Cleaning 101
We are all born, we all must die, we all must pay taxes and we all need to clean our homes (unless we like bugs and dirt). It is one of the most dreaded tasks and if you live alone, sometimes quite overwhelming. If you’re determined to get it done without the aid of a professional housekeeper, here are a couple tips to keep you organized and on track.
Preparation and Planning
Make lists - You’ll be working, perhaps going to school, keeping up with friends, and doing everything else you want to do before you start cleaning… The time that you’ll going to have for “chores” will be minimal. Keeping a list of the things you NEED to do, in priority order, helps keep you on track. If you create a checklist, each time a chore is completed, mark it out in big red pen, it’s a small thing, but when the entire list is done, you’ll feel like you really accomplished something (and you did!).
Prioritize – If you’re short on time, plan which things need to be done first. This may include taking out the trash (leaving that one go will cause odor problems), sweeping and washing windows and mirrors. Think about things that you need to do to keep sanitary (cleaning out the refrigerator) and things that will make the biggest impression (believe it or not, if you’re having guests over, cleaning your door will give the impression of a clean apartment!). A little dust isn’t that big of a deal, but pet hair bunnies living on your floor is a bit disgusting.
Communicate and agree with your roommate - If you have a roommate, BEFORE you move in together, decide who is going to do what tasks. Agree in writing if you have to. More arguments seem to take place over “who’s going to do the dishes” than from anything else. (Another tidbit that will keep harmony with your roommate is to always clean up after yourself. If you make the mess, you best be the one to take responsibility for it!)
Money - Set up a jar or bank to put your spare change. Cleaning supplies can add up to a substantial amount and isn’t usually figured into living expenses.
Clean often – It is much easier to climb a hill than climb a mountain. Cleaning the toilet isn’t the greatest thing to experience in life, but it IS MUCH easier to keep on top of it once a week rather than dealing with the mess that will build up over the course of a couple months. Remember what your mother always said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Plus, always looking in the back of your refrigerator will probably save you from some yucky surprises later. It’s the same for taking out the trash… There’s only so many odors that nice air freshener or incense will cover up. Some smells just don’t want to go away….
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