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4 Weeks to a More Organized HomeCrystal Paine

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Table of ContentsWelcome to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home Challenge! 6

Yes, You Need a Routine. 7............................................................................................................What is a Routine? 7

How To Set Up a Workable Routine 7...............................................................................Step #1 — Start With the “Big Rocks” 7

............................................................................Step #2 — Get the Framework in Place 8......................................................................................Step #3 — Plan the Time Blocks 9

A Routine Only Works if You Follow It 11..............................................................Tip #1 — Add One New Thing Every 3 Weeks 11

..........................................................................................Tip #2 — Create a Checklist 11........................................................................Tip #3 — Get An Accountability Partner 11

...............................................................Tip #4 — Reward Yourself For Sticking With It 12

My Top 3 Tips for Getting ings Done 13.............................................................................Tip #1 — Keep Your To-Do List Short 13

...............................................................Tip #2 — Make Your Daily Goals Measurable 13................................................................................Tip #3 — Use Your Minutes Wisely 13

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: e Complete List 15.....................................................................................Week 1 — Monday Assignment 15....................................................................................Week 1 — Tuesday Assignment 15

...............................................................................Week 1 — Wednesday Assignment 16...................................................................................Week 1 — Thursday Assignment 16

........................................................................................Week 1 — Friday Assignment 17.....................................................................................Week 2 — Monday Assignment 18....................................................................................Week 2 — Tuesday Assignment 18


........................................................................................Week 2 — Friday Assignment 20.....................................................................................Week 3 — Monday Assignment 21

....................................................................................Week 3 — Tuesday Assignment 21...............................................................................Week 3 — Wednesday Assignment 22

...................................................................................Week 3 — Thursday Assignment 22........................................................................................Week 3 — Friday Assignment 23

.....................................................................................Week 4 — Monday Assignment 24....................................................................................Week 4 — Tuesday Assignment 24


........................................................................................Week 4 — Friday Assignment 26

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: e Short List 27...........................................................................................................................Week 1 27...........................................................................................................................Week 2 27...........................................................................................................................Week 3 28...........................................................................................................................Week 4 28

About the Author 29

Welcometo the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home Challenge!

I’m thrilled that you’ll be joining me for this challenge and hope that the habits you develop in the next four weeks not only benefit you in the short-term, but also impact your life for many months and years to come.

Before we begin this 4-week journey, can I encourage you to remember to give yourself grace? Don’t feel like you have to accomplish everything on each day’s checklist.

If you just get a few things done a few times each week, that’s better than nothing at all. So do what you can with the time and energy you have—and then guiltlessly let the rest go, okay?

Here’s to a more organized home and life!!

Crystal

Yes, You Need a Routine.Do your days feel chaotic and disorganized? Do you feel like you’re always behind and always running around in circles?

You need a routine. It will calm your chaos and bring rhythm, order, and peace to your days.

What is a Routine?A routine is a plan for the flow of your day. It can be very basic and bare bones or it can be more specific. However, it is not a regimented schedule with detailed time blocks for how you’re supposed to spend every minute of every day.

While a rigid schedule works well for some, we’ve found that a routine is much more doable for our family–especially since our children are younger and my husband and I both have our own businesses. No day is exactly the same, so the flexibility a routine provides is perfectly suited to allow for the interruptions that inevitably arise.

How To Set Up a Workable RoutineStep #1 — Start With the “Big Rocks”You’ve probably seen or heard the illustration about putting the big rocks in first.

A popular story describes a time-management professor who demonstrates the importance of prioritizing by filling a five-gallon mason jar with fist-size rocks and asking the class if the jar is full. Since another big rock wouldn’t fit, the class answers, “yes.” However, the professor proceeds to pour a pitcher of gravel, then sand, and finally water into the jar before it is finally full.

The point of the story is not that you can cram much more than you ever dreamed into any given day. The point is this: “If you don’t put your big rocks in first, the fillers of life will take up your day and you won’t fit your big rocks in at all.”

If you want to get things done that truly matter, you must focus on the big rocks. Ask yourself: What are the most important things I want to be prioritizing in my life right now?”

If you feel like you still don’t have clarity, consider what will matter to you in 25 years from now. This helps you strip away the non-essentials and focus on what you really want to be devoting the bulk of your time to.

Develop your daily routine with the big rocks in mind. You’ll likely be able to find time for some pebbles and sand, too, but begin with what matters most.

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home | Crystal Paine 7

http://life.familyeducation.com/organization/stress/56271.html

http://life.familyeducation.com/organization/stress/56271.html

Step #2 — Get the Framework in PlaceOnce you know what your big rocks are, it’s time to develop a basic framework for your day. This is not a detailed play-by-play of exactly how your day should look like, this is just how to get the big rocks to fit together.

1. Map Out Your Wake Up Time, Bed Time, and Meal Times.

The first step to getting a good routine in place is to determine your wake-up time, bed time, and meal times. These are not set-in-stone times, but if you have a general guideline to follow, it helps bring order and structure to your days.

Try (as much as is possible) to stay within at least an hour or so of the time you have planned for your wake-up, bed time, and meal times. If your house is anything like ours, stuff comes up and sometimes your plan goes out the window. When that happens, be flexible, roll with the punches, and then get back up on the wagon as soon as you’re able!

If you have no order or structure at all in your life right now, just getting up and going to bed at the same hour every day and eating your meals at the same hours throughout the day will give you a tremendous new sense of order and flow in your days. Plus, it will probably guarantee that you get more sleep and skip fewer meals–something that will definitely affect your overall health in a good way!

I suggest picking realistic times–especially for getting started. If you’re not a morning person, don’t plan to get up at 5 a.m. every morning unless you want to set yourself up for failure.

2. Create Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Routines.

I first learned of the concept of morning, afternoon, and evening routines from FlyLady . And I’m amazed at what a difference this simple change in one’s life can make.

If you’re unfamiliar with morning, afternoon, and evening routines, it’s basically just coming up with 3-5 simple things that you do in the same order when you first get up, after lunch, and right before bed. Simple is key here.

Sample Morning RoutineWake up, make coffee, read Bible/pray

Exercise

Shower, get dressed, straighten bathroom and bedroom

Start a load of laundry

Check email

Sample Afternoon RoutineClean up kitchenSwitch laundry to the dryerFold one load of laundry

Sample Evening RoutineClean up kitchenDo a quick 10-minute house pick upLay out clothes for next dayPJs on and face washed


http://flylady.net/

http://flylady.net/

If you’re brand-new to the concept of routines, start with a morning routine only and make it a priority for three weeks before adding anything else to your routine. Once you feel comfortable with a morning routine, then add in an afternoon routine and then an evening routine.

Take it slowly and don’t rush developing these habits. Even if it seems like you’re not making much progress, it’s better to inch forward in the right direction than to try to add all these new things in at once and burn out.

Step #3 — Plan the Time BlocksOnce you’ve determined your big rocks and mapped out a basic framework for your day, it’s time to plan the Time Blocks in your routine. Here’s how I recommend doing that:

1. Start With a Time Budget

Take your list of priorities and follow the instructions in this post to come up with a time budget for the 24 hours in your day. (See my time budget from 2010 here for an example of how this will look.)

2. Arrange the Order For Your Day

Once you have your time budget created, take those blocks of time and put them in a set order for the day. Do not stress over doing this perfectly, just think of how to order the time blocks so things will flow fairly smoothly in your home.

For instance, here’s what my current routine looks like:

My Current RoutineUp, Bible, coffeeRunShower, dressClean up bathroom/bedroom, start laundryBlogChildren up, baths, hair fixedBreakfast, Bible Time, clean up kitchenChores, switch laundry, dinner out from freezerHomeschoolingReading togetherLunch, read aloudsAfternoon RoutineHomeschoolingBloggingFree hourDinner, Bible TimeEvening RoutineTime with Jesse, read


http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/11/time-management-101-create-a-time-budget.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/11/time-management-101-create-a-time-budget.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/11/time-management-101-create-a-time-budget-part-2.html


3. Make Sure to Include Margin Time

If you’ll notice, I have an hour of free time built into my routine. This gives some “padding” in the routine to allow for the inevitable interruptions and things that come up throughout the day. Plus, it also provides a time block for extra projects.

4. Keep It Simple

Don’t make the mistake of trying to pack your day so full that you end up overwhelmed and burnt out. It’s better to do fewer things and actually finish them, than to attempt a massively long list and end up frustrated. Stick with the basics and don’t forget to focus on the big rocks first.

5. Don’t Worry About Following it Perfectly

We never follow our routine exactly. I view it as a guideline, not a strict slave master. It’s there to keep us moving in the right direction, but it can be shifted and rearranged somewhat depending upon how the day is going.

Now, if you start shifting things too much, you’ll defeat the purpose of having a routine, but do give yourself some grace and don’t feel like you need to follow it to a tee or you’ve failed. Good enough is always better than doing nothing at all.

6. Keep Tweaking It

A good routine is like a good budget: you keep tweaking it as your needs and life changes. If something isn’t working, change it!


A Routine Only Works if You Follow ItJust having a routine written down on paper is not enough. You actually have to stick with it!

Now, like I said before, you don’t have to follow your routine perfectly for it to make a big impact. But you do need to use it as a guideline on a daily basis. Even just following 75-80% of it almost every day can mean a world of difference in your home and life.

Here are four tips to help you stick with your routine:

Tip #1 — Add One New Thing Every 3 WeeksIf the concept of a routine is completely new for you, don’t try to overhaul your life all at once. Slow and steady changes in the right direction will result in much more lasting and long term changes. As I’ve often said, moving in the right direction–even at a microscopic rate–is still moving forward.

I recommend adding one new habit every three weeks. Start with a morning routine and stick with that for three weeks. Then add in an evening routine and stick with it for three weeks. Finally, add in an afternoon routine and stick with that for another three weeks.

Once you’ve got your routines down, try filling it in by following your entire written routine. If that’s too much to add all at once, go back to just adding in one or two new things to your routine every three weeks.

Tip #2 — Create a ChecklistI’ve found it really helpful to print a new routine for each day of the week to follow and check off as I complete each task. This might just be the Type A in me, but there’s something about checking off things from a list that helps to keep me on track.

If you don’t want to mess with having a new page for each day, you could print and laminate your routine and use a dry erase marker to check it off. And then just wipe it clean at the end of the day.

Or, if you’re more of a techy person, you could use some type of online program on your computer or smartphone. I use the Todo App for my daily to-do list (this is separate from my standard routine) and think it could easily be set up to have a standard routine to check off each day if something a bit more high-tech appeals to you.

However, don’t try to make it more complicated than it needs to be. A simple list printed on scrap paper with a pen to check it off can work just fine. What matters most is not how high-tech or elaborate your system is, but that it inspires you to follow through with your routine!

Tip #3 — Get An Accountability PartnerIf you feel like you’re not disciplined enough to stick with a routine on your own, find an accountability partner to help keep you on track. Maybe it’s a friend who checks in with you via email every afternoon. Or a neighbor who pops by once a week. Or your spouse who checks in with how your day


http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/11/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life-implement-one-habit-at-a-time.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/11/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life-implement-one-habit-at-a-time.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/02/how-to-develop-a-routine-that-works-and-stick-with-it-part-2.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/02/how-to-develop-a-routine-that-works-and-stick-with-it-part-2.html

http://www.appigo.com/todo-task-and-to-do-list.html

http://www.appigo.com/todo-task-and-to-do-list.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/11/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life-accountability-is-key.html




went at dinner. Maybe you form a group of online friends on Facebook to keep each other accountable. Or perhaps you do something entirely different.

Think about what would most motivate you to stay accountable and then get that accountability system in place. No excuses; just do it!

Tip #4 — Reward Yourself For Sticking With ItCreate milestones to celebrate along the way. This inspires you to keep at it when you don’t feel like sticking with it. Plus, life is just a lot more enjoyable when you make time to celebrate your successes!


My Top 3 Tips for Getting ings DoneFeeling like you’re always behind, stuck going around and around in circles, and never really getting anywhere or finishing anything?

Here are three of my top tips for getting stuff done.

Tip #1 — Keep Your To-Do List ShortYou need a plan for your day, otherwise, you’ll most likely just end up running in circles. However, if you try to bite off more than you can chew in a day’s time, you’ll end up overwhelmed from the get-go.

Set yourself up for success by creating a short to do list for each day. I suggest no more than 5-7 items on your list.

It’s better to only plan to do four things and to actually accomplish three of them, then to make a list of 47 to-do items, and a only get a few bits and pieces of some of them done.

Tip #2 — Make Your Daily Goals MeasurableWhen you make your to-do list, be realistic. Don’t write down “clear out clutter in the whole house” or “clean house” or “find a new job.”

Break things down into bite-sized, manageable pieces and be specific. For instance, instead of writing down “clear out the clutter in the whole house”, set a goal to spend 30 minutes clearing out the clutter in one room. Instead of attempting to clean the whole house, make a goal to vacuum two rooms, do a load of laundry, and clean the toilets.

Not only are specific, measurable goals much more concrete, they are also much more manageable. The thought of cleaning the whole house is overwhelming, but knowing you just have to vacuum two rooms, finish a load of laundry, and clean two toilets is much more achievable. Plus, when you set measurable goals, you know when they are accomplished.

Tip #3 — Use Your Minutes WiselyIf you want to have more productivity and efficiency in your life, you need to become the master of your minutes. If you find yourself with a short two-minute window of time, don’t just twiddle your thumbs. Do something. I’m always surprised at how much can be accomplished in a few minutes of time.

Things You Can Accomplish When You Have 2-3 Minutes’ of Free Time

Write a short thank you note or email.

Clean the sink or toilet in the bathroom.

Switch a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer.

Pull out dinner from the freezer.


http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/01/3-things-that-will-keep-you-from-goal-setting-success.html




http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/12/qa-tuesday-how-do-you-decide-your-yearly-goals.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/12/qa-tuesday-how-do-you-decide-your-yearly-goals.html





http://moneysavingmom.com/category/from-my-kitchen/recipes/freezer-friendly

http://moneysavingmom.com/category/from-my-kitchen/recipes/freezer-friendly

Make a healthful snack to munch on instead of grazing on high-calorie, low-nutrition snacks.

Take your vitamins and drink a glass of water.

Do 25 sit-ups.

Do a quick clean up of a room.

Read a short story to a child.

Text your husband to tell him you love him and appreciate him.

Read 2 pages of the book you’re currently reading.

Make a quick phone call.

I’m sure you could come up with a thousand other ideas for how to wisely use the little cracks of time that pop up throughout the day. Don’t let those little time slots slip by unproductively—it’s amazing how much they can add up in your favor!


http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/06/qa-tuesday-how-do-you-find-time-to-read.html

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/06/qa-tuesday-how-do-you-find-time-to-read.html

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: e Complete List

Week 1 — Monday Assignment Get dressed in something that makes you feel great. There’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life!

Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and make a list of 5-10 goals for this week.

Complete your morning routine. If you don’t have a morning routine, take some time to create one today! Read my How to Develop a Routine That Works–And Stick With It series for step-by-step help.

Set the timer for 15 minutes and quickly pick up the main living areas of your home.

Find 7 items to get rid of today. Throw them out, stick them in a donate or garage sale box, give them to a friend who can use them, or list them on Craigslist or eBay.

Clean out your purse and/or diaper bag.

1. _____________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________

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10. ____________________________________________

Week 1 — Tuesday Assignment Get dressed in something that makes you feel great.

Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals you made yesterday, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.

Complete your morning routine.

Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-clean of your kitchen: wash the dishes/load the dishwasher, clear off the countertops, and, if you have time, wipe down the countertops and the outside of the cupboards with wet rag or cleaning cloth.

Find 7 items to get rid of today.

Clean out your refrigerator. There’s a step-by-step guide for cleaning out your refrigerator here.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________


http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/10-weekly-goals

http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/10-weekly-goals

http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/how-to-develop-a-routine




http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/04/10-weekly-goals-11.html


http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/02/my-top-3-tips-for-getting-stuff-done.html




http://www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/kitchen/refrigerator-cleaning.html






Week 1 — Wednesday Assignment Get dressed in something that makes you feel great.

Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.


Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-clean of your bedroom: throw out any trash, put away items that are out of place, get rid of clutter, tidy up, vacuum, and make your bed.


Clean out your freezer. If you need step-by-step help, read this guide on How to Clean Out Your Freezer.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________

Week 1 — Thursday Assignment Get dressed in something that makes you feel great.



Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-clean of your bathroom. Need specific directions? Read this article on How to Clean Your Bathroom in 15 Minutes.


Clean out underneath your beds and furniture. Remove clutter and trash and put it away or throw it away. Move the furniture (if possible) and vacuum underneath.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________










http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-freezer/












http://www.creativehomemaking.com/articles/010403b.shtml




Week 1 — Friday Assignment Get dressed in something that makes you feel great.



Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do something you really enjoy and that relaxes and rejuvenates you. If you need ideas, here are a few: read, write, call a friend, pray, exercise, bake, play with your children, laugh with your husband, stop by the bookstore and browse the book selection, work in the garden, or take a nap! Take some time to just stop and enjoy life today!

Clean your couch. Remove your couch cushions and clean out any crumbs, toys, or other miscellaneous items you find. Use an attachment on your vacuum to vacuum the cushions, underneath the cushions, and all crevices of your furniture. Spot clean the fabric, if needed.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________










Week 2 — Monday Assignment Get dressed in something that makes you feel great.

Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and create a list of weekly goals.


Set the timer for 15 minutes and quickly pick up your house and put things back into order after the weekend.


Clean out the inside of your vehicle. Remove all trash and clutter. Use a vacuum attachment to vacuum out all the seats and floors.

1. _____________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________

10. ____________________________________________




Set the timer for 15 minutes and vacuum the main living areas of your home.


Wipe down all the baseboards in your home. If you have children who can help, you might divide your home up into sections and have everyone take a section so you can get this job done quickly!

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________


http://www.moneysavingmom.com/2012/04/10-weekly-goals-11.html











Set the timer for 15 minutes and go through your dresser drawers. Remove items you no longer love, need, and/or wear. Quickly organize the remaining items.


Wipe down all the door handles in your home. You can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this project!

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________




Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-clean of your bathroom.


Clean your light switch plates. You can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this project!

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________





















Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do something you really enjoy and that relaxes and rejuvenates you.

Dust all ceiling fans and clean all light fixtures in your house. Check for burned out light bulbs and replace them.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________















Clean out your silverware drawer. Remove all items, vacuum out the crumbs with your vacuum’s attachment, wipe down the drawer with a damp cloth, get rid of anything you don’t need or no longer use, and then put everything you’re keeping back into the drawer in an organized manner.

1. _____________________________________________

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Clean your microwave, stove top, and/or oven.

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2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

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5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________















Clean the top of your kitchen cupboards (if there is space between them and the ceiling) and the top of your refrigerator. If you have clutter on the top of your refrigerator, go through it and see if you can get rid of it or find a new home for it. Wipe down the outside of your kitchen cupboard doors.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

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7. ____________________________________________




Set the timer for 15 minutes and clean the mirrors and glass doors in your house.


Clean out your utensil drawer(s) (those with serving spoons, ladles, spatulas, etc.) in the kitchen and your junk drawer(s). Take everything out, throw out the trash, get rid of extra clutter, wipe out the drawers, and re-organize the contents as you put them back in.

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2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

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7. ____________________________________________























Clean your computer. Wipe down the screen and keys with a damp cloth, organize files, delete emails, etc.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________















Clean your vents. If you have floor vents that can be removed, remove them and wash them in warm soapy water. Vacuum/clean any dirt or grime around the floor vent area and replace the vent. Use a vacuum attachment and/or a wet rag to dust/clean your other vents.

1. _____________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________

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Clean out and reorganized your kitchen cupboards and pantry.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

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Vacuum your carpeted closets. Sweep or mop the floor in those closets without carpet. Remove all items from the closet floor and get rid of clutter, trash, and items that don’t belong in that closet.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________




Set the timer for 15 minutes and wipe down your windowsills and trim around your windows (that is, if you didn’t wipe these when you wiped down the baseboards earlier this month).


Clean your windows and blinds and/or window treatments. If you want to get really ambitious, you can take the screens off (if you have screens) and clean the outside of your windows. Or, you can just use window cleaner and clean your windows on the inside. Dust or wash your blinds. Remove any washable window treatments and launder them.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

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7. ____________________________________________






















Clean out and re-organize your medicine cupboard(s). Check expiration dates on medicines and dispose of any that are expired. Note: Check out this article for information from the FDA on how to properly dispose of medicine.

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

7. ____________________________________________










http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm101653.htm




4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: e Short List

Week 1 Day 1. Clean out your purse and/or diaper bag.

Day 2. Clean out your refrigerator. There’s a step-by-step guide for cleaning out your refrigerator here.

Day 3. Clean out your freezer. If you need step-by-step help, read this guide on How to Clean Out Your Freezer.

Day 4. Clean out underneath your beds and furniture. Remove clutter and trash and put it away or throw it away. Move the furniture (if possible) and vacuum underneath.

Day 5. Clean your couch. Remove your couch cushions and clean out any crumbs, toys, or other miscellaneous items you find. Use an attachment on your vacuum to vacuum the cushions, underneath the cushions, and all crevices of your furniture. Spot clean the fabric, if needed.

Week 2 Day 6. Clean out the inside of your vehicle. Remove all trash and clutter. Use a vacuum attachment to vacuum out all the seats and floors.

Day 7. Wipe down all the baseboards in your home. If you have children who can help, you might divide your home up into sections and have everyone take a section so you can get this job done quickly!

Day 8. Wipe down all the door handles in your home. You can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this project!

Day 9. Clean your light switch plates. You can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this project!

Day 10. Dust all ceiling fans and clean all light fixtures in your house. Check for burned out light bulbs and replace them.










Week 3 Day 11. Clean out your silverware drawer. Remove all items, vacuum out the crumbs with your vacuum’s attachment, wipe down the drawer with a damp cloth, get rid of anything you don’t need or no longer use, and then put everything you’re keeping back into the drawer in an organized manner.

Day 12. Clean your microwave, stove top, and/or oven.

Day 13. Clean the top of your kitchen cupboards (if there is space between them and the ceiling) and the top of your refrigerator. If you have clutter on the top of your refrigerator, go through it and see if you can get rid of it or find a new home for it. Wipe down the outside of your kitchen cupboard doors.

Day 14. Clean out your utensil drawer(s) (those with serving spoons, ladles, spatulas, etc.) in the kitchen and your junk drawer(s). Take everything out, throw out the trash, get rid of extra clutter, wipe out the drawers, and re-organize the contents as you put them back in.

Day 15. Clean your computer. Wipe down the screen and keys with a damp cloth, organize files, delete emails, etc.

Week 4 Day 16. Clean your vents. If you have floor vents that can be removed, remove them and wash them in warm soapy water. Vacuum/clean any dirt or grime around the floor vent area and replace the vent. Use a vacuum attachment and/or a wet rag to dust/clean your other vents.

Day 17. Clean out and reorganized your kitchen cupboards and pantry.

Day 18. Vacuum your carpeted closets. Sweep or mop the floor in those closets without carpet. Remove all items from the closet floor and get rid of clutter, trash, and items that don’t belong in that closet.

Day 19. Clean your windows and blinds and/or window treatments. If you want to get really ambitious, you can take the screens off (if you have screens) and clean the outside of your windows. Or, you can just use window cleaner and clean your windows on the inside. Dust or wash your blinds. Remove any washable window treatments and launder them.

Day 20. Clean out and re-organize your medicine cupboard(s). Check expiration dates on medicines and dispose of any that are expired. Note: Check out this article for information from the FDA on how to properly dispose of medicine.






About the AuthorA wife and homeschool mom of three, Crystal Paine is a bestselling author, business consultant, speaker, and the founder of MoneySavingMom.com. Started in 2007, Money Saving Mom® has since grown to be one of the top personal finance blogs on the web averaging over 1.5 million unique visitors per

month.

Author of the New York Times bestselling book Say Goodbye To Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and

Restore Your Passion for Life, Crystal's mission is to help women from all walks of life discover the freedom that comes from living with intention,

simplicity and generosity.

In addition to running her own business, she serves as a consultant to executives and business owners in the areas of brand development, online growth and social media strategy.

Crystal has contributed to articles in Woman's Day and All You magazines, appeared on Good Morning America and the 700 club, and has been mentioned on The Today Show, National Public Radio, CNN, USA Weekend, Shop Smart magazine, Real Simple magazine, and numerous other local and national newspapers, radio, and television stations. She is also the author of the bestselling book, The Money Saving Mom®'s Budget.

Her motto is this: live simply, save aggressively, give generously. Through her books and blog she seeks to encourage women and families to wisely steward their time, energy and finances so that, ultimately, they might be able to bless and give more to those in their community and around the world.


http://moneysavingmom.com/

http://moneysavingmom.com/

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4 wks-org-home (1.31MB)

Economy & Finance

Transcript of 4 wks-org-home (1.31MB)