Okay, I’m up to my elbows in Mod Podge and dust rags. I’ve been furiously completing projects while still trying to clean up my house for the guests I have coming this weekend (nine people! eeep!) Here are the “deep cleaning” tasks I plan on completing over the next two weeks (can’t get them all done in one week without sending myself to the loony bin).
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| gratuitous Noodle photo from last year; the terrible twos have hit their stride this week and I needed to see that innocence again! |
I’m going to focus on one task a day. I’ve listed them in the order in which I plan to complete them, but of course you can do what works for you. Typically it’s best to clean “from the top down” so that’s how I came up with the order. Even if you cross one thing off the list, that’s progress!
- Dusting: dust tops of furniture, frames, cabinets, televisions, moulding, etc.
- Windows: dust blinds (soak if needed), vacuum curtains, spray glass with cleaner and wipe, wash sills
- Linens: wash duvet covers, blankets, and shams. Store blankets for summer.
- Baseboards: dust or wipe with cloth as needed. Vacuum baseboard heating units. Erase scuffs with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
- Carpets: treat stains, use carpet refreshing powder in rooms that need it, vacuum, launder throw rugs
That’s a lot of stuff, especially on top of daily tasks like dishes. Go easy on yourself if you take on any of these tasks– I plan on making some super easy dinners this week to minimize the time spent cleaning up after dinner and cooking.
Some no or low cook options: deli meat and rolls, whole-wheat pasta with jarred sauce (I typically add a few chunks of goat cheese and some fresh basil), “Silly Cereal Night” (my BFF does this, just cereal and maybe some fruit for dinner!), Rotisserie Chicken from the grocery store with a side of broccoli (cooked in the microwave), and take-out pizza on Friday. Those meals either use no pans or just one, can be made in a few minutes, and have little clean up. I think I can handle that.
I should probably save this for Friday’s check-in, but here is how my dining room looked on Saturday. And this was after spending 30 minutes working to clean it up. Today it’s better, but still, WOW…
{Because I love you, comment below and you’ll be entered to win 16 free thank-you notes from Pear Tree Press. For an additional entry, tell me to whom you’d write a thank-you note.}
Jolene says
Sounds like a good plan. I was ale to finally deep clean our small living room. Sad to say the living rooms have not been cleaned since 1/16 when we began the Kitchen Make-Over. My husband and I work opposite shifts so the weekends are our time to work in the Kitchen. I do not feel comfortable running a vacuum in the evenings because he sleeps during that time. So with you staying on task.
I have to play catch up with the closets and then I will be there right along your side. Next weekend will be the last of the Kitchen and it will finally be done. Well done enough, we are working on painting hinges and seeing if that works or if we have to break down and spend $100 on hinges and the counter top will be replaced later this year or early next.
As for the Thank You notes, I would use them to thank the host family who has graciously offered their home to my second oldest son while he is in Spain.
Kris says
It is my goal to clean our office! I have tons of books to donate to our Friends of the Library sale. And with a little help from Pottery Barn, I’m hoping to tame some of the paper piles that never seem to leave our desk.
nn says
It’s “clean the house week” here – ugh! I am hoping to tackle a couple closets and dust baseboards on top of it….
nn says
We are always in need of thank-you notes! 😉
Randi says
Oldest daughters closet, little girls dressers, playroom and school stuff are on my list this week. Reading that back to myself makes me realize I better get in gear! 🙂
Emily S says
I haven’t kept up with the 21 Day Challenge I told you about, but I sure have gotten a lot done this week, including cleaning out the van (yikes!) and picking up the winter’s worth of dog crap in the back yard. (Again, yikes!) This week I plan on tackling the linen closet (finally) and under the kitchen sink. Love having the other stuff clean sofar!
Heather Johnson says
I have a table that looks just like that much more than it should. This week we are cleaning out kids closets. We have our fourth child arriving in two months and it is time to rearrange the kids rooms.
I know the feeling of having a rough week with a two year old. I hope the toy ideas help. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment on Family Volley.
Olivemom says
I am not even pretending any longer to be doing any spring cleaning! I will just read along and live vicariously!
Olivemom says
And, AND, I have just resolved to stop being so ridiculously anal about thank you notes and start letting an email with a picture of new toy/outfit count as a thank you in cases of close friends/family. So if I win these cards, they are being sent to Great Aunt Myrtle all the way.
Jenny from Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line says
I have never done this, but need to. I am going to clean my washing machine with a bleach bath-eek (I am really afraid of bleach!).
Jenny from Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line says
Hmm.. I owe my mother in a law a thank you note
🙂