The
3-Step Cleaning Solution for Busy Moms
by Christine Spense
Children need picking up after soccer practice?
Super Mom to the rescue! Dinner needs to get on
the table? Once again, Super Mom is there! A
task at work that no one else wants to tackle?
You already know who will deal with it - you.
With the stresses of your day-to-day life,
housecleaning is likely the last thing on your
mind. And yet, it's hard to ignore, since the
proof of it equals a cluttered, messy house -
definitely not the happy haven you want your
home to be.
Here, then, is a simple 3-step solution to help
finally solve the hassle of housecleaning. If
you're a 'happy slob' like me - just a laid
back, fun natured person who'd rather be doing
anything but cleaning - then it might be exactly
the solution you've been looking for.
The 3-Step Solution Simplified:
1. Two daily cleaning bursts. What is a
cleaning burst? A cleaning burst is an intense
burst of cleaning - getting maximum results in
minimum time. Try to do one cleaning burst in
the morning and one in the evening. You decide
how much time you can budget for each burst.
Only five minutes? Fine! If you've got twenty,
great! Use a timer to keep track, and when it
rings, you're done. During your cleaning bursts,
stay focused on cleaning - and clean your impact
areas first (the areas that people see the most
in your home.) Get family involved, even if they
only help for a few minutes.
2. One daily Focus Room: The daily focus
room is an area where you do more in-depth
cleaning. Create a list of focus rooms that
includes storage areas. I recommend 10-15
minutes a day in your focus room, but if you
don't have that much time, then just spend the
time you can afford. If you have more time, then
go for it!
3. One weekly Clean-for-All: One day a week,
you and the family finish up the rest of the
housecleaning that didn't get done during the
week, or any larger jobs. Keep track during the
week of areas that need more work during your
clean-for-all. Assign tasks to all members of
the family. Again, set a time budget and use
your timer to stick to that budget. Anything
that doesn't get done this week will get done
next week - so don't stress! Reward everyone for
helping out, including yourself.
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Why does it work? It's simple, flexible, fast, and keeps you
focused on the tasks at hand while you are cleaning. And,
it's surprisingly effective - after doing this for only a
few days, you'll see a big difference. Just remember: do
what you can, and then carry on with your life.
Cleaning Formulas
Cleaning formulas aren't all they're cracked up to be. You'd
think, for instance, that anti-bacterial cleaner would be
your best friend. If it cleans and kills nasty bacteria, it
must be good, right? Wrong-o my friend! In fact, these
cleaners can make bacteria more resistant and cause more
harm than good in the long run. Plus, the chemicals in many
commercial cleaners are dangerous for children and pets.
Natural cleaners are an excellent option - they're easier on
you, your family, your wallet, and the environment. Here are
two simple ones to get you started…
Very Vinegar Cleaner
A fantastic all-purpose cleaner.
In a clean spray bottle (not a bottle that has contained
other chemicals) pour 1 part white vinegar to 3 or 4 parts
plain cool tap water. Give the bottle a good shake. This
stuff is amazing on glass, mirrors, and all other surfaces
in the home. And don't worry, the smell dissipates quickly.
If you want to add extra cleaning power, add a few drops of
natural liquid soap.
Powder Cleanser Substitute
One ingredient - baking soda. This will replace any powdered
cleanser you usually buy. Baking soda is inexpensive, safe
for you and your family, and a lot friendlier to the
environment. Plus, it gets sinks, tubs, and tiles really
nice and clean.
Cleaning no longer has to be a much-hated chore. Using the
Happy Slob's techniques, you can finally clean in less time,
while having more fun! Try today - just start with the
cleaning bursts, then when you're accustomed to that, add a
bit of focus room cleaning. Your home will thank you for the
attention!
About the Author: Christina is the author of: "The
Happy Slob's Guide to Housecleaning." Drop by her website at
http://www.happyslob.com for more information on the book
and join her fun, FREE weekly newsletter. Even more laid
back 'Happy Slob' cleaning tips at Christina's blog: http://happyslob.blogspot.com.
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