What are your tips on cleaning a room without getting all organize martha stewart style?

Question

You know what I mean.
The IKEA organize drawers that you put under the bed, the shelfs and cabinets.
I don't have all that stuff, and wont get it.

I have a desk with a shelf on it, a dresser with hamster cages and fish tanks on it, a bed, a side table for my clock and cell phone, and then a small closet full of clothes, books, blankets, etc.

What are you tips on cleaning your room?
I always seem to get distracted, like I turn up the music and start cleaning then the phone rings or something, or someone comes in my room (my dad) and starts talking to me or goes to the bathrroom or something (to get to the bathroom you have to go through my room), etc.

I always have trouble just setting my mind to doing it, and my room is CONSTANTLY messy, and I Have loads of crap.

Don't answer in stupid ways....please.
Hands down rating...

Answer 1

This is the best way I know. Don´t switch your computer off , and you can leave your music on. Set your clock to go off in 15 min´s time. See how much you can do in the short amount of time. Ready? All dirty clothes next to the bedroom door , along with any other thing´s that don´t belong. Never waste time taking thing´s back to their rightful place until you have finished. All clean clothes to the closet , hang up your jean´s skirt´s , fold your top´s jumpers,. Stop. Oops , don´t forget the shoes from under the bed. Now sit down and have a rest , come back to your computer and ask or answer a few Q, If you think you would rather carry on with your cleaning , then do the same again 15 min´s more on the clock. When ever you do finish what you are doing , no matter how little . Always remember to reward yourself. 15 min´s here and there will get your room clean and tidy. After all you don´t want to be stuck indoor every day whilst the sun is shining outside , DO YOU ? Try 15 min´s

Answer 2

When I was living with my parents my room was always messy because I had a lot of crap. So I threw out everything that I hadn't used for more than 6 months. (it was hard, but I was better off without most of that stuff). And magically my room was cleaner and less cluttered because of it. After that the only thing I had to clean was the clothes I threw on the floor, and I just had to throw them in the hamper.

And how to not get distracted, tell your dad and whoever else is in the house to not bother you because you're cleaning. Turn off your cellphone. Put on some headphones and just start cleaning, you'll get into the flow of things.

Also making the bed gives your room the illusion of it being clean.

Answer 3

Everything has to have a place. If everything has a place and you just make sure that after you use it you put it back in its place it won't get that messy to begin with. Took me a long time to learn it.
I would start by getting a broom, surface spray (Windex will do) and a soft cloth or paper towels.
Sweep everything on the floor (even if its carpet) to the middle of the room whatever it is clothes, books, shoes and knickknacks all in a pile in the middle of the room.
Take all mess off the bed and put it in the pile. Take all stuff that doesn't belong on surfaces (table shelf etc.)and put it in the pile.

Spray the surfaces and wipe over.
Room smell clean now?

Now you have one big pile of stuff. Sort it out and put it away . make the bed.

When you have a day free you should sort out your closet and drawers - as in what you want to keep and what you want to throw/give away. You have to be quite ruthless. Once you do that it'll be easier to designate specific spaces for each and every thing you own.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Yes, I know what you mean about getting distracted.

I think the main thing to do is vacuuming or sweeping, then dusting. If we don't keep the floors clean, the room starts smelling musky.

I think the best time to tackle a room is right after I get up in the mornings before the day starts with distractions.

I would suggest to put out of sight anything that you do not use on a daily basis.

Try to find a place for everything and put the items away instead of just laying them down.

Always hang up clothes or put them in the dirty clothes hamper.

Answer 5

The main thing is having "routine" when you get up make the bed but, turn the covers down so it can air out.. It still looks neat/tidy but, isn't harboring dust mites..

Pick up the floor of clothes and other belongings, keep a nice wicker basket around to toss things in so you can find them later.. Keep the floor clear. Anything you don't use on a regular basis stash in a drawer so it's unseen...

If you have pets in the room keep the cages clean to prevent unwanted smells..

Keep closet doors shut, no one needs to know what's going on in there.. If you don't have doors get an inexpensive shower tension rod or cafe-tension rod and hang a curtain up to keep things neat !

If you can use the underbed for storage.. Get some underbed storage totes and store linens, out of season clothing, shoes/purses etc.. Plus it keeps things from rolling or getting under you bed..

Set aside some time 15 min in the morning and evening to "manage" your room and keep it tidy... Hope this helps ...Good luck

Answer 6

i know how you feel about cleaning and organizing. three years ago i bought my tiny house and have two truckful of stuff i didn't know i had in the first place. last spring, i emptied the last box in my garage. it took me three years to unpack.

because of strict budget (i live on my own) i can't buy a lot of storage boxes that we see in ikea or the container store. the solution to my problems is to purge my stuff. so i donated almost half of my clothes, office supplies, books and knick knacks. i ended up with just enough for myself.

i frequent yard sales and thrift stores for most of my storage boxes and i also use shoe boxes. i covered them with left over wrapping paper and adhesive spray. my only splurge is a labeler (brother) which i bought for $14.99 less rebate. i like to label my boxes and file folders and other stuff. i also use a cheap notebook to jot down where the heck my things are so i can find them faster.

with regards to cleaning, i don't have a cleaning chart. because i work a lot and i live by myself i clean after myself. one thing i learned from a book that i read was you can do so much in under 15 minutes. so whenever and whatever i'm cleaning i set my timer in 15 minutes. if it beeps and i'm not done, it means i'm messing around and not cleaning. hahaha.

before going to bed i make sure i wipe the counters both in kitchen and bathroom.

i use method daily shower for my shower and tub.i spray it after each use, i like the smell and keeps the area clean.

i empty my trash daily. may it be half full or not.

i don't have a lot of knick knacks so i don't have a lot to dust. minimalism is the key.

i make my bed everyday. yes, you can do it too.

i don't eat in my bedroom. just the thought of having ants and bugs crawling in to my bed. ugh!

i own two queen size sheets that i use alternately. i don't have the luxury of a linen closet so i have it stash in a small armoire in the guest bedroom/office, which also houses my towels and other linens.

if i will buy a pair of shoes, a purse or clothes, i need to give up an older item. it helps me buy wisely and hold back shopping. because of money and storage issues i have to do this.

i open my snail mail everyday, separate the junk mail in a small basket and shred weekly. i have 3 files in my desk, to pay, to file and to do. i file weekly, pay my bills online and limit my telephone calls to 15 minutes.

i do my errands once a week, map it out in order to save gas. if i can do it online or over the phone i would do it.

make sure your stuff has a "home". it will be easier to find things if they are grouped together.

i hope i was able to give you some insights and you're right you don't have to buy stuff from the stores you just need their concept and apply it on your own unique way.

good luck

Answer 7

Never speak ill of the goddess, Martha. I want to be more like her.

Answer 8

Shovel, wheelbarrow and 35 gallon trash can work wonders. If it's really bad, you can rent a bulldozer.