Monday, August 24, 2009

A Clean Home is a Happy Home...


Well, hello! I've been thinking a lot lately about the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of our apartment. I'm the kind of person that gets really stressed out if things aren't where they are supposed to, or when there's a lot of clutter, or if things are left undone.

Mark, on the other hand, could not care less about cleanliness. Thankfully, he is very willing to work to help keep things clean, but we have different standards of cleanliness.

Like if something of his is in the middle of the floor, I might pick it up to have him put it away, and he will promptly go and like lay it in a corner. And then I will either ask him (ever so nicely) to put it away for real, or I will give an exasperated sigh and pick it up myself and put it away. So this is a work in progress.

But once things are finally put away, there's still the level of deep cleaning. I don't think I ever really learned how to deep clean. I have so many questions about deep cleaning.

Like how do you really keep your stove clean? And like all that nasty crumb stuff that gets stuck in tiny crevices? How does a person get that out? Do you have to use some sort of razor edge thing? Edges drive me crazy - how do keep them clean?

I did finally figure out the problem I always had when cleaning my sinks - they always had water spots. Then I realized if I dried them thoroughly with a cloth that wouldn't happen - it only took like 5 years to learn that.

So I thought, well, surely it can't be that much money to get a house cleaner to come once a month.

Okay so I was wrong. Way too expensive. (At least for now on our budget, but I have every intention of hiring one once there is a bigger house and kiddos).

So for now, it's up to me, (and Mark) to learn how to clean better. I wish there were classes somewhere. I'm thinking about switching to all natural cleaners as well (vinegar/water).

Anyone have any luck with this? Any good cleaning tips? Anyone want to come clean my apartment?

~Kathryn

5 comments:

  1. Well, I use laundry detergent that I make from soap and a few other ingredients and vinegar to rinse the items and no need for fabric softener. We have a housekeeper but that is for the sanity of the house - my hubby is the clean freak and I am the oh, well person.
    great blog - hello from SITS and Oklahoma City.
    nickannycreations.blogspot.com
    Mathea

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  2. Hey Kathryn!
    Stephanie Henderson's mom has/had a checklist on her fridge that had everything that needed to be cleaned, when, and how. It seems like a great thing to resort to when cleaning! :)
    Good Luck!

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  3. Guys are hopeless! My husband has every intention of being clean as well, but it never quite makes the cut. I'll ask him to pick up the living room and he'll put away everything...except his undershirt and socks crammed in the corner of the couch! He says he didn't notice them, and I have no doubt he's telling the truth. Guys and girls just have different standards!

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  4. I love having a clean house too!! Listed below are a few simple things you can do on a day-to-day basis that help the overall feeling of your house.

    1. Make your bed every morning. Not only does it help your bedroom look tidy, it's always nice to get into a bed that's been made.

    For your benefit, I set a timer this morning when Granddaddy and I made the bed and it only took 1 minute and 25 seconds--and we have 5 pillows.

    2. Don't sit dirty dishes in your sink. Either rinse and put them in the dishwasher or wash them and put them away. It really doesn't take much time.

    A friend of my mother's who was an excellent cook taught me to "clean while you cook." In other words, rather than throwing utensils, bowls, etc. in the sink while cooking, either rinse them and put them in the dishwasher or wash them and put them away. It's really doesn't take any time. Of course, your last minute pots and pans don't count. You can do those after you've eaten--don't let your food get cold.

    3. Along the same line, the last thing I do before heading off to bed is to turn on the dishwasher. It takes less than a minute. And the first thing Granddaddy does in the morning (after flipping on the coffee pot that I've loaded the night before) is to empty the dishwasher getting it ready for the day ahead. He says that it takes less than five minutes. Mark could do this. (Sorry Mark.)

    4. Put things back in their place after using them. For example, put your makeup and hair stuff back in their places after using them in the morning. This only takes a few seconds.

    5. "Do not fret--it only leads to evil (Ps. 37:8). Do what you can and don't worry about the rest.

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  5. Kathryn--In response to this post, I have sent you a package! They are some books that I found helpful in learning to keep house, and especially to keep things clean. From my library to yours...Enjoy!

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