I first saw this idea from FlyLady. I did make a few adjustments that seem to work better for me. You are welcome to print this off and keep it where you can grab it in a moments notice- like those moments when you get a phone call from a surprise visitor saying "I'm on my way!" ... we all have those times, right? This cleaning system will help you in your crazy dash to clean your entire house before the visitors get to your door!
Speed Cleaning
10 Steps to a Clean House Now!
- Make Your Bed. This always comes first.
- Get Dressed. Fix your face and hair and put your shoes on too
- Set the Mood. Put on some good working music & light a good-smelling candle.
ARE YOU READY?!?
Use a timer for the next steps and spend 10 minutes on each numbered task
When the timer goes off, it is time to move on.
- Kitchen. Start with the sink - wipe it down and clear it out. Then fill the sink up with hot soapy water and start to clear off the counters. DO NOT GET SIDETRACKED AND START TO CLEAN OUT A CABINET. WE ARE DOING ONLY SURFACE CLEANING. Empty the dishwasher. Load the dishwasher. Wipe down the counters and wipe down the outside all your appliances. (Maybe wipe the inside of your microwave if you have some extra time.) *Please note, this will take longer than 10 minutes, we know that. The goal is to work hard for 10 minutes, then move on to step 5. You will come back to this step and finish what you didn’t get done the first time around.
- Living Room. Get a laundry basket and put the things that don't belong in the living room in the basket. (You will take care of these items later.) Take a garbage bag and start throwing away the trash. When the timer goes off, head to the bathroom.
- Bathroom. Clean the bathroom sink first, swish the toilet, then pick up the dirty clothes and put them in the hamper. Straighten the rugs, hang some fresh towels if you need to. Wipe the mirrors and spray some air freshener
- Break. Walk around and look at what you have accomplished in just 30 minutes. Set the timer for 10 minutes and have a seat. Grab a snack and grab a drink. When the timer goes off, you are back in work mode.
- Repeat steps 4,5 & 6, picking up where you left off. Spend 10 minutes on each step, then take another 10 minute break. Do this until you are happy with your results. It may be one rotation, it may be 2 or 3.
- Floors. Sweep, then vacuum, then mop, each for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off after moping, take a break. Repeat as necessary.
- Take Care of it. All the items you gathered in the laundry basket can now be put away.
Every 30 minutes take a 10 minute break- does that make sense? We can all stay focused on one job for 10 minutes. You are going to be so surprised at how much you get done in a day's time. You can do this. Now turn off the computer and get to work!
8 comments:
problem...once you get into a project, how do you walk away when it's not completed? I mean soapy water only stays warm for so long sitting in your sink...am I missing the genius?
I will try today and let you know how it worked. I have been up with a sick kid since 1am..I could use a miracle to get anything done today. :)
Natalie- I thought the same thing!!! I am one who has a hard time walking away from any unfinished project, let alone a dirty one. BUT, with that said, I am such a perfectionist that a quick clean doesn't really happen for me either- I HAVE to clean the microwave, I HAVE to unclutter my cupboards, otherwise, it just doesn't feel clean. And that is ok for when I have the time to do it all, but at times when I need to get it clean and I need to have several rooms cleaned fast, the timer is a great way to keep me focused on the surface only so that I don't get sidetracked and start cleaning the fridge!
love the turn off the computer part, that is probably my biggest hurdle!!!
I'm going to try it today! (And Stephanie, you're so right... This isn't for those deep clean Saturdays when we have the time... it's for those crazy weekdays when we feel pulled in about a bazillion directions.) Thank you!!
great... you want to come over to my house and show me how it's done?
Flylady's theories are all about letting go of perfection and realizing that doing something is better than doing nothing, even if you do not finish the project. Her website helps more than just cleaning. She wants you to FLY (finally loving yourself) and realize that you can do anything for just 15 minutes and get a lot accomplished! Her weekly zone cleaning are for the deep cleaning and de-cluttering. She calls this Crisis Cleaning, and it's really for when someone calls and says "I'll be there in an hour" and you haven't really stayed on track with the messes around the house.
Focusing on one task at a time, you'll be surprised at what can be finished in ten minutes. If you always do deep cleaning every week then it shouldn't take more than ten minutes to quick mop and sweep. Flylady also tells you that when you are doing the quick cleaning to just do the middle of the rooms, not detailed cleaning.
Flylady helps so many people, and it baffles a lot of people at how she does it. I am not a born organized person, as some may be, but my house is finally getting decluttered and cleaned because of flylady!
I love flylady and have been following her for about 10 years now :) I have read all her books, and diligently applied her principles but currently... I am a flybaby drop-out. I plan to "get up and start where I am" as she says and take "baby steps" to get things back in order ;) She is great and I am always inspired by her and her great principles. Love your new blog steph!
This saved my bum while I was sick this week. Even just doing the 30 minutes you suggested we start with made things manageable. Featured in my Friday Favorites this week!
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