Defrazzle and De-Clutter!
My theory on houseworkis, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, letit be. No one else cares, why shouldyou?
Erma Bombeck
Ahh,the fresh breezes, the delightful birdsong, new buds in the garden, and sunny,cloudless days – Spring is here! What isit about Spring that makes us want to clean? Well, I think it's more that we perhaps like the idea of Spring Cleaninguntil we get started, pull everything apart, and then get demoralized about themess we've just made cleaning up! Cleaning is not my strong point. When I get a clear run at it I do a pretty thorough job and actuallyenjoy it, but what mom gets a clear run at anything? How can you cope when the urge hits (besidessimply ignoring it!)? Here are some tips
· Write upa plan– realize that a thorough Spring clean will take some time. Divide your house into blocks and giveyourself ample time to complete each block. My house is a 4-level split, so one block is a level. I take three months to thoroughly clean eachlevel.
· Organizechildcare– Once your plan is complete, choose the day of the week that you will reallydedicate to the task (I like every second Saturday) and arrange for the kidsand your husband to be out of the house for at least 8 hours.
· Preparefood in advance – make sure you have something light ready to eatquickly at lunch.
· Have theright tools handy – Put everything you need in a caddy orbucket to save time and energy running up and down stairs for tools. Use toxin free products so you aren't gettingtired and fuzzy-headed from overexposure to chemicals. Use aromatherapy (like citrus oils) to keepyou feeling positive as you clean.
· Get yourlunch and supper prepared in advance (crock-pots are great for this). Drink plenty of water to keep your focussharp and energy high.
· Put energizing music on the stereo- pick somethingthat makes you want to sing and dance as you clean.
· Turn offthe phone– Put your answering machine to good use, and check the calls when you're done.
· Start(and continue) small – Don't rip the whole room apart when youstart. Just do one shelf, one drawer,one small section at a time, so that if you must stop before you're completelydone, you won't have an overwhelming mess to pick up.
· Putthings in their place as you go – Stop every time you complete a section to put misplaced items away wherethey belong.
So,now that you have a plan for “sane” decluttering and cleaning, have at it!
DarleneHull
