Breaking It Down...Jenni Style

 image

Having a home of my very own is a huge blessing and I am super grateful for it's ability to keep me and my family dry, safe and warm but enjoying it's beauty and charm can only happen if I am keeping up on the mountains of work that go into creating that pleasant cozy atmosphere.  Having a spotless home while taking care of little people and trying to cook meals, teach lessons, be around for a husband, fulfill callings, be there for neighbors, and find some time for myself can be pretty overwhelming sometimes.  After living here for a year now I believe I am beginning to get the hang of being okay with a little mess and learning to use my time better.

   

I use to be able to clean my entire apartment, top to bottom, in just 3 hours.  Now, I am lucky to get a room done in that time. Especially with kids wanting to be played with and interruptions from the computer.

Tonight I have broken it down for you cute readers.  Here are 3 lists for you to keep on your fridge.Whether you have a minute to do a little something or you have an hour or two, you will be surprised at how little time it can take to keep a semi orderly home.

A minute or less to complete:

Wipe crumbs off the kitchen table 

Water your plants

Empty a few trash cans

Wipe spots off a mirror

Clean a toilet

Sweep off the front porch

Dust a small room

Vacuum a rug

Clean out your kitchen trash can

Put your shoes away

Put a load of laundry in

Make a bed

Put the couch back together

Wipe down the bathroom sink

Open your fridge and remove gross things

Wipe down your counters

Open your blinds

Collect the dirty clothes

Throw out the junk mail

Shake out the welcome mat

Start the dishwasher

Get something on other then your cutest jammies (I add this because sometimes I put this one off)

Clean off a highchair or toddler's chair 

If you have 10-20 minutes you can do something like this:

Clean a bathroom floor

Dust the bookshelves

Wipe the spots on your couch

Unload the dishwasher

Sweep your hard floor surfaces

Clean your microwave

Wash the window above your kitchen sink inside and out

Clean your dripper pans

Get rid of the stuff hanging out in your couch.

Wipe down dining room chairs

Vacuum the stairs

Pick up all the toys

Clean the tub

File your stack of papers that you know you have sitting on your kitchen counter

Load the dishwasher

Go dump all the trash in your car.

Clear off your bathroom counter and wipe down the sink

Fold a load of laundry and put it away

An hour or more:

Spot clean some carpet

Organize a closet

Baseboards

Wash windows inside and out

Organize the pantry

Write up a menu and shoping list for the week

Give your car a nice shine

Weed the front and back yard

Mow the lawn

Deep clean a bedroom

If it's anything like my shower it will take at least an hour

Wipe some walls down

Go through the toy box and put things back together

Clear up everything

Go through everyone's clothing and make a donate pile

Take a bath (that's cleaning right?)

This is obviously not everything that needs to be done around a house but it is a good indication of what you can get done in the time you have.  It may feel choppy and out of order but it keeps me from sitting on the couch and watching something dumb. If I only have a precious 30 minutes to spare I know I have enough time to make the room I am in more enjoyable.  Try it out and let me know how it goes.  Happy cleaning!