig sty if I didn’t. Which reminds me, I need to hop back to my blog and write about my wonderful elderly neighbor lady who just stepped foot in my house for the very first time tonight… and I hadn’t picked up since before dinner… it was not a pretty sight let me tell you. She was so gracious about it but all that really did was make me feel worse.
So needless to say, I’m playing some fav music to clean by and tackling the main rooms tonight. And then I’m going to reward myself with a nice big ol bowl of cookie dough ice cream right before bed! lol!
Great tips Jen!
[…] to read some great cleaning tips? Jen over at Daily Mish Mash just wrote her tips down and I since I do all that she wrote, I thought I’d send you over to her. My fingers are […]
LOL at the Ancient Society of Neat People! I’ve often felt that way myself. I’m so excited for this blog carnival because I’m a complete disaster.
Memarie Lane’s comment has inspired me, though… sounds so simple!
I am in the messy club too. The only time my house gets super clean is when people are coming over, then I panick and freak out until the house looks perfect and everything is hiding in closets.
Ok, I’m really getting scared now. Because you and I are TRULY so much alike!!!!!!!!!!
The Messy Club??! ME!
The cleaning blitz?! ME!
The not being able to watch tv when cleaning?!? ME!
I am really really trying to change my ways. But so far, it’s not working. I will never be a neat freak. Mess doesn’t bother me. AT ALL.
Lately, I have felt like the president of the “Messy Club”! ahhhh!!!
I love that little rhyme - “When in doubt, throw it out!” I need to do more of that.
Slowly but surely….
You are hilarious!! Just found your blog and I love it….. I have to say I am part of that messy club too….Gosh darn those neat people!!
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