Everyone would rather do anything at all except clean the house. Time
spent cleaning feels like time wasted that could be used doing
something fun. When cleaning is viewed as a chore instead of as an
aspect of family life, the person stuck with cleaning feels imprisoned.
Spend some time deciding what you hate about cleaning and then use these
ten tips to embrace housecleaning as something that can become a good
habit.
1. Cleaning supplies
Maintain a sufficient supply of quality cleaning solutions that work
well and can be used consistently. Purchase sponges, cloths, brooms,
dusters, and a vacuum cleaner that are sturdy and will last for years.
Buying good quality supplies will eliminate one frustrating aspect of
cleaning the house.
2. Storage areas
Designate certain areas for items that are used consistently. When
every item has a proper place, cleaning is easier and the home appears
to be well-maintained. Teach the children where their toys, books, and
clothes must be kept and encourage them to participate in putting things
away.
3. Manageable tasks
One major reason cited for not cleaning the house is the overwhelming
tasks that must be completed. Break down every task into manageable
stages that can be completed in smaller increments of time. When every
other activity must be postponed to clean the house, the cleaning will
be delayed and go unfinished.
4. Daily routine
Straightening the area near the television should be a family
activity at the end of each day. When everyone takes their own
belongings out of the room and puts them away, the room is ready for the
next use. Working together to clean this room will build positive
maintenance habits that will spread to other areas of the house.
5. Weekly routine
Designate one or two hours each day to completing some chores.
Instead of using all of Saturday to complete the cleaning, set up a
cleaning schedule where each room is cleaned every week. Choose a day to
address each child’s room. Designate another day to clean the baths.
When small areas receive attention each day, the entire house will be
cleaned each week without using weekend time.
6. Help from others
Some major tasks require help from family members and others require
some professional cleaning assistance. Hire someone to clean the carpet
throughout the home. Designate two Saturdays each year to clean and
straighten the garage and have a party at the end of the day to reward
everyone.
7. Incremental progress
Initial efforts to establish a cleaning schedule will be met with
some resistance, but each successive week of cleaning will result in
progress. Stay with the new schedule and notice that each week the
chores are taking less time. As you notice areas that need improved, the
house will become cleaner with less effort.
8. Final task of each activity
At the end of a meal, clean up the kitchen so that the area is clean
for the next use. Whenever a craft project is completed, clean the area
and put everything away. At the end of each day, hang up jackets, put
away toys, and throw away the junk that is lying around. The house will
appear clean in the morning as the family is getting ready to greet the
day.
9. Fun is required
Listen to some music, an audio book, or a great radio program while
completing the cleaning chores. Passing the time while listening to some
great music will enable everyone to remember that cleaning can be
seasoned with fun.
10. Excuses!
Resist the urge to let yourself avoid the cleaning chores for even
one day. The life of a family is greatly improved when the house is not
cluttered and dirty. Break down each chore and decide to spend some time
each day working through the clutter and cleaning at least one area.
When every family member participates in cleaning the house, each
person becomes more aware of the effort required to manage the home.
Battles over putting everything away will be eliminated when cleaning
takes less time each week. Children learn quickly that keeping their own
belongings put away will result in less time to clean their rooms
later. Giving the children a good example of maintaining a clean home
will be a lifelong gift they will appreciate as adults.
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