I think I’ve shared quite a few times before on here that I’m not a big fan of house cleaning. It just doesn’t turn my crank and there are approximately 345,999 other things I’d like to do first. But when it comes down to it, it has to be done. So here are three things that help me get to cleaning and stick with it until the job is done.
1) Set a timer. I can get myself to do anything for fifteen minutes. Lady Heather encouraged me to use this method a few weeks back and I really like it. I usually find that once I get my fifteen minutes in, I continue cleaning until a job is fully finished (or even better find another job to do). My competitive nature also likes to see just how many things I can do. I’m a freak, but we’ve already established that.
2) Listen to something. I have my iPod dock in my kitchen so I can catch all of my favorite podcasts, listen to music, or listen to the Radio. I love to multi-task so I feel like I’m getting something else done at the same time. This week, I’ve listened to the last of Rob Bell’s series on Forgiveness (a must if you’re a human; weeks 6.14, 6.21, 6.28), Dave Ramsey on the radio and podcast, and my Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Greatest Hits collection (Can’t believe that Jersey Boys was a week ago. It seems like a distant dream now!).
3) Wear an apron. Here’s the part where I go all Betty Crocker on you and you scratch your head in wonder and confusion. Yep, homegirl is now the proud owner of a beautiful vintage styled apron. It all started a couple of months back when I found these on Amazon.com. Then after some gentle chiding, my dear friend Lady Ariel chose to begin making them in her etsy shop, Pocketful of Pinwheels. I patiently waited for the perfect fabric to match my kitchen (is my geekitude showing again?) and here’s the result:
People I love this thing! It reminds me that oh yeah, I was cleaning. And it keeps me from getting soaking wet when I’m doing the dishes and most amusing of all, I feel pretty when I’m cleaning house and cooking. Let’s just also say the King must like my personal appearance when I have it on as he has a *ahem* spring in his step when he comes through the door and I’m wearing it. Just sayin’. It is worth EVERY penny.
So what about you? What are three things you do to keep on track while cleaning your house?
www.queenoffree.net
Mrs Mommy says
I do love listening to music and multitasking too! If I can get a load of laundry going, the dryer running and I am in the kitchen doin dishes I feel WAY more productive and that helps me keep going. I agree with your time tip, although I don’t set a timer I do try to accomplish one room. Like the kitchen, livingroom or all the bedrooms. Its so much less overwhelming if you are not trying to be June Cleaver.
Shannon says
I am OCD about cleaning but with having a 2 yr old it doesnt always look like I am. I have to listen to music when cleaning, and now after seeing your apron, I want one too. Might make a trip to Hobby Lobby and try to make one of my own. Im sure I wont be as pretty as yours.I have a tip about using a timer with kids. I have a 2 yr old, and raising my niece (9 yr old) and nephew (10 rs old) I set the timer for 5 minutes, and everyone has to run around the house and pick up as much stuff as possible and put it away, wipe off tables, and empty small trash cans, and you wouldnt believe how much fun the kids have, and A LOT can get done in 5 minutes. One time I did it for 10, but wasnt as much fun because they knew they didnt have to hurry.
Jules says
My cleaning “timer” is the length of one Baby Einstein with Jesse in the jumperoo. I feel pretty awesome for what I can get done in that timeframe. Of course it’s also sometimes my “doze on the couch” timer. 🙂
Also, I should say that my word verification below is “resse.” Coincidence?
"The Queen of Free" says
Lady Rachel, I hear ya on the not trying to accomplish more than one room at a time. My ADD cleaning kicks in and I wander around the house getting a sum total of nothing done because I get distracted. And I am far from June Cleaver (and desire to set such an example for the princesses) except I do like her aprons. 😉
Oooh Lady Shannon I do hope that you get an apron. It actually makes me happy to clean. I admire your OCDness when it comes to cleaning. Could you blow some of it at me through the internet so I could catch it? Little people make it so hard to keep anything clean (even with my natural tendency toward slovenliness) so I give up a lot of the time. I do like the 5 minute game! Will put it into practice this weekend or even tonight.
Lady Jules, nap/tv time is such a hard to decide what to do first! Shower? Clean? Laundry? Surf the net? Make calls? Make lists? Workout? Nap? It’s agony I tell you, agony! Give rittle Resse a squeeze for me. Saw the video of him crawling on FB today. Too fun!
Wani says
I’m in love w/ the apron!! I want one! You should do a giveaway!