“Got my house cleaned.”

“Getting my house clean would a HUGE win.”

“Getting my house clean would be huge for me too.”

“Want to clean my house? Please?”

The Facebook thread read.

I think most of us want a clean home. But for some reason, cleaning is the one to-do that commonly gets pushed aside in favor of just about anything else.

(In my home, too, but that never has a happy ending.)

But, I have noticed an attitude shift in willingness (maybe even want to) when it comes to cleaning my home, and I believe it has to do with these 5 cleaning hacks that make cleaning (sort of) fun. (Unless your like my friend, April, who loves all the cleaning things, all the time. Then it’s totally fun.)

5 Cleaning Hacks That Make Cleaning Fun

1. Creating a flexible cleaning routine
2. Realizing that most cleaning tasks take less than fifteen minutes. (Some less than five minutes!)
3. Asking my family for help
4. Making my own cleaners
5. Organizing my cleaners and cleaning supplies.

Creating a Flexible Cleaning Routine

My book, Creating Success At Home, goes into more detail about creating a flexible cleaning routine. One of the key points the book makes is to adjust your routine and your expectations of clean according to your stage of life.

Most recently, I’ve incorporated my daily cleaning task into the Pomodoro method as I work. A simple cleaning task is a great way to stretch your body and wake up your mind during those five or ten minute breaks.

 

Cleaning Routines for Moms of Young Children

A word of encouragement to Moms of young children; you will never regret putting aside sweeping or dusting to cuddle with your children. Tidy or picked up was my goal during this stage of life.

• Children as young as three or four can help put their toys away. This is made easier by creating an easy-to-follow system.
• Designate a cubby or bin for each child, and assigning each child a photo, color, shape or symbol.
• Label the bins and the shelf with the designated symbol.
• Give a five-minute warning before clean up time.
• Signal clean up time with a song or countdown clock.
• Reduce stress by allowing for lots of margin time in between activities.

Tip: Be sure to model the routine and practice it several times to help clean-up time go smoothly.

Young children are also capable of sorting silverware (great activity for four and five year olds), setting the table, and putting away their dirty dishes. You can even give them individual dust pans and sweepers to clean the floor in their area under the kitchen table and chairs. I used to do that with my Pre-K and Kindergartners and they loved it.

Which reminds me…you could also assign weekly helper jobs. For example, one child sets the table, another sorts silverware into the dishwasher, one puts dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher and one sweeps under the table.

Cleaning Routines for Older Kids

I was sitting at lunch with a friend when I started tearing up. After letting me talk, my friend decided I was overburdened partly because I was doing too much for my family; that it was time to pass on some of the responsibility.

She went on to share that each of her kids became responsible for their own laundry at the age of 10. Hannah happened to be 10 or so at the time. So, I went home and created a simple laundry instruction sheet…from sorting, to washing to drying and hung them in the laundry room. And you know what? My girl seemed to appreciate the easy instruction and responsibility. Now, when she goes to college next Fall, I can knowing she knows how to do her laundry. (It’s cooking I’m worried about.)

Older kids can also take responsibility for their own spaces such as bathrooms and bedrooms. I never clean my daughter’s room for her (neither does she, and after organizing her room with her to try to set her up for success, I gave up and no longer fight that battle.) And I only clean her bathroom on the rare occasion I’m feeling generous.

Lately, I’ve been kind of bummed that I’ll have to take on her chore of washing dishes again when goes off to school. Dirty dishes gross me out.

Ten Chores that only take 5 minutes or less to complete

• making the bed
• cleaning the toilet
• unloading the dishwasher
• loading the dishwasher
• wiping down the counter
• putting a load of laundry in the washer
• changing the laundry to the dryer
• sorting mail
• fluffing the throw pillows and blankets in the living room
• cleaning/shining the kitchen sink

Whether you create a quick morning and evening routine or fit these chores into breaks within your day, knowing you can get them done so quickly makes it so much achievable. Conquering that mental block is more than half the cleaning battle.

Asking for Help

One night when I was still in the throes of my health battle, I called a family meeting and let them know that 1) a clean or at least picked up home is important to me 2) that regrettably, I physically was not capable of doing even the simplest of chores anymore 3) and I needed their help.

Sharing my heart and asking for help worked. Now that I’m better, I’ve taken on my share of the load. But, everyone is still responsible for folding their own laundry, loading dirty dishes into the dishwasher and picking up after themselves at the end of the day. I also delegate sweeping because for whatever reason, it hurts my back.

DIY Cleaner Recipes

I truly love making my own cleaners which serves as motivation to use them. Part of the enjoyment comes from saving so much money by using products I already have on hand. And part of it is the peace of mind I get from using safer, nontoxic cleaners. Some of my favorite DIY cleaners to make are:

DIY Granite Cleaner

Supplies & Ingredients

• 1/4 Cup – Rubbing Alcohol
• a few drops – dish liquid
• 26 oz. spray bottle
• funnel
• water

Directions

• Use the funnel to add alcohol to spray bottle
• pour a few drops of dish liquid into the bottle
• use a funnel to fill the bottle with water

Shake before use.

Tip: Use distilled water if you have hard water.

DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner

I LOVE this cleaner. I have used many other stainless steel cleaners that worked just fine, but nothing beats natural and simple ingredients that work!

Supplies & Ingredients

• 16 oz. spray bottle
• water
• a few drops – dish liquid
• funnel
• microfiber cloth for stainless steel

Directions

• use a funnel to add water to spray bottle
• add a few drops of dish liquid
• shake before use
• spray appliance generously
• wipe away cleaner with microfiber cloth moving from top to bottom in an S motion

Tip: For extra stubborn prints or steaks, I use Bio Green Clean.

DIY Carpet Deodorizer

This carpet deodorizer rocks my stink intolerant nose and deep longing for a fresh smelling home world! It smells so good, and it’s so easy to make!!

Supplies

• lavender essential oil
• purification essential oil
• baking soda
• fork
• small bowl
• funnel
• glass jar with sprinkle lid ( Use a 7 oz. olive jar and punch holes in the lid with an awl and hammer.)

Directions

• pour baking soda in a bowl
• add 5 to 10 drops of lavender oil, depending on how strong you want the scent
• add 5 to 10 drops of purification, depending on how strong you want the scent
• blend the essential oils into the baking soda with a fork
• use a funnel to pour the mixture into the jar and place on lid

Sprinkle liberally over carpets, rugs, upholstery and mattresses. Let sit for 15 minutes up to overnight.

 

Then vacuum to reveal a brighter, fresher space.

Tip: Glass jars are recommended when using essential oils because they are extremely concentrated and can erode plastic.

 

DIY Daily Bathroom Cleaning Spray

 

Using a cleaner to daily wipe down the countertop, sink and mirror means that I hardly ever need to do a big bathroom cleaning. I also love waking up to a shiny bathroom.

Supplies

• tea tree essential oil (a natural antibacterial disinfectant )
• 16 oz spray bottle
• funnel
• water
• dish liquid

Directions

• Use a funnel to add water to the spray bottle
• add a few drops of dish liquid
• add 7 to 10 drops of tea tree oil
• shake before each use.
• Spray on counter and sink. Wipe counter, then wipe mirrors with residual cleaner. Shine faucets and then wipe sink clean.

You can WATCH the video tutorial on how to make each of these cleaners here.

 

See you in class,