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A Housekeeping System that Works for You

by Susan Lott

Having a housekeeping system that fits your personality is the key to a consistently ordered home. Most of us intuitively establish a system of sorts without thinking much about it. But if chores are a source of stress, or if you think your home should be cleaner than it is, it's time to modify your system.

I grew up in a home that was always clean to the extreme. My mother had six children and kept a perfectly clean home at all times. We even washed the garage walls once a year! I never measured up to that high standard, but I do keep a clean home. By sharing my system I hope to inspire you to create your own system that will work for your family.

Creating an arena for Real Life

Consistency is not rigidity. It isn't like I clean the tub at exactly 2pm each Thursday. The important principle here is that you consistently make the effort to maintain an ordered home. My schedule is “more guidelines than actual rules.” Some days I'm finished by 10am, some days I clean in the afternoon. Some days I don't do anything at all and catch up the next Monday. I work when I feel like it and take a break whenever I want to. I've learned to trust myself, that when I have adequate energy and motivation, the job will get done.

Creating Your Own Housekeeping System

The following three pages illustrate how I established my general schedule. Along the way, I've pointed out some simple five minute steps that can help you establish your own system today!

How to Get Started

The Weekly Schedule

The Daily List

Additional Housekeeping Tips

Go Green
Not only is it better for your family and the environment, it can also be better for your wallet. Learn more about green cleaning at this website.

Air rooms frequently
Light and air are basic needs, even in winter. Opening a window for 5-10 minutes a few times a week can freshen your entire house and rejuvenate your spirit.

Ask for help in emergencies
Sickness, a new baby, vacations, depression, or unforeseen interruptions can completely dismantle your schedule to the point where you are overwhelmed. In those situations you don't have to fix it alone. Declare your home a disaster zone and call in the troops. Ask for help from family members, friends, a babysitter or cleaning lady if you need to.

Eliminate Spring Cleaning
Some people can make spring cleaning into a fun yearly family ritual, and I envy that. I can't do spring cleaning because I'm a bad finisher. I start out all excited, but my efforts almost always end up in burnout, a short temper, and a lot of items stuffed away at the last minute because it takes too much energy to sort through it all. Instead, I find it easier to clean out one (the messiest) drawer, cupboard, or closet each week. I had to sacrifice the feeling of everything being perfect at once, but I'd rather keep my sanity.

Include the entire family
Gold stars all around! It's important to teach children how to work. They will gain confidence and other important life skills from working alongside you. My toddler enjoys “helping” me with things like vacuuming (i.e. following me around with his toy vacuum). As he grows he can be increasingly responsible for his own tasks.

Here is a video with housekeeping tips.

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