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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Daily House Cleaning

Daily House Cleaning
by
American Housewife Sherry Morris

Think of housework this way: It blesses your family to have a clean and cheerful home, plus you get some exercise and burn calories.

Imagine having a home with perpetually clean bathrooms... If you deep clean your bathroom one time, then all you have to do is swish and swipe the toilet, sink and mirror in less than one minute every week so long as you dry out the tub and shower after every use. You'll never be embarrassed again when an unexpected visitor drops in.

Imagine transporting your home from the top of Mt. Laundry to a lovely island at sea level... All you have to do is one or two loads every weekday. And put the clean clothes away. It doesn't take long. Your family will always have something clean to wear.

Imagine never trudging to the gym again... Your workout is your housework. I've lost 30 pounds in 8 months through a tough love diet and this cleaning routine. I'm finally back at a healthy BMI, and feel ten years younger.

I set my timer for 15 minutes, perform the listed task and when the timer beeps, I stop, done or not. I'm usually done. Then I move on to the next chore of the day, set the timer for 15 minutes and clean. If I don't feel well, have a sick child, appointments or am just plain cranky, I sometimes skip a task or a whole day's tasks. No guilt. My house is clean enough and I know I will get to it again the next day. The whole idea is to free yourself from the guilt, and just do it. I will reward myself with something special if I complete all the tasks in a week. It's an incentive and blesses the whole family.

I have adopted the principals these principals to fit my family and lifestyle. Every week, I choose four days to do my cleaning routine. I plan on my calendar ahead of time to see which days will best suit my family's schedules for the upcoming week.

DAY ONE

CHANGE AND WASH BED LINENS

DUST DOWNSTAIRS

SWISH AND SWIPE POWDER ROOM

SHINE MIRRORS (BEDROOMS, FOYER, DINING ROOM)

VACUUM

DECLUTTER DESK

TIDY KITCHEN COUTNERS

UPDATE CHECKBOOK

SWEEP FRONT PORCH

WEED


DAY TWO

DUST UPSTAIRS

SWISH & SWIPE KIDS’ BATHROOM

SWISH & SWIPE POWDER ROOM

VACUUM

WIPE DOWN MICROWAVE INSIDE & OUT

WIPE DOWN DISHWASHER

DECLUTTER DESK

PURGE MY PURSE

CLIP COUPONS

SWEEP REAR DECK


DAY THREE

DUST BASEMENT

SWISH & SWIPE BASEMENT BATH

SWISH & SWIPE POWDER ROOM

VACUUM

MOP KITCHEN, FAMILY ROOM & FOYER

DECLUTTER DESK

FILE & PAY BILLS

MEAL PLANNING

PICK UP TRASH BLOWN INTO YARD

WEED


DAY FOUR

DUST DOWNSTAIRS

SWISH & SWIPE MASTER BATH

SWISH & SWIPE POWDER ROOM

VACUUM

DECLUTTER DESK

PURGE REFRIGERATOR & WIPE DOWN ONE SHELF

MENDING

BALANCE CHECKBOOK

CLEAN OUT CARS

WEED

These books changed my life for the better, I wish I had read them when I was a newlywed: Sidetracked Home Executives from Pigpen to Paradise by Pam Young and her sister, Peggy Jones & Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley, the Fly Lady.

11 comments:

Sandra Cox said...

Wow! You've got a great game plan, Ms. Sherry.

Sherry Dee Morris said...

It's fun to live in a tidy home :)

Julia Barrett said...

Amazing schedule! I think I would die! I so hate housework...but I do de-clutter all the time and I pick up toys. I'm very good at picking up toys. Plus bathrooms and kitchen must be clean.

Rhobin said...

I see a pattern here... organization, a plan in place. I'm handing this list off to my other half--maybe he can get organized.

Sherry Dee Morris said...

Julia, picking up toys is never-ending awesomeness :) Doggie toys or kids toys or both? Doesn't it really give you immediate gratification? Clean bathrooms and kitchens, good girl :)

Sherry Dee Morris said...

Rhobin,
Good luck with your other half :) Mine has been making his own to-do lists and I've been sneaking a couple things onto the end, and magically, they've been done.

Pam S said...

Hi Sherry,

Great Post! Breaking things down into approx 15 min tasks and days sounds like an awesome approach.

I am single self-employeed mom of a homeschool student so all of my days (and roles) can get lumped together pretty quickly/easily.

Will definitely have to try this as I can't stand clutter - yet it seems to keep coming back.

Thanks again!
Pam S
pams00@aol.com

Sherry Dee Morris said...

Hi Pam!
Wow, you've got a lot packed into your days. If you set the timer on the microwave or oven for 15 minutes and just go to work picking up, you'll be really surprised at how much better the place looks. And the next day/time, do something else.

Happy Evening!
Sherry

Sherry Gloag said...

Sherry, I do like your 15 minute max rule and am going to apply it round here. All I need to do now it get rid of what's turning out to be 'more-than-weekly' visits to the dentist, and I'll be laughng!

Jennifer Mathis said...

wow great schdule i might have to make me one of those :)
meandi09@yahoo.com

barbara1taylor said...

Do you have time for work with that schedule ?
one off cleaning