Let’s kick things off with a big, fresh dose of truth…

Getting your house clean and keeping it clean will take a little upfront work. But once you get into a good rhythm, you’ll feel as if your house is working with you to stay clean & organized. And speaking of help, if you’ve got a family, setting up your house so that it’s EASY for them to know where what goes, where they can leave stuff and where they can’t, who needs to do what and when, is also a biggggggg factor in getting your family on board with keeping the house clean. And there is a way to do it without acting like a psycho drill sergeant from the Upside Down lol. We’ll talk a litte more about this further down the post.

Since you’re reading this, I’ll bet your house doesn’t stay clean for very long because you’ve been focusing on the wrong things. And it’s time to switch things up a bit my friend.

Detox your brain of all your old thinking so you can make room for some very practical tips used by people that pretty much always have a clean house. Skim the list. See what resonates with you. And give it a try.

1. Go with easy-to-use over cute

To break through the constant cycle of mess, stop focusing on your messy house as a whole and shift gears a bit.

Turn your attention to smaller things that I’ll admit, don’t seem helpful, but are insanely impactful: like putting what you use away. Mind-blowingly small right?

You already know you should do this but obviously, it’s not as simple as it seems. Whether you’re naturally unorganized, have ADHD or dealing with an illness of some sort, putting things away neatly can be as perplexing as Game of Thrones.

So forget about making things cute and instead go the route of zero resistance if you want to keep your home clean and organized. Basically, rig your house so that it’s literally messy-proof for lazy people!

Think no lids on plastic containers or open baskets in all the right places so you can just toss stuff in. Genius right?

One of my favorite examples of this at play is using a spice basket.

I have a gazillion spices, but seriously only have 3-4 regulars. Eh, I’m a pretty boring cook. But anytime I need my roasted garlic or sea salt, I destroy the entire spice cabinet trying to pull them out.

And it’s totally not necessary… Ready for the mess-eliminating secret?

All you need is a small basket on your kitchen counter where you can keep your VIP spices. It’s also where you’ll toss them back when you’re done.

No messy spice cabinet. No cluttered counters. Ahh, what a relief…

Get more ideas – perfect for naturally unorganized people – in this post: 5 Ideas You Can Use To Keep Your House Clean & Organized All The Time!

2. Unless you’re a nudist, you’ll never have ALL the laundry done

Laundry sucks. There I said it.

When we talk about keeping the house cleaner, laundry is usually seen as a separate situation from the house. But that’s so not true. When it comes to getting your home clean, laundry is very much a part of the deal.

Point is, if you can keep the laundry managed, you can keep your house clean or under control. It’s like a gateway skill that opens the doors to wondrous magic in your life. Or something like that.

Here are a few quick tips to keep your laundry under control (painlessly):

• One load of laundry a day keeps the boogy-mountain monsters away. Not to mention, it keeps things flowing at home instead of getting stgnatOne load is manageable for even the busiest people and it takes the pressure off of trying to have all of the laundry done. Which is technically impossible anyway. Unless you join a nudist colony or something.

• Have a spare laundry basket ready for items that need to be “washed now.”  Think your workout clothing, the kids’ team uniforms or super soiled clothing in general. Just get them out the way why dontcha?

• Your jeans really don’t need to be washed after every wear.  Unless they are terribly smelly, spray them with a fabric refresher (I LOVE the Love + Home + Planet brand!) & hang them up – you can get at least 2-3 wears between washes.  

• Oh and keep a separate basket for bath towels!  Those plush high count threads have a way of making it look like you have way more laundry than you really do.

• Skip the sorting and wash all of your clothes together! Ok so for me, brand new clothes are the exception to this rule. But everything else is pretty much a go. To keep colors from bleeding, I wash on cold and use laundry color catchers. Works like a charm every time.

• Drastically cut down on your laundry time by using dryer balls! This is my favorite hack because it saves me time and money but helping my clothes dry so much faster. I alternate between tennis balls and these wool dryer balls to get the job done.

READ | 7 Epic Laundry Hacks That’ll Save You A Load of Time

If you want to learn the secrets to cleaning your entire house fast, you should check out my post: how to clean your entire house in 2 hours! It’s a game changer!

 3. A dose of minimalism will help you keep the house cleaner

The true spirit of minimalism is simply having items that bring value to your life & discarding what no longer serves a purpose in your life.  Yes, you can still keep your crazy Harry Potter mug collection – you just don’t need twenty!

I like to think of minimalism in terms of my spending habits. It helped me curb my impulse spending. My weaknesses? Food & beauty products. Now, instead of buying whatever catches my eye on a whim, I only buy a new product once I’m officially done with my current one. (Err, most of the time lol.) Can this approach help you too?

The real benefit of minimalism is that having less stuff means less cleaning. Pow! So even if you don’t want to be a *minimalist per se*, chunking crap more often will only help you keep your house clean in the long run.

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ // The Smart Girl’s Guide To A Clean & Organized House – 5 Drool-Worthy, Must-Have Things You Need To Get Now!  Who should read this?  Anyone that wants to learn smart ways to set up their home so that it stays clean. 

4. Say yes to cleaning products that make your heart skip a beat

If you hate cleaning, prepare to hate it less! Having cleaning products you feel good about using – whether you’re into the non-toxic scene or just whatever works – will help you overcome the feeling of doom and gloom you feel whenever you think about doing some hardcore cleaning.

PURCHASING POINTERS

• Your vacuum cleaner, broom and mops, should make cleaning easier – and be able to bring a smile to your face.  Always buy wide or XL mops & brooms so you can clean more surface area in fewer passes. That means you’ll be able to clean your floors a heck of a lot faster!

• There are a lot of great non-toxic cleaners available. Something about using natural cleaners makes me feel good inside. I actually love Method and Mrs. Meyer’s all-purpose & wood cleaning products!

• The Shark vs Dyson debate has a clear answer – in my humble opinion.  If your home is mostly carpeted, get a Shark.  If it’s mostly hardwoods, get a Dyson.  Just be sure to shop around because prices for these bad boys vary wildly from store to store.     

• Get inspiration for how you are going to organize certain areas before purchasing containers. Make whatever area you want to organize beautiful by buying pieces or sets that are complementary to your home and current decor. Large baskets always come in handy!

CREATE AN EPIC FAIL-PROOF CLEANING CADDY // all-purpose cleaner + apron + bucket + caddy + disposable gloves + extension cord + floor cleaner +  furniture polish + glass towel + high duster + microfiber towels + mold & mildew remover + mop + pumice stone + scour sponges + small trash bags + soft scrub + tile & grout brush + vacuum

5. Put yourself in cleaning routine *bootcamp*

Remember, the key to having a clean and organized house is building good habits. Following routines are the intentional way to do that – basically, you’re setting aside time to do something over and over again until eventually, it becomes a habit.

Set aside 30 minutes a day to clean something in the house. Set aside 30 minutes a day to make sure everything is still organized in a particular area of the house – like your desk. Mine get’s crazy so I have to stay on top of it!

Just remember that you’ll need to perform the routine quite frequently in order for it to really “stick” and become natural. 

You may want to check out my very popular Daily, Weekly & Monthly Cleaning Schedule With A Simple Morning Routine (built into the schedule).

MAKING CLEANING ROUTINES WORK FOR YOU

• When following a routine, try it as-is a few times and see how everything flows.  From there, mold and tweak that routine until it’s a perfect fit for you!

• Don’t overload yourself with too many routines at once!  In your quest to get your house (life) together, take it one step or routine at a time.  If you take on too much, you’ll run the risk of not making any of your routines stick or worse, abandoning all the routines and making zero progress.  

READ | How To Have A Clean House For Life.  It’s a huge list of simple ideas & habits you can start using literally today to help you have a house that virtually stays clean forever!

6. Buy furniture that can do something besides look cute

It’s a great idea to buy furniture that doubles as storage, but I want to give you a word of caution.  Sometimes, having too many storage options can turn into trouble so just make sure you’re storing items that add value to your life and not junk.

However, if you approach this wisely, it is a great way to keep items in your home neat, tidy & organized. Below are four ideas for furniture & decor that are both beautiful & functional!

• Storage benches and ottomans are an absolute must-have.  Luckily there are plenty of trendy options available which means you can really have fun with these options & use them anywhere in the house!

• Storage baskets — I truly can’t live without baskets! They are in every single room of my home. Big, small, short, tall – they are the secret weapon to creating a more organized home. When in doubt about where something should go, drop it into a basket!

• Clear containers are also huge for organizing. If you’re like me and have a hundred pairs of shoes, clear containers are heaven sent! Wait, I also use clear containers in my pantry & bathroom cabinets. Ok, so I stand corrected – clear containers are life-changing!

 7. If you’re always short on time, you must become a master prepper

To keep a clean & organized house requires time. If you’re not organized – I’m talking about your life here – you probably feel like you never have enough time to do anything, but you do.

HERE ARE A FEW WAYS YOU CAN PREP TO HELP BALANCE WORK + LIFE + HOME FOR BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT

Getting outfits ready for the week, meal prepping, gathering everything you’ll need in the morning at night and planning out your days more precisely with time blocking are excellent ways to prep. Doing these things give you more time to balance work, life & home which is absolutely necessary for a clean house.

 8. Get a really, really good stain remover

No matter how clean or messy your house is, stains will always stick out like a sore thumb!  The next time you get a stain on your shirt, sofa, carpet or where ever, be ready by always having a stain remover ready to grab.  Stains scream dirty so let’s make sure we don’t let stains hang around! 

TIP | PREVENT STAINS BEFORE THEY HAPPEN

• Do yourself a huge favor and pretreat upholstered furniture in the home with a stain repellant so that stains don’t get a chance to set in!  The application process is usually pretty straightforward and will greatly extend the life of your furniture or carpets.  A mega win in my book!

• Here is a great, 5-star option for a stain guard product that you may want to take a look at called Trinova Stain Guard from Amazon. I have three kids running around so this or a little 3M is always close by.

9. A house without rules is a headache that never ends

Your home is your castle, but that doesn’t mean you can live without order, your majesty!  If your house is unorganized and dirty, you can easily get it cleaned once you know where to start.  But in order to keep it clean and organized, you’re going to need to set some rules! 

A FEW GOOD HOUSE RULES TO HELP KEEP THE HOUSE CLEAN

The people you see that have seemingly perfect homes don’t get them by wishing for them – they work for it but it’s easier to do than you think!  Here are a few good rules to follow:

• Keep shoes at the door to help cut down on dirt and grime tracked throughout the house.

• Limit eating & drinking to designated areas. This cuts down on the chance of stains and other avoidable messes.

• Make your mornings easier by making sure dishes are placed in the dishwasher or hand washed every evening before going to bed.

• Personal items in common areas at the end of the day is a no-no. Take your crap to your room.

• Toys are a pain to clean up so limit them to bedrooms or toy rooms. And make sure your kids get into the habit of picking up after themselves.

10. Let’s go label crazy

Creating new habits to create a clean & organized house is exciting & fun – until you get busy, start to forget, lose enthusiasm, forget it was even a goal, and then wake up one day with the goal to get your house clean & organized once and for all – again lol.

Regardless of what anyone else says, the #1 key to keeping a clean and organized house is labels – oh and signs too.

WHY YOU NEED LABELS ASAP

When you see that label, not only will it stop you from dropping an item in the wrong place, you’re going to want to find the perfect home for it. Thus a spot will be picked & a new label will be created just for that item.

If you want to get in the habit of turning on the dishwasher every evening at 7pm, make a sign & plaster it everywhere. Want to get into the habit of making the bed every morning? Make signs & you guessed it – plaster them everywhere! Labels and signs are powerful hacks that will help you keep your house clean & organized all the time.

IDEAS FOR USING LABELS & SIGNS TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE CLEAN & ORGANIZED

Use a paint pen to quickly & easily label containers – this is so cute!

Easily recreate this super cute look even if you’re short on time! All you need are Paint Pens + Glass Jars With Airtight Lids!

Who would think that one of the wildest places in the house, the linen closet, could be tamed with chalkboard labels + baskets!

This is a fabulous example of doing more with less! You don’t need a ton of baskets & containers to tame your wild spaces. To pull off a look this look, all you need are chalkboard labels + small square baskets + large square baskets + a hamper + an over-the-door hook!

If you want an idea of how to use signs, boom! Create attention-getting signs anywhere in the house with chalkboard or dry erase boards. I’ll do this when we move into our new house.

What I love about chalkboard signs is that they go with almost any decor & they have a way of making your house really feel like home. If you want to recreate this look you can try chalkboard paper so that you turn any surface into a sign or just grab a chalkboard sign – oh, and don’t forget to get chalk markers!

I’ve counted the coins & these are the best selling items for this week from this blog /

• Dye Catchers Cut down how long it takes to do laundry with these! Toss everything into the washing machine and get on to all the other things. Without worrying about those whites turning pink.
• Scotch Brite Non-Scratch Scrubbers If I have to choose between these & my husband, I’m definitely taking the scrubbers. They seriously do allllllll the work when it’s time to clean. Unlike him.
• Window/Glass Cleaning Cloths Ok, if you believe it’s impossible to have streak-free mirrors or glass, prepare to be impressed. You don’t even need window cleaner with these things. Just a little water & shizam. All clear.
• The Roboroc Robot Vacuum It sweeps, mops and is soo smart, it avoids both cat puke & dog terds . If you have pets, you know that’s huge. It’s also $30 off right now.

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later and so others can see you’ve got all the good stuff!

The post THIS Is How To Keep Your House Clean & Organized All The Time appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

When your house is a mess, you’re a mess.  And when you’re a mess, your house is a mess.   So if you’re feeling more easily triggered than usual because your house is cluttered & you don’t know where to start, I’ve got some incredibly simple tips to help you get rid of your stubborn clutter. And as the clutter finally leaves, you’ll see your house coming together, you’ll also begin to feel more chill. And have fewer biting-innocent-people’s-heads-off-incidents. Yes, we know you wanted ketchup on the side so they put in a bowl. He had no way of knowing you specifically wanted ketchup packets ok ma’am?

All jokes aside, it’s totally normal for too much stuff to make you spazz out lol.  We – us humans – weren’t built for clutter.  So don’t beat yourself up about it.  After all, if you’re reading this, you probably live in a culture where *more* is the rule of the land.  More shoes.  Toys.  Storage bins.  And fries.   Of course, you have too much stuff!

So when it comes to getting rid of all that crap, people usually fall into two categories:  either they can get rid of it without batting an eye or they Struggle.  With a capital S.   

And since you’re reading this, I’m going to bet you’re in the group with the capital S as the logo.  Welcome.  You’re in the right place.  Today, I’m going to show you a simple 3-step process to help you ease into becoming a Spectacular Declutterer.  No more struggle decluttering for you my friend. 

 Ready.  Set. Let’s Go! 

Discover where to start decluttering your messy home in 3-steps:

First things first, don’t think of this as a bunch of random tips.  These 3-little-steps don’t look like much but together, they’re a bonafide plan.  And guess what? These steps double as a routine! Say what!? You may not know it but that’s exactly what you need right now.   And here’s why. A routine you can do over and over again is going to help you break out of the mind set of thinking about what to do and instead move you to a place where you just take action. Like the brawly guy that just wants to smash. But on a sidenote, you’ll do things a little smarter than that guy. I can’t see you, but I know you’re a pretty good mix of muscles & brains. Hot stuff you are!

Before we dive into this, my only rule for you is don’t pick and choose what parts of this to use.  Again, it’s just 3-little-steps so follow them as-is.  No remixing. And you will walk your way into the decluttering hall of fame!

3-Steps To Figure Out Where To Declutter /

1. Get up!
2. M.A.P.
3. The start line

Step 1: Teeny-Tiny Goals

Option 1: Dive even deeper into that Netflix series or Option 2: Get up, and empty out the junk drawer.  Your answer probably depends on the day lol.  But don’t worry, this is a judge free zone.  

I’ll go ahead and say it, procrastination is real.  It’s heavy.  And it’s stubborn.   It keeps you from doing what you know you need to be doing.  The little things you need to do to make big things happen. 

So what’s the quickest way to shake procrastination? Think small.  That’s right.  Set the world’s smallest goals for yourself.  Literally.  

Instead of thinking about the whole house needing to be decluttered – which is an absurdly ginormous task by the way – think of something super doable.  Like tossing out the next pair of socks you put on that have a hole in them.  That is decluttering.  

That baking pan so chipped it’s an undeniable health hazard can be put in the trash can as well.  That’s decluttering my friend.  Think small.  Go for realistic.  And above all, go for consistency.  One tiny thing everyday, and you’ll get out of your rut before you know it.  

Step 2: M.A.P.

Once you’ve gotten into the groove of decluttering, it’s time to level up.  Hello M.A.P.  Stands for make a plan. 

Step two is simple enough.  And the key to seeing real results around the house.  

But easier said than done right?  I mean, the whole reason you’re here is because you don’t know where to start.  So here is a template you can follow to make the perfect decluttering plan for you.  

First, make a goal for the year.  This year I want to have the house decluttered.  Boom.  (write) it down.  

This year  = declutter the entire house so it looks cleaner

Second, assign a decluttering goal/space for each month.  The next 12-months to be exact.  

January = the kitchen

February = my bedroom

March = the kids’ bedroom

Third, create weekly goals for the next month.  Or three.  It should look something like this: 

January = the kitchen

Week 1 = upper cabinets

Week 2 = lower cabinets

Week 3 = pantry

Week 4 = the fridge.  

And the fourth step is to break things down even further into daily goals.  But this step is funny.  Not everyone needs to do this step.  You see, it really depends on your personality and schedule.  

For some people, weekly goals/projects are just fine.   As a matter of fact, daily goals are a recipe for a FEMA-sized disaster.  I fall into this group.  

And for others, daily goals are life.  Everything planned out.  Like down to the millisecond.  These people claim to be human.  But I believe they are aliens.  

The good news is planning isn’t one-sized fit all.  Yes, clutter is bad.  But don’t take any of this too serious.  I hear people say to give yourself grace.  To me, that means treat yourself the way you’d treat the 5-year old you.  Experiment.   Play around.  Figure out what works for you.  What doesn’t.  And treat yourself along the way for seeing this decluttering thing through.

Speaking of treats, this is the order I think you should declutter your home in.  Don’t like that order, tweak it to your liking:  

• The kitchen
• The bathrooms
• Common areas
• Bedrooms
• Storage areas

Step 3:  Flash (Trash) Mob

Where should I start decluttering my messy house – or room?!   Thankfully, like a flash mob, there is no wrong place to start.  Those guys just show up out of nowhere, do their thing, vanish into thin air, and leave the rest of us half-smiling & heads spinning. You honestly don’t know what just happened but you feel good.  Lol  

Tackle decluttering with the same speed, intention,1 and dazzling energy of a flash mob.  This will help you get clearer spaces much quicker.  If you’ve made your plan – step 2 ahem – you kind of already know where to start in your home.  

But this is how you quickly get things rolling in each space.  And you can even flash mop your entire house first, then start your decluttering plan from step 2.  I highly recommend you do this because it’ll make the real decluttering even breezier.

Start with the obvious trash sitting on surfaces.  Aim to fill a bag – or 5.  

Grab your electric blue tights, a trash bag & start at the entrance of the room.  Work that thing from left to right.  Don’t spend time thinking about anything during this phase of your decluttering.  It’s either trash or it isn’t.  Be ruthless.  Be quick.  Fill up the trash bags.

Set a timer for 20-minutes  

Distracted much? Having to beat the clock will give you the adrenaline & focus you need to get the job done.  Orrrrr if you’re the type that tends to get lost in an activity, the timer will help you stop so you can move on to whatever else you need to do.  Like, pick up your kids?  

Surfaces vs Hidden Spaces 

Decluttering surfaces first will give you an instant feeling of progress.  Not to mention, if you clear the surfaces in a room, you’ll have enough space to quickly declutter all those hidden spaces packed full of the wonders of the universe. 

Honestly, depending on the amount of clutter you have, your decluttering plan could focus on just surface clutter.  Then let hidden clutter be the focus during the next decluttering round.  

Bonus Tip:  Follow the 20/10 Rule 

Ever tried the Pomodoro technique?  It helps you to get more done in less time studying or working, and is just as effective for things like cleaning your home.  All you need is a timer.  

Here’s how it works:  for every 20 minutes of cleaning, you should rest for 10 minutes. Do this 2 times, and you’ve had a very productive hour of housework.  Sounds too simple to work?  Just try it out then let me know what you think.  

Other articles that’ll help you declutter painlessly: 

1. Why is is soo hard to declutter my house. And how to make it unhard.

2. How to clean a very dirty bedroom. Fast!

3. How-to declutter your house. Without making a mess.

Best Selling Items This Week:

• Dye Catchers Cut down how long it takes to do laundry with these! Toss everything into the washing machine and get on to all the other things. Without worrying about those whites turning pink.
• Scotch Brite Non-Scratch Scrubbers If I have to choose between these & my husband, I’m definitely taking the scrubbers. They seriously do allllllll the work when it’s time to clean. Unlike him.
• Window/Glass Cleaning Cloths Ok, if you believe it’s impossible to have streak-free mirrors or glass, prepare to be impressed. You don’t even need window cleaner with these things. Just a little water & shizam. All clear.
• The Roboroc Robot Vacuum It sweeps, mops and is soo smart, it avoids both cat puke & dog terds . If you have pets, you know that’s huge. It’s also $30 off right now.

The post Help! My House is Cluttered & I Don’t Know Where to Start! appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

Oh why oh why is “decluttering” so hard!? Well…for starters, there are many reasons my child. Got 5-7 minutes? Pull up a seat.

Growing up, aside from wearing white pantyhose I believe were manufactured by North Face – in Alabama – my second biggest stress trigger is thinking about my mom *decluttering* the house. It was a true ordeal. I’d watch her shuffle from room to room. From closets, to cabinets, to under the bed, and over the fridge. Just pulling stuff out.

Once everything was pulled out, everyone could agree – we had a Lot stuff. And it was Everywhere. For days or maybe weeks, my mom wouldn’t look like herself. Her shoulders were rounder. Eye’s dimmer. And definitely redder. Yeh, the face of overwhelm ain’t pretty.

The piles of stuff would sit. And I would see her sit. At one pile today. Another tomorrow. And I think bags would be filled. But they may as well have been filled with air. Because the piles never seemed to shrink.

Even though there were some good intentions and the motivation was there to get decluttered, the clutter just kinda went back to where it came from. We would clean up the mess. After a while. Stuff clutter back into whatever dark corner it came from and everyone would move on. Clean surfaces. Hooray!

I’m all grown up now. Got kids. A business – or two. Plenty of headaches just like you. And I totally get what happened to my mom. It’s sooooooo clear…

No one taught you how to declutter a home. And boom goes the enlightening dynamite!

You know you need to get rid of stuff. So you just kinda jump in there. Thinking it can be done this weekend. So you make a mess. Get overwhelmed. And uhhh, yeh. You get deflated. Everyone else in the house gets annoyed. And the clutter get’s moved around. But never leaves.

Orrrrrr maybe you know you need to get rid of some stuff. But you don’t know where to start so you you just don’t. I mean, you intend to start. But procrastination is something else am I right?

So I get it. All this sounds pretty bad. But you’ll be happy to know I would not have taken the time to write this post if that was the end of it.

Now I’ll be honest with you. I don’t have a problem throwing away anything. It’s almost compulsive for me. And a little scary. I’m definitely not a minimalist. It’s just when it’s time to declutter, I’m the gal that pretty much says, everything goes without batting an eye. Where’d this come from? Maybe it’s the Virgo/Libra in me. Eh.

However, I’ve spent a considerable bit of my childhood watching my mother struggle to figure out how to declutter. And I’ve spent years helping my mom declutter. Without destroying every inch of the house. She still likes to make a bit of a mess when she declutters. But she actually declutters now. She get’s rid of stuff. It’s not a crippling ordeal they way it once was in the past. And that’s the thing. She’s gotten wayyyyyyyyy better.

Decluttering is not a one-time thing. It’s a skill you need to learn. Just like walking. Biking. Reading. Because you’re going to have to do it all the time. You need to get good at it. And the more you do it. The better you’ll get.

You can definitely get rid of your stuff too. If you were able to put that brain of yours to use and find this article on the internet, you can declutter my friend.

So let’s explore 5 reasons why decluttering may be hard for you. And then, I’ll show you simple ways to truly make decluttering more simplified & totally doable. Tips anyone can use regardless of why you struggle to declutter.

Believe it or not, decluttering can actually be easy, breezy & beautifully therapeutic if you approach it the right way.  So let’s get to it.

Part A: Why is decluttering so hard?  

1.  Unrealistic decluttering goals

Dude, decluttering your whole house in a weekend is about as doable as shredding major fat in 2 days.  It ain’t happenin.  Unless you live in a tiny house AND declutter religiously.  Simply getting into the habit of decluttering an hour every week will take you further than you think.

2. Everyone else in the house is the problem

Ah, the blame game.  Unfortunately, the blamer never wins.  So if you’re stressing everyone else out in the house about their stuff, you’re wasting energy you could be spending on – get this – decluttering your own stuff.   

3. You haven’t stopped the flow of clutter

If the main type of clutter you see around the house is paper & toys.  Getting rid of the paper & toys is a start.  But if you don’t have a plan to keep paper & toys at bay, you’ll soon start to feel as if you aren’t making progress.   Stop the flow and you’ll win at this decluttering thing. 

4. Decluttering and decorating debacle

If you’re trying to declutter & channel your inner Joanna Gaines at the same time,  you’re doomed. Focus.  Pick a space.  Declutter.  Then move on to the next space.  Your only mission in life is to get rid of all the stuff.  Decorate your heart out after you finish decluttering.

5. It’s more than just *stuff* to you

I get it.  It’s your past.  It’s money spent.  It’s special.  You might need it some day.  The list goes on & on. However, the only antidote to your *reasons* for holding on to *stuff* is cold, hard logic.  

If you lost everything in a fire today, but the insurance company could create an exact replica of your current house & all the stuff in it would you like that?  

If you still have all this stuff 10-years from now, will you feel good?  If not, take a deep breath.  Sure it’s hard to get rid of your stuff.  But keeping isn’t necessarily making you feel good either.

Part B. Discover how to get rid of everything once & for all with 2 mindset shifts.

Mindset Shift #1 | Who wears the pants in the relationship – you or your stuff?

You see your stuff as part of your identity.  This is totally human and 100% natural.  But when you can’t seem to get rid of clutter, you could have a power issue.  

It’s one thing to see your stuff as part of your identity – bury me with my Harry Potter protein shake bottle please.  Awww.  That can be cute.  

But it’s another to let your stuff own you.  I cannot live without my Harry Potter protein shake bottlesssss.  All 37 of them.  Uhhh Dr. Phil?  You busy???

So I don’t know about you but  I love seeing wild animals.  Out in the wild.  Doing things that wild animals do.  Like walking.  Eating.  And looking at me look at them and then running away as if I’m some kind of creeper.  Wild stuff am I right?  But I think what really makes watching an animal so captivating is that they are truly free.   Just being the best damn deer they can be lol.   

So now, let’s look at you.  The domesticated human reading this.  You’re the most complex, yet majestic creature on this planet.  Just so you know, the deer watch you when you’re not looking.  They say you’re soo adorable the way you guzzle your coffee.  

You have a soul.  You have a purpose.  And instead of walking in the power you were born with, you let a hodgepodge group of mugs and harry potter protein shake bottles steal all your cabinet space.   C’mon.  

Ask yourself this:

1. Who wears the pants in your relationship with stuff/life/the universe?  Does your stuff own you?  Or do you own stuff?

2. Have you taken ownership of your life and everything you see in it?  The good.  The bad.  The ugly.  

If you wear the proverbial pants and have taken ownership of your life, you’ll be able to blast through your clutter woes a whole lot quicker than you think my little human friend.  

If you’re not quite owning things just yet, no worries.  Now you know where you should start. Do the inner work first and the outer work (like getting rid of stuff you don’t actually want foreal, foreal) will be a piece of ice cream cake.  

Mindset Shift #2 | Are you here?  

Seemingly weighted jelly rolls hug your waistline after religiously eating bowls and bowls of homemade vanilla ice cream every evening, month after month, without a single 15-minute session of foot to pavement action every once in a while to battle the muffin top turning into an outright booty-do.  Surprised that your clothes don’t fit right?  If you are, that’s a sign you haven’t been present in your life.  

And don’t act like you don’t what a booty-do is either.  Your stomach sticks out more than your booty-do.   If this is offensive, do not let your kids ride the bus to school.   

Anyway. like stubborn jelly rolls, an obnoxious amount of clutter is the price we pay for filling/stuffing/packing spaces with more.  And more.  And more.  Over weeks.  Months.  And years.  Without ever deliberately stopping.  And doing something to counter the stream of stuff/food/paper/furniture/crap that’s constantly pouring into your home by sending an equal amount right back out the door. 

Here are 3-ideas to help you become more *present* AND slow the river of clutter flooding your home: 

Do a hardcore fast from stuff for 30-days.  No impulse shopping. No 1-click Amazon purchases.  You can buy essentials of course – think bread, fish, water, toothpaste.  Random list?  Yes.  But I’m fairly certain that’s all you need to survive for 30-days.  

Practice being your own best frenemy.  Ask yourself very tough questions on a regular basis like hey, what the heck is that bedazzle kit from 08’ still doing here?   That thing is so bedusty. (I just couldn’t resist lol)  You need to get into the habit of actually seeing what’s around you, what doesn’t belong, and taking action immediately.

Stop thinking about decluttering & instead, think about your front door. It’s the point of no return.  So before you bring another bag or Amazon box into your house, stop at the front door and ask yourself if you should really be bringing (blank) into  your home?  Considering, you want to become clutter free. 

5 Reasons Why Decluttering Is Hard – Summary: 

1. Unrealistic goals
2. Everyone else is the problem
3. You haven’t stopped the flow of clutter
4. You’re decluttering AND decorating at the same time
5. Your emotions cloud your judgement

Ask yourself: 

Does your stuff own you?

Ready to declutter your home? The painless way?

Want to declutter the mess-free way?  The Mini Declutter Kit has everything you need to declutter without destroying your home.  From signs that help you stay organized during decluttering projects to a step-by-step guide that’ll help you think through which items get the boot and which ones stay, this kit will make you look like a decluttering pro.  Grab the Mini Declutter Kit today!

Other posts about decluttering you may like:

How to Declutter Your House Without Making a Mess

Help! My House Is Cluttered & I Don’t Know Where To Start!

Here Are The BEST Selling Items This Week From This Blog!

• Dye Catchers Cut down how long it takes to do laundry with these! Toss everything into the washing machine and get on to all the other things. Without worrying about those whites turning pink.
• Scotch Brite Non-Scratch Scrubbers If I have to choose between these & my husband, I’m definitely taking the scrubbers. They seriously do allllllll the work when it’s time to clean. Unlike him.
• Window/Glass Cleaning Cloths Ok, if you believe it’s impossible to have streak-free mirrors or glass, prepare to be impressed. You don’t even need window cleaner with these things. Just a little water & shizam. All clear.
• The Roboroc Robot Vacuum It sweeps, mops and is soo smart, it avoids both cat puke & dog terds . If you have pets, you know that’s huge. It’s also $30 off right now.

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later and so others can see you’ve got all the good stuff!

The post Why Is Decluttering So Hard? And How To Make It Unhard. appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

When it comes to cleaning, everyone and every home has a different go-to method. From dusting “top down” to daily cleans to annual garage sales after a big spring clean, there’s no “right” way to clean. Your cleaning preferences all boil down to what works best for you, your schedule, and your surroundings to create a clean, healthy, stress-free environment in your home.

However, finding a cleaning routine may prove more challenging than usual for those with lung or respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. Many household cleaners are created with harsh chemicals that have the possibility to trigger or exacerbate symptoms of asthma or COPD. This can then make cleaning harmful or potentially even dangerous, which is just about the opposite of what you want in a clean, healthy home.

Some of these potentially dangerous chemicals include: 

• Aerosol sprays
• Air fresheners 
• Ammonia 
• Bleach
• Oven cleaners 
• Rug cleaners 

It’s recommended to steer clear of household cleaners that use any of these ingredients. After seeing this list you may be wondering — how am I supposed to find a cleaner that doesn’t use these ingredients but gets the cleaning job done?

The answer is easy: DIY household cleaners that are easy on the lungs but still effective for disinfecting and ensuring your home is clean and healthy. DIY household cleaner recipes can usually be all created using ingredients you likely have in your pantry or fridge, such as white vinegar, baking soda, salt, and lemons. 

Source: The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com

Here are some tips on lung-safe cleaning so that you protect yourself while still doing some serious cleaning.

1. Opt for unscented products 

Though they’re pleasing to the nose (and help disguise the smell of unwashed laundry or dirty dishes), cleaning products that use scents are often linked to headaches and exacerbating the symptoms of lung conditions like COPD or asthma. These scents could cause dizziness, shortness of breath, or worsened asthma — so it’s recommended that you skip the cleaners that smell of fresh linen or tropical breezes. 

You may also want to read a post I wrote called How to make your home small amazing – without toxic chemicals!

2. Wear a face mask when cleaning with chemicals

Chemicals like bleach are found in many household cleaners, usually for the bathroom and other dirty, high-touch surfaces. While these cleaners may do a great job of getting rid of germs on high-contact areas like toilets, counters, bathtubs, and sinks, they could be dangerous to breathe in, especially if you’re cleaning an area without proper ventilation or a window. Grab a face mask (or bandana) before you start cleaning to ensure you can breathe properly and without inhaling any potentially harmful fumes.

3. Prevent mold growth

Mold can make breathing much harder, especially for those with moderate to severe asthma. To control mold and moisture levels in your home, try spritzing straight vinegar onto your walls and let air dry. Vinegar has been known to be a quick DIY solution to control mold growth and prevent the spread of mold spores. It’s recommended to invest in a dehumidifier and keep fans on when showering or cooking to prevent the development of mold in the first place. 

4. De-clutter and dust frequently

It may be tempting, but it’s important to not save spring cleaning for once a year. Make it a monthly or even daily habit to clear your shelves of any knick-knacks or items gathering dust, especially if you’re highly sensitive to dust mites. They may be sentimental, but small items like snowglobes can gather dust quickly — so ensure you’re regularly cleaning and dusting these areas to keep dust from triggering any lung conditions. 

5. Clean in well-ventilated areas

Open those windows! It’s always important to clean in well-ventilated areas with decent airflow, if possible — like a room with a big window or open doors. This is especially important  if you’re cleaning with chemicals, as they can create potentially toxic fumes if not aired out or ventilated. If available, open all doors and windows to control airflow out of the room you’re cleaning. Bring a fan or air purifier if windows or doors aren’t an option. 

Check out the below visual from Absestos.com for even more lung-healthy deep cleaning tips, along with recipes to create your very own lung-safe cleaning products following the above suggestions.

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later and so others can see you’ve got all the good stuff!

The post How to Use Lung-Safe Household Cleaners for a Happy, Healthy Home appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

Wondering how to clean your house in 15-minutes a day or think it’s just not possible? Well you’re in for a treat. The tips and insight I give you below will open your eyes to what it takes to clean your house in just a few minutes a day.  Even if your home goes by the street name Casa de Catastrophe.

To get started, let’s borrow a quote from the business world that’ll take your mind exactly where it needs to be if you want to clean your house in just 15 minutes a day…

That’s right.  People with the cleanest homes are not slaving away spending all their time cleaning!  As a matter of fact, people with clean homes don’t have to clean nearly as much as people with messy homes.  Yep.  Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side!

So here’s the real golden nugget – if you want to clean your home in 15-minutes a day, it’s not about moving super fast.  You’re more than likely just going to look silly.  I know I look silly when I try to move fast.  Maybe because I’m old.  Who knows.  

What you seriously need to do is make sure that 15-minutes is spent cleaning the just right things so you have something to show for yourself.  

For example, if your entire house is a mess, cleaning out the junk drawer is not going to get you to clean.  Not that you shouldn’t clean it out.  It’s just, there’s a hierarchy of sorts when it comes to what should be cleaned first in your home.  

You don’t want to spend 15 minutes cleaning your house only for no one to notice that you just sacrificed 15 golden minutes of your life cleaning right?  Super deflating.  And yes, it’s happened to me.

Instead of giving you fluff bunnies, I’m going to give you the real deal on what you need to actually clean your house in just a few minutes a day and make sure your hard work it’s totally noticeable by anyone that enters your domain.  What’s wrong with getting noticed?

Disclaimer / I ended up writing way more tips than I expected so the first 7 below will be considered *Part 1* and the rest of the tips will be posted as *Part 2*. You may continue scrolling!

The non-negotiable things you need to do if you really want to clean your house in 15-minutes a day  

Tip 1 /  Cleaning your house in 15-minutes is not about being able to clean fast

How long does it take to clean a 3 bedroom house? How about a 6,000 square foot house? When it comes to being able to clean your home in a few minutes a day, size does matter guys. The bigger the home, the more minutes or time you’ll have to dedicate to cleaning. And the same goes for people. The more humans – and animals – you have living in a house, the more you’ll need for cleaning.

So here’s a simple way to help you think about how much time it really takes to clean your home and keep it clean. One thousand square feet of space should take about an hour to clean. However, when we get to around the 4,000+ square feet, start adding in some extra minutes. Trust me. It’s about an hour and 30 minutes for each additional1,000 sq. ft. of space over 4,000.

And in case my explanation left you confused /

• 1,000 sq. ft. house should take about one-hour
• 3,000 square foot house should take around 3-hours
• 5,000 sq. ft. house should take around 6-7 hours

So with that in mind, cleaning your house in 15 minutes a day really comes down to two simple ideas: 

(a) cleaning the right things at the right time and 

(b) cleaning efficiently or basically not wasting time or energy and getting 100% out of the cleaning sesh.  

I don’t need to write a paragraph on this because a few of the following tips build on this idea.  So prepare for a few instances of she already said that.  (Because it’s that important.)  

Tip 2 /  The 5-Unforgiving Chores are heartless…get to know em’

Ever heard of the 80/20 rule?  Of course you have.  Only 20% of what you do really matters – or something like that.  Google it. 

Before you focus on 15-minute blocks of hardcore cleaning, make sure you’ve mastered the 5 unforgiving tasks – aka the universally agreed up cleaning tasks that if left undone for days or even just hours in some cases, will spawn unspeakable herds of clutter, chaos and mess all throughout your home.   

These small tasks account for 80% of the mess you probably see in your home but if kept under control, will only account for 20% of your time.  Ewww, the truth hurts.

Sidenote / if you clean your house and it still looks messy, you might want to take some notes my friend. 

Here are the 5 (unforgiving) tasks:  

• laundry
• dishes
• tidying up
• trash 
• toilets 

Bottom line /  Don’t bother with real cleaning if the dishes, laundry or other essentials are out of control. Center your daily 15-minute cleaning sessions (more time if you’ve got it) on the 5 unforgiving chores for a few weeks so that you can get these areas under control once & for all.  

Now, if you’re really in the mood to clean random things around the house, head on over to my post, How to clean a flat screen tv so that it’s streak-free. Because the big screen is no place for a smudge to hang out.

Tip 3 / Make a chore list, a cleaning schedule or cleaning plan so you’re not being a total random 

15 minutes isn’t a long time but you can do a lot in those 15 minutes if you plan.  Make sure those minutes are well spent by knowing exactly what you want to clean today.  What you clean today will affect tomorrow.  

You don’t want your cleaning sessions to be cleaning whatever catches your eye.  Go about cleaning that way and you’ll end up realizing the whole house is actually disgusting, and in walks anxiety and overwhelm.  And you don’t have time for that so let’s make a cleaning plan instead.   

When it comes to making a cleaning schedule, keep things simple and use a daily, weekly or bi-weekly cleaning list.  

Sidenote /  a cleaning schedule, cleaning plan, chore list or even a cleaning plan are all kind of the same thing so you may see me use these words interchangeably.  Just didn’t want to confuse ya!

Here’s a super simple sample weekly cleaning schedule / 

Monday – Bathrooms (Full cleaning)

Tuesday – Kitchen (Full cleaning)

Wednesday – Dust

Thursday – Vacuums 

Friday – Mop Floors 

Saturday 

Sunday – Prep & Plan

And just like that, you’ll have focused cleaning sessions that’ll keep you from bouncing around from place to place.  Instead, you’ll clean what needs cleaning and have a very productive 15-minute cleaning session.  Cheers to that. 

Tip 4 / Clean your house in 15 minutes. Or maybe 20?

Goal gettin’ has been a heck of a movement but no matter what anyone tells you, you cannot clean your whole house in 15 minutes. Unless it’s a tiny house.  Maybe.  I need to see one in real life to really know for sure though so err on the side of caution with those as well for now. 

Point is, the last thing you want to do is set a big lofty goal for whatall you can clean in 15-minutes.  Why?  Because if you can’t do everything you thought you could, you’ll probably be bummed out. And bummed-out-you is less inclined to stick with your daily 15-minute cleaning blocks.  And your messy house troubles will ultimately return. 

Tip 5 /  Make big spaces bite-sized

Everyone has their own cleaning speed.  Same way we all have our own walking pace.  Some people walk slow and some people walk fast.  God’s plan right?  But regardless of your speed, some spaces will just be too much to clean in a 15-minute span.  Let’s look at an example.  

Can you clean your bathroom from top to bottom, including vacuuming and mopping in 15 minutes?  Umm, if it’s a half bath – definitely.   But a full-on master bath with yucky super soaker jacuzzi blasters and a tile-and-grout walk-in shower speckled with mold & mildew spots like the 101 dalmations – probably not.   

So how do you handle areas that are a bit too much for a 15-minute cleaning session?  I’m glad you asked.  

You have permission to break big jobs down into smaller bite-sized chunks.  But I know you were already thinking that.  Sometimes it’s just good to have someone validate the genius thoughts you have in your head so your welcome.  

With that being said, it’s ok to break the bathroom down into the smallest bits you can handle and clean the tub – or all the tubs – today.  And the shower tomorrow.    

Here’s a sample schedule for cleaning your bathroom in just 15 minutes a day /

• Monday – sweep, vacuum, spot clean floors and take out trash
• Tuesday – clean the bathroom sink, counter, cabinet doors
• Wednesday – wipe down all the baseboards,  doors and wall fixtures
• Thursday – clean the tub
• Friday – clean the shower

So yeh, it’s one week in the shower but you’re basically doing a little every day, sometimes less than 15 minutes to keep your bathroom super clean. 

And now my moment of truth: I actually clean the bathroom surfaces on one day and then the bathroom floors (vacuuming & mopping) on the day I vacuum and mop the entire house.  There’s no wrong way to do it.  Thank goodness. 

Bottom line / Instead of trying to cram as much as you can into your 15-minute cleaning session (and only getting half of it done), plan to clean less than you think you can.  You’ll be surprised by how good it feels to accomplish an obviously-accomplishable cleaning task. 

But the real magic is that it’ll naturally lead you to say, dang, I can do more!  And that’s the energy you need to stick to cleaning your house in just 15-minutes a day for the long haul.  

Tip 6 / Don’t let clutter punk you…

Since this post is about how to clean your house in 15-minutes a day, we have to talk about clutter.  If you’ve got a lot of it, it’ll definitely slow you down if you don’t know how to handle it. 

For starters, it’s not always immediately obvious how you should handle a cluttery situation.  Whether it’s the floors, bedroom dressers or the bathroom counter, should you:

(a) move everything off,  clean the surface and then put it all back

(b) clean around all the knick knacks or 

(c) pretend you don’t see it and move on to the next area

Interestingly enough, any of those answers could be right.  And yeh, I know that’s not super helpful but what I want to highlight is that you should have a plan for clutter.  Not having a plan for clutter is an invitation for overwhelm.  Trust me.

The second thing I want to mention is more of a rule.  And that is, don’t let clutter hijack your cleaning session.  

Set aside a block of time just for decluttering the bathroom cabinets.  And a time just for scrubbing bubbles. Staying focused on cleaning during your cleaning sessions will give you the result you’re looking for – a house that looks clean.  

Bottom line / There’s a time for clutter and there’s a time for cleaning. (Said in my cowboy voice) Create dedicated time blocks just for tackling clutter and likewise, time just for cleaning your home.  (And by cleaning I mean vacuuming, mopping, dusting and all that good stuff.)

Tip 7 / The 3C-Mafia

To clean your house in just 15-minutes a day, procrastination has got to go! If you let the messes stack up for days without getting checked in the spirit of *I’ll get to it later* well, you can kiss the dream of a 15-minute clean goodbye.  

To make quick & sweatless cleaning sessions a reality, here are three different strategies you can stack to keep your house clean enough so that when it’s really time to clean, you can breeze right though it.  

Introducing the 3C Mafia!  Inspired my favorite rap group when I was a youngling fresh from Germany, these 3 cleaning strategies work together so that you can have hyper-productive 15-minute cleaning sessions: 

• Dedicated cleaning sessions to one particular task a few days out the week (vacuuming, mopping, dusting, etc.)
• Cleaning as you go for example, clean the kitchen & wash dishes while you cook. Or scrub the toilet right after you do the doo…
• And lastly, spot cleaning. Make it a point to wipe up spilled juice and foods now while they take less than 2-minutes to clean up. The longer certain types of messes sit, the sticker and grippier they get to surfaces. And old messes are a quick way to blow a 15-minute cleaning session.

Bottom line / Cleaning your house in just 15-minutes a day sounds wonderful but it’s nothing more than a pipe dream if you aren’t doing other things to make it a possibility.

Let’s wrap this up /

Finding a painless way to keep your house clean is a journey.   But it’s the type where you learn so much along the way that it makes you a better version of yourself.  I say that to say, don’t beat yourself up if you’re struggling to keep your house clean.  You’re not alone.   And I promise, as long as you know why you want to keep your house clean and are willing to put yourself first, the rest will fall into place.   Not the advice you were expecting huh? 

Ready to get your home under control once & for all? 

Quickly find your zone of clean so that you can create a home you’re proud of and reveal the blueprint to a home that stays clean, cleaner or cleanish all the time in just 7-days.  Check out the Clean Vibes Kit & Caboodle today! 

Best Selling Items This Week:

• Dye Catchers Cut down how long it takes to do laundry with these! Toss everything into the washing machine and get on to all the other things. Without worrying about those whites turning pink.
• Scotch Brite Non-Scratch Scrubbers If I have to choose between these & my husband, I’m definitely taking the scrubbers. They seriously do allllllll the work when it’s time to clean. Unlike him.
• Window/Glass Cleaning Cloths Ok, if you believe it’s impossible to have streak-free mirrors or glass, prepare to be impressed. You don’t even need window cleaner with these things. Just a little water & shizam. All clear.
• The Roboroc Robot Vacuum It sweeps, mops and is soo smart, it avoids both cat puke & dog terds . If you have pets, you know that’s huge. It’s also $30 off right now.

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later. And get a little clout by showing others you always find the good stuff:-)

The post Clean your house in 15 minutes a day. Seriously. appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

Discover how to clean a Keurig single-serve coffee maker the right way with the help of another fellow Keurig lover/owner standing by your virtual side.

It wasn’t until I got a Keurig that I became a coffee casualty.  Yes, coffee owns me and I’m not ashamed to admit it.  Which is why I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my keurig running smoothly so that this good thing we’ve got going never ends.  Ever. 

Today, you’ll discover how to clean a single serve Keurig coffee maker, so that you never experience the heartache of nothing but spitter spatter coming from your beloved coffee maker.  *The Worst*

How To Clean Your Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker *Quickie Weekly Cleaning Routine*

One of the things I love about having a keurig coffee maker is that it’s super low maintenance.  Compare it to an old school coffee pot and the winner is obvious.  When I think of *the office coffee pot* from when I was in the military I still get chills to this day.  

Keep an eye on the mug plate.  Coffee mugs go there to get rained on.  Extra drips of coffee that come out long after you’ve swiped your coffee mug can stack up quick making it the obvious hot spot on your keurig.

What you’ll need 

• One sink full of warm water & soap
• Two towels – one for cleaning and one to buff your Keurig dry so it doesn’t lose it’s shine

What to do

1. Make some soapy water so you can wash everything.  
2. Unplug the Keurig.  Unless you like living life on the edge.
3. Wash the reservoir and then set it to the side.  You’ll want to take the water filter out during this stage.  I don’t know about you but getting dish soap in the water filter sounds like the perfect recipe for *yuck* coffee.  
4. Wash the rest of the removable pieces.  Dry everything. Set them to the side.  The other pieces depending on the type of Keurig you have should be the reservoir lid, mug stand, mug plate, the K-cup holder and the boatlike piece right under the K-cup holder.   
5. Wipe the Keurig surface with your cleaning towel.  Buff it dry.  Don’t forget to wipe the inside where the little coffee specks like to hang out.  
6. Return all the removable parts.  Don’t forget to put the water filter back into the water reservoir.  Add water to it then or whenever you’re ready to brew. 
7. Plug in the machine.

Change The Water Filter In Your Single Cup Keurig Every 2 Months For Chlorine-Free Coffee – Yummy

Coffee that makes the crowd go wild starts with good tasting water.  Think about it.  Water is the main ingredient in coffee.  Bad tasting water equals trash coffee.  No matter how rich and bodied your K-cups are. 

AH-mazing water is simply water that’s not full of whatever creepy things live in unfiltered water.  Keurig water filters specifically remove chlorine from your water.  Not speaking from experience but I’m pretty confident pool water doesn’t make good coffee.  

Keep your coffee extra bold and not full of extra impurities by changing those filters every 2 months.  Or according to the Keurig site, every 60 tank refills.  

What you’ll need 

• Water filter pods

What to do

1. Empty the water reservoir
2. Remove the water filter assembly from the reservoir.  May take gentle phenagaling to remove.  
3. Separate the bottom of the water filter assembly from the handle so you can access the *old* water filter.  On the bottom of the handle, press in the tabs on both sides of the base at the same time and pull down to separate. 
4. Toss the old water filter cartridge.  Bye-bye.
5. Insert the new water filter cartridge into the assembly *after* you’ve soaked it under running water.  The filter will come with instructions so follow them.  Insert the filter cartridge in the bottom of the handle assembly. 
6. Put the bottom back on the assembly and place it back inside the reservoir.  Be sure to push down firmly – all the way down – to make sure everything is nice and secure.  

FYI, Descaling Your Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker Isn’t Quick

Ok this is the fun part.  But not really.  Descaling your Keurig is something you have to do to keep your coffee flowing smoothing and tasting heavenly.  The descaling process is how you really clean your Keurig.

And to be honest, it’s very easy to do.  But.  I’ll be up front and let you know you need time and a endurance to see the descaling process through.  

Basically, don’t do this on a whim.

Maybe I’m jaded because I was caught off guard with how long everything took.  I decided to descale my keurig 2.0 at 11:30 pm thinking it would be as simple as pushing a button and walking away.  But that’s not quite how it works.   

Descale Your Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker Every 3-6 Months For a Long, Rich Life & To Fix Issues

Ever heard your Keurig make a choking noise?  Or just stopped putting out all together?  A number of things could be happening inside your machine.  However, buildup is more than likely the issue which means descaling is probably going to be your fix.  

According to the Keurig website, descaling your Keurig coffee maker is a necessary process that removes calcium deposits, or scale, that can build up inside a coffee maker over time. Calcium and scale are non-toxic, but left unattended, they can hinder your brewer’s performance.  

Descaling should take place every 3 to 6 months to preserve long-term health of your brewer.

How To Descale Your Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker (*How to REALLY* Clean The Inside)

READ THIS – Descaling your Keurig is a 2-part process.  The quickie cleaning routine I outlined above comes first.  Once that’s done, you can slide straight into the descaling process.  If you *really* want to clean your Keurig, THIS is how you do it:-) 

The ONLY thing I’d do differently than the instructions on the Keurig website is leave the water filter out during the descaling process.  I’m not saying you have to.  I just think it’s weird to leave it in.  The thought of the water filtier holding onto traces of whatever I descale my keurig with terrify me. 

You’ll need 

• White vinegar or descaling solution
• Bottled water
• One large coffee
• Time

Start with freshly cleaned, empty Keurig (no water and no pods inside)

OPTION 1:  Descale your keurig with white vinegar:  

1. Unplug the machine.  

2. Add equal parts vinegar and water to your water reservoir.  I didn’t use this method, but from what I’ve read, most people are filling the reservoir half way with water and then the other half with vinegar.  

OPTION 2:  Use the Keurig descaling solution.  I had a bottle on hand so that’s what I used.  When I nervously test-tasted a cup of coffee at the end of the descaling process, it was indeed delicious! 

Here are the rest of the instructions to follow regardless of which option you choose to clean your single cup Keurig: 

1. Plug the Keurig up and press the power button to turn it on
2. Disable the *auto off* setting 
3. Place the large coffee mug on the mug plate
4. Start the brew cycle without inserting a K-cup. 
5. Repeat until the reservoir is empty.  Give your pointer finger a pep talk because it’s about to be tested in the cruelest way. You have to push the *brew button* after each cycle completes in order to run the descaling solution through the system.  This might be anywhere from 10-15 times.
6. When your Keurig warns you that more water needs to be added PAUSE
7. Let your coffee maker sit for 30 minutes.  Don’t empty the reservoir.  The solution simply needs time to continue working its descaling magic. 
8. Empty the reservoir & fill it with fresh water so you can flush the system of the descaling solution.   This step is how you make sure your coffee won’t taste chemically or vinegary so don’t take this 2nd round lightly.  Oh and do switch fingers this time.  Your poor pointer will have already gone through enough.  
9. Start the brew cycle without inserting a K-cup. 
10. Repeat until the reservoir is empty.  

Can I use distilled water in my Keurig coffee maker?

No. Or maybe. It depends.

When cleaning your single-serve Kuerig, we advise against the use of distilled water as it can make the coffee taste flat. Moreover, since distilled water contains no minerals, your coffee maker may not be able to detect water in the reservoir and the “add water” light will remain on.  That’s a straight copy & paste from Keurig.

But according to other blogs, you can use distilled water in classic keurig machines, just not in the Keurig 2.0. So as you do your research, just note that *the official source* and the internet experts are at odds on this one.

Should you actually clean your Keurig 2.0 with vinegar?

Acidity from chemicals like vinegar can actually damage the inside of your coffee maker.  So if you’re going to use vinegar, do so at your own risk.  Again, that’s a copy & paste from Keurig.

Personally, I think it’s ok as long as you don’t use it often.  Keurig really boxed us in when they said the only descaling product they approve is their own but on the flip side, we know it works so I’d definitely recommend swiping the Keurig maintenance kit that has everything you need to maintain your Keurig from top to bottom.

Got foam coming out of your Keurig coffee maker?  

It’s a 100% natural reaction between the cleansing solution and scale (via Keurig). This is more likely if a coffee maker has a lot of build-up, which may prevent the descaling solution from properly filling the brewing system. Continue to clean your Keurig as usual. You’re not damaging it.

Nothing coming out of your single serve Keurig? 

If this happens, turn off your coffee maker. Empty and thoroughly rinse any remaining descaling solution in the tank and then refill it with fresh water. Reconnect your brewing system, turn it on again and repeat.

One More Thought /

Your single serve Keurig is undeniably more important than vitamins so do the right thing and keep her clean.  Use the right products, do your quickie cleanings regularly and your deep cleanings on time to keep your Keurig happy, coffee full of dark magic, and you a productive member of society.

And to clarify, I mean good dark magic – like chocolate and Idris Elba.  Not Voldemart kind of dark magic. 

Now, if you’re really in the mood to clean random things around the house, head on over to my post, How to clean a flat screen tv so that it’s streak-free. Because the big screen is no place for a smudge to hang out.

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later and so others can see you’ve got all the good stuff!

The post How To *Really* Clean A Single Serve Keurig appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

Don’t let a dirty flat-screen steal the show! Read this post to find out how to safely clean your flat screen tv so that you can get back to the regularly scheduled program. What to do, what not to do and everything in between.

What the heck is THAT on the tv?  Unfortunately, once you’ve seen *it* you can’t unsee it.  So what’s the best way to clean your tv – and be sure you’re not left with buzz-killing streaks? Or lint. No matter what kind of TV you have, scroll through this post and how to clean your flat screen tv in a way that works for you – and uhhh, doesn’t void your warranty.  

How to clean a flat screen tv *without streaks*

There’s nothing worse than going to clean something and it actually looking worse than when you started. So before you find out how to actually clean your tv (explained in the collection of paragraphs below this one), I want to spill the tea on the secret to a streak-free tv. Hint: It’s not about your products.

A flawless finish lies in your technique. Take a deep breath grasshopper. It’s time to channel your inner Karate Kid.

Instructions /

• Fold your microfiber towel so that it is nice and flat, and in squares.
• One small corner of the towel should be damp with water or whatever you’re using to clean your tv with.
• Wipe the screen in a circular motion with your microfiber towel until the screen is clean. Think wax on, wax off.
• Flip it or fold it so that you expose the dry side and buff it dry. Again, use circular motions. Wax on. Wax off.
• Step back and marvel at your work. It’ll look practically brand new – from every angle – if you did everything right.

How to clean a flat screen tv with vinegar

Whether you’re team green or simply praying that you have something under the kitchen sink that can double as a tv screen cleaner, if you’ve got the mighty V-warrior – the street name for vinegar – you’re in luck!  

According to Shifrah Combiths over TheKitchn, while old school televisions were made with glass screens that could be cleaned with anything that made glass streak-free, using harsh chemicals on LCD screens can cause permanent damage because they’re made from a special kind of flexible plastic. 

Plasma TV screens, though they’re made of glass, are also delicate. Using a scratchy rag or even a paper towel can also scratch these screens.

What You’ll Need /

• White vinegar 
• Distilled water
• Microfiber cloths (2)
• Bowl

Instructions /

1. Turn off your TV: Working on a dark surface will enable you to see dust, fingerprints, and dirt more clearly than if the TV is on. 
2. Dust your TV with a dry microfiber cloth: Use one microfiber cloth to gently dust the surface of your TV screen. Don’t forget to dust the frame and the base. 
3. Make your cleaning solution: Mix a solution of half white vinegar, half distilled water. This cleaning solution is effective yet gentle. Using distilled water prevents hard water residue from making your screen look dirty. 
4. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution: Never spray any cleaning solution directly onto your screen. Dip your cleaning rag instead. If you’d rather use a spray bottle, that’s fine, but again, spray the cloth, not the screen. 
5. Wring the cloth well: You don’t want your rag dripping wet. Damp is perfect. 
6. Gently wipe down your TV screen and the frame: Wipe down your TV screen with your damp microfiber cloth. Start from the top and work your way down, using an S pattern. Don’t forget to wipe the frame and the base of the TV. 
7. Buff dry with a dry microfiber cloth: With a clean, unused microfiber cloth, buff your TV dry to eliminate potential water spots. 

Note

We used three microfiber cloths here to show the three main stages, but you really just need two. Use the first one to dust the screen, then rinse it and wring it out and use that same one to dip into the solution. Then, just used a second one to buff and dry the screen at the end.

How to clean a flat screen tv (aka plasma, LED, LCD, and OLED TVs)

Plasma screens, while made of glass, have anti-glare coatings that can be damaged by traditional cleaning products. It’s best to follow the same dry cleaning methods you’d use for cleaning LED, LCD and OLED TVs.

DO:  

Dust the tv screen with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Spot-clean stubborn smudges with a pre-moistened wipe designed for electronics. With your microfiber cloth, go over buttons and the back of the TV to nab dust in the vents.

DON’T: 

Use any type of wet cleaning methods involving spraying the surface directly.  

BOTTOM LINE:  

More delicate LCD, plasma or rear-projection screens can’t handle traditional wet cleaning.  

How to clean tube televisions

Talk about a relic from the past. When I see a box tv it takes me straight back to my Nintendo and Saturday mornings framed with a bowl of fruit loops and Darkwing Duck! With that being said, if you’re still pushing a box tv, it is a total act of rebellion at this point.  But whatever the reason you’ve got one plugged up, these bad boys don’t need much special attention.  

DO:  

Wipe them with a microfiber cleaning cloth dampened with a little water – just the corner of the towel – or with your favorite window cleaning spray. For tough, stuck-on bits, let your fingernail do the work.  As a finishing touch, use the dry side of the towel to buff the screen.  

DON’T: 

Never (I repeat, never!) spray the screen directly. Doing so could damage the set, as well as any surrounding cabinetry.

BOTTOM LINE:  

Regardless of what you have on hand, you only need a little bit of it to give old Betsy a nice shine.  

How to clean your remote control

How often do you look at the remote control?  And no, I’m not asking how often do you lose your remote.   Seriously, using a remote is an eyes-off adventure thanks to muscle memory.  This means you may have a serious yuck fest in the palm of your hand and not even notice.    So let’s give the remote some love while we’re taking care of the TV. 

DO:  

First things first, take the batteries out.  Then loosely wrap the remote in a towel and lightly tap it, button side down, on a table to dislodge any loose crumbs or debris stuck in the crevices.  Tap from a few different angles.   

Grab a barely damp towel or a pre-moistened wipe (to get that sticky off)  and give the remote a good wipe down. Good ol’ baby wipes will work fabulously for this one.

Pop the batteries back in.  Get back to Netlflix.  

DON’T:  

Bathe the remote in water or spray it with any products.  

BOTTOM LINE:  

Look at the remote.  

EXTRA TIP:  

The spaces around the buttons can become a situation.  Use a bobby pin, safety pin or even a toothpick, wrapped in a thin tissue, to easily flick out the gross.  

How to clean TV speakers

What’s a tv without it’s speakers.  Act like you care and be sure to clean the speakers when you dust your home or whenever you spruce the tv up a bit.  

What You’ll Need: 

A vacuum cleaner (the wand) or 

Scotch-Brite lint roller (with 3 small kids, a lint roller is seriously one of my top 5 must-have cleaning tools)

Instructions /

If the fabric covers on your speakers are removable:

• Pop them off and vacuum both sides with the upholstery tool to remove the dust, lint and pet hair that often stick there. 

If the covers can’t be removed: 

• Clean what you can.  Use the vacuum tool or the lint roller to tackle the front of the speaker.  

For rigid, screen-like speaker covers: 

• Either remove or clean them in place using a barely wet microfiber cloth. Then let them air dry or buff them dry with a second towel.  

Feel like you know how to clean your flat screen tv now? Sprinkle these tips in as well…

Make cleaning your tv a regular thing even if for no reason but to make it easier to keep it clean.  A wipe today equals one less wipe tomorrow, or some proverbial wisdom along those lines. 

Depending on your current living situation – aka kids with grimy paws or pets that sneeze on the tv unapologetically or a mix of both – you’re going to want to clean your TV every 7 days to keep crud like phlegm, food, fingerprints and dust from building up and becoming harder to remove. 

DO: 

• Keep a clean, chemical-free microfiber or tv screen wipes nearby so you don’t have to go looking for your cleaning supplies.  Dust the frame, the back and the wires.  Hit any boxes you have plugged up to your tv.  And then make your screen shine.  

• Use your vacuum’s soft dusting brush and low suction to remove dust from any vents, ports and cable connections.

• Respect your warranty.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions so you don’t wipe yourself into *voided* territory.  

DON’T: 

• Spray anything directly on a television screen, even glass tube televisions. The excess spray can get onto the cabinet and into the inner workings and just like that, you’ll be in the market for a new tv.

• This last *don’t* is a big one – don’t use products containing ammonia, alcohol, or acetone, which can damage the television’s screen.

While You’re Here /

In the mood for some more cleaning? If you’ve got a Keurig, you’re going to want to read this super guide called How To Clean Your Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker. You’ll learn exactly how to keep your machine running smoothly so you never have to experience life without her:-).

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later and so others can see you’ve got all the good stuff!

The post How To Safely Clean *Any* Flat-Screen TV appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

This post was originally published by our friends at Porch.com and I’m sharing it with you today because having a decluttered home and making home feel sweet can be tricky. But good advice like this will help you get past the mental clutter and actually get uncluttered. *release your tears of joy starting now*

Easier said than done, a busy life & bustling household can make it tough to declutter your house.

While some disorganization in your home is simply a sign of living a normal life, being surrounded by clutter can cause feelings of anxiety and crush productivity and creativity. If you want to transform your home — and your life — now is a great time to do it.

These tips and tricks will help you create a tidy home so you can enjoy your space stress-free.

If you want to learn the secrets to cleaning your entire house fast, you should check out my post: how to clean your entire house in 2 hours! It’s a game changer!

Benefits of Decluttering That’ll Get You Goin’

Decluttering and organizing make your home look and feel cleaner, and it helps you maximize your space and get those warm & fuzzy feelings when at home. But the benefits don’t end there. These are some of the far-reaching advantages of having an organized, decluttered home.

1. Reduce stress and anxiety

When your home is organized and free of clutter, you’ll feel a reduced sense of stress and anxiety. Being surrounded by too much “stuff” can feel overwhelming and get in the way of your ability to relax or stay productive.

2. Improve Focus and Creativity

Uncluttered surroundings make it easier to stay focused on the tasks at hand—you’re not getting distracted with having to look for things, and you don’t have that nagging feeling that you should be tidying up. Once you organize your home, you’ll probably start to feel more creative, and your productivity will improve.

3. Promote Better Sleep

The more cluttered your bedroom, the more likely you are to suffer from a sleep disorder, according to a recent study. When everything is in its place, it’s much easier to relax and unwind at the end of the day, and when you step into a clean, tidy bedroom, you’ll feel calm and content as you slip into bed.

4. Improve Energy Flow

Decluttering is an effective way to improve the flow of energy and foot traffic in your home. Unimpeded by clutter, your spaces will feel calmer, brighter, easier to navigate, and more pleasant to be in.

5. Rediscover Old Treasures

In the process of decluttering, you’ll probably find some treasures you haven’t seen for a while, like boxes of family photos or videos, packed-away baby keepsakes, or a pile of newspaper clippings or special art the kids made. Set these aside, and make a project out of turning them into albums, scrapbooks, edited videos, or other memorabilia.

But on the flip side, this type of clutter can send you down a rabbit hole. So sort ruthlessly and then reminisce about the good ol’ days later. After you’ve finished decluttering.

6. Make Someone’s Day

You’ll also probably find some things while you’re organizing that make you wonder why on earth you’ve been holding onto them all these years, like abandoned sports equipment, rarely-used kitchen gadgets that just take up space, and that huge collection of suitcases you don’t need. You’ll get a warm feeling when you give these items to someone who’s happy to take them off your hands.

The Bonafide Best Time to Declutter Your Home

Anytime is a good time to get organized! Many people use the changing of the seasons to carve out some time to declutter and deep-clean. Spring and fall are ideal times for washing the windows, steaming the carpets, and cleaning and turning the mattresses. But other circumstances may also present the opportunity to do a quick declutter — or a major overhaul of your belongings:

• During the holiday season, getting organized will help you keep your home tidy for visitors, highlight your festive decorations, and make hosting a breeze.
• Any time you move into a new place, take the opportunity to go through every single belonging you have and say goodbye to things you no longer want or need.
• If you’re in the mood to remodel a bedroom closet or clean out the pantry, do a deep dive into the stuff that you’re storing there, and pare it down.
• Parents of older children who are moving out can take advantage of the extra space by doing some decluttering — but don’t throw anything out until you run it by the offspring!

You may want to check out my very popular Daily, Weekly & Monthly Cleaning Schedule With A Simple Morning Routine (built into the schedule).

Home Detox aka Decluttering, Done Room–by-Room

To truly declutter your home, you’ll need to do a thorough “detox.” Most of us focus on the bathroom, bedroom, and closets when we think of organizing, but there are many other areas of your home that could probably use some extra organization. If you feel overwhelmed, start with small spaces first and work your way toward larger rooms as you go.

Hallway and Living Room: Store coats and shoes in a closet or storage bench, and tidy up the living room by putting away toys, stacks of clothes, books, and miscellaneous items that are in the way.

Yard Shed/Garage: Sort through your shed and garage, and decide what you no longer need. Use a pegboard to hang small tools, and install sturdy hooks on the walls and ceiling to hang bicycles, lawn and garden tools, and sporting equipment.

Laundry/Kitchen: Make it a habit to tidy up these two areas every day if possible. Put your clean laundry away, wipe down kitchen countertops, and keep your sink free of dirty dishes (as often as you can!).

Home Office/Important Documents: Go through all of your bills, receipts, tax and legal documents, and important items. Some records should be shredded, but you’ll want to keep some documents, like IRS filings and other tax-related paperwork, for approximately five years.

Playroom/Craft Room: Organize toys into bins, and keep craft items organized in storage boxes with a label. Determine what to donate and what to throw away every time you declutter these rooms to keep excess stuff to a minimum, which makes playing and crafting more enjoyable.

Storage Areas: Declutter closets and pantries often to make it easy to find the things you need. Tackle areas like the basement and attic, sort items into categories items by category, making sure that only the things you truly need are still there.

NEED A SIMPLE BUT COMPLETE CLEANING CHECKLIST FOR THE ENTIRE HOUSE? // You should check out my  Room-By-Room House Cleaning Checklist For Year Long Clean Vibes!  Realistic weekly cleaning, deep cleaning & spring cleaning checklists for every space makes it even easier to keep a clean house!

Create Sorting Categories To Declutter Smarter & Faster

A home detox starts by determining which items you plan to keep, and which items you don’t. You can make the process easier by creating specific sorting categories for every single item that moves through your hands. Label boxes, bags, or baskets with the category, and if an item in question doesn’t go back into the space you’re cleaning, put it in the appropriate receptacle.

Here are some helpful categories, but use what works for you and the space you’re organizing — you may need a pile for mending when you’re organizing clothes, or a pile for hazardous disposal when you’re organizing under the sink.

 Donate: These items can be anything that you feel a charity or nonprofit organization would benefit from. Think about where you plan to donate items first, and find out where to drop them off. Make sure the items are in good condition before you add them to your “donate” category.

Give Away: Whether it’s your child’s old bike that’s now the perfect size for his cousin, or you’re sorting through your clothes and have friends in mind who might like something, consider giving some of your items away to friends or family members who’d love to have them.

Toss/Junk Removal: Throw away smaller, worn-out items that can’t be upcycled or recycled. If you don’t have a way to haul larger items like furniture or appliances to the dump, contact a local junk removal company to haul them away.

Recycled/Upcycled: Some items, like old clothing or furniture, can be upcycled into something new. Give an old table some creative TLC, and use it on the porch. Turn a bag of old t-shirts or a bunch of old jeans into a quilt. If an item is irreparable and can’t be upcycled, see if it’s recyclable. If not, it’ll have to go in the trash.

Put in Storage: Some of your belongings — seasonal wardrobes, holiday decorations, or a crib you’re planning on using again — may simply need to be put into storage. Decide where they’ll go, and make an appropriate pile.

How to Declutter. Questions To Ask Yourself…

As you begin your decluttering adventure, it’s important to set some criteria for determining what’s worth keeping and what isn’t. Here are two major questions to consider:

#1. Do you (or someone in the household) use this item? If you’re deep inside a closet and find the ironing board you haven’t seen in seven years, get rid of it. If you have a complex, hulking food processor that you used once in college to make hummus ditch it. Only keep these types of items if you use them on a regular basis and nothing else will do.

#2. Do you (or someone in the household) love this item? Sentimental items are tricky things. If you’re keeping the ugliest placemats you’ve ever seen in your life just because your late aunt gave them to you, don’t feel bad getting rid of them. Someone out there will absolutely love them and give them the place of honor they deserve at the table. On the other hand, if your baby blanket is in complete tatters, but you love it with all your heart, that’s a no-brainer: You keep it.

Transform Your Space This Month With Some Serious Decluttering

You’ll enjoy a great feeling of accomplishment as you make a fresh, new start in an optimized, organized home, where you’ll feel better, sleep better, and find things more easily. Make your checklist today, and get started on a thorough home detox for a clutter-free life.

Originally Posted in Porch.com

Let’s finish this declutter party the right way! Learn how to declutter your house without making a mess in this post. Game-changer for those of you like me that hate making a mess to clean a mess!

The post Turn Over a New Leaf with an Organized, Decluttered Home appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

So how far down is dusting on your list of most-dreaded chores?  If it’s so far down it’s towards the center of the Earth, join the club. Dusting is one of the least favorite chores out there.

How do I know? Because it’s the 2nd most requested task clients ask for when booking cleaning services from my company. (Can you guess what the #1 request we get is? Floors. Young, old, single, grande sized families and everyone in between hates cleaning the floors.)

So the real question is how long can you really put off dusting without crossing the ewww-your-house-is-kinda-nasty line?

To sum up dust in one-word, it’s gross.

Since dust is primarily composed of human skin cells, pet dander, fabric fibers, pollen, and dust and debris from outside, you probably want to dust more often than you currently are (sad fact: about 80 percent of the particles you see floating in a sunbeam are dead skin cells).

According to one study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the composition of most household dust is significantly grosser than you might imagine, combining dead skin, fungi, and bacteria ranging from the benign to the potentially-harmful, including Staphylococcus aureus.

If you live in a dusty zip code… 

A few factors contribute to the amount of dust collecting in your room, including where you live (clearly, the Arizona desert is dustier than a rainy Oregon forest), how often you open your windows, the season of the year, and how many pets you share your home with.   To name a few.

If you live in a dusty-ish terrain, you should aim to dust weekly.

If your house is hairy, you should dust (and vacuum) every day-ish

And then there’s hair…long hair, pet hair, human hair, fake hair, remy, curly, silky, straight – it doesn’t matter. I know hair isn’t dust, but if you’ve got a lot of thick-haired carbon-based beings that shed in your home, you’ll need to dust your home more often than others.

Now this seems like a tall order, but you really only need to stay on top of high traffic areas. And then bathroom floors. Why? Because dry hair is a lot easier to clean up than wet hair. Trust me.

All you need is a vacuum cleaner to quickly suck up hair – especially in corners and along baseboards – to keep your home looking exceptionally hairless.

Hardly ever dusting your house will make your house look dirtier than it is

Whatever you do, don’t skip dusting altogether.  But I get it. Dusting your entire house can seem a bit daunting but it’s a lot easier to manage when you break the task down room by room. Dusting just one room a day is doable on even the tightest schedule.

  Here are some quick & dirty reasons why you should dust more often: 

• a layer of dust can easily make your place look much dirtier than it is. 
• dust can also cause damage to household surfaces, especially electronics (so pay extra special attention to those!).
• dust can lead to allergy and breathing problems for many people — so don’t forget to get rid of that dust on the ceiling fan, since it’s circulating the air around.

You should dust your house every week – if you’re a neat freak.

And that’s ok.  But you’re on your own. Justin Timberlake leaving N-Sync style.  Unless you live in an apartment, dusting every week is something most of us really just don’t have time for. But there is one little exception…

Common spaces & high traffic areas should be dusted weekly.  But when I say dust, I’m not talking feather dusters.  You need to wipe down furniture surfaces with a damp towel & cleaner so that they are actually clean & dust-free.

Greasy fingerprints, water rings, and all that grimy stuff dulls your shine majorly. And will give your mother-in-law fuel for eons especially if she’s of the nice nasty variety.

• coffee tables 
• sofas just a quick wipe off
• lamps
• dining tables (aka a desk depending on who you ask) & chairs

If you have a life, dusting your house every 2-weeks or monthly is totally ok – and normal

I’m giving you this answer based on my experience as a cleaning service owner & how often most people want their house cleaned. The absolute most popular frequency for our clients is drumroll please – every 2 weeks.

So if you’re looking to create a solid cleaning schedule, want to know how long you can go without dusting – and still be considered a decent human being – or seriously just forget to dust, you can totally get away with dusting anywhere from every 2-weeks to once a month.  

Things in your house you should dust every 2-weeks or monthly-ish:

• common rooms
• bedrooms 
• guest rooms 
• unused spaces
• furniture surfaces you can’t see or reach without a ladder
• ceiling fans
• baseboards (especially in bathrooms or places where pets sleep)
• doors
• televisions
• blinds (you really want to stay on top of blinds because they can be a pain to clean when they get to the point of no return
• wall decor & fixtures

Dust the unreachables & unnoticeables at least every 3-6 months

Out-of-the-way spots like ceilings, corners, high shelves, and door frames only need to be dusted dust every three to six months. But what about those things that you don’t even think about dusting that are absolutely covered in dust? Looked at your outlets lately?

Introducing, the unnoticeables. The items you see & use all the time will never make it onto your cleaning list except by some type of divine intervention. Like you reading this post lol

Thankfully, you don’t have to give these items much of your attention or time which gives you plenty of wiggle room to plan when you’ll dust them. But heed my warning youngling, go any longer than that, and getting rid of dust on those high ledges might require a lot of elbow grease.

Just remember the factors I mentioned earlier that affect how often you should dust. The more factors you have in play, the more often you should dust.

Things you should dust in your house every 3-6 months:

• crown molding
• tops of furniture that you can’t see or reach without a ladder
• outlets
• light switches
• vanity lights
• plants
• curtains (lint roll them)
• mattresses (use the vacuum cleaner hose)
• vacuum cleaner (empty the canister & wipe it out)

Clingy dust needs a little extra push

You ever tried to clean dust that seemed to be a little umm, clingy?  The type that you can’t just dust off.  (When was the last time you got just a little too clingy? Lol )   If it’s like this every time you dust, you should be dusting your house more often for sure.

When dust settles, it begins to take on moisture from the air around it, and if it isn’t removed, it then begins to stick to the surface it settled on initially.  You need to clean – with a damp towel & an all-purpose cleaner – to remove this type of dust.  

Are you making things dustier when you dust

What you dust your house with matters more than you think. Those fluffy feather dusters, while great at getting into small places – and being used as photo props for cheesy pics to post on social media – only scatter dust back into the air. Total fail. 

I have to admit that I use high-dusters with heads just as bad or worse than those duck feathers but hear me out.  I use them to dust all those out the way things like ceilings, super unreachable lights and sometimes even blinds.  All I do is knock the dust off, then wait about 15-20 minutes for the dust to settle on lower surfaces.  Once the cost is clear, I go through dusting as usual with no issues. 

What you’ll need to dust your house if it’s super dusty – or to keep it up

If we have a home to clean that’s super dusty, there will be a lot of vacuuming going on.  So we may do a round of vacuuming surfaces, then a round of dusting with a microfiber, followed by another round of vacuuming to get it all out the room. 

Ahhh, finally, a reason to use those vacuum attachments that have become that special kind of clutter you just don’t want to throw away.  

Dusting tools – that are actually good for dusting:

•  microfiber cloths (it’s what I use at home and in my cleaning service all day everyday)
• high dusting kit for those unreachable things that get super dusty
• good ol fashioned Swiffer dusters – I actually avoided them for a long time thinking they were gimmicky but presently, I totally use them to clean blinds. 
• a vacuum cleaner with a Hepa filter to get the dusty edges of the room and along those baseboards

Once you have some good tools in hand, all you have to do is grab your headphones, clear the clutter & dust away! 

Plan how often you want to dust your house

If you’re like most people, you often don’t realize it’s time to dust until you randomly swipe the blinds, turn your palm over & reveal fingers covered in a layer of thick ick…

If you’re only dusting your house when you see something that kinda grosses you out instead of cleaning regularly, you’ll always stumble upon areas that have been neglected & send you into panic mode. Hello 7-hour long marathon cleaning session. Or maybe you’ll ignore it because you just can’t deal. Hey that’s life.

If you want a simple way to stay on top of what needs to be dusted – and when – along with all your other dreaded housekeeping chores so you feel like you’ve got your house under control & clean is always within reach, you should check out my Clean Vibes Planner Kit.

In addition to a ton of mess eliminating templates & resources, it includes a Master Cleaning Guide + template for you to use to create the perfect cleaning schedule & easily maintain your home. No matter how crazy your schedule is.

And of course, if you loved this post, do a me a mini-sized favor & repin this. It’s like giving me a virtual high-five which will kinda make my day! See ya in the next post…

The post How often should you dust your house *for real* appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

Spring cleaning: Not just for spring anymore

A clean, organized workspace can help improve your focus, stabilize your mood, and give you that creative boost you desperately need. According to the South China Morning Post “[C]lutter can make us feel frustrated by the way it invades our home, which, for many of us, is our safe space.” Look around at your home: Did it become messier during the last several months of quarantine?

The answer? Declutter that mess! It may seem hard to get started, but once the clutter has been reorganized and everything is put in its place, that sense of frustration will dissipate. You may even find that if you do work from home, your productivity will get a boost since your focus is on the task in front of you instead of the clutter in the corner of your eye. (It also doesn’t hurt to also spend some time sanitizing your living space, as research shows that cleaner homes promote healthiness and physical activity.)

In addition to a thorough decluttering, a deep cleaning from top to bottom will serve you and your home well as you prepare to hunker down. Work from top to bottom, and get into the nooks and crannies to ensure you’ve addressed every space and crumb. If you’re feeling less than inspired to take this on, why not splurge and outsource to a professional? The experts at The Cleaning Club can take your home from dirty to dazzling, giving you more time to work on prettying up your space. 

Comfort central: Cozy up your couch

One thing you can do to ensure maximum comfort is to turn your attention to furniture and decorations. Add a colorful rug or two in the bathroom and kitchen; apply fabric deodorizer to curtains and, if you’re feeling especially motivated, dust the blinds. Does that recliner in the corner look a little drab? If you know how to crochet or knit, easy accent pillowcase patterns provide a way for you to add a personal touch and splash of color to your living space. 

Of course, if your furniture is structurally sound and simply needs a bit of a sprucing up, reupholstering is always an option. Maybe that floral print from the ‘70s isn’t doing it for you anymore, or the cat stretched with claws-out too many times — whatever the case, choosing a new fabric can be an exciting way to welcome a “new” chair or couch into your space. Don’t forget to factor in budget when researching chair upholstery pricing. On average, the cost to reupholster chairs can run anywhere from $350 to $1,000, including labor and fabric costs, depending on the design.

Internet capability: Stress-test your Wi-Fi

Stanford University researcher Nicholas Bloom noted that for those Americans working from home, internet access is not as ubiquitous as it should be. Before the next round of quarantine, even if you’re not working from home, be sure to metaphorically dust off your Wi-Fi router and make sure your plan can handle increased usage. Visiting internet speed test sites like SpeedTest.net can give you an idea of what kind of load your pipes can expect to successfully carry. You can even contact your internet service provider and ask if they are ready for the increased usage.

Don’t wait

Your home should be your sanctuary — especially now. Don’t let indecision keep you from creating the most comfortable shelter for your needs. Before the next round of lockdowns, take the time to address any concerns you may have with your current space, so you can meet this year’s extraordinary challenges with one more arrow in your mental-health quiver.

The post Three C’s of Quarantine: Cleaning, Comfort and (Internet) Capability appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.