Good Housekeeping - Saturday and Sunday

 

My  messy boys :)

This week I am writing a series on good housekeeping. I'm sharing my rhythm and what works for me every day as I go about my week tidying up after all our boys! :)

Daily Wisdom

:: Dishes, 2-3 times per day

:: Straighten up main area for 10 minutes after each meal time

:: Check the chickens

:: Brush the dog

:: Read my scriptures

 

 

Saturday

:: Clean Outside

When we clean outside we start with the coop. We rake the sand clean, put fresh litter inside and clean out the roost boxes and lay down fresh straw. Then we sweep down the back porch and clear up any clutter we find laying around. If you have access to your garage (my husband wont let me in there, it's his domain :)) then you should clean up and sweep the garage. In the front yard we clean up the dog doo, sweep the walk ways and driveway, wipe down the outside windows, pick toys up, mow the lawn (yes, I do this LOL even four months pregnant!), and make note of any repairs that need work.

:: Clean the Car

Depending on how dirty your car is you should clean out trash and vacuum. Every once in while pull out the car seats, vacuum under them and wash them or wipe them down. Wash the outside of the car as needed (I don't bother in the winter LOL)

 

:: Bath Night

I clean the children and myself throughout the week as needed but bath night is when we get super scrubby. I make sure all the bits and pieces are washed clean, hair is shampooed and conditioned, nails are scrubbed clean, ears are cleaned out, nails trimmed, etc - everyone is squeaky clean on bath night!

 

A Sabbath dinner

Sunday

:: Church

Sundays in our home are reserved for church, rest, reflection and family. We go to church from 10 AM-1 PM. I strongly encourage families to spend one day a week engaged in spiritual activity. Find a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, drumming circle, a fellowship of some sort and use that day to rest and reflect on your Creator. 

:: Media Free Day

We also use Sundays to practice media free time. No radio, no secular music, no movies, no Internet, no non-religious reading materials, etc. Giving your mind, body and spirit a break from constant stimulation is needed. Your mind needs to reflect and refresh which it cannot do unless you sit and do nothing.

 

Nothing is an adjustment. At first you'll be REALLY bored but you will get use to it and it will amaze you what you find to pass the time. I usually end up talking to my husband and children about my thoughts. I'm a big talker and with nothing to distract us we end up sitting around exchanging stories, ideas, news, etc. It's a really crucial time for reconnection as a family.

So that's it! We are done! Is your house shinny and new? Is it on it's way? I'm so glad you could join me for our good housekeeping series this week. I wish you blessings on your homemaking endeavors! Please share comments with me and let me know how you manage your household and the tips you find helpful :)

Did you miss Friday, you can find him here. Have a great weekend!

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."

- Genesis 2: 2

Good Housekeeping - Friday

 Photo Credit

This week I am writing a series on good housekeeping. I'm sharing my rhythm and what works for me every day as I go about my week tidying up after all our boys! :)

Daily Wisdom

:: Dishes, 2-3 times per day

:: Straighten up main area for 10 minutes after each meal time

:: Check the chickens

:: Brush the dog

:: Read my scriptures

 

 

Friday

:: Clean Floors

I clean the floors in the bedrooms and bathrooms on the days I clean those rooms but on Fridays I target the kitchen floor, the living room and the hallway. First, I wipe down the base boards and scrape the lint and build up out of them. Then I vacuum well. I pull out the couch and vacuum under it and as needed I vacuum the couch including under the cushions every few weeks (be sure to rotate your couch cushions to avoid "butt groves" :)). In the kitchen I sweep the floors well and then mop them down being careful to move aside all dining chairs to get underneath them. I also wipe down the base boards. About every six months I rent a carpet shampooer and clean the carpets with a mix of Dr Bronner's lavender and peppermint soaps.

:: Dust

In the main areas I also dust (I dust the bedrooms and kitchen on their assigned days). I pay special attention to the computer area which becomes very dusty very quickly being sure to move things and get behind and underneath them. Make sure you get the back of furniture and desk areas as well as bookshelves, window sills, picture frames, wall corners, knick knacks, lamps and light fixtures.

:: Windows and Walls

I give the windows in the main areas a good wiping down as needed ( I wipe the outside of them on outside cleaning day ;)) I also wipe down the walls in the main areas of sticky finger build up paying special attention to the door frames and light switches.

Did you miss Thursday? It's right here :)

Tomorrow is our last cleaning day! Are you excited? I am!

"The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe."

- Proverbs 18:10

 

Good Housekeeping - Thursday

 Photo credit

This week I am writing a series on good housekeeping. I'm sharing my rhythm and what works for me every day as I go about my week tidying up after all our boys! :)

Daily Wisdom

:: Dishes, 2-3 times per day

:: Straighten up main area for 10 minutes after each meal time

:: Check the chickens

:: Brush the dog

:: Read my scriptures

 

 

Thursday

:: Laundry

This is my midweek laundry round up to keep it from getting out of control. I also like to wash bathroom towels on this day too and any other odds and ends like kitchen rags, my apron, oven mitts, etc.

:: Clean Kitchen

Wipe down counter tops, cabinets, door frames and the walls around food preparing and consuming areas. Wipe down baseboards, table tops, chairs, high chairs, stools, the outside and inside of the fridge and freezer. Wipe down appliances, clean out the stove inside and out, organize cupboards, wipe down shelves, etc. Throw away spoiled food and when needed rotate your food storage area.

My laundry room and kitchen are connected so I take this time to wipe down the outside of the washer and dryer when they need it and straighten up anything in the area that needs it. 

 

*Note: If you haven't had a regular housekeeping schedule the first week of this schedule may seem daunting. It may take you hours each day to complete the tasks. But rest assured if you do it for a week, the next week it will take you about 20 minutes to complete each daily task.

If you can't spare a week to get everything in order consider making a list of what needs to be done in each area and dividing it up over a month so that maybe you are working in each area, each day, for only 45 minutes but after the month is over you are caught up and can proceed to keep things in order with only a 20 minute or so commitment each day :)

If you missed Wednesday you can see it here. What do you think we are doing on Friday? Stay tuned and find out! :)

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

-Psalm 27:4

Good Housekeeping - Wednesday

This week I am writing a series on good housekeeping. I'm sharing my rhythm and what works for me every day as I go about my week tidying up after all our boys! :)

Daily Wisdom

:: Dishes, 2-3 times per day

:: Straighten up main area for 10 minutes after each meal time

:: Check the chickens

:: Brush the dog

:: Read my scriptures

 

 

Wednesday

 

:: Grocery Shopping, Errands, Meal Planning

 

I keep an ongoing list in my planner where I jot down things we need each week such as vitamins, shampoo, olive oil - whatever we run out of. Then I go the store only once per week along with a trip to the bank, the pet store, whatever we need. I also map out my trip before a I go to plan the most efficient travel route between shops to save time.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" 

- Psalm 119:105

Check out Tuesday here and stay tuned for Thursday!

Good Housekeeping - Tuesday

This week I am writing a series on good housekeeping. I'm sharing my rhythm and what works for me every day as I go about my week tidying up after all our boys! :)

Daily Wisdom

:: Dishes, 2-3 times per day

:: Straighten up main area for 10 minutes after each meal time

:: Check the chickens

:: Brush the dog

:: Read my scriptures

Tuesday

:: Clean the Bathrooms

Scrub down the shower and tub, wipe down fixtures, clean the toilet (throw away old reading materials from the back of the toilet and remember the toilet base), wipe down the sink and mirrors, sweep and mop the floor, change the towels out for clean ones, take out the trash, shake out or wash the rugs, clean out the medicine cabinet, wipe down the door frame and anywhere else with sticky finger build up.

 

:: Take the Trash to the Curb

(of course you want to do this the day before your own trash pick up :))

"To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled" 

 - Titus 2:5

Monday can be found here :)

 

Wednesday is up next!

Keeping a Tidy Home

Keeping a tidy home can be a struggle, especially when one has children. Children can mess things up quicker than a hurricane, as we all know well! :) I am concerned with trend of messiness in the world. It seems no one is willing to go that extra step in keeping their towns, neighborhoods, selves and homes clean, tidy and organized.

In Psalms 51:10 it says;

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

When we have a clean space and a clean body we can relax, quite the mind and renew our spirit in our fresh surroundings. 

Over the years I have refined my homemaking skills such that I keep a pretty tidy home. I thought I would share some of my tips for success.

A Good Start

1. Own Less Stuff

I cannot over stress the importance of getting rid of junk. Here is the best method I have found for getting rid of things; over the course of a few weeks go through your things every few days and box up stuff to get rid of.

Allow one of your household closets to be filled with keepsakes (year books, photo albums, that special outfit you are saving for your grandchildren, etc). Give every person in the house three medium sized boxes. EVERYTHING they own (clothes, books, toys, toothbrush, sheets, etc) should fit into those three medium sized boxes. Furniture not included but don't fall in the trap of owning too much furniture either, be sure you are actually using it or get rid of it.

Take a box down to your local thrift shop or to the garbage every time you leave the house during your de-cluttering time. Once your house is clean, EVERY TIME you bring home new stuff (except food), keep the bag it came in and refill it with things to give away. Do not buy more stuff until you have given an equal amount away.

2. Don't Let Your Children Own Toys With Many Pieces

Until they are old enough to control it they are not old enough to own it. My oldest is 7 years-old and he is STILL not old enough for a toys with more than 5-10 pieces (except puzzles).

3. A Place For Everything and Everything in  It's Place

Everything you own should have a home that is put up or tucked away accept for a few decorative items (but don't put out too many of these otherwise your space becomes too cluttered). Don't let stacks of things pile up. Be sure that books are straight on the bookshelf and DVDs are tucked away.

Don't leave things on the floor. The floor space should be clean, clear and vacuumed often. Have a box by the door for shoes and may be one for socks if needed. Be sure they are put away every time you return home.

4. Avoid Distractions

You're not thinking about what needs to be done in your home if you are zoned out on TV or the Internet all day. Limit these activities to certain, set aside, time periods only and you'll be amazed at how much more time you have to spend on your home both in respects to cleaning but other things as well, like cooking healthy meals.

If you find yourself surfing through TV or the Internet with no real intention then you are over using these things.


Keeping It Clean

I clean three times per day, at least. After breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner.

I have a routine of going from one room to another. Livingroom, bedroom, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. Start with the room where you would entertain a guest dropping by (like the living room) and work your way through the rooms that are most often seen and used.

I pick things up off the floor. I have a box in the living room for toys to be tossed into. When it's full it gets taken back to the toy room. I allow my children to play with toys in the common areas but the toys cannot live there. I pick things up off the tables and and shelves such as old glasses and cups and forgotten nick knacks. I make sure the beds are made, the dishes done and the surfaces cleaned off.


Deep Cleaning

Once per week, usually on Saturday, I do a deep cleaning. I put on some good music, an audio book or something to this effect, I strap the baby on my back in the Ergo and I get to cleaning. I clean what is most in need that week as well as giving every room a good scrubbing.

I wipe down the windows, sweep and vacuum the floors, clean off the window moldings, wipe down the walls of finger prints, dust, wipe down blinds, clean off dining chairs, wash the trash can lid, wipe down the floor boards, clean the fixtures, straighten or rearrange pictures, scrub out the toilet and bathtub, mop up spills in the fridge, change bed sheets, etc.

When I have the time and energy I tackle big projects like reorganizing a closet or cleaning the play room.

And that's it. I spend probably one hour a day cleaning and about 2-5 hours on Saturday, so not really that much.


If you don't already, I invite you to embrace the spirit of cleanliness in your home. You'll feel better, guests will feel more at ease and life will run smoother. Honor your sacred space as the wise, capable homemaker you are!

Blessings!