Wouldn´t you agree that everyone would rather do ANYTHING at all EXCEPT clean the house!! Time spent cleaning feels like time WASTED that could be used doing something MORE fun.!! When cleaning is viewed as a CHORE AND A BORE - instead of as an ASPECT of family life, the person stuck with cleaning can end up feeling imprisoned!!
Soooo.. Why not CREATE TIME FOR YOUR LIFE .. and spend some time deciding what you HATE about cleaning and then use these tips to EMBRACE housecleaning as something that can become a good HABIT!
Cleaning supplies!
Keep a LARGE supply of QUALITY cleaning solutions that work well and can be used CONSISTENTLY. Purchase sponges, cloths, brushes, dusters, and a vacuum cleaner that are sturdy and will last for years. Buying good QUALITY supplies will get rid of one FRUSTRATING aspect of cleaning the house.
Storage
Designate certain areas for items that are used MOST OFTEN. When EVERY item has its proper place, cleaning is EASIER and the home appears to be well-maintained. Teach the children (AND YOUR PARTNER FOR THAT MATTER!) where their toys, books, and clothes MUST be kept and ENCOURAGE them to participate in putting things away.
Bite-sized tasks
One major reason cited for not cleaning the house is the THOUGHT of the OVERWHELMING tasks that must be completed. Sooo....break down EVERY task into manageable steps that can be completed in smaller increments of time. When other MORE APPEALING activities must be postponed to clean the house, it´s the CLEANING which will be delayed and go unfinished!!
Daily routine
Tidy up the area near the television as 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 POSTIVE maintenance habits that will spread to other areas of the house.
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 DONT HOARD THINGS!!. The house will appear clean in the morning as the family is getting ready to greet the day.
Weekly routine
Designate one or two hours EACH day to completing some tasks. 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 bathrooms.. When small areas receive attention EACH day, the ENTIRE house will be cleaned each week without using weekend time.
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 or at least hire a MACHINE!! Designate two Saturdays each year to clean and straighten the garage and then throw a party at the end of the day to reward everyone.(preferably in the garden!!)
Incremental progress
Initial efforts to establish a cleaning schedule will be probably be met with some RESISTANCE, but each SUCCESSIVE week of cleaning WILL result in progress. PERSEVERE 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.
Fun is required!
Listen to your favourite music, an audio book, or a great radio program while completing the cleaning chores. Passing the time while listening to some music will help EVERYONE to remember that cleaning CAN be seasoned with FUN!
No 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. PROCRASTINATION only causes stress!! Break down each chore and decide to spend some time EVERY 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. TODDLERS learn quickly and what do TODDLERS turn into? They turn into CHILDREN who will realise 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 HELP THEM and YOU when they become TEENAGERS and they WILL understand later that you have given them a lifelong gift which they will appreciate as adults!!!
Sooooo... What are you waiting for? WRITE YOUR SCHEDULE, TURN UP THE MUSIC AND GET CRACKING!!!
IT´s NEVER too late!!! (and teenagers can always be BRIBED!!)
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