Confession

I have a confession to make, and you'd only know if you live(d) with me. So my husband is well aware. It's that I really am not fond of cLeAnInG. I'd say I was the opposite of a clean freak, but that's not true, because I'm not a slob either. I feel like so many things happen in a day, and in order to stay on top of things, I need some kind of.... well, order. I happened to be looking at cute rooms (NOT researching cleaning, because why would I?!) and I stumbled upon this in Apartment Therapy online. I thought it seemed like a good idea so I've put it to the test. Okay so outta the past 3 days, I've only remembered twice that I was on this "cleaning schedule" but I still feel like it helps!! If you'd like to, copy and paste and then print it off... and let me know if your house sparkles by next month ;)

How to Clean Your House in 20 Minutes a Day for 30 Days

Tips and Tricks

1.     Dealing with what comes through the door: Set up a small area by the front door to act as a “landing strip” for incoming items into your home.

2.     Do your dishes after every meal: You’ll stay on top of your kitchen instead of it turning into a monster! Same goes with taking out the trash- don’t let it pile up.

3.     Laundry: Recommended to do a little each day (I refuse, but once or twice a week will at least prevent wet towel and dirty sock pile-ups)

4.     Whistle while you work: Those who are happiest when cleaning are few and far between. Singing, humming, whistling, or turning up the stereo are all great options to keep the beat in your feet and having fun while working.

5.     Set a timer: Most items on the list should take 20 minutes or less to complete. It’s easy to get distracted by the phone or TV so set aside those 20 minutes for right when you walk in the door after work, or before your morning workout ( and of course you do a morning workout right?!)

The 30 Day Schedule

1.     Surface clean living room and kitchen (pick up stray items, dust, sweep, vacuum)

2.     Clean bathrooms (toilets, showers, floors, walls, mirrors)

3.     Surface clean bedrooms (put away toys, clothes, dust)

4.     Surface clean “extra” rooms (basement, office, playroom)

5.     Surface clean living room and kitchen

6.     Clean bathrooms

7.     Clean all interior windows (white vinegar and newspaper works great and is cheap)

8.     Sweet and vacuum all floors in the house (don’t forget stairs)

9.     Surface clean bedrooms

10. Deep clean living room (mirrors, baseboards, dust artwork)

11. Clean bathrooms

12. Clean out closets (hang up clothes, mittens, jackets, hats)

13. Surface clean “extra” rooms

14. Deep clean bedrooms (organize drawers, check under bed, tidy closet, dust artwork, fans, lights mop)

15. Surface clean living room and kitchen

16. Deep clean bathrooms (clean inside drawers, inside of trash cans, tops of mirrors, tile, mop)

17. Clean all door knobs, phones, entertainment equipment (remote controls), switch plates, banisters, and other things that are repeatedly touched

18. Clean out the refrigerator, take stock of food, organize pantry

19. Clean entryway, sweep porch (if you have one), clean out car (because they’re often our home away from home)

20. Surface clean living room and kitchen

21. Surface clean bathrooms

22. Surface clean bedrooms

23. Sweep and vacuum all floors in the house

24. Clean linen closet, straighten towels, sheets or regular closet if not applicable

25. Surface clean living room and kitchen

26. Deep clean kitchen (scrub appliances, wash trash cans, base boards, wipe down and straighten cabinets)

27. Surface clean bathrooms

28. Surface clean bedrooms

29. Clean one item you’ve been meaning to get to and haven’t (deep clean your stove, wipe down all light fixtures, tackle a particularly unruly area)

30. Sweep and vacuum all floors in the house