Hello Reader,
My kids (and husband) help clean the house.
I do most of the heavy cleaning, as I'm home during the day, but we all live here. That means we all have a role in managing it.
Part of our success has been YEARS of training in the making - at least for my kids. It did not happen overnight. Mama cried more than a few pleas for help over the years.
However, as with all things when teaching children, eventually, over time, they catch on to routines. When they are simple, they are easy to execute.
๐ Last week, I touched on our home's simple morning routines. If you missed it, you can check out that newsletter HERE! โ
This week, I wanted to share our simple evening routines.
When you combine this with a simple morning routine, the house runs smoothly. When the house runs smoothly, everyone feels a stronger sense of calm.
I want you to feel that sense of calm!
Admittedly, my evening routine takes a little longer, BUT I also have a lot more hands helping me out. I can't say it enough: if you live with other people, start incorporating them into your home's routines.
Here is my simple evening routine for keeping a clean home:
1 - Dry and fold the laundry you started in the AM. (10 minutes)
Start a load of laundry every morning. (If you have to leave the home, and you have the capability, put it on a delay so they don't sit wet all day.)
As soon as you can, move the clothes/linens to the dryer, and then, fold them AND put them away.
I often put my dry clothes on the bed. This way, I'm kind of forced to handle it before I can go to sleep. Don't be afraid to ask for help, especially if it's someone else's laundry!
Even toddlers can fold a dish cloth or sort socks.
When you do laundry daily, there are no mountains of clothes piled up. Clothes don't get as wrinkled, and you are always ready for a new day.
If you want, you can even do your folding after dinner, while watching your favorite TV show. Incorporate it into your evening, rather than putting it off for a looooooong weekend of laundry misery.
2 - Family PM Reset. (3-10 minutes)
This isn't a "clean the house from top to bottom" time. This is a "set a timer and pick up what you can during that time" activity.
Set a timer. It can be for as little as 3 minutes, or it can be as long as 10 minutes. You don't need to go over 10 minutes. If you do this nightly, it will get faster!
Then, have everyone pick up their stuff from any shared spaces and take it to their own space.
Shoes get put away.
Bookbags are taken to their designated drop zone.
Whatever got dumped on the kitchen counter or in your "dumping zone" gets put away.
This is your time to handle those little things that weren't important earlier but would help give you a reset for the next day.
3 - Do a kitchen reset. (10-20 minutes)
This one seems impossible when you are looking at the time. It's not.
Think about it this way. You will already need to clean the kitchen at some point. If you divide and conquer by doing it nightly, your overall effort will be less. Plus, you will have a clean kitchen for breakfast the next day!
I prefer a family clean-up after dinner. Many hands make light work! However, each person in our house does have an assigned night to take the lead on dishes.
Everyone helps put away leftover food, put condiments back in the fridge, etc.
Whatever system you come up with, try to reset your kitchen every night. Yes, it stinks to do this many nights. You're tired. You want to relax. Yet, when you make this a priority, you will be far more relaxed when you are done! I promise.
- Completely empty the sink.
- Hand-wash anything that needs it.
- Wipe down the counters and table.
- Then, if needed, sweep up any messes.
This does not have to be a full kitchen clean-up where you meticulously wipe down every cabinet, appliance, and mop the floors. This is simply a reset so you can start your new day calm.
Your morning self will thank you!
If you haven't already, be sure to download the Happy Simple Home Cleaning Schedule. It's my divide and conquer method to keep a clean and clutter-free home!
Sincerely,
Brooke, Happy Simple Mom
Free Cleaning Schedule
A realistic weekly schedule for keeping a clean home...
|
|
|
|
|
9 Laundry Hacks You Need to Try
Try these simple hacks to take back your laundry!
|
Know anyone who would enjoy weekly tidbits for decluttering and simple living? Forward this email. If you got the email and aren't on the list yet, click this link, and I'll share weekly tidbits with you each week!
โ
โ