5X5 to the Rescue

 For the new year I decided I wanted to get my weekends back and not spend them cleaning and doing laundry the whole two days.  

I would spend most of Sunday doing laundry meanwhile doing a whole week's housework and meal prep.  Don't get me wrong, I still do a couple of loads of laundry and a little housework but it's not nearly as bad as it was before Christmas.  

A couple of months ago I learned about Stephanie's 5X5 from the Secrect Slob and it is a game changer! 25 minutes, 5 minutes per room or task and that's it!  Clink the link below to watch this amazing strategy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T-wIfEpYrw

I figured I can clean for 25 minutes at a time even during the week.  So I decided to do a 5X5 Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  Every time I do a 5X5 I always include the kitchen, vacuuming, and dusting because it is much easier when those items are being maintained rather than only once a week.  The other 10 minutes are designated for deep cleaning and the bathrooms (on Saturday).  I plan ahead which deep cleaning activities I plan to do for 5 minutes each.  Deep cleaning has always been a problem for me, I never feel as though I have time to get it done.  Believe it or not, 5 minutes really does help even if I have to come back to finish it another day.  

Yesterday I did a 5X5 (Kitchen clean-up, vacuum, dust, 2 bathrooms), 5 minutes each.  

My Favorite Quick Tips for Around the House

Here are some tips for house keeping in general that I like to use around my own home.

-Deodorize your carpet with baking soda.  Sprinkle the baking soda very liberally all over and let sit for 2 or 3 hours.  Then vacum up.  I like this because it can't hurt the baby or the dogs because it is natural and baking soda is a natural deodorizer. 

-No storage for your tupperware?  Use a plastic laundry basket to stack those bowls and lids.  They are all in one place and you can store the basket at the bottom of your pantry or a closet near the kitchen.

-Use a white board that sticks on your fridge.  Keep a monthly calendar on it to keep track of chores, also use it to list your weekly menu, upcoming event, and keep track of meats in the freezer.  A blank whiteboard is really inexpensive and you can make the calendar by hand.

-Don't let those garden weeds get a chance to take over your garden.  Pick a day every week that is your weeding day.  I like to do Friday mornings...if it is done on a weekly basis it should really only take 15-20 minutes weekly.  Tip:  Use a meat fork to loosen up soil around a stubborn weed.

-Do one big glass cleaning trip a week.  Starting on one side of the house start cleaning mirrors, picture frames, windows, tv's, and other glass (including bathroom mirrors)...dirties only one rag or paper towel and this chore really takes only minutes to complete once you start.

-Laundry...keep your laundry on a cycle.  In the morning pull the clothes out of the dryer, fold and put away.  Place a load in the wash, switch over to the dryer at lunch...start over the next day.