I just read an article over on In(Courage) where Melissa shared how she keeps her home clean "enough". She gives full details that you must read when you have a minute (plus if you've never been to this website before - it is awesome!) but here's the summary for keeping her home clean "enough":1. Have a Morning Routine
2. Keep Clean Sinks
3. Do Cleaning Frenzies
4. Nightly Clean the Kitchen Up
So I'm evaluating myself against her plan. I have a morning routine that includes the children doing all sorts of chores (I use chore packets you can read about here)- I love our morning routine! This routine keeps our home presentable and in order. On days when we miss it (like Sundays) the house is honestly awful. I cannot stand beds unmade or clothes on the floor! (but that doesn't mean it does not happen!)
As far as clean sinks go, my mom was always wearing yellow rubber gloves and scrubbing sinks when I was a kid. I think I developed an aversion at a young age because of that! Lol! I'm trying to place the blame somewhere other than myself (wink)- I don't know why I don't clean my sinks daily? I am very flawed in this area. Although we do wipe the counters with Clorox Wipes if that counts!
Number three is my favorite and the reason why I'm writing this post!!! "Do Cleaning Frenzies". Do you do cleaning frenzies? I do regularly. Here's how my frenzy works. I set my cell phone alarm to go off in 20 minutes, then I focus and clean clean clean for 20 minutes straight. It's absolutely amazing how much I can accomplish when I work for just 20 minutes straight. This seems obvious that just 4 or 5, 20 minute cleaning frenzies could make the house sparkle - but the first time I did this I amazed myself! As a blogger, it seems I have a magnet that draws me to my computer. My cell phone has become an excellent cleaning tool to keep me on track!
Actually, I have turned this practice around and many times I set my cell phone alarm for 20 minutes and then begin to work on my computer. When it goes off, I am done with the computer and move on to other tasks that are on my list. Otherwise, the computer sucks me in and in a blink of an eye, an hour has passed!
So, if you haven't tried using your handy dandy cell phone alarm yet - I highly recommend that you give this a try. My cell phone is an excellent cleaning tool! Yours can be too!
Proverbs 31:13 "She works with eager hands".
Walk with the King
I am participating in Kelly's Korner - Show Us Your Life Cleaning Tips.
I like that idea of using the alarm to limit time on the computer. I get sucked in far too easily too - so much great reading out there on the net!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I wanted to let you know that I gave your blog a Stiletto award, so that my 3 readers may find you and be blessed by you as well. :)
http://momonraw.blogspot.com/2010/03/blog-award-otherwise-known-as-me-really.html
I am definitely going to give this a try both with the computer (as a blog reader I can get swept away for hours too) and for cleaning, something that DESPERATELY needs my attention.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your blog... I absolutely LOVE it and it has really helped me in many areas of my life. It has truly been a blessing to me and an answer to prayer!
Keep up the GREAT work!
P.S. We are making the Easter Egg Cookies tonight... :)
Love love love your blog. I get up every morning to eat breakfast and read your blog from my iPhone. You encourage me daily! May God continue to bless you and your family.
ReplyDeletewww.flylady.com is another good place to find ideas for staying on task and getting our cleaning routines to stick and be more effective. She bases everything on a timer system. Makes it fun, too!
ReplyDeleteFabulous tip! I will be trying it soon!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Those "frenzies" are vital. We call them SOH's in our home... Save our Home. I shared about them awhile back on the blog. May we keep our homes in order all for His Glory!
ReplyDeleteWith much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
www.amomentwithmom.blogspot.com
Cool!! Good idea.
ReplyDeleteI came over to let you know about Flylady, but someone beat me to it! lol I used to follow Flylady's system very closely years ago, but it was just too much for me. The one thing I have kept is her timer system. I have several timers and my daughter and I use them on a regular basis. What I love is that the timer takes ME out of the equation when limiting a fun activity (like computer time) and gives her a set stop time when timing not-so-fun things (like cleaning). It's the best household tip I've ever had!
ReplyDeleteOh my stars I love this post!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so cute! Happy Friday!
I use a timer, but never thought about my cell phone, which is always with me! Great idea! Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Daina
Thank you for sharing my routines! They have worked well for me for many years and I really feel like my home is pretty clean, even though we spend relatively little time doing it. I'm so glad I don't obsess over it any more, I just get the routines done every day and it is definitely clean enough!
ReplyDeleteLove this post.....Thanks for the tips! I so need to get a routine down and put it on my cell phone to remind me!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Summer :0)
I do the same thing - when I need a break I set the timer and spend that time at the computer.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to let you know that I've given you a virtual Easter basket:
http://ham1299.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-easter-basket-for-kids.html
I like to have the main areas of the house straight before I go to bed at night. That way I don't wake up to looking at messes and feel like I have to get busy cleaning. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Courtney,
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your blog today and I love this post! This is something I have been wanting to do better in so I am going to give your tips a try!
Your blog looks very interesting and I look forward to checking it out more.
First I just want to say that I love your blog. I just found you from kelly's corner. I am your newest follower. Please check out my tips at http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/2010/01/different-way-to-clean.html
ReplyDeleteBonnie
Courtney,
ReplyDeleteThis is very funny. I used my cell phone alarm (I also use when cooking) today while cleaning my childrens’ room for the billionth (made up word, but it seems fitting) time and what I hope will be the last. We're implementing chore packs this week which is one of the reasons I cleaned their room to give them a fresh start. I originally set the alarm for 30 minutes and then another 30 minutes. After I realized the job was going to take longer than a "frenzy clean," I shut it off and continued until I finished. Now that it is done, I’ll be able to try that type of clean the next time I have to step in and help them.
I love my cell phone! I commonly refer to the alarm and calendar on my phone as my "brain".... without it, I wonder if I would remember much more than coffee break time!It is a great tool to help with self discipline.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I have such a hard time trying to keep the house clean and I'm always asking around for tips but nobody really gives me any.
ReplyDelete