I need to stop shopping and start cleaning! (Tune into episode five of the MWM podcast to hear more of my journey). I get tempted when I walk down an aisle of shiny cleaning products. Basically I’m overly enticed to buy one of everything because I think that IF I just had the right product(s), I would then make the time to clean my house. Well…we all know how that goes. Yes, a good product can help, but bottomline you have to actually DO the cleaning. Therefore, I work to follow these three steps to get my house clean (with or without the “right” products!).
Step One – carve out (and protect) time
Designating a block of time provides the adequate amount of time to address the entirety of the space. There is the tendency to start and stop with any task. So, I strive to be diligent with keeping focused and working start to finish. Using a timer can be a great help and/or playing a podcast. And, when I complete the task I also build in a reward. It’s good to motivate yourself, especially if you’ve stayed on task with the time you allotted!
Step Two – use a checklist
A checklist is a must. It can help with focusing and making sure that the different areas are covered. I’ve been known to zigzag and not completely clean a room or space because I don’t keep track or have a list to guide me. Which is why I created checklists for the various types of cleaning that need to be done. I have three cleaning checklists available to community members (if you aren’t signed up you may head over HERE and join for free).
There is the ATTACK clean which is a priority one time clean. This could be when you have an hour and want to do a blitz of sorts through your home or a section of your home. Then there is the BASIC clean which is for more of a regular weekly or bi-weekly clean. This allows you to go room by room and ensure that pertinent areas are cleaned. Lastly, there is the COMPLETE clean designed for a deep one time clean that you may do seasonally or two times a year.
Download these checklists and work to implement them into your planning and strategizing. Fail to plan…plan to fail!
Step Three – create a cleaning kit
There are a variety ways to set up and organize cleaning products. However, the best approach is to consider “how” you clean and then set up your products accordingly. I have a cleaning caddy that I carry around with me and then I also keep some products in our bathrooms. This allows me to then “clean on the go” as required. What’s most important with this step is not keep buying more products, rather know what you use and then keep it simple! Create a system with your tools and supplies so you can jump into any cleaning session with ease.
It’s not complicated to clean your house, but it doesn’t require intentional steps. Follow these three steps – carve out time, use a checklist, and create a cleaning kit. When you do your house will sparkle and shine.
Happy Organizing!
