So, I'm working on this whole Totally Together, organize my life, learn a cleaning schedule, transform my home so it's clean all the time, thing. The first day went well, yay! However, I've encountered a stumbling block...
In Stephanie's schedule there are certain tasks you're supposed to do every week, mopping, vacuuming and dusting amongst them. Therein lies my problem. We have an extremely small house, with way too much stuff in it. That's a given. That's also not going to change. It takes forever to dust because you have to move stuff all around to do it. Not proud of that, but there it is. I recognize there's room for improvement, but I also know we're never exactly going to perfect the minimalistic look around here, we looovvveee us some stuff. Important stuff, knick knacks the kids have made, books, toys, etc. So, long story short, my question is do I really need to dust every room of my house every week? I'm afraid that could be a deal breaker. With working full-time, plus having my kids involved in activities, plus taking time to be a family, plus taking time to spend with my hubby, plus finding time to keep my sanity, not to mention needing to find some time for activity, I'm not seeing having time to dust every room every week. I do recognize it's probably one of those things that the more you do it, the easier it is, but still...not able to visualize it happening.
What do you think? Do you dust every room every week? Is it reasonable to dust certain rooms weekly (living, dining, family? honestly even that commitment overwhelms me a bit, but I'm willing to embrace it in the spirit of acknowledging something needs to change) and other rooms less often? If so, how often? Do you dust bedrooms weekly? Bi-weekly? Less often? Do you vacuum all the rooms weekly? What about mopping? We have hardwood throughout our house with area rugs in most of the rooms, double the chores! I don't see things like running a duster around the ceiling to snag cobwebs...do other homes not get cobwebs?
The rose-colored-glasses are starting to fade for me about the book. *sigh* For example, in the book there's only two references to deep cleaning the bathroom, "if needed". Hello? Even I, a person who avoids cleaning at all costs, manages to deep clean the bathroom more than twice a year. How much more we won't talk about, but still.
Help! I've feeling like a complete failure before I've even really gotten started. Please share what works for you. Do you have any lists/schedules/websites that help you stay organized and on top of things? I'm really wanting to commit to keeping my house more tidy and clean, but I need help.
Oh? If all of this leaves you shaking your head and wondering out loud about my cluelessness? Just kidding, my house is totally clean, all the time, totally. Just give me a few days notice before you drop in, k?
I have 1 husband and 4 kids, 28, 20, 11 and 9...I'll be doing the mom thing forever, hence 4evermom.
9 comments:
Follow what works, skip what doesn't. I dust around the TV about 2x/week and wherever else whenever I notice dust. But I do not claim to have great skills either!
Great to have you back!
I think all self help books (including baby books and diet books) are difficult to follow. Nothing will ever work 100% for every person. Pick and choose what makes sense for you. Does the dust bother you? Then dust. If not, leave it. I dust when I see the dust. I vaccuuum when it looks like I need to vaccuuum (usually about once a week). Can the kids help do the dusting? It might not take so long if you all just take 20 minutes and get it done.
In the end, decide what is important to you. My best friend NEVER vaccuums or dusts unless she is having a party. Works for her!
Good luck! :)
I agree with Kat ... take from this particular book/system what works for you and don't stress about the rest.
I bought cheap feather dusters for my girls and told them they were "Dusting Fairies" when they were all at home. They danced around shifting the dust from one place to another (which is all that really happens unless you vacuum the dust with one of those machines that have water-traps to catch it) having fun. Maybe you could get your daycare kids to do it for you ;)
And, yes, I think bathroom deep-cleaning needs done more than twice a year.
Dust? As a verb? No comprende! ;v)
I would definitely take the tips that work for you and modify what isn't working. We vacuum the entire house at least once a week, but we have a small house. I clean the bathrooms and kitchen every week and dust the 'main' areas and our bedroom every week, the spare rooms only get done about once a month unless we have company coming. I wouldn't feel bad about not sticking to the book 100%...you're still doing good just being conscious of it will help.
I used to clean my house - every single day - literally - I was manic about it - but now - a few years later - a few kids later - my house looks like a BOMB went off in it!
Definitely do what works for you and don't stress about the rest. What about the kids? Do they have chores? Dusting was (one of) my weekly responsibilities growing up. I had to dust every.single.room. And with a military father who literally ran his finger across the top of the door frame, you can bet if it wasn't done right the first time, I had to do it all over again.
I dust as much as I can, only because it triggers my allergies if I don't.
I dust as I notice it and AS i feel like it! too have alot of knickknacks and will not forgo them to dust. If I move them, I may not get them all back in their perfect spots. As for mopping, my motto is I don't mop until we stick to the floor......seriously....
Sorry I'm late reading this....been nusy at school!!! My motto is I don't mop until we stick to the floor.....had it for years and it works for us.....dusting happens when I notice it and I feel like it. Period.
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