Word of the day: Superfluous (Adj)- Unneeded, surplus
Before I start, I want to talk about stress. Cleaning can be very stressful or can help take away your stress depending on who you are and how you're feeling. I just want you to know that in the end, everything will be worth it. The process will most likely not be done in one go.
Take a deep breath, put on some of your favorite music, and light a candle (place it in a safe place and keep watch of it) and gather your cleaning supplies. Go to the category you want to clean and choose what works for you.
Objects trigger memories but the more you own, the more you need to take care of. When you discover the objects that matter most and add the most value to your life, you'll feel better getting rid of objects that just take up space.
Sleeping area:
If you can, take off your shoes when you come into the living quarters or at least only wear house shoes in the bedroom if others in the house don't cooperate with that/ if it's easier
decide which objects are worth keeping and which just take up space and are a waste to keep maintaining
take a day to empty each drawer/closet and discard of/move/ recycle what doesn't belong in it
dust
reorganize book shelf
clean bookshelf- take all objects off, clean the objects and clean each shelf
go through boxes/containers and make sure to label them
Check out Marie Kondo's organization tips!!
clean walls and ceiling/ ceiling fans/ baseboards
take out things that don't belong (e.g. dirty dishes, empty water bottles)
try to clear at least 40% of the things off the floor
clear and clean furniture
clean under and around the bed
put away objects you used that have their own place (clean them 1st if they need it)
clean windows and mirrors
gather rubber bands/scrunchies together
water plants
wash hair turbans/ sleeping caps
put away unused objects
use an air purifier, dehumidifier, moisture eliminator
Top of dresser/nightstand:
Wipe, dust, clean mirror
Decide which objects are used most by you and place them on top and put everything else away
Nightstand/dresser top/ drawer ideas -->
Bible, glasses, book that you're currently reading, water/drink, cup of pens/pencils/ scissors, journal, medicine, lip products, perfume, phone, flower, lamp, nail clipper
Clothes:
gather dirty clothes
put away:
clean clothes
Check out Marie Kondo's organization tips!!
hang up wet clothes
separate winter and summer clothes
gather clothes to throw away, recycle, and reuse as mop clothes,
clean and put away shoes
decide which clothes are worth keeping and which just take up space and are a waste to keep maintaining
try on old outfits and donate, transform (use for something else) ones that don't fit anymore
Throw away:
old skincare and makeup products
dirty food containers
shipping packages-- mark out important details (name, address)
old magazines
moldy and torn objects that have no purpose anymore and cannot be fixed
old mail-- mark out important details
gather old papers to shred, tear, cut them up
outdated food and medicine
Reuse/ transform/ multiple purpose:
Clean/replace:
change hand towel
change sheets every week
change pillow case every 3 days/week
pillow 4 times a year
clean car, wheelchair, cane
safely sanitize phone
clean devices
sweep, vacuum, mop
take out trash
take down and clean curtains, blinds every 4-6 months
Kitchen:
clean fridge inside and out
clean microwave/devices
clean spills and crumbs
clean table tops/ counters, tables
find a day to empty cabinets and cupboards and clean them
do/let dry/put away dishes
throw out outdated foods
organize junk drawer
gather Tupperware and make sure all have tops
collect recycling
rice cooker
Living out of car/ driving a lot/camping/ rv:
shower at gym/ friends/family house
pocket camping shower
refillable water station
biodegradable soap
gym bag
bag- hygiene; bag-clothes; bag-food
duffel bag
extra blankets
first aid kit
sleeping bag
gallons of water
curtain
cooler
travel bottles
Lysol
coffee maker
window cleaner
hiking backpack
dirty clothes bag
dryer sheets
vacuum car
stove
umbrella
mace
Hotel/Motel
Sleepover
Period Bag
designate certain panties for your periods wear comfy clothes that aren't too tight
(keep them together and marked or just make them look different than the rest)
tissue
wet wipes- unscented or scented
extra pads/ tampons
extra panties
pain meds-- tylenol, midol
lotion
hair ties
haand sanitizer
Storage/shed/ attic/ basement:
clean walls and ceiling/ ceiling fans/ baseboards-use old toothbrushes to scrub hard to reach areas
dust, mop, sweep, vacuum
go through boxes/containers and make sure to label them
clean stairs/ladder
Purse/Travel Bags:
hang/pack bags up and clean them
clean out your entire purse
designate different bags for different occasions-- sleepover bag, travel bag
plastic bags for food/bottles
wet wipes and tissue
Make a list of things to bring when you travel
lotion and sanitary products
rubber bands/hair ties/ponies/scrunchies
pain medicine- Tylenol, midol
money/wallet
pad,tampon, liners
deodorant, lotion, perfume
snacks, water
chap stick
phone/chargers
toothbrush/paste
mask, gloves, goggles
pen with cover
brush/comb
fingernail clippers
mace
book
ID
mini mirror
earbuds
band-aids
School Bags:
wet wipes, tissue, hand sanitizer, masks, gloves
cough drops, gum, brush/comb/hair ties, earbuds
take everything out, turn the bag upside down and shake it, sweep up the contents that come out and clean any stains
Organize:
organize media-- movies, books, video games, consoles
Bookshelf- I like to organize my books by tallest to shortest and books in a series are beside each other and in order.
Video games- I organize by color and game series/ genre
Paperwork/ device files
organize by categories ex: manuals, to do, to buy
Color code ideas:
white binder for medical papers
black binder for auto papers
keep important documents in a safe (fire/waterproof)
junk drawer--take everything out clean the drawer, tapes together, scissors together, pens and other writing stationary objects together, small tools
plastic bags- if you have an old disinfectant wipe container, ball up and stick your plastic bags in here!
bathroom cabinet/ mirror cabinet/ under-sink cabinet/ drawer
Separate and organize medicines- cold and flu, allergy, sore throat, ear and eye drops, etc and group them all together/ beside each other
Hair products- I like to keep creams together, gels together, etc
combs, brushes, toothbrushes for hair together in drawer, rubber bands on a Carabiner Clip, keep flat irons in a file cabinet/ storage cart/ drawer or a plastic storage container or even an old cereal box
I recommend:
Nesting bins
Designating areas-- maybe you always put your broom on the side of the fridge, designate this as the broom and mop area, designate areas for objects that you use daily or often like your keys, shoes, jacket, backpack
And keep up the good work babes! I hope this helped you a lot and remember take things slow and work at your own pace.
Mold
