Keep it Clean

Ok folks growing up I was not the cleanest child. I definitely wasn't the worst but I wasn't the child prodigy that kept everything perfect. As an adult I still have my areas that I struggle with, but I've learned some tips on keeping things bright, fresh, straightened up, and clean. I have always hated clutter. I can't think, breathe, or most importantly relax in a cluttered space. To begin with we all have way too much stuff! It's definitely part of life but we should be parting with more things way more often. In fact it should be part of a routine habit. Piles of mail, toys that aren't played with, boxes, garbage, and old or unused things need to be gone through and sent to the DI or thrown away. This should be done monthly not yearly. Getting rid of the old also makes so much more room for the new, and we all love NEW! Now that you have really cleared out your space you can focus on clearing your surfaces. I'm all for a few decorative items on your kitchen counters and on dressers but clearing them off will make everything cleaner and brighter! Put out those Pellegrino bottles or that mint kitchen aid, but put the rest away! Now that you have conquered the clutter it's onto the deep cleaning. Grab that Meyers surface cleaner and wipe those surfaces down, and do it daily. I'm very serious about cleaning daily. Just a quick straighten up and wipe down will really keep things under control and smelling clean and fresh! I decided to commit to keeping things a lot cleaner this year and so I decided that in addition to straightening and clearing surfaces daily I would also make Saturday Mornings the day to really deep clean. By keeping things pretty picked up all week, Saturday mornings are for vacuuming, cleaning floors, scrubbing toilets, dusting, fluffing pillows, and wiping doors, walls, and mirrors. All of this cleaning then gives me the free time I need the rest of the day to play, run errands, and relax. Luckily for me my husband is incredible at cleaning and has really inspired me to keep this up. We have also been majorly involving our kids. Beds are made daily, toy room is organized and straightened up by them, and bathroom products all have their place and get put away. Of course if we get too busy all these things aren't that big of a deal. We do this to feel better and have more quality time together we aren't that strict. I have also gone through everything in the past year and organized so much, so it really makes it all pretty easy on me and the kids. We are all incredibly busy and home life needs to feel as uncomplicated as possible. Lastly I'll give you my favorite and very best tip for keeping your space clean and bright, ADD WHITE! It can be white dishes, a white vase, white chairs, or white flowers but clearing, cleaning and adding some bright white will really make everything feel cleaner and brighter! Happy Cleaning! Cheers to less clutter and more freedom!