As promised here is the step by step plan to get your house from “just okay” to gleaming in a 3 day plan.
Many of you are probably saying “Why would anyone need a plan for cleaning?” but for some cleaning can be overwhelming. Especially with children. You are busy all day picking up and setting down things to attempt to stay organized and at the end of the day have no idea how the house got so messy. “I was busy cleaning all day but see no progress!” If that is you WELCOME to hope. In a few hours a day you can have more organized spaces and dust free surroundings.
What if you do not have a long weekend to utilize a few hours a day? That is fine, next I will set up a one week cleaning plan that can help the time strapped person in all of us.
Let us begin the 3 day plan!
This plan if for the person that cleans daily. They have limited clutter and a long weekend to get all the nooks and crannies squared away.
If you struggle with where to start and how to finish this can help you. Included is a check off list. Lists help me so much, in not only seeing how far I have come but also seeing how far I have to go.
Day one: As with every cleaning project you should always work from top down. So on day one I focused on dusting those unseen, rarely touched parts of the home that one skips in their daily routine. Start with ceiling fans, oh the awfulness, but seriously these sticky guys can get pretty dirty. Next is window frames. This is not something you think of in your normal dusting habit cause, unless you are 8 feet tall, no one notices them. Next picture frames, probably cleaned more often but give these a once over, and bathroom fixtures. The medicine cabinet, shower rod, and light above the sink can attract major ick in the humid bathroom. Then hit up all the regular places. Shelfs, lamps and lights. My house is two stories with three bedrooms and I finished this chore in less than an hour. Could take you longer or less time depending on home size and dust accumulation.
Next is windows and glass! Once way to cut down on time here is to saturate a paper towel with solution and wipe the window then follow with a dry cloth. I usually only do the inside of my windows at this point. Also wipe down all picture frames. This is a huge job in my house! We love our pictures and have them in every room so this chore alone can take upwards of an hour.
Vacuum at the end of your days chores to prevent immediate build up again and when doing so vacuum ceiling corners and seams.
You are done with day one!
Day two:
Kitchen cabinets. I have to say I love this chore because it makes everything look so new. I usually use a bucket, rag, some soapy water and a dry clothe that is it. Sometimes I will need something tougher and break out the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It takes grease splatters of the back splash easily. Again start at the top and wash each cabinet. I am always surprised at how much dirt accumulates on these surfaces though they are constantly exposed to heat and steam that allow for that filth to stick.
Bathroom cabinets. The same process.
At the end of chores make sure to Swiffer or mop the kitchen and bathroom floor.
These chores can take around two hours, again depending on the size of your home.
Done with day two.
Day three:
Donation day. Purge, purge and purge those areas you know need it. Your closet, dresser or storage area. I do this activity several times a year and either line up items for donation or sale. If you have not used something in six months (with exceptions for recreation items, holiday, server wares, etc) give it a toss. I have held onto fashions I have not worn in years before on the hopes that I will get some use out of them before finally realizing someone probably would get use of them if I let them go.This could take all day or an hour depending on your stuff accumulation.
Time left? Great! Wash the outside windows.
Congratulations you are done.
Next I will be sharing my one week plan for those that want more or need more time to space out the cleaning.
