Making Your Home a Haven Monday: Getting Your Home Back in Order
Whether you had sickness at your home this weekend like us or you just had a busy weekend, your home could likely use some basic all-purpose pick up and cleaning today. So instead of tackling a big Spring cleaning project like we've been doing for the last few weeks, today I encourage you to spend some extra time getting your home back in order.I'm devoting two hours today to getting things back in order around here--want to join me?
Two Hour Quick Clean Up*
Before starting, spend time at least a short time in God's Word and prayer. Refresh your spirit with the promises and encouragement found in Scripture so that you will be well-prepared for the day and whatever challenges it holds.
I also encourage you to be showered and dressed to your shoes. There's something about being fresh and dressed for the day which helps me work so much faster and stay on track so much better. Don't ask me what it is, but it really works for me!
And now you're ready to roll...
1. Put on an apron, turn on some uplifting music, light a candle, and start a load of laundry.
2. Go to the kitchen sink and wash, dry, and put away the dishes. Then, shine the sink (ala FlyLady!) and wipe down the counter tops. Try to get this completely finished in 30 minutes or less.
3. Set the timer for 15 minutes and briskly go through the house and pick up as many items as you can which are out of place and return them to their proper places (and if it's trash, throw it out!).
4. Switch the laundry in your washer to your dryer or clothesline and start another load of laundry.
5. Take some all-purpose cleaner and a few rags and go quickly spray and wipe down all the bathrooms. Remember, this is just a simple spray and wipe of your bathrooms which should only take five minutes maximum per bathroom. Save the heavy-duty cleaning for later!
6. Do a quick sweep and mop of your kitchen and bathroom floors if they need this (and if your home is anything like our home, they will need this!).
7. Vacuum the main living areas of your home--don't worry about moving furniture or going over every inch of carpet, just make sure and hit the main traffic areas.
8. Pull the laundry out of the dryer and fold and put it away. Switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer, and start another load in the washer if you still have more laundry to do.
You're done! Make a pot of tea or coffee (or a glass of iced tea or lemonade since Spring is finally here!) and put your feet up for a few moments. Way to go! Your whole family will enjoy the fruits of your labors.
Adapted from Keeping the Home's Emergency Quick Clean. Please edit or add to it to suit your home and family's needs!
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Join in the fun! Post about your two hour quick clean up (with before and after pictures!) or share anything else related to making your home a haven and then come back here and leave your link below so we can all be inspired and motivated. Don't have a blog? Tell us about your accomplishments in the comments section.
Labels: Making Your Home a Haven
posted by Crystal Paine at 10:38 PM
14 Comments:
This is exactly what I had planned on doing today!
We have been sick (at least one of us) for the past several weeks!
My house needs to get put back into order so that I can move on to some deep spring cleaning!
Sherry
Reading your post has motivated me! Thank you for sharing. Right now I have to go get lunch, but then I will be starting on some of these tips.
I plan on doing some catch up today too. Starting here on my computer. We homeschool and took an "Easter" break today to just catch up a little.
I'm am really enjoying visiting here at your blog. Thank you for your ministry.
This is just what I needed today! After three weeks of sickness (half of it mine) - we need some fast work to re-group. I'm going to dedicate two hours of my day to this also. Thanks for the post.
Thanks so much Crystal! After a long weekend of Easter with extended family and a birthday, our house is a little disaster. And this on top of trying to get to some deep spring cleaning last week. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with where to begin today--now I can follow your plan to make our home liveable and relieve myself from the pressure to continue the deeper spring cleaning--I'll tackle that again tomorrow. I just need to dig my way out of this mess first! :)
This is what I'm up to today, too! I'm joining today because I did SO much entertaining over the weekend, that everything else got left behind. I want to bless my husband by having him come home to a clean house instead of to the chaos it is now!
Meditated on IPeter 1:13-16. Prayer/memory verses with kids done.
To accomplish today:
1. Quick-clean bathrooms
2. Have girls pick up toys and Cassie (6 yr old) do vacuuming
3. Have girls help with putting together baked spaghettis for dinner/freezer
4. Clean kitchen and entries (girls help with mopping)
5. Work through pile of laundry and have girls help put it away before bed.
I'll let you guys know how it goes.
Phebe
This is a wonderful plan! I will put this to good use!
Thanks for sharing.
:)
I love this list! It is what I need every Monday. Thursday is my big cleaning day but the house always needs a lift after busy weekends. Thanks!
I enjoy doing this Making Your Home a Haven projects. I feel so productive at the end and it helps me get some much needed stuff done. Thanks alot. I've put my link in with pics.
Jenn
I love it! Quick, easy, do-able and immediate pay-offs!
Great action plan! The baby has been sick and teething, so little has been accomplished the past several days.
This is Spring Break for us. With all the kids home it makes the perfect time for decluttering toys and craft projects.
Apparently a lot of us have not been feeling so great recently! I still have a yucky cold but am hoping to get some of this done this afternoon! Thanks!
Hi, I was an avid reader several months ago but returned to work after a year maternity (I'm expecting again so if I go back for 4 months I get another paid year off) anyway I just happened to see yoru site in my favorites and thought I would stop in for a moment. I'm glad I did. I had forgotten what encouragement and motivation there is here :) I must start visiting regularly again!
My home is in shambles right now with a 1 year old, being pregnant, working and in the process of starting a sandwich business from home (so in 2009 when my maternity leave is up I will have a successful home business God Willing) - but I have two hours right now before bed and I am going to put my home in order so I can start out the day right tomorrow.
Thanks for your blog and condolances in the loss of your friend's spouse.
Jenn V
I did it this morning!
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