i want to clean my house for christmas??

Question

where the heck do i begin!?!?!!

i have to clean EVERYTHING because my in-laws are coming over and will be seeing our new home for the first time ever, and i'm sure they will want a full tour of the place...

to the guy that said turn off the computer cuz i'm lazy and i've answered over 1,700 questions... ACTUALLY, i've answered over 1,800 questions, over a period of like... EIGHT MONTHS... and i am NOT lazy... man, i hate jerks!!!

Answer 1

Nice Christmas present to yourself! If you haven't cleaned in awhile it can be overwhelming. First thing you need to do is make sure you have all of the supplies you will need. Windex, a cleaner like clorox clean up, ajax for the big scrubbing, rags, paper towels, something to dust with ( swiffer makes a great duster), and a vacuum.

Next you can either make a list of the rooms or areas you need to clean and just go down the list or make it fun for yourself and write each chore down on a slip of paper and put them in a bowl and pick them out one at a time and tackle each job as you pull them out.

Then sit back, relax and enjoy what you accomplished!

Answer 2

I have a really weird way of cleaning everything.

This is the best solution for me:

I start with just a random room... usually a bedroom and I take off all the items off any surfaces. Like if I have a desk in the room I take dirty plates to the kitchen and move the keyboard and mouse out of the way so I can start dusting and disinfecting (by the way clean your keyboard with clorax wipes because most of us tend to touch our faces while we are sitting at a desk.) If i have so many things on top of dwares and desks etc. I just move it all to the floor so that I have NO choice but to clean the surfaces and to put everything away in its proper place. Sometimes I leave nail clippers or vitamens on my desk.

When I wash dishes I always add a cap full of bleach to a large bowl or to sink full of soap and water. This help disinfect dishes. Make sure to rinse very well and with warm water.

Ok now I'm giving you advice on how to clean... but I just wanted to share to you what I do, but yea, I would suggest the bedrooms first and then the living room. Work yourself up to the kitchen.

Have fun!

Answer 3

Well then it's good to start NOW with a basic routine... I don't know how big your house is but, I have a 3 bdrm ranch with a partially finished basement.. and 1 1/2 baths. Approximately 1,700 sq. feet.... I have 2 small toddlers a dog and a husband...

Everyday I have a basic routine that I use so the *mess isnt' too horrible...

First I would get your cleaning supplies in order.. I like to keep it simple.. Bleach, disefectant wipes, vinegar, soft scrub, disposible toilet brush, sponges, microfiber cleaning cloths and paper towels.. I also have pinesol and 409 multi surface cleaner...

A couple of buckets (one for clean/dirty water) AND a good mop... I like the Libman Wonder mop... The heads are removeable and can be washed in the washing machine.. It's easy to use, lightweight.

I start in the AM with the bathroom.... I wipe down all the surfaces with antibacterial wipes (counter(s), sinks and the toilet... I clean the mirror.. I sweep/mop the bathroom once a week... I also scrub the tub/tile surround once a week ! I wash the rugs/replace once a week.. I pour bleach into the toilet and let it sit (15-30min) swirl/flush...

I take down any laudry and start a FULL LOAD...

Move on to the kitchen... Wipe down all the surfaces/appliances with antibacterial wipes... Unload/load dishwasher... Wipe down the sink with 409 AND clear out the fridge... I sweep/mop the floor 2-3x a week.. I have two little ones... So, they can make quite a mess in the kitchen...

I dust the livingroom/dining room AND dust for cobwebs... 1x a week and I vacuum everyday... I also vacuum my furniture 1x a week AND clean any glass items...

I wash/replace ALL the bedding in ALL the bedrooms once a week and I dust 1x a week and vacuum everyday....

If you can keep up with it little by little it's not so overwhelming... I also work at night so if I don't keep up with it, it can be a real chore....

I like to utilize the underbed for storage I have a storage bin under each bed that I keep the bed sheets/blankets in.. It saves TONS of room in my linen closet... Also, if I need to tidy up for company and I'm in *panic laundry baskets are really helpful to temporarily stash items until the company is gone....





Good luck

Answer 4

I'm in the same boat. I'm wanting to get everything organized and cleaned before my in-laws come to the apartment for the first time this weekend, and before my next semester of graduate school begins. It may not be conventional, but I am starting with the closet. So far I have found that it's easier to get some 18 gallon or larger totes to put holiday decorations, sports equipment, etc. in because unlike garbage bags, they can be stacked. I think it's good to tackle the hard stuff first, then when you get tired, you can think, "Well, at least that's out of the way." When you begin the easier and less time-consuming stuff like dusting and vacuuming, put in some music to listen to so you feel energized. Give yourself a time limit, then take a break when time's up. I find that it's easier for me when I clean in time increments like that.

Answer 5

One room at a time. Start with the one that requires the least attention. Do it on a schedule, you know figure how much time it will take in a certain amount of time. Keep your fav music around the house & sing along. Delegate if possible. Maintain less clutter,on a daily basis. But most things don't happen over-night. Don't take any calls. The phone is for your convience (not others). Return calls at your convience. When u finish, sit back, drink a glass of wine & enjoy the smell of clean. Pad yourself on the back for completing your task.
LOL......now........ HOP TO IT!!!!!!!

Answer 6

source: http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyingLessons_crisiscleaning.asp

FlyLady's Crisis Cleaning 101
"Let's FLY through this Crisis Cleaning, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your guests." - FlyLady

Dear Friends,

I can hear the panic in your voices. "In a few days, we have a ton of company coming, what am I to do?" If you want a crash marathon cleaning session, I can help you, but be warned, without the routines, your home will be trashed again in a day. So you have to listen closely.

GO GET DRESSED ALL THE WAY TO SHOES, HAIR FIXED AND FACE MOISTURIZED OR MAKEUP PUT ON. DON'T QUESTION ME ON THIS. JUST DO IT NOW. Put on some good working music. Not too fast, just slow and steady. peppy, but not aerobic. Light a candle that has a good scent or put on some spices on to boil on a very low heat.


We are going to start in our kitchens. As the kitchen goes, so does the rest of the house.

Set a timer and spend 15 minutes in the kitchen. If your sink is not clean and shiny, then shine it first, then you can fill the sink up with hot soapy water and start to clear off the left and right counters. Empty the dishwasher, When the timer goes off. Stop what you are doing and go to the living room.


Set the timer again and do 15 minutes cleaning off the coffee tables or picking up toys or newpapers. Concentrate on one thing. Not all of it. Get a laundry basket and put the things that don't belong in the living room in the basket. Take a garbage bag with you too. Start throwing away the trash. Don't get caught up in the guilt we have about recycling this stuff. Just bag it up for now. As you get your home in order there will be plenty of time to recycle. For now we are focusing on getting the home presentable. You can't do this if you are hyperfocusing on sorting and recycling. So get over this perfectionism attitude. When the timer goes off, head back to the kitchen.


In the kitchen set the timer for 15 more minutes, continue to work on clearing the counters. DO NOT GET SIDETRACKED AND WANT TO CLEAN OUT A CABINET. WE ARE DOING ONLY SURFACE CLEANING.


Now take a break and walk around and look at what you have accomplished in just 45 minutes. Set the timer for 15 minutes and drink a cup of tea or coffee or whatever you love and just relax. When the timer goes off. You are back in work mode for 15 more minutes.


This 15 minute session is in the bathroom. Clean the bathroom sink first, swish the toilet, then pick up towels and dirty clothes and put them in the hamper. DO NOT GET SIDETRACKED AND START A LOAD OF LAUNDRY. I MEAN THIS. LAUNDRY WILL COME LATER!


When the timer goes off, you are back in the kitchen. For 15 more minutes. We can do anything in 15 minutes. Keep working till the timer goes off. Then you go to the living room once again.


In the living room, continue to pick up and put away.


Every 45 minutes take a 15 minute break. Do you understand this?
Adapt this schedule to fit your physical limitations and children's needs. But you get the picture. Stay focused on one job for 15 minutes. You are going to be so surprised at how much you get done in a day's time.

My timer is my best friend.

You can do this. Now turn off the computer and get to work!
FlyLady

Answer 7

Start in your bedroom.... I think it's a good idea, because if something comes up or you just stop cleaning, at least you have a fresh clean bed to rest in! Next...bathroom. Next ....Kitchen. Then go from there! I think those three rooms are most important because 1 of them is for your own personal time and 2 of them are used often.
:)

Answer 8

method 1: see something messy - clean it up as you see it. For example - if you see a sock on your living room floor and take it to your bedroom only to find you need to make your bed than keep cleaning until everything around you is picked up.

method 2 (my favorite): Clean one room at a time, putting whatever doesn't belong in the room you are cleaning into the next one until everything is in its place. Happy cleaning!

Answer 9

I always start in my bedroom..work you way to all the bathrooms, then the living room, foyer, office and last the kitchen...the kitchen should be the last because its the most time consuming. I clean alll the time..I also professionally clean my friends homes...too bad i don't leave near by I would charge you a resonable fee to clean your house for Christmas

Answer 10

Are you serious? If it is that bad get the book called "Sidetracked Home Executives" It is funny and hilarious and very good. I got this when I was a young Mom with three kids running around (very distracted) It helped me alto and I still practice the tips today. They have a section just for Christmas Cleaning.

http://www.shesintouch.com/