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I am going to tell you outright. I am not a very good housekeeper.
I want to be. I want a spotless, clean and organized home every day. And I try. But, I finally faced something about myself a few years ago. I don’t like cleaning. 😀 It’s kinda like exercising. I want to like exercise too, but honestly, there are soooo many other things I would rather be doing.
But alas, cleaning your home is one of those things that unless you live like a rock star and can afford a live-in maid, you must do! Last year, my mantra for life became “work smarter, not harder.” That included my blog work, as well. I realized on a normal day of cleaning, I was making repeated trips to my cleaning supply cabinet. Why? Why not gather my most used cleaning supplies into a portable caddy that could travel with me from room to room. That is exactly what I created.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Here at The Everyday Home, that means about 30 family and friends joining us for a daylong event. So, I arm myself with a sense of humor, some much needed “you can do this” reminders, and a bevvy of cleaning supplies to get our home in tip-top shape. I try to spend a few minutes each day cleaning the home in an effort to keep it that way. I find if I spend as little as 30-minutes a day wiping, dusting, sweeping, etc, in 1-2 rooms I can keep a handle on things. Here are five few of my “30 Minute Cleaning Tips.”
1.) Create a Cleaning Caddy that you can easily pick up and carry with you. Include any cleaning supplies you may need for almost any room in the home. I like to use a general cleaner such as S.C. Johnson’s Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner in Rainshower scent.
2.) Along with your cleaning supplies, include some sponges, rags, scrubbies, a squeegee and trash bags in your caddy. Think of all the things you use while cleaning that you can carry with you and prevent you from making multiple trips to other rooms.
3.) Start at the top and work downward. Wipe light fixtures, countertops and sinks or furniture surfaces, and finally the floors. I literally spray all the surfaces at once, as applicable. I will spray the light fixtures, countertops/surfaces and sinks/toilets. Then, using rags or paper towels I will wipe and clean them all at once, again working from top to bottom. That way I am not juggling with cleaners and towels/rags alternately. Now, I will say… I do sweep in this 30-Minute Period, but I don’t always mop. Generally, I mop my entire home all at once.
4.) Clean one room completely then move on. I have a friend who does the same task throughout her home at all at once, then starts over with a new task. (She knows who she is and she knows it drives me crazy when I am at her house.) LOL That is her style and it works for her. But, I have found this way takes more time. And if you suffer from Cleaning ADD like I do, if I leave one room prior to finishing, I will not return for several hours. 😀 So, I complete all of the cleaning tasks in one room, and move on to the next room – and repeat.
5.) Leave your room smelling clean and fresh. I love a soft scent in my home that does not overwhelm. I can’t burn candles for long periods of time for safety reasons – cats and grandloves. I find with a quality candle such as Glade® Apple Cinnamon, I can burn it as I am cleaning and within minutes the whole room smells like a beautiful, Fall day. Glade® exists to evoke emotions and Glade® scent has the surprising power to bring you a wonderful little burst of joy when you need it most.
Feel Joy, Feel Glade.
That’s about it. There’s no need to go into detail on HOW I clean. We all know how to clean. But, it’s the efficiency that many may be missing. I am busy like every mama these days. I don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning and scrubbing and mopping when I have pies and chutneys and cornbreads to make for Thanksgiving. While I want a really clean and sparkling home for my guests this Thanksgiving day, most of all – I want a welcoming home that speaks of the love within these walls. That to me – is what being Thankful is all about.
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I love that The Home Depot offers all of my favorite S.C. Johnson cleaning supplies in one convenient location and aisle.
You can find a variety of Cleaning Caddies also at The Home Depot, as well as, lots of cleaning supplies to fill it with.
My family here at The Everyday Home wishes each of you a joyous and Happy Thanksgathering!
xxoo, Barb
See More Tips from SC Johnson for Cleaning Up Your Holiday Messes!
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Lauren says
I like the idea of your cleaning caddy! I hope you had a fun and happy Thanksgiving!
View CommentSusan says
Love the caddy Think I’ll be making that change..no more old bucket! Thanks for the great ideas!
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