The Secret To A Clean House
Keeping a consistently clean home day in and out has never been my forte but it has consistently been a desire of mine. I try to watch those that are able to keep a clean house and one of the secrets that I have figured out, that is consistent with every clean home, is a lack of clutter. In fact there is not a whole lot in the house at all and everything has a purpose, decorations and knick knacks are limited to only the necessary. Flylady believes that you should de-clutter once a week. Put away throw away or give away every time. Here are some tips that have made the whole de-clutter process easier for me:
1. Take a picture – A photo doesn’t collect nearly the amount of dust in a photo album as the actual object does. This works for those wonderful gifts, children’s projects you are so proud of and even loving cards given to you by special people in your life. Scan them in or take a picture and add them to your journal and or scrapbook and turn it into a fun family history item that you can take where ever you go.
2. Think twice before you bring it into your house. As a home manager you manage everything that goes into the house. Realize that even a small toy from a McDonald’s happy meal will have to be managed, even picked up multiple times. Ask yourself how many times do I want to wash, pick up or handle this object and if you love it enough to add it to the list of things you have to manage you have my permission to take it home. I use to think it was crazy when I would want to give my friends things for their home and they would not be excited about it but now I know why. And I’ve changed my giving practices. I now give clutter free gifts to those I love, like gift cards, new kitchen towels, perishables and other practical items.
3. Maintain the top three clutter problems: Dishes, Laundry and Mail. I’ve heard it said that you should only touch the mail once. One of my friends uses an expanding file in her kitchen by the phone and places items she needs in there, another uses a notebook with a place for messages, a calendar and pockets for papers and bills. There are many systems but keeping up with mail, laundry and dishes really keeps things from taking over your home.
4. No small toys – it started out as a way to prevent choking but it grew to be so much more than that. We even got rid of our toy box and were able to put toys on shelves instead. Those tiny shoes that Polly Pocket wore were the worst. Polly is adorable but picking up after her not so much. Now that my children are old enough to pick up after themselves, the rule has been lifted a little but they don’t like picking up all the tiny things any more than I did.
5. Manage Magazines Monthly – I’m a big fan of Family Fun and the Church Magazines but they can take over my home if I let them. I can usually have them cut up and put into notebook sleeves or files every 3 or four months and I love being able to find what I’m looking for right away. A good set of tabs for the Family Fun Notebook, are Recipes, Crafts, Parties and Activities.
6. A Box a Week – My friend has 5 children and is able to come up with a box a week to give to charity. This includes clothes her children have outgrown, knickknacks, books, dishes and just about anything you can think of. It is crazy how much things just add up. And while sometimes it is hard to give away your stuff, think of the time it takes to put it away, or dust it and you might just find it easier to put it in the give away box.
7. Have a space for everything – I never thought about it but one of my friends has a separate place for her children to play so there are no toys in their rooms. What? I said no toys in their rooms, no books, nothing but beds and a TV (more for her sanity then theirs). Their rooms are always clean and it almost seems as though they sleep better too. Their playroom is neatly organized and maintains a check-out system, when they get something out they have to put it away before getting anything else out. All of their toys are locked in cabinets and while I’ve never tried that before, I am loving how clean her home always is.
8. Birthday and Christmas Giveaway – teaching my children to declutter hasn’t always been easy until I taught them that they have to make room for something better. So before their birthdays or Christmas we go through their belongings and de-clutter, giving away things we can and throwing away things that are broken. Then, when they get something wonderful they have a place already saved for it. Some of my friends rotate their children’s toys. I tried that but ended up forgetting about the rotation until they were too old to play with them.