Ever just stare at your house is disbelief and not in the good way? Sometimes days just fly by and the next thing I know I have mountains everywhere. Mountains of laundry, dishes, papers and assorted items scattered over every flat (and not flat) surface. Not to mention the mental mountains of bills about to be due, school commitments or crafts projects I promised to do with my girls. And to make it worse sometimes it’s just so overwhelming I hide in a corner, turn on the tv and order take out.
Well it’s time to stop that! Ideally before we get to that last stage but sometimes it just happens anyway. So here’s how to tackle it when you don’t know where to start.
Before you start
Before you get going you need to figure out a few things. Like what’s for dinner. Because nothing is going to be worse than having spent hours putting your whole house back together just to go right back in panic mode realizing you didn’t have a plan for dinner. So defrost the chicken or throw in a slow cooker meal. Or even just plan for pizza. But know before you start.
Optionally you may want to pick out some music or a favorite movie whose soundtrack you like (I like to challenge myself to be done by the end of the movie). I also like to open the windows to let some fresh air in, even if it’s winter and cold out. I’ll try a couple half open just for a bit of breeze.
Prepwork
Set the stage for efficiency. All the laundry you plan on doing needs to be piled up in front of the washer. All of it. Linens too if they need it. And really if you have the time to do the sheets you will never regret having a fresh bed to crash into after you’re done. And if you don’t have time learn how to fake it here. Get your first load started and use a timer or turn the volume up on the machine so you can keep the laundry train going throughout the process.
In addition to prepping the laundry you’ll also want to go around the house and gather any dirty dishes. Don’t wait till you’re in that room and slowly fill the sink. Just do it all now. Also if you’re REALLY needing everything done you’ll want to go through the fridge to pull out any containers that need to be dumped out and washed too. If you have a dishwasher get it started. Let the machines do their work while you do yours!
You’ll also want to get a large hamper or basket designated to hold things that don’t belong in the room you’re working in. Along with you’re cleaning supplies.
Wet rooms
If you don’t have a washer, or rather if you are the washer… Start in the kitchen. With the dishes. A clean sink is always a huge impact in getting a house in order. It’s also my frog if you will so once they’re done it’s all downhill for me.
When the dishes are washed actually clean out the sink before turning the water off. An empty sink is good but a clean and shiny sink is so much better. If you can stand it try and dry everything off with a clean kitchen towel and get it put away too.
Next in the kitchen is removing anything that shouldn’t be there. Put that stuff on your dining room table for now. Put away anything misplaced within the kitchen that should be there and wipe everything down. If needed wipe out your appliances like the microwave and if you opened the windows and aren’t scared of the self cleaning function on your oven start that too. Just don’t forget to plan on wiping it out when it’s cool. Or not tie up the oven if you plan on using it to cook with when the house is done.
If you’re like me you keep the bigger boxes and gallon jugs next to the trash can instead of in it so now is a good time to take care of those things. Along with the trash bag if it’s full enough since you’re going that way anyway. If not leave it for later.
Of course the other wet room would be the bathroom. Clear off the counters and shower and anything on the back of the toilet so you don’t have to be gentle spraying or wiping things. Put them in your hamper for now. Start with the toilet first and spray it down and use any toilet cleaners you prefer. Let it sit and work while you move on to the bathtub/shower. Spray it all down or sprinkle tub cleaner. Whatever you use just get it started. Next the counter, sink and mirror.
Now wipe and clean in reverse order. Vanity first. Then tub and lastly toilet. All going from top down. So mirror, counter, sink. Top to bottom in the shower. Top and front of toilet, lid and seat, then bowl.
Replace everything that belongs in the bathroom giving them a quick wipe paying attention to the bottoms since they likely get wet and leave gunk on the bottom. Take out the trash and replace the bag.
Dry Rooms
Start each dry room (bedrooms, living spaces, offices, etc) by removing everything that doesn’t belong in that room and placing said items into your large basket. When that basket gets full just unload on your dining room table.
When everything extra is out of the room you may put away whatever is out of place but lives in that room. Or you could do this simultaneously while picking up the things that need to go to another room. Whichever is more efficient for you. This is also the time to make beds, fluff pillows and rearrange throw blankets. Basically put the room back in order.
When the room is picked up it’s time to actually CLEAN. Wipe down all the surfaces. And if you’re really ambitious keep a cloth in your hand while tidying and give things a wipe down as you put them back in their homes.
Go through each room like this. One room at a time until everything is picked up and wiped down. Leave the dining room last because… well you’ve condensed all your mess into one last pile.
Pick up the rest of the dining room first before tackling the dining table. Use your basket to help sort what needs going say… upstairs. Or to the end of the hall. Or wherever your stuff is going back to. Of course when your table is clear wipe it down, put a fresh table cloth on, or a bowl of fruit or flowers. Whatever your dining room throw pillow might be.
Floors
You may have noticed we haven’t touched the floors yet. I have carpet and hard floors so I start with a quick sweep on the hard floors followed by a whole house vacuum. Including the hard floors using the attachment to get under the cabinets and in the corners. And if I have the energy and time left I’ll mop the hard floors too.
Almost there!
If you didn’t empty the trash earlier you may want to revisit the option now depending on how much you added to it or if you just really want an empty or non stinky bag when you’re done.
Before I sit down and lose all steam I’ll light a couple candles and or incense. Start up the diffuser. Whatever you prefer to make the house smell nice. This might also be the time to close back up your windows if it’s cold out.
Now you can sit and watch TV while you fold laundry. Enjoy your favorite drink while you do it. Know you reset the whole house without losing your mind. And even planned dinner for the night!
Extra tips
Use a fresh cleaning rag between the kitchen and bathrooms and also between wet and dry rooms.
Pile laundry on the bed as it comes out of the dryer and keep going with the rest of the house.
Start the candles, incense or diffuser just before you start the floors so by the time you sit down the house is already perfumed.
A cleaning caddy from the dollar store is perfect to store your cleaning products and tools in to carry from room to room.
What are you’re favorite tricks to get the house in order fast?
