Please don't think I'm an expert on this. If I was an expert, I wouldn't need to read the book. :-)
I also want to give a shout out to my Mom who did an amazing job teaching me the basics of cleaning and homemaking. Looking back, I am so thankful for those LONG chore lists, her persistence in training us, and eye for detail. After we completed a chore, we had to call out "Mom, I'm ready for inspection" then she would inspect and initial our chore list. Now, I wish she could come to my apartment and "inspect" since I'm sure there are areas I overlook.
Is There Life After Housework? Notes
Clear
Clutter:
l Don’t just ask yourself “do I need this?”, ask “do I want to spend
time and energy storing this and cleaning it?”
l Freeing yourself of junk frees you of housework. It is easier to
clean a clutter free house.
Work Smarter not Harder:
l Eliminate –Saturate –Dissolve –Remove
² Let the water/ cleaner do the work!
-First clear off
major debris, crumbs, etc.
- spray with cleaner or wet the area
- go start another task
- come back and wipe it up. Use little elbow grease when necessary
(only after you have let the cleaner work!
Clean it up right away!
-Wash dishes immediately
-Wipe up spills/ dribbles as they occur.
Prevention is everything
-Clean frequently to prevent build-up
-regularly squeegee
the shower to prevent slaving over it later
-don’t let
hard water build-up by cleaning bathroom fixtures regularly
Get the family to help out
² Teaching children to clean is essential.
-Thanks, Mom!!
Use Good Equipment
² Make sure you have a good vacuum
-Don’t be lazy and suck-up random stuff because you don’t
want to bend over and pick it up. How
long does it take you to pick up a bead vs. earn enough money to buy a new vacuum?
² Don’t use old t-shirts as rags. Use microfiber cleaning cloths
² Get a ironing board and broom suitable for your height.
² Use good cleaners. Spending a little money on the proper cleaner for
the job can save a lot of elbow grease.
Cleaning Tips:
l Keep your tools close by.
² Put them in a caddy or bucket and keep everything you need for the
job at arm’s reach.
l Scrub in an up-down then side to side motion ( not circular)
-don’t push too hard with the brush, this flattens the bristles
so there are actually less bristles touching the surface area.
l Fold the cloth, hot-dog, then hamburger, then hot-dog. As you use it,
flip and fold dirty sides together. This gives you 8 clean surfaces and saves
you time rinsing out your cloth.
l Start in one part of the room and work your way around
systematically (clockwise)
-Start at the top of the room and work your
way down and out.
- police area for toys, litter and
things that don’t belong.
- dust
- wipe down walls, cabinets,
window sills, doors, desks w/ damp cloth.
- vacuum or sweep
- mop (starting furthest from door
and work your way out of the room)
Regular Cleaning Routine Guidelines:
Daily Docket
² Straighten up whole house
² Do all dishes
² Wipe counters and clear off table
² Make beds
² Take out kitchen garbage
² Hang up clothes
² 3.5 minute bathroom clean up
² Do one load of laundry
3.5 minute Daily Bathroom
Routine
² After shower squeegee shower walls
² Wipe off counter and sink
² Toilet
-dampen a piece
of TP and use it to pick up any hair - dispose.
-spray toilet
and floor with all purpose cleaner.
-wipe toilet
in this order: handle/flush, top, back, lid, seat, under-side of seat, rim,
base.
-brush bowl,
if necessary
² wipe floor area around toilet.
² If necessary, wipe off mirror.
Bedroom (Semi –weekly 8 minute)
² Make Bed
² Dust (if this is taking forever, you need to get-rid of some knickknacks!)
² Straighten headboard, nightstand, dresser.
² Spray/wipe mirrors with glass cleaner, then spray/wipe other
surfaces w/ all-purpose cleaner.
² Vacuum
Kitchen
² Put away food
² Wipe any drips off cabinets
² Do dishes
² Spray/wipe counters w/ kitchen cleaner
² Sweep
² Empty Trash
² Mop
