WFMW: 5 Secrets To A Clean House

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! 

 

July 9, 2008 | Filed Under Hopeless Homemaker, Organizing Tips For Slobs Like Me, Works for Me Wednesday | 14 Comments