#11 Clean as you go {52 bites}

I sat down just now and typed out this title, then realized there were lunch dishes still in the sink and dried clothes in the dryer.

Apparently I need to read this post. 

I’m happy to say I got up, did the lunch dishes, folded the clothes, and even put them away (applause, please!) before finishing this post. Yes, I’m trying.

We all know it’s true. It’s so much easier to keep a house clean than it is to get a house clean. If we “stay on top” of things, we’re saved a lot of grief–and hours–scraping crusty dishes, sorting mountainous piles of foul-smelling socks, and folding cold, wrinkly clothes from the dryer. It does feel so good to wake up in the morning to a clean home; I find that it dramatically impacts my outlook on the day–whether I feel energized or overwhelmed.

But all that said, I still struggle to clean as I go. And no matter how many good excuses I have, I want to grow in this area. Tsh makes a simple list of the “clean as you go” daily items, and how much time they take–just for perspective on how little time it really takes to keep up:

• making the bed: 1 to 2 minutes
• decluttering the bathroom counter after getting ready for the day: 1 minute
• wiping off the bathroom mirror and faucet from water marks: 10 seconds
• clearing the dining table from the meal (especially if everyone brings their own plate back to the kitchen): 1 to 2 minutes
• unloading the dishwasher: 3 to 5 minutes
• loading the dishwasher: 5 to 10 minutes
• wiping off the dining table: 1 minute
• wiping off the kitchen counters after cooking: 2 minutes
• throwing away items after using them (envelopes, wrappers, etc.): 5 seconds
• putting the magazine back in the basket after I’ve perused it: 5 seconds

You know the deal though, right? The bottom line is that doing all of this takes discipline and focus. And many of us with young kids are constantly interrupted so it does make things tricky, but we can grow even in modeling for them the habit of taking care of things right away. Even as I finished typing these words my kids finished their quiet playtime and were asking to go outside in the wading pool.  I’d love to drop everything and do it–it’s so crazy hot in this house–but I asked them to pick up their books and Legos before we go outside. And now I need to deal with the whining that ensued and the fact that it’s 4:30pm and everyone is tired, sweaty, and needing a break. Time for this Mama to sign off!

So, I’m growing with you — Tsh suggests taking 15 minutes every day to declutter and clean as you go. This is my goal — 15 minutes in the morn and 15 minutes at night.

Please share! How do you “clean as you go” and stay on top of things in your home? I would love to hear your words of wisdom! Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading!