I have a confession........ I am a bit of a clean freak. I really cannot stand a dirty house. My house gets messy throughout the day, and from time to time I just let the mess be. However if my house is dirty- as in dusty, toilets have poop stains, dishes are piled and laundry is piled, I cannot function. Over the years I have gotten A LOT better with this disorder of mine. I guess having kids makes it a bit impossible to be a full on crazed clean freak! Who knew?! I do blame them though. I was a normal, "who cares if the house is dirty!" type of person, until I got pregnant with Abram. From then on I cleaned everything in sight! Everything had to be organized, antibacterialized, degermalized, deodorized, you name it. Well, low and behold, he is a bit of a clean freak himself. He washes his hands like 10 times a day. He won't go to bed with a dirty room. Everything in his room has a place. And he refuses to share germs with anyone, unless it's a lollipop that Eli has, then he tends to make an exception. Haha, gross!
So, our house does get a pretty good amount of attention, and here is how we do it.
1. After you are done using something, put it away. You know you are not coming back to use it again, just put it away. Teach your kids to do the same. Toys need to be picked up when they are done playing with them. If not, then at least have them put everything away before bed. DO NOT do it for them, you are not teaching them anything if you do it for them. They made the mess, they need to clean it up. Now if you want to assist them and do it together, then sure, but really, try to have them clean up the majority.
2. When you are cooking, wash the dishes you use right then and there. Most of the time you are waiting for something to cook or simmer, so while you wait, wash the dishes you have used so far. That way when dinner is over you just have whatever dishes are left not a huge pile that you don't feel like doing. Wipe down kitchen counters as well.
3. I love Clorox Clean Up to clean everything! Call me old fashion, but if it doesn't have that clean smell, it still feels dirty to me. Maybe it's because my mom used bleach to clean when I was little, I don't know. I use this to spray the shower, the inside of the toilet, and the kitchen sink.
-Shower: Clear out the shower of bottles, soaps and sponges. Spray the shower walls, handles and floor. Let it stand for 5 to 10 min then rinse off with hot water. (Make sure to open windows and turn on fans.)
-Toilet: Spray inside of toilet all around, let stand for 5-10 min, then flush. Use Clorox Wipes for top and bottom of toilet seat. I use them for bathroom counters as well as for knobs and light switches.
-Kitchen sink: Once all dishes are washed spray your kitchen sink all over to kill any germs left from food. Let stand or rinse.
4. Do a quick dust over your most used or most seen furniture with an old rag or duster. Add furniture spray if desired. Be sure to dust in one direction or else you are just moving the dust from side to side.
5. If you have a washer and dryer in your home, do a load once a day. That way you don't have laundry piled and 5 loads to fold at the end of the day. I honestly hate folding clothes, but if I fold it right when I take it out, it makes it much easier to bare.
I still deep clean once a month, but if you don't have as much chaos in your home as I do than this should help keep your home a float from dirt. Do you have things you do to keep your home clean daily? Share in the comments below!
Such good tips! My house tends to descend into chaos pretty regularly, and I'm always looking for ways to keep it tidier.
ReplyDeleteThank you Esther! Hope you can put them to use.
DeleteI wash dishes as I cook or bake too. It makes all the difference after! And I'm working on putting things away as soon as I'm done with them. I don't know why I don't... it's common sense. If you're done, put it away! I think I always feel like I don't have enough time, even though it'll take all of two seconds. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah it does make my life so much easier. Thanks for stopping by Crystal!
DeleteGreat tips! The deep cleaning these days is hard to get to with blogging and working..!
ReplyDeleteYes, blogging takes up so much of my time lately too! Hope some of these work out for you. Thanks for reading!
DeleteSuper Star tips! I do the same with the dishes, right away and I also love clorox clean up! I wish I could make myself do one load a day because I hate folding too!
ReplyDeleteHaha seriously folding is my enemy! My arms get lazy. Thanks for reading Carmen!!
DeleteTotally agree with everything on this list! With a toddler and a baby on the way, it's so important for me to stay clean or else I'll go crazy! Pinning this list!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lauren
www.dressingdallas.com
@dressingdallas
Awe congratulations! Have you reached the nesting stage? With my last baby my house had to be spotless!! Well, I hope these help you. Well wishes for your littles!! xx
DeleteGreat tips! I love cleaning a little here and there so it's not so overwhelming all at once.
ReplyDeleteYes it makes it that much easier, especially when you have children running around! Thanks for reading!!
DeleteGreat tips...since my daughter is born,cleaning a little here and there is what works for me.
ReplyDeleteI hate cleaning. Truly. If only I had won the Powerball and hired a maid ;) LOL! And a nanny, and a chef, and a personal trainer.... Ha!
ReplyDeleteI have been preaching #1 and #2 to my husband for YEARS! Maybe I'll show him someone else feels the same way I do and it may help my case ;)
ReplyDelete