Recently I stooped over to the cabinet below my kitchen counter to retrieve the toaster and as I lifted the appliance from its resting place, I saw crumbs on the cabinet shelf which had fallen from the inside of the toaster. I moaned….
I cleaned crumbs from out of there not long ago and it looks like a mess again!
My husband quickly reminded me that it’s just because we use our kitchen every day. That’s means it needs maintenance. True! I cook and bake a LOT, so of course there will be regular messes in the kitchen.
The truth is that when people simply live in a house there are constant messes. So if we know that simple fact, wouldn’t it also make sense that we wisely organize our efforts in keeping it clean?
As we continue our series of Maytag, Messes and Meals, we remember that the first step in all of these areas is PLANNING. Nothing grand will ever just happen (unless you’re Cinderella!). Here’s what I do in an effort to keep it clean (note that I didn’t say “perfect!”
Plan when to do household chores. For example:
Monday – Laundry, Dust
Tuesday – Sweep, mop and vacuum
Wednesday – Deeper kitchen cleaning – Fridge, oven, stovetop, microwave
Thursday – Iron laundry
Friday – Deep clean one room
Saturday – Magic Eraser on walls and door frames, clean glass
Plan to do some chores EVERY day –
Bathrooms cleaned after showers.
Kitchen cleaned after each meal. Wiping the stove off and the oven each time you use it will keep it from being a huge task. Beds made each day. This only takes a few minutes. It takes up the biggest part of your room, and making it will make the room look instantly cleaner!
Before bedtime – Get the house tidied up before heading to bed. Put away dishes in dish drainer, throw away the paper, put away shoes, Put drinking glasses or snack bowls in the dishwasher. Clear off the kitchen counter. Fluff the couch pillows.
It’s wonderful to wake up in the morning to a clean, straightened up house!
Feel overwhelmed with the current condition of your house?
- Decide which area needs the first attention – perhaps the entryway or the kitchen counter. The first area that is seen or the place that is most disturbing to you might be your sore spot.
- Designate three areas/bags – To keep, Throw away, Give away
- Set a 30-minute timer.
- Pick up one item at a time and deal with it. (You might want to ask someone to come over and help you make some hard decisions!)
- Keep moving until the timer goes off.
- Continue this daily or twice a day until that area is cleaned.
Sometimes it’s helpful to watch cleaning videos to get inspired. A couple You tube channels I love are Do It on a Dime and White Cottage Company. They have awesome cleaning videos with good suggestions about products and tools. Their cleaned up messes will inspire you, too!
Maybe you’re asking why this even matters?
Ecc. 9:10a
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;
Remember that we’re creating a little “heaven on earth” space for our families to resort to. It won’t be nearly as peaceful if it is cluttered and dirty.
With some good planning and daily effort, our homes can reflect the beauty of our Creator.
Refresh your home with some planning and hard work. It’s worth it!
RefreshHer 