Hello ladies! I just wanted to tell you all about a little something I've been doing that not only gives me a quick little workout but helps me keep my house clean too! I actually adapted this off of something I saw on AOL once and, being the mom of three kids and an in-home preschool teacher, thought it would be a wonderful way to stay on top of daily cleaning. However, no where in it did it mention that I'd break a sweat and my heart rate would be elevated just trying to beat the clock! This suggests you do it in the morning. I personally prefer to do it in the afternoon when all the little ones are down for their nap. You could do it after dinner when you get home from work if you want... whatever works best for you! Mine actually takes a little longer than 20 minutes because I have more than one bathroom and I add vacuuming at the end of it all. You might need to adapt it to fit your home like I did.
So, get all your cleaning materials out and in one central area, pull your hair up, set your timer and Ready... Set... Go!
Clean Your House in 20 Minutes
Simply incorporate this 20-minute method into your morning routine and you’ll have a tidy house all day, every day. Best of all, it means you can put your feet up sooner rather than later.
KITCHEN/DINING ROOM: 5 ½ MINUTES
Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
Wipe down the stove top (1 minute).
Wipe down the counters (1 minute).
Sweep, Swiffer, or vacuum the floor (2 minutes).
Wipe down the table and chairs (1 minute).
Tip: Always start with the sink. Keep it empty and shining. A sparkling sink becomes your kitchen's benchmark for hygiene and tidiness, inspiring you to load the dishwasher immediately and keep counters, refrigerator doors, and the stove top spick-and-span, too.
LIVING ROOM: 6 MINUTES
Pick up toys and misc. things on floor (1 minute).
Fluff the cushions and fold blankets after use (2 minutes).
Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (1 minute).
Straighten coffee-table books and magazines. Throw out newspapers. Put away CDs and videos (2 minutes).
Tip: Start with the sofa -- as long as it's in disarray, your living room will never look tidy. Once you've fluffed the pillows and folded the throws, you're halfway home. If you pop in a CD while you dust, you should be able cover the whole room by the end of the third track.
BATHROOM: 2 MINUTES
Wipe out the sink (30 seconds).
Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds).
Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds).
Wipe the mirror and faucet (30 seconds).
Spray the entire shower and the curtain liner with shower mist after every use (15 seconds).
Sweep the floor (15 seconds).
Tip: Make cleaning the basin as routine as washing your hands. But don't stop there. Get the most out of your premoistened wipe by using it to clean around the edges of the tub and then the toilet before tossing it.
BEDROOM: 6½ MINUTES
Make the bed (2 minutes).
Fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry (4 minutes).
Straighten out the night-table surface and dresser (30 seconds).
Tip: Make your bed right before or after your morning shower. A neat bed will inspire you to deal with other messes immediately. Although smoothing sheets and plumping pillows might not seem like a high priority as you're rushing to work, the payoff comes at the end of the day, when you slip back under the unruffled covers.
For a little extra cardio, run the vacuum through the entire house once you are finished! Good luck and let me know what ya think!
So, get all your cleaning materials out and in one central area, pull your hair up, set your timer and Ready... Set... Go!
Clean Your House in 20 Minutes
Simply incorporate this 20-minute method into your morning routine and you’ll have a tidy house all day, every day. Best of all, it means you can put your feet up sooner rather than later.
KITCHEN/DINING ROOM: 5 ½ MINUTES
Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
Wipe down the stove top (1 minute).
Wipe down the counters (1 minute).
Sweep, Swiffer, or vacuum the floor (2 minutes).
Wipe down the table and chairs (1 minute).
Tip: Always start with the sink. Keep it empty and shining. A sparkling sink becomes your kitchen's benchmark for hygiene and tidiness, inspiring you to load the dishwasher immediately and keep counters, refrigerator doors, and the stove top spick-and-span, too.
LIVING ROOM: 6 MINUTES
Pick up toys and misc. things on floor (1 minute).
Fluff the cushions and fold blankets after use (2 minutes).
Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (1 minute).
Straighten coffee-table books and magazines. Throw out newspapers. Put away CDs and videos (2 minutes).
Tip: Start with the sofa -- as long as it's in disarray, your living room will never look tidy. Once you've fluffed the pillows and folded the throws, you're halfway home. If you pop in a CD while you dust, you should be able cover the whole room by the end of the third track.
BATHROOM: 2 MINUTES
Wipe out the sink (30 seconds).
Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds).
Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds).
Wipe the mirror and faucet (30 seconds).
Spray the entire shower and the curtain liner with shower mist after every use (15 seconds).
Sweep the floor (15 seconds).
Tip: Make cleaning the basin as routine as washing your hands. But don't stop there. Get the most out of your premoistened wipe by using it to clean around the edges of the tub and then the toilet before tossing it.
BEDROOM: 6½ MINUTES
Make the bed (2 minutes).
Fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry (4 minutes).
Straighten out the night-table surface and dresser (30 seconds).
Tip: Make your bed right before or after your morning shower. A neat bed will inspire you to deal with other messes immediately. Although smoothing sheets and plumping pillows might not seem like a high priority as you're rushing to work, the payoff comes at the end of the day, when you slip back under the unruffled covers.
For a little extra cardio, run the vacuum through the entire house once you are finished! Good luck and let me know what ya think!
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