Share Your Cleaning Tips, Tricks, Schedules, & Techniques!

freebumblebee · 2015-06-22T01:07:33+00:00

I also work part-time from home, while my husband works full-time in a very demanding job with long hours (or, as he puts it, "I go out and slay the dragons so you don't have to", haha). As such, I try to make sure that whenever he gets home/on the weekends, it's just relaxation/fun time. To achieve this, I do 100% of the household chores/cooking/etc., and really only turn to him for yard work (which he is more than happy to do - I also always whip up some quick, tasty dessert while he's out mowing as a 'thank you' for taking care of business, which he really appreciates.)

In terms of cleaning schedules... I have THE LIST. It's just a rundown of all of my daily chores (and personal goals) to keep the house (and myself) on a neat-and-tidy level, so that there is no one day where I do a deep clean or have to dedicate more than an hour or two to cleaning. I also got it laminated so that I can put little checkmarks with a dry erase marker next to the items I've already done during the day, which really motivates me and helps keep me on track.

Here's what's on my list:

Personal Goals

Eat a healthy, filling breakfast/lunch
Take vitamin
Drink plenty of water
Shower/shave/moisturize
Get dressed + headscarf + shoes + makeup
Work at least 4 hours
Do workout/yoga/guided meditation
Work on something that feeds my soul (this might be crocheting, painting, singing, trying a new recipe, etc.)

Household Chores

Make him coffee/breakfast
Get his lunch packed and ready for the day
Water plants
Light maintenance dusting
Start dinner in crockpot (or prep veggies/meat for dinner if not using crockpot that day)
Make bread
Clean the bathroom (wipe down/scrub the sink, toilet, and shower)
Straighten up my husband's office (generally just removing any dirty coffee cups)
Clean off/wash kitchen table
Do laundry/fold laundry
Straighten up bedroom/make the bed
Take out trash
Wash dishes (my least favorite chore!)
Wipe down counters/stove
Fill up water filter pitcher
Set 15 min. timer and walk through the house straightening up/putting things away/picking up any trash
Vaccuum/sweep floors - mop if necessary
Check finances/update You Need A Budget as needed (he has final say in the finances, but I'm the list maker/spreadsheet fiend, so he has me keep the records, haha)

I complete this list Mon-Sat, and take Sunday as a day of rest. It really is simple, easy, and usually doesn't take more than 1-2 hours to complete all of the items (depending on how much laundry I need to do!) :)

I would really recommend checking out FlyLady for some basic cleaning techniques and tips - I really like her 'set a timer for cleaning' thing, and I've found getting dressed to shoes really does have an effect in my overall efficiency. Hope some of this was helpful (this is my first ever post after lurking for months!) :)

SouthernPetite · 2015-06-22T03:04:37+00:00

I generally follow this list, except I exclude the things that aren't relevant, rearrange the order a bit to be more practical for me, and I work out for more than 10 minutes.

http://stepford-sisters.blogspot.com/2012/09/schedule-for-50s-housewife.html

SouthernPetite · 2015-06-22T15:43:40+00:00

Also, if you've never used them, microfiber towels are magic. I'm pretty sure it's what high-end restaurants, hotels, etc. use because they leave things effortlessly streak free, pulls up dust, dirt grease, and without the use of chemicals.

At most you might need to get them slightly damp. The pack I got comes with one for glass (great for bar glasses), one for chrome, one all-purpose, and one that's all-purpose on one side and a rough scrubbing surface.

Ariel125 · 2015-06-22T17:34:14+00:00

1 part bottom shelf vodka + 1 part water + 1 tbsp baking soda in a spray bottle. Spray down anything-- even sofas, chairs, and fabric, and it will disinfect plus deorderize. We have 2 dogs allowed on the den sofa and this stuff is magic! I can put my nose to the sofa and it smells new.

Side note about dogs: if your dogs don't smell neither will your furniture. If your dogs smell like crap your home will smell like crap. Bathe dogs 1-2x per month and wipe their bodies down with baby wipes daily!! I can put my face into our rough collie's mane because he just smells like shampoo and baby powder :)

Rowboat14 · 2015-06-22T02:25:07+00:00

Something that makes a huge difference for me is putting on music when I clean. I usually find a "housework songs" playlist on youtube and let it run.

I have young kids so I don't have a cleaning schedule per se, I just write a short list in the morning and get things done whenever I can (anytime the girls are playing nicely and not demanding my attention I quickly check a few things off).

Cleaning is an area that I could improve upon greatly though. I only recently discovered magic erasers and they have changed my life. hahah

somethingelse19 · 2015-06-22T10:47:21+00:00

A microfiber towel dusts better than a paper towel, newspaper or the such. I wash them with just soap and by themselves so they don't collect extra dust.

I like using Method products because they don't contain harsh chemicals which are great around small children and animals.

Consider buying more expensive air filters to cut back some dust that collects

theladygourmet · 2015-06-22T14:11:27+00:00

Holy cow! Thanks for all the amazing advice RPW!

Migidarra · 2015-06-22T00:48:05+00:00

One of the best ways to clean out dust, in my opinion, is to use windex and paper towels. Also depending on the humidity of where you are at, having a humidifier will help keep dust stationary. Always clean from top to bottom(Fans first, then work your way down until its time to vacuum/Sweep/Mop.

Aholahi · 2015-06-22T02:13:14+00:00

I take an afternoon where I tackle a large cleaning portion. I start by beginning a load of laundry, running the dishwasher, and the start in on the actual scrubbing (toilets, bathrooms, showers, etc) if you do this weekly, it doesn't take as long and it's easier (less grime).

Daily: all dishes done. Easiest way is to unload In the morning, and then all dishes go in dishwasher during the day as used. Run dishwasher nightly. Wipe down countertops as necessary.

Laundry: once daily, I start mine in the morning. This prevents build up and is more management. Fold, put away immediately. I listen to a podcast while doing so (short and sweet)

Vacuum: as many times per week as people, in your case, twice. Mop once per week, at the end of your cleaning binge.

New stuff in, old out. Ideally, remove clutter as you notice it and as new things enter the home. Alternative is quarterly organization.

Make it a party. Favorite music, podcast, nice cool drink (I like sparkling water or iced coffee).

Helpful motivator is having people over regularly. Seems counter intuitive, but the fact of people coming keeps me on my toes.

You got this!

TheThingsIThink · 2015-06-22T06:35:03+00:00

I always try to load the dishes and laundry then leave when the washing hits the dryer and the second load hits the wash. You don't have to be at home when the machines do the work for you. This includes the slow cooker. Great time to exercise or do errands.

I will also let laundry go overnight in the wash, but no longer. Structure the loads so towels and other stuff you don't iron can sit in the dryer, but stuff you hang right away comes out when your at home.

memoryofpetals · 2015-06-27T09:14:37+00:00

Since I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up I have bought little rectangular baskets to fold my underwear into and I keep my bras tidy. I also used her folding method to fold my husband's work tshirts and I also set the kitchen sponge outside to disinfect. I really recommend her book, especially if you have an interest in Japan.

mrs_cto · 2015-06-22T02:01:44+00:00

Norwex cleaning products have made cleaning so much better and more enjoyable for me. I don't know how I cleaned without them. No more paper towels or cleaning products/sprays!

orchid620 · 2015-06-22T03:25:35+00:00

I had the same issue so I looked up some schedules and I feel like this one keeps me actively cleaning everyday while not making it over whelming. Hope this helps! http://happymoneysaver.com/my-ultimate-happy-home-cleaning-routine-plus-free-printable-checklist/

FleetingWish · 2015-06-22T05:03:58+00:00

For dusting, I just use the vacuum attachment.

Anyone got any tips for getting showers clean? That's the one I have trouble with.

sariaru · 2015-06-22T06:48:07+00:00

Here is the schedule that I've based mine off of. Admittedly, I'm terrible at cleaning, but having a checklist really motivates me! I don't follow this to the letter (like taking out the trash every day? Maybe she means getting all the trash into a trashcan), but it's a great base.

GrowingSlowly · 2015-06-22T09:28:45+00:00

I, like you, have a small space that seems to take forever to dust, so I've broken down my dusting into pieces so that it doesn't feel overwhelming. One day I will do certain shelves, another day is different shelves, or pictures, baseboards, etc. Each 'chunk' has a different day so it seems like less.

Like others have mentioned, I also do a lot of 'tidying'. I am constantly picking one thing or another up and putting it in it's rightful place. I clean bits a pieces throughout the week and then I do one big clean every Saturday. Because I've done some dusting and such throughout the week, even though it is a 'big clean' it doesn't seem as bad.

I've recently discovered that I really like/need structure, so I will be planning a proper schedule for myself over the next few days. I may use some of the examples other ladies have shared in this thread.

SoonToBeMrsHim · 2015-06-22T16:09:08+00:00

My cleaning schedule is every evolving. And because of that it's written down a lot.

Whenever I find myself slacking it's typically because of a big schedule change that forced my old way of doing things out. I just put a list up on the fridge and I write down everything i do as I do it with what day it got done. Slowly it evolves into my weekly to-dos. I cross off and move and it is basically a messy scrap paper in plain view so I'm always reminded of what needs to be done and the last time it was done

For example. I use to work from home twice a month. It was a freaking life saver when you're both working. I'd get up at my normal time in the morning. As soon as hubby is done in the shower I'd strip all the towels and sheets in the house and get them going in the laundry (rookie mistake - I have taken the towels to early and then he's hollaring from the bathroom oops haha) Laundry I like to do first because it goes by it's self one it's started. Then I make a point to get the new towels out and beds re-made before my work day starts, once my work day started I just had to keep rotating the laundry and checking my work email. Easy Peasy!

Then - my work-from home days were scrapped. (BOO!) and the next thing I know I've gone 3 weeks and we're out of clean towels. Enter messy scrap paper. Now I have things set up like Tuesdays are towel/sheets nights. I get all the clothing done on the weekend but it was too much to do sheets/towels to. So I just had to pick a night. eventually you find your grove. I just like the constant reminder so it's on my fridge.

Ariel125 · 2015-06-22T16:47:53+00:00

I used to feel overwhelmed about keeping things clean. We have a 1900 sq foot house, 2 cats, 2 dogs and I work full time. We used to share the house work (well, he wound up doing more than me because I was lazy), but then I found RPW and started owning it. It's now much more manageable even with my job.

Dusting: these micro-fiber towels have changed everything!!! http://www.amazon.com/Zwipes-Microfiber-Cleaning-36-Pack-Assorted/dp/B000XECJES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434990425&sr=8-1&keywords=micro+fiber+towels They pick up dust and pet hair like a magnet and the house is staying much cleaner. They also will "clip" into a green swiffer we have!!

So aside from dusting, I noticed that if I focus on the things that REALLY annoy me more than other things, I am happier because those things are no longer dirty and I wind up doing everything else more often. Example:

I can't stand the floors being dirty. We take off our shoes in the house but with 2 cats and 2 dogs (lab that sheds like crazy and a ROUGH collie!!) the floors can have visible hair on them pretty quickly. But I have a routine now and every time my finnicky parents come over they are in awe that the house smells like we have zero animals and pet hair is at a bare minimum. I also can't stand piles of dishes in the sink or dirty countertops, or a cluttered kitchen table (it's right when you walk the house so it's easy to park objects there).

Daily: 4:30 come home, let dogs out and play with them til 5pm, if it's Tuesday or Friday throw blankets covering sofa for dogs in the wash (our couch doesn't smell!!) :) 5-5:30 start dinner, vaccuum all floors (10 minutes), THEN micro-fiber swiffer all floors (5 minutes) 5:30-6pm eat dinner with hubby 6-7pm let dinner settle for 20 minutes, then clean up kitchen/load dishwasher, scoop cat litter, wipe down bathroom if needed or if I notice after using it 7-9PM chill with hubby, exercise dogs in yard and/or walk them for 20 minutes 9-10pm fold laundry in bedroom or put away misc things I see around, then shower (I like getting into bed clean), chill with computer (and pets at my feet)

Friday (I work from home that day and it's awesome, I do this in between checking emails) wash bedsheets, then do laundry dust with micro-fiber towels wash throw blankets from couch wet swiffer floors

Sat-Sun clean up gardening beds sweep driveway after hubby cuts the lawn

ladieaupair · 2015-06-23T14:39:23+00:00

I pick different days of the week for different chores. Sometimes I alternate with certain things, but certain things stay certain days - for example, Saturday is grocery shopping day, Sunday is laundry day. Those will never change; the routine is comforting.

Dusting - I LOVE the little Swiffer dusters. They are a miracle. I use them at home and in my office.

Floors - we have hardwood in our living room and kitchen, but they've been pretty well beat to death by our dogs. We plan to refinish them before we sell the house, so as of right now I just focus on cleaning them. Because we have dogs, the floors need to be swept frequently - especially this time of year, our shepherd mix is blowing her coat right now so there are tufts of undercoat everywhere. Again, I freaking LOVE Swiffers. The Swiffer wet is actually really great - the floors look amazing afterward. Every now and then, mop with Murphy's Oil to maintain what's left of their beauty. My SO actually really loves vacuuming, so he does the carpets - just shake out some carpet freshener, vacuum. We have very, very little carpet so it takes about 10 minutes of actual work.

Cleaning in winter changes a lot as we live in a very cold place and we heat with wood - there's a lot of tracking in sand and salt, so there's a lot of wet Swiffering on all of the floors. Hauling in firewood leaves pieces of bark on the floors, cleaning the woodstove gets ash all over the place, and the dogs and our boots track snow all over the place. If anyone else here heats with wood, my SO discovered something awesome to use as a great firestarter instead of a basket of kindling is to take a cardboard egg carton and fill the cups with a mixture of candle wax and dryer lint - stick one cup in towards the top of your build, and light it - it catches really, really well.

nkbee · 2015-06-29T20:41:22+00:00

My SO has psoriasis, so dust is a constant battle. For lots of surfaces, I just use the little tubey end of the vacuum cleaner because otherwise it's just...bad. I find anything else just tends to move it. I even vacuum my window sills first, then wipe them down.

[deleted] · 2015-07-02T09:01:47+00:00

Amazing list! x

zorginbagel · 2015-06-24T20:43:06+00:00

I use an app called wunderlist to keep track of my daily routine. I have items on it that very closely lines up with the awesome post /u/headscarfsweetie posted, but I can set chores to repeat daily, every other day, weekly, etc. Each day it will generate a "Today" list that I can go down and check things off as I achieve them. The best part is my SO can be shared on the list and we can both add things to the lists(s) as needed.

Title	Share Your Cleaning Tips, Tricks, Schedules, & Techniques!
Author	theladygourmet
Upvotes	40
Comments	52
Date	June 21, 2015 11:38 PM UTC (11 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/RedPillWomen
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/RedPillWomen/comments/3ank05/share_your_cleaning_tips_tricks_schedules/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/RedPillWomen/share-your-cleaning-tips-tricks-schedules.2273 https://theredarchive.com/post/2273

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