Comments on: Stop spending your weekends cleaning your home http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:08:21 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: My STANDARDS Explained at The Little Room http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-48411 My STANDARDS Explained at The Little Room Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:23:36 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-48411 [...] (15 mins) – This is a nice life hack I picked up sometime ago from Unclutterer. It keeps the place clean and is another easy way to get the day [...] [...] (15 mins) – This is a nice life hack I picked up sometime ago from Unclutterer. It keeps the place clean and is another easy way to get the day [...]

]]> By: Tammy http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-47408 Tammy Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:18:02 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-47408 Here's the cleaning schedule we tried to do: Every day--clean cat litter box, run the dishwasher Every other day--run vacuum cleaner in the whole house Monday--sheet & towel laundry Tuesday--clean bathrooms Wednesday--dust Thursday--clothes laundry Friday--odds and ends Well, it started out ok and worked for a while, but when you both work full time and have kids, sometimes the cleaning just doesn't happen. Then it all gets pushed to the weekend and everybody's cranky. So if we get lazy and it doesn't happen until the weekend, hubby cleans the downstairs rooms and the kitchen, and I do the bedrooms and the laundry. Our kids are still to little to really pitch in, but I am counting the days until they can help! Here’s the cleaning schedule we tried to do:

Every day–clean cat litter box, run the dishwasher
Every other day–run vacuum cleaner in the whole house
Monday–sheet & towel laundry
Tuesday–clean bathrooms
Wednesday–dust
Thursday–clothes laundry
Friday–odds and ends

Well, it started out ok and worked for a while, but when you both work full time and have kids, sometimes the cleaning just doesn’t happen. Then it all gets pushed to the weekend and everybody’s cranky. So if we get lazy and it doesn’t happen until the weekend, hubby cleans the downstairs rooms and the kitchen, and I do the bedrooms and the laundry.

Our kids are still to little to really pitch in, but I am counting the days until they can help!

]]> By: Leah http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-47378 Leah Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:18:16 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-47378 I've found that our rule of "no shoes in the house" has made our house much easier to clean. The floors stay WAY cleaner, and it only takes me 30 minutes at most to walk through with a damp mop and pick up dust bunnies. We borrowed the idea from Asian households that we know, and it's much cleaner. Keeps the allergens down too, since we're not tracking in pollen, dust, or who knows what else. We have a pair of inside shoes apiece, and slip them on when we get home. Once you're in the habit, you don't even think about it. I’ve found that our rule of “no shoes in the house” has made our house much easier to clean. The floors stay WAY cleaner, and it only takes me 30 minutes at most to walk through with a damp mop and pick up dust bunnies.

We borrowed the idea from Asian households that we know, and it’s much cleaner. Keeps the allergens down too, since we’re not tracking in pollen, dust, or who knows what else. We have a pair of inside shoes apiece, and slip them on when we get home. Once you’re in the habit, you don’t even think about it.

]]> By: Janet http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-25807 Janet Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:34:19 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-25807 We are a home schooling family, so there are numerous bodies around 24/7. The clutter never ends, no matter how hard I try. So I devised a 'must do' list--using a table chart. It covers the bare minimum of cleaning and delegates the jobs to the appropriate member of the family. This enables me to 'let go' of cleaning issues, knowing that if it isn't cleaned this week, it will be cleaned the next (probably). I even include laundry into the schedule so I am only doing it on Monday, Wednesdays, & Fridays. Deep cleaning is usually pushed off while home schooling is on a break. We are a home schooling family, so there are numerous bodies around 24/7. The clutter never ends, no matter how hard I try. So I devised a ‘must do’ list–using a table chart. It covers the bare minimum of cleaning and delegates the jobs to the appropriate member of the family. This enables me to ‘let go’ of cleaning issues, knowing that if it isn’t cleaned this week, it will be cleaned the next (probably). I even include laundry into the schedule so I am only doing it on Monday, Wednesdays, & Fridays. Deep cleaning is usually pushed off while home schooling is on a break.

]]> By: Jeff http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-25385 Jeff Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:12:03 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-25385 One way to cut down on the number of times you have to vacuum is to use a robotic vacuum cleaener. Like the ones at http://www.totalvac.com/roomba.htm. A Roomba vacuum will not get every spot in the house, but it can get a good amount of dirt, especially under furniture. Not so, great on thick carpet. It works best on bare floors. One way to cut down on the number of times you have to vacuum is to use a robotic vacuum cleaener. Like the ones at http://www.totalvac.com/roomba.htm. A Roomba vacuum will not get every spot in the house, but it can get a good amount of dirt, especially under furniture. Not so, great on thick carpet. It works best on bare floors.

]]> By: Chloe http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-24980 Chloe Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:24:59 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-24980 Shannon Lush, the Australian cleaning goddess has written an great instruction book on exactly this subject. "Speed Cleaning - A Spotless House in Just 15 Minutes A Day" By Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming It gives a room by room plan on how to speedily and efficiently tackle cleaning a room per day. Not all the tips worked for me, but my favourite tip is rather than putting all clutter away an item at a time, just pick it all up and put it in a bucket just outside the door so you can actually clean the room without walking backwards and forwards all over the house for 10 minutes putting things away before you even start. Shannon Lush, the Australian cleaning goddess has written an great instruction book on exactly this subject.

“Speed Cleaning – A Spotless House in Just 15 Minutes A Day”

By Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming

It gives a room by room plan on how to speedily and efficiently tackle cleaning a room per day.
Not all the tips worked for me, but my favourite tip is rather than putting all clutter away an item at a time, just pick it all up and put it in a bucket just outside the door so you can actually clean the room without walking backwards and forwards all over the house for 10 minutes putting things away before you even start.

]]> By: Katelyn http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-21827 Katelyn Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:26:58 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-21827 I can see both sides. I usually leave the big cleaning for the weekend but I frequently vacuum during the week. Ever since I purchased my Miele Dog and Cat Canister Vacuum from www.galaxyvacuum.com, keeping the pet hair off my furniture and carpeting is made easy and convenient. I do like the cleaning to music idea though! I'll have to use that tip. I can see both sides. I usually leave the big cleaning for the weekend but I frequently vacuum during the week. Ever since I purchased my Miele Dog and Cat Canister Vacuum from http://www.galaxyvacuum.com, keeping the pet hair off my furniture and carpeting is made easy and convenient.

I do like the cleaning to music idea though! I’ll have to use that tip.

]]> By: Anna http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-15809 Anna Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:10:47 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-15809 I loath and despise cleaning, so instead I tidy each morning - about 15 minutes work including picking up random dust-bunnies, cat hair, and bits of fluff with a hand-held vacuum. Then on Friday night's when I get home from work I give myself a 1 hour limit to clean the house. This is usually just enough time to give everything a good dust, straighten up, and vacuum (with the real vacuum cleaner), and then deep-clean one room. I refuse to mop or clean windows or ovens, ugh, unless it's really necessary. Instead I put money aside to have my house cleaned professionally two or three times a year. As a result our house is always neat and tidy and clean enough, and I have to deal less with the angst that comes from just having perfectly cleaned your kitchen only to have the cat walk on the benchtops, or having mopped the floor only to have your husband stomp through with mud on his boots ;) I loath and despise cleaning, so instead I tidy each morning – about 15 minutes work including picking up random dust-bunnies, cat hair, and bits of fluff with a hand-held vacuum.

Then on Friday night’s when I get home from work I give myself a 1 hour limit to clean the house. This is usually just enough time to give everything a good dust, straighten up, and vacuum (with the real vacuum cleaner), and then deep-clean one room.

I refuse to mop or clean windows or ovens, ugh, unless it’s really necessary. Instead I put money aside to have my house cleaned professionally two or three times a year.

As a result our house is always neat and tidy and clean enough, and I have to deal less with the angst that comes from just having perfectly cleaned your kitchen only to have the cat walk on the benchtops, or having mopped the floor only to have your husband stomp through with mud on his boots ;)

]]> By: Mom of 4 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-7026 Mom of 4 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:31:26 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-7026 I do something similar, except that rather than breaking it down by room, I break it down by job. For example, I only get out the vacuum cleaner once/week to do the whole house. Monday is my day to do a major pick-up, dust, and vacuum. Tuesdays and Saturdays are laundry days. I spritz down the bathrooms Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And so on. Generally, I have about an hour's worth of housework per day, which isn't bad for a four-bedroom/four-bathroom house and four kids' worth of laundry/meals/clutter. I do something similar, except that rather than breaking it down by room, I break it down by job. For example, I only get out the vacuum cleaner once/week to do the whole house. Monday is my day to do a major pick-up, dust, and vacuum. Tuesdays and Saturdays are laundry days. I spritz down the bathrooms Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And so on. Generally, I have about an hour’s worth of housework per day, which isn’t bad for a four-bedroom/four-bathroom house and four kids’ worth of laundry/meals/clutter.

]]> By: Diane http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-6972 Diane Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:49:01 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-6972 I try to keep the number of items in each room to a minimum and find containers for remotes, etc. I've pared down furniture and accessories to that hotel room look. Takes less time to clean and I can finally find my "stuff." I try to keep the number of items in each room to a minimum and find containers for remotes, etc. I’ve pared down furniture and accessories to that hotel room look. Takes less time to clean and I can finally find my “stuff.”

]]> By: Erin Doland http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-6625 Erin Doland Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:56:43 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-6625 @Michele -- My Friday night cleaning usually starts at 5:30 and is finished by 6:00 ... you still have time to take a disco nap, get ready, have dinner, and hit the town by 10:00. :) @Michele — My Friday night cleaning usually starts at 5:30 and is finished by 6:00 … you still have time to take a disco nap, get ready, have dinner, and hit the town by 10:00. :)

]]> By: Michele http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-6624 Michele Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:29:27 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-6624 As a single mom and full-time law student, I wait for the weekend -- so that my daughter can help! She's with me four nights per week and most of the weekend. We do the bulk of our housework on Sunday mornings. Then whatever tasks we don't get to, I'll finish up at odd times during the week. Erin, I gotta say that your suggestion of spending Friday night cleaning sent chills up my spine. A Friday night spent at home is a Friday night wasted, as far as I'm concerned. :) As a single mom and full-time law student, I wait for the weekend — so that my daughter can help! She’s with me four nights per week and most of the weekend. We do the bulk of our housework on Sunday mornings. Then whatever tasks we don’t get to, I’ll finish up at odd times during the week.

Erin, I gotta say that your suggestion of spending Friday night cleaning sent chills up my spine. A Friday night spent at home is a Friday night wasted, as far as I’m concerned. :)

]]> By: Melissa A. http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-6623 Melissa A. Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:41:26 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-6623 I'm really going to have to start doing this. I know once I get into it, it will be easy. Right now I tend to just chores when I feel like it. Growing up, Monday was always laundry day. I’m really going to have to start doing this. I know once I get into it, it will be easy. Right now I tend to just chores when I feel like it. Growing up, Monday was always laundry day.

]]> By: Cailin http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-6017 Cailin Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:47:46 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-6017 I am a working mom and as it is I feel like I don't get to spend enough time with my daughter so I opt for having a cleaning service once a week. It is more expensive than DIY but I see it as an investment in my quality time with my family. I am a working mom and as it is I feel like I don’t get to spend enough time with my daughter so I opt for having a cleaning service once a week. It is more expensive than DIY but I see it as an investment in my quality time with my family.

]]> By: Kath http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5894 Kath Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:49:15 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-5894 I love to clean...LOVE IT! I also clean as I go. Given that, when I do clean once a week it takes a little under 90 minutes. I have 1856 sq feet, 2 story, 3 bed, 3 bath. And if I don't have plans for Friday night, that is my night of choice to clean everything all at once. I love to clean…LOVE IT! I also clean as I go. Given that, when I do clean once a week it takes a little under 90 minutes. I have 1856 sq feet, 2 story, 3 bed, 3 bath.

And if I don’t have plans for Friday night, that is my night of choice to clean everything all at once.

]]> By: Aisha http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5893 Aisha Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:49:00 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-5893 Is there anyone else here who lives in a dusty enough place that cleaning once a week is not an option? How do people deal with houses that HAVE to be cleaned every single day, or every other day, at most? Is there anyone else here who lives in a dusty enough place that cleaning once a week is not an option? How do people deal with houses that HAVE to be cleaned every single day, or every other day, at most?

]]> By: Ava http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5892 Ava Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:22:06 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-5892 I feel the same way as Stephen. I say just get up early one day and do it all in one shot. Even if it takes you two hours to clean the whole house, you can still get up on Saturday time (around 10:00) and still be done by twelve. I couldn't imagine cleaning up every day. I feel the same way as Stephen. I say just get up early one day and do it all in one shot. Even if it takes you two hours to clean the whole house, you can still get up on Saturday time (around 10:00) and still be done by twelve. I couldn’t imagine cleaning up every day.

]]> By: samu http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5881 samu Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:52:10 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-5881 This sounds like a good way of avoiding my not-infrequent situation, when my fear of death is due primarily to the fact that it'd stop me tidying my flat before anyone else could see it. This sounds like a good way of avoiding my not-infrequent situation, when my fear of death is due primarily to the fact that it’d stop me tidying my flat before anyone else could see it.

]]> By: Zora http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5873 Zora Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:20:34 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-5873 I use the Above and Beyond computer scheduling program and I've got all my household cleaning and maintenance tasks, from daily to every few months, programmed into it. When I keep up with things, that's an hour or so every day to keep the house running smoothly. But when I get behind, it all piles up on me. Still, I'm much more organized than I was. I use the Above and Beyond computer scheduling program and I’ve got all my household cleaning and maintenance tasks, from daily to every few months, programmed into it. When I keep up with things, that’s an hour or so every day to keep the house running smoothly. But when I get behind, it all piles up on me.

Still, I’m much more organized than I was.

]]> By: The Wulf http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5871 The Wulf Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:11:41 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2007/12/10/stop-spending-your-weekends-cleaning-your-home/#comment-5871 I do something similar, but instead of assigning a tast to each day, I assign a block of time. I list all the chores that need to be done for the week, and then on the day I draw one at random (I made cards for each) and do that task during the appointed time. And after a week, if if I have completed all my weekly chores, I give myself a reward. I do something similar, but instead of assigning a tast to each day, I assign a block of time. I list all the chores that need to be done for the week, and then on the day I draw one at random (I made cards for each) and do that task during the appointed time.
And after a week, if if I have completed all my weekly chores, I give myself a reward.

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