Monday, August 23, 2010

Simplifying Housekeeping

After decluttering our home (mentioned in this post), I have set up a cleaning schedule and made myself a Cleaning Schedule Notebook that makes me smile.

Wanting to replace the tacky old steno notebooks in which I had written my daily to-do list for years, I set about to find a way to make my regularly-scheduled cleaning lists reusable. Meaning, I didn't want to keep writing the same list out week after week. I knew about Flylady and her idea of using a notebook and page protectors for her to-do lists, but I didn't want a big notebook cluttering up my limited cabinet space. So when I found this cute little photo album in town Saturday, I knew I had found my solution.

I brought my little book home and personalized it with my favorite kitty picture which I had scanned from a piece of fabric.



I then cut pink paper down into a size to fit in the photo slots. On seven of these sheets, I wrote the days of the week and the daily chores I do on each of those days:



Monday: laundry, vacuum, clean out frig, make menu
Tuesday: sweep/mop, buy groceries
Wednesday: laundry, dust
Thursday: wash sheets, clean baths
Friday: laundry, Pink Saturday post

And on the bottom of each page is a spot for me to keep up with the glasses of water I drink each day.

Being in the clear plastic pages means I can use a dry erase marker to mark off each chore as it gets done or make a tic mark for each glass of water I drink. I can just add the occasional chores (like ironing) on the plastic sleeve for the day I want to do them. Since I don't do them on a certain day, I don't want them added to my permanent list.

I am still working on the next section but here's what it's going to be; a detailed cleaning list for each room.



I started my detailed cleaning on one end of our home, the utility room, and plan to work myself down the line, from one room to the next, until I get to the other end of the house. Then I can start all over in the utility room. I am working in my breakfast room this week.



I will work in here until my list is all checked off, whether it takes two days or two weeks. Then I will move on to the next room. I am trying to resist pressuring myself with time limits for each room. That way, my schedule will remain flexible and I won't feel guilty if I want to make time for some fun.

And my little notebook is cute and out of the way,standing on my cabinet or on top of the frig, when not in use.



Ahhhh, life is grand when clutter is gone and cleaning is broken into small snippets. It doesn't take much to make me happy, does it?

Linked to: CraftOManiac
Modern Craftswoman
Made by You Monday
Making the World Cuter

9 comments:

  1. Now can you come up with a way to make me 'want' to do the cleaning? I don't like living in a dirty house,so I do clean,nut I DO NOT like cleaning. :)
    bLessings,Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  2. I need to de clutter. I tried selling some stuff on the cyber yard sale without a lot of success! I need to do a yard sale and some open houses thigns to rid myself of too much stuff! We have given so much to the thrift stores already! I love this idea. I will come back when I have more time. I need to get ready for work! I am a slug today! Hugs to you sweet friend! Thanks for the pictures and that book is amazing. I love your breakfast area! Sweet! Anne

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such a great idea! I am a list maker and this is such a cute way to have a list and not have to rewrite it all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good Morning Sherry Sweetie...
    What a gorgeous share today. I love the kitty photo and what a great idea to have an organized list that you can check off. It seems sometimes I get sidetracked and forget something that was on my mind to be done that day.

    I make a grocery list, so why not have a little cleaning one as well.

    I love this idea and your book is just absolutely devine. Thank you for sharing sweet friend.

    Many hugs and much love, Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice idea to keep up with your cleaning plan. Every time I clean the house really good, I tell myself I will start a schedule and work it out so that my weekends are free and I don't have to clean. But I just never can seem to stick to it. I also need to declutter big time! Something else I keep putting off. Good luck and best wishes, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi there,

    New follower from Meet and Greet Monday. I love these blog hops, they are great ways to meet some really awesome people. :)

    Hoping you'll drop by for a visit whenever you get a moment. Thanks

    Marie
    The Things We Find Inside

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Sherry, great idea..I actually have some photo albums kind of laying around..I need to declutter more too..but its too hot right now for any major decluttering that involves going from the inside to the outside, so that has to wait a bit. Great idea, though..

    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Sherry - there isn't a book big enough to list all the chores that do not get done!!!

    ReplyDelete

I'm so happy you're leaving me a comment! ~ Sherry