How to Clean a House With Little Effort (Micro-cleaning)
2009
Motivation Monday
Here is Motivational Monday’s tip.
Cleaning with little effort. The trick is simple, if you stick with it.
First, create a schedule. A schedule that works for me is immediately after work, but before I want to really unwind for the rest of the evening. Allow yourself at least half an hour in this scheduled slot of time (but I don’t recommend longer than an hour). When you have decided on a time and duration, only clean for that time, but no longer.
When you clean, focus on one room. Pick up stuff first, like that sock laying under the desk or the glass sitting on it and put them away. While transporting the items you picked up, look around and see if there is anything that needs to go where you are going, another sock, a bag of peanuts that goes to the kitchen, and grab them as well. Do the same thing on your way back.
Before you realize it, your first room will be picked up and ready for the fine detail work, vacuuming, dusting, etc. Once this room is done, move on to the next room.
This next part is very important. When your time is up, quit cleaning and relax for the evening, there is tomorrow to continue the war against dirtiness, but, for today, you’ve won the battle.
Variations and Tips:
- Start slow. Start with half an hour and work your way up. Especially if you’re cleaning habits are far from perfect.
- The next day after finishing one room, begin again with that same room, picking up the stuff that has accumulated in the last 24 hours.
- Only do the heavy cleaning once a week after it has been done the first time unless it is really necessary.
- Rooms that need more attention are kitchens and bathrooms. Rooms that need less attention are offices and living rooms. Needs vary with families though.
- Integrate exercise by finding ways to take more trips up and down the stairs. This may involve longer cleaning times.
