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Cleaning Up:  15 minute challenge  |
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 04 2009 : 10:07:03 AM
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I have gotten so behind on the house the past two months and have just been staring at it since after Christmas, not knowing where to start! Today I decided to get back into my fifteen minute routine where I spend fifteen minutes a day in each room of the house cleaning, decluttering, or just doing what needs to be done. Each room is not going to get spotless in one day but if I work in each room for fifteen minutes a day it does get pretty clean and then stay clean afterwards, which is what my biggest problem is. I can get a room clean but then tend to not do anything to it again until it really needs work. But if I work on it each day doing little things here or there I am able to stay ontop of the game and keep it looking nice. I set the timer for fifteen minutes and work on the room until it beeps and then stop, unless I am in the middle of something and then I finishe that. With 9 rooms in the house that means it should just take me 2 hours and fifteen minutes a day to keep up with things, along with the other things like cooking, dishes, laundry, kids, homeschooling, etc. 2 hours and fifteen minutes a day isn't so bad. Is anyone else up for the challenge? They say that it takes 21 days to get into a new habit and keep it so is anyone else willing to do the fifteen minute routine and post here nightly to let us know how you did?
Even though my oldest awoke with a stomach virus today and I have been tending to her I have been able to do the fifteen minutes in the bathroom and kitchen so far.
*Kitchen - got all the grocery stuff put away from yesterdays shopping and swept and mopped the floor, washing the floor mats in the washing machine now
*Bathroom-cleaned toilet and wiped it down, cleaned mirrors, cleaned the sink, mopped the floor, washing floor mat in machine
*Will post later about other rooms
-Elizabeth |
Edited by - babysmama on Jan 04 2009 10:09:05 AM |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2009 : 10:19:54 AM
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I am sure you will find this a very sucessful method of getting things cleaned up(most of the time). When my children were younger I implemented the 10 minute tidy. They are now 13 and nearly 17 and we still do them often throughout the day. I think that as homeschooling moms, or moms with little ones still at home, we especially need these mini-cleaning moments. Otherwise the mess can quickly get out of hand. I also think it is great to get the kiddos involved in it as well. Good luck in your new routine Elizabeth! 
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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jumpingjuliet
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
becky
oroville
CA
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2009 : 11:16:16 AM
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I want to give this a try. I have tried every other type of cleaning method and always fall off the wagon. The only successful thing I have started and stuck with is the fly lady rule; always shine your sink before you go to bed. If I get behind in the kitchen the whole house falls apart. I HATE dishes. I make sure I load my dishwasher and shine my sink before bed. I have had a couple of nights where I forgot but I feel so guilty the next day I catch up. I was in a bad mood one night because DH and I were arguing, I figured screw it I am not worrying about it. I laid down to go to sleep and could not sleep until I went and got my kitchen straightened and my sink shined. When you wake up in the morning and you walk into the kitchen to see everything tidy you don't feel stressed and you know you do not have a mountain of dishes to tackle and you can concentrate on something else. I will try to add to my routine with this 15 min idea. I think it is something I could do without dropping off. Thanks for the idea.
Good Luck with your routine.
Toodles
Becky
I am one with my inner farm girl! |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2009 : 4:00:19 PM
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I do something very similiar. Right now, my routine is to come home, after dropping Charlie off at daycare and I spend 1 hour ONLY to clean the house. Whatever gets done, gets done. Usually I can do like 2 bathrooms and folding the laundry or cleaning up the kitchen, top to bottom and vacuuming. I do this 3x a week, with a quick clean as I go each day. Living with less stuff and keeping it simple has REALLY helped. Thanks for the ideas.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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jumpingjuliet
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
becky
oroville
CA
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 2:16:22 PM
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I was doing great with the 15 min challenge getting a lot done. Then I took a few 15 min breaks all together(2 days worth) and now I need to get back on the wagon. I got my kitchen, dining, family and one bath up to snuff but my laundry room, spare room, master suite and hall need a few 15 min run thoughs to catch up. I have a week and a half to get the house together before vacation, I don't want to come home to a mess. Although DH will be home without me so we will see if I come home to a clean house. But this 15 min challenge makes it seem doable.
Toodles
Becky
I am one with my inner farm girl! |
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Cleaning Up: 15 minute challenge |
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15 minute challenge
