Every few years someone asks about my cleaning routine or the Zone Work I do.
The original idea came from FlyLady back in the day when she'd send out about ten emails a day detailing in each one what task needed to be done. The moment I'd sit down to the computer, I'd open my email account and there was a long list of reminders of things I hadn't done yet! lol. It was like being nagged but in a very uplifting and nice way. Some days I didn't get it all done but I did something and doing something was the key. It helped me get my home under control.
Over the years, I've changed things up to suit me and my life, but the tasks are essentially the same without the emails, which could be annoying.
Here's how I maintain my home on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. In the hardest months, sometimes it's just the daily/weekly stuff that gets done. Other times I get lots of tasks done which fall into any one of those three areas.
Daily: I've always told my girls that there were five tasks guaranteed to help them feel they have control over their home.
1. Empty the Trash. Oddly enough an overflowing trash can will make the whole house feel dirty and cluttered. We don't have curbside (or even a curb for that matter, lol) trash pick-up. Before the family moved in we took off trash when we left the house which wasn't daily, but we did have a place to keep it out of sight until we went to town or needed to make a run to the dumpsters.
These days a dumpster run is almost a daily thing and that's just due to the nature of what goes into our garbage at the moment. Little One is determined to toss leftovers into the trash regardless of the urging to let us sort out what the pets might eat. As well, we're in potty training stages so there are diapers.
2. Do the Dishes. If you have a dishwasher at least load daily and wash those items that aren't going to fit or will be needed prior to running the next load.
No dishwasher? I lived without one for years and still kept my dishes done. Dishes were rinsed and stacked (I worked at the time) from the morning meal. When I came in from work and was working on getting supper together, I filled the sink with hot soapy water. Breakfast dishes were washed in moments between supper prep while I waited for a pot to come to the boil or to turn the meat, etc. I also cleaned up any tools used to mix or prep foods I was cooking. I'd empty the sink, then refill with hot soapy water as soon as supper was ready to serve. Then we'd scrape dishes and wash them as they came from the table. Pots and pans were done last.
TIP: You can re-use mixing bowls and even pots and pans as you work. It is not necessary to mess up a parade of dishes each time you make a meal. Just remember simple rules. Never mix items in a bowl that has contained raw meat. Making muffins and then a snack cake? Then just scrape the bowl good when the cake is mixed and mix muffins in the same bowl while the cake bakes. Cooking potatoes for salad? Mix the salad right in the pan you cooked the potatoes in. Save those extra steps where you can.
I've always air dried my dishes, but I've come to appreciate putting dishes away once they are dry. It takes only a few moments to put them in the proper place.
3. Laundry. Do at least 1 load of laundry every single day. Obviously if you have a large family at home this will be a continuous thing, but don't save laundry to do all weekend long. You can easily wash, dry and fold a load of clothes every day (or every third day if you have a smaller household). John taught me this.
He also taught me that while it's nice to separate clothes, it's okay to wash clothes altogether. We usually do sheets and towels together. Underthings and lightly worn clothing is done together. We don't have a mechanic or farmer in the household, so we seldom have really dirty clothing. When clothes are heavily soiled, those things are washed in a separate load.
TIP: Revive the art of spot treating and brushing clothing, then hanging to air instead of laundering every single item each time it's worn (exception being underwear and socks). Hang towels and wash cloths to dry between bath/shower. This cuts down dramatically on laundry and will also save water and electricity.
4. Make the bed. Just like the trash can, a messy bed can make a room feel like it's a mess. You don't have to do a perfect job, though I assure you there is a great deal of pleasure in having a nicely made bed, complete with pillows. It makes the whole room feel nice, it truly does. And there's something very therapeutic in turning back the covers and neatly stacking the pillows in the evening about an hour before you go to bed. It's a perfect signal to the body that the day is over and it's time to get ready to rest.
5. Sweep the kitchen floor. It takes only a couple of minutes to sweep the kitchen floor each evening. Quickly spot clean any fresh spills and you are done. It goes a long way to carry the home if these five things are done daily.
Next post I'll explain how I accomplish my Friday Home Blessing and Sunday (or Monday) reset tasks.
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7 comments:
After I read how mites reproduce when covered up but die when exposed to light, we no longer make our bed every morning. An excuse not to do one chore!
Mable, I learned from Heloise (the original one) to always air and allow bedding to completely dry before remaking the bed after a night's rest. And she also promoted opening a window in each room for at least ten minutes every morning to let in the nice sunny fresh air to freshen the room. I can't do that just now. The pollen here is thick and has the air hazy.
But you remind me of visit my great aunt made to Mama's back 20 years or so ago and she came out of the bedroom complaining loudly that Mama's guest bed had the Biggest Mites she'd ever seen in her life and she really ought to do something about them.
We still chuckle over Aunt Caroline who had horrible vision, seeing those mites, lol
Several years ago when my sister and I each had young children at home, we were discussing trying to keep our houses picked up. She told me she just tried to keep the dishes done and the beds made, and for her, that made her home feel put together. I've gotten into that habit as well, and no matter the rest of the house, if my sink is clear and counters clear-ish (let's face it, flat surfaces never stay clear for long around here...), it doesn't feel so chaotic. Same with making the bed. I don't get to it every morning, but most of the time, and it's more peaceful to go in there during the day.
I have a cat tearing through the house, looking out all the windows. Now I must go investigate to see what kind of wildlife is in the yard. Wish me luck it's just a rabbit!
Those are all good tips! I admit I don't make the bed most mornings but it really does make a difference. I remember feeling like Fly Lady was so over the top too - but I have held on to the 15 minute timer rule all these years. I struggle hard with procrastination (I have a very hard time feeling gratification for daily chores/housekeeping) so I use her method of setting a time for 15 minutes - and never once have I stopped after the first 15. It just breaks me out of the "I don't have time/will never get that done before x, y or z" - everyone has 15 minutes!
I needed that this week.
We have been struggling with a very sick dog for two weeks. (several vet visits, many medications). A slightly sick husband, and a wife who had dental work.
I just took the trash out. :)
Tammy, My greatest struggle of late is keeping the counters clear in the kitchen. I've found I can barely tolerate what is necessary on them. I want to clean them off and put nothing out but I need the area!
Obscure, I agree. I often try her 15 minute timer method as well and it is a huge help. I guess we all take what we can really use and then run with it don't we?
Slughorn, Bless you dear. If taking out the trash is the extent of it, then I hope it gave you a feeling of success. Hope all get to feeling much much better shortly.
Thanks for doing this post Terri! I am not afraid to admit I'm nosey and love to find out how others keep their homes going. I tried Flylady several times and it was like my mom's nagging voice. LOL Then I "grew up" and finally realized I can glean some wisdom from her and do my own thing without hearing the "nagging" via email. This year I actually came across a paper planner that I bought while on sale and it's been phenomenally helpful because it's like your ideas plus FlyLady ideas and all in a preprinted planner with check boxes. Thank you so much for sharing!
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