Wow! Time flies! This will be my third year linking up with a fantastic bunch of ladies sharing some of my life with the Share Our Lives linky! At the end of December I saw the list of prompts for each month and I am excited for them! This month we're starting off with Saving time on our chores!
Doing the housework and chores around the house is no fun, well I don't find it fun at all. I don't wake up and think what a glorious day to scrub the toilet but unless you want to live in a dirt filled house some cleaning is required! There are ways to save time on the chores around your home and I am sharing them.
Declutter first, clean later!
The less stuff you have, the less you have to clean, it’s that simple!! Take a good look around your home and ask yourself if you really need all those knick knacks, old magazines or random gadgets gathering dust. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and ask, “Does this bring me joy?” If the answer is no, it’s time to say goodbye. I have always found that when there is less clutter it looks tidier and it certainly makes it easier to clean.
Do a good enough clean!
Perfection is overrated. Do you really need to polish the kettle until you can see your reflection? If the sink is shiny and the kitchen sides are crumb free, you’re winning! Think of it as the difference between Pinterest clean where you just clean what is necessary and Mother in law clean where everything inside and out of everywhere is spotless.
Multitask!
If you're waiting for the kettle to boil wipe down the kitchen sides while you’re at it or if you’re binging your latest TV obsession fold laundry at the same time.
Go for All in One cleaning products!
Why juggle five different bottles when one multi purpose cleaner can do the job? Look for products that can tackle multiple surfaces, like glass, counters and tiles. You’ll save time switching between products and make your cleaning caddy much lighter.
Delegate like a boss!
Why do all the work yourself when you can enlist help! Got kids, perfect they're unpaid workers but shorter. Turn chores into a game: who can pick up the most toys in two minutes or who can match socks the fastest. Convince your partner that vacuuming is a “fun couple’s activity” or that taking out the bins is a workout. Bribery works, too. A cup of tea or a cheeky biscuit can be a great motivator!
Invest in time saving gadgets!
Technology is your friend. Robot vacuums are basically pets that clean up after you and don’t get me started on cordless vacuums, no more wrestling with a plug that doesn’t quite reach the corner. If a gadget can shave minutes off your chore time, it’s worth it. Treat yourself!
The 10 minute dash!
Set a timer for 10 minutes and see how much you can get done. You’ll be amazed at how motivating it is to race the clock. It’s like being on a game show, except the grand prize is a clean living room and the satisfaction of being an adult who has their life sort of together.
Have a cleaning playlist!
I remember when my girls were at school the teachers would play the Mission Impossible theme to motivate them to tidy the classroom. Make a list of songs which motivate you, one's you can sing and dance along to help! You can also use the playlist as a timer!
Lower your standards!
Sometimes, the best way to save time on chores is to not do them. Nobody ever died from skipping a week of mopping. Dim the lights, light a candle, and suddenly your slightly dusty home looks cosy instead of chaotic. Remember: dust is just a protective coating for your furniture!
Reward yourself!
Every chore session deserves a reward. Cleaned the bathroom? That’s a brownie worthy achievement. Tackled the pile of dishes? A cup of tea and a sit down are in order. Positive reinforcement isn’t just for training pets it works on humans too!
At the end of the day chores are just chores! They’re not meant to take over your life. Remember, a house doesn’t have to be perfect to feel like home!
I am linking up with:
Dara from Not In Jersey.
Jen from Show me & Sweet tea.
Joanne from Slices of Life.
Sarah from Toronto Sam.
I love this - so similar to my way of thinking about chores, except I no longer have the unpaid household help to delegate to. When we first moved, I basically had zero clutter and it was very easy to clean when starting from scratch like that, although it was TOO minimalist to do long term. I'm not good at decluttering but it's so helpful! Maybe I'll play the Mission Impossible theme when I get home from work today and straighten up my kitchen and dining area while dinner is in the oven.
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas!
ReplyDeleteI agree perfection doesn't need to be the goal. Women especially are so hard on themselves in this area, but a happy home is more than just one that's spotless. I married someone who is very neat and that helps a lot!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I love all your tips. I was nodding along as I read your post. Thank you! Off to make my cleaning playlist now...
ReplyDelete