Didn't I JUST scrub the toilet?!

Cleaning...the necessary evil!  Growing up I was not the cleanest person.  I actually remember a time when I was around the age of 7 and I had so many clothes on my bedroom floor you could not see it.  (I used to change my clothes about 5 times a day just because I wanted to try new outfits.) I got really embarrassed when one of our neighbors came over so I got a little better about cleaning up...but not much. My mom would ask me, my brother and sister to do chores around the house, but it never became a habit for me. It wasn't until my first year in college in a dorm room that I started to pick up on regular cleaning habits.  My second year of college i became a little obsessive about everything having a place.  I am sure a therapist would have fun with me! Ever since then this seems to be more the usual than not.  I am not perfect by any means.  I do not have the "catalogue house" as I call it.  What is a "catalogue house?"  It is a house that is clean, everything has it's place and not too many personal knick naks in the house.  I strive for somewhere between a "catalogue house" and a "lived in house" (clean, floors picked up, lots of personal knick naks).

So in order to keep a clean and tidy house with 2 young boys running around the house I decided I need to dedicate certain days to certain cleaning tasks.  Since it is Saturday I thought I would share the list of the day's chores with you and some tips to go along with it.  I have tried many different combinations of when to do which room of the house and this is the first time that I found a combo that works for me.  Now I know that Saturday may not be the best choice for everyone.  My husband doesn't work in retail, but he works retail hours.  His craziest days at work are Friday and Saturday, and his days off are Sunday and Monday.  I try to have everything done before Sunday so that those two days can be family days. 

My most dreaded thing to do are BATHROOMS!!! Especially with 2 small boys who are always in a rush and tend to make messes when going potty. :/  So Saturdays I suck it up and scrub the bathrooms.  I also wash all of the bedding, towels and bathmats.  TIP: I read somewhere that you should wash your bedding once a week to help reduce allergens, germs and any other fun stuff that maybe lurking within...YUCK!!  So maybe your just starting out on your own, or maybe you just need a new routine.  Try dedicating one day a week to these super fun chores (said very sarcastically) and you just may feel a little bit better going into the rest of your week! :)

Bathrooms:

1. The first thing I do is put the toilet bowl cleaner in the toilet so that it has time to sit and disinfect.
2. Next up, mirror(s), top of toilet and anything else that may need Windex.
3. Then I do counter top and sink(s).  I really like Clorox Green Works for when I am doing my weekly cleaning.  I only use a Lysol based cleaner when someone is sick.  The smell is too strong and I always worry I don't rinse enough.
4. I use the same on the shower/tub.  I don't get a cleaner just for the shower any more...I decided it was a waste. 
5. Same thing with the outside of my toilet.  I find the Clorox all-purpose cleaner works well for me.  Some toilet tips for newbies:  Make sure you clean the toilet seat before anything else on the toilet...you don't want to spread the germs from under the seat.  Don't forget to clean the whole outside of the basin...including down at the foot of the toilet. If you have boys or plan on potty training one soon, the foot of the toilet and the very back of the toilet seat will need most of your attention!!!
6. Then I vacuum the whole floor, giving extra attention to baseboards.
7. Wipe down your baseboards! You never know what is lurking there...especially around the toilet. Don't forget your cabinets!!
8. wash the floors, take out the trash and your finished!

TIP: Get rubber gloves! Your hands will thank you later!!  Here is another tip! Commit to a time, get all of your supplies in one area and don't leave until it's done! I always make sure the boys are set up with a new activity/show and a snack right before I start. 

Through out the day I do the necessary switches on the laundry to get done what I want to get done.  When the hubbs gets home he can always tell what I have been up to and is very appreciative of the clean sheets after a long day of work! 

Now get cleaning!!;)

<3 Ashley