| Now…as much of a challenge as it was to | | | | pad or use some window cleaner and a rag-if |
| do all of that pitching, organizing, and | | | | your sink is clean, you're less likely to let |
| cleaning, how do you maintain it and not let | | | | dirty dishes pile up in it. |
| your stuff overwhelm you again? | | | | |
| | | | Sweep your floors once a week. Just take a |
| There are some easy steps to take-and they | | | | broom across it and get the big crumbs. Then |
| just take moments a day. Please don't email | | | | run a damp mop over it to get the week's dirt |
| me and tell me you're too busy to do this | | | | washed off-you don't have to shine it, just a |
| because of your special situation-everyone | | | | damp mop (the type is your choice). |
| can find the time to take 15 minutes a day | | | | |
| and maintain their home in stages. If you | | | | Maintaining the Living Room Areas |
| can't, then I'm going to brashly suggest that | | | | |
| you re-evaluate your schedule and determine | | | | Pick up the papers that land on your Flat |
| what IS more important than maintaining your | | | | Surfaces and either throw them away or file |
| home for your family. | | | | them appropriately in the study every |
| | | | evening. If you are diligent about keeping |
| Maintaining the Kitchen | | | | the papers picked up, your room will appear |
| | | | much more organized and clean, even if you |
| Daily, put dirty dishes in your dishwasher or | | | | haven't done any deep cleaning. |
| dishpan under the sink. When either is full, | | | | |
| do the dishes. If you run your dishwasher | | | | Dust once a week-run your duster over the |
| while you're asleep at night, you'll pay | | | | flat surfaces. It's a 5 minute job that will |
| lower utility rates and the dishes will be | | | | make a large dent in your room(s). |
| cool and clean in the morning-ready to be put | | | | |
| away. | | | | Vacuum once a week. Don't move furniture or |
| | | | pull out the crevice tools, just do the |
| Run a rag with the cleaner of your choice | | | | middles where you walk. 15 minutes, max. |
| over the countertops and tabletop once a day. | | | | |
| This will take you just moments, yet will | | | | Take your glass cleaner and go over the TV |
| help keep your kitchen organized and neat. | | | | screen and any other glass that collects |
| You don't have to scrub or take everything | | | | fingerprints once a week. 3 minutes, tops. |
| off the counters, just wipe where you've | | | | |
| cooked or eaten. | | | | Just doing quick and easy tasks gives you the |
| | | | push to get started. That's the key when it |
| Clean your sink daily. Scrub it with a soap | | | | comes to staying organized. |