Playing House - Tips on Chores

I used to love cleaning.... when I had a one room apartment. It took 2 hours at the most to be totally spic and span. I would light candles and enjoy the rest of my Saturday. Now that I own a two story, 3 bedroom house, I'll do just about anything to avoid cleaning. Anyone with me?

The problem is I hate mess! So here are some tips from a working couple, (who work more than 40 hours a week) and have 2 large dogs.

1.     Write down all the chores that need to be done on a weekly basis and assign based on preference.

My husband only has 1 day off a week and the last thing on his agenda is cleaning. We have come to an agreement that he does 1 chore on his day off. Turns out what I hate doing most, he doesn't mind so much - mopping the floors! Wonderful husband. 

   2.       Make laundry night fun!

Friday nights has actually become a fun laundry night. Doing chores together, makes them seem less like chores and more like an activity! We pick a movie, grab a bottle of wine and do the laundry, folding as we watch. A great tip that works for us is in between folds, we pause the movie and put that load away.

As for sheets, I tend to keep this separate and wash them on Sunday nights. Remake all the beds and put towels away. Sheets are less cumbersome and time consuming. Then the week starts off with fresh bedding - my favorite thing in the world.

3.       30 minute Tidy

This is a must do every night. When I get home from work the first thing I do is put 30 minutes on a stopwatch and clean whatever is insight. This is usually mail, clothes, doggie toys or whatever. I don't do less and I don't do more. It keeps the house generally clean and doesn't make me feel like I spend all my spare time cleaning.

  4.       Organizing

In the beginning of each month I pick one weekend that I devote to a deep clean. I make sure it's not a busy weekend with birthdays or celebrations. Then I know in my mind, I am devoted to a weekend of cleaning. It helps tremendously and keeps the house organized all year round. This type of clean should take you all weekend. So be ready with cleaning supplies and coffee!

Thrifty Tip: No matter how much you clean, your house will always become cluttered or dirty again. Do not spend a lot of extra energy trying to keep it perfect. This isn't a museum, its your home. 

Tune in next blog for how I organize my deep cleaning weekend!