intentionally Cleaning

Six a.m. the alarm sounds.  You hit snooze, 45 minutes later you rush to shower and off to work you go. Your day is filled with your errands, other people's crises, homework, kids, significant others, and just stuff!  Life constantly is happening around us and never stops. After fighting traffic, the grocery store, and walking the dog, I finally make it home ready to put my feet up.   Once home I quickly realize there are things that need to be done at home. 

Being a lady is more than just being pretty and adorning ourselves with makeup and jewelry. It is hard work. For some, one of the hardest things is keeping a clean house and to a standard.   TV shows are exposing America's filth.  The way these seemingly normal people live in 3rd world conditions is heartbreaking, but it makes you think twice about the office pitch-in.

Now I know ladies who can clean bleach!  I also know some who throw dinner parties with Pigpen.  I am in the middle.  Meaning I am a clutter bug but can't stand residue.  My countertops may contain a week's worth of mail, but the inside of my garbage cans are bleached.   My linen closets are a mess but my baseboards and outlets are dusted.

Speaking of dust! 

Dust is SNEAKY (serious side eye)! It is definitely an unwanted house guest.  It comes in unannounced, lays over everything, can even get downright indignant if you don't address it soon enough.   It appears loud and obnoxious when others come, telling the truth of when the last time you stepped foot in a room, touched a trinket, or rotated stock.  

So what's a lady to do?  Simply, make an effort.  Making an effort shows intent.  That's really what being a lady is. It is intentional thoughts, habits, dress, and interactions. 

Tips for cleaning

Organize your cleaning products.  I use a bucket that I can carry from room to room.  I don't have to go searching for products.

Start from the top 

"Started from the bottom now you are where?" Clean high then low.  Why clean your counters, then dust.  All the dust has fallen unto the clean counters or why sweep the floors then clean your counters.  All the crumbs have fallen unto the clean floor. You will have to do the same steps over. Maximize your time.

Do Something Daily

Very few of us have time to clean a house from top to bottom in one day.  Make a plan. Designate a day of the week for each task.

• Sunday is kitchen day(refrigerator, stove, organize pantry)  While you are in there prepare a meal!
• Monday clean the bathrooms
• Tuesday clean the living room. 
• Wednesday is baseboard and floor (sweep, mop, Swiffer, Kirby) day
• Thursday clean the bedrooms
• Friday (sort, wash, fold, and put away each load)
• Saturday may be laundry day again depending on how many people in your home.

Sounds good, doesn't it!  Doesn't mean I always do it!

Do all similar tasks 

If you are emptying the trash, do it on every room.
Dust in every room.
Sweep the floor in every room.
Throw away paper.
I will say it again, THROW AWAY PAPER.

Commercial clean

For all my T.V. watchers, I understand that during that sacred time, no one is talking, moving, eating, cleaning, or being productive.  Besides the occasional OMG!  I Can't, or rant on social media.  Not a whole lot is getting done.  Why not clean in between each commercial, that way you still have an opportunity to be productive.

Lastly, Ask for help! Seek a cleaning service, friends, or just throw a match to it all (kidding Arson maybe a felony).

Please feel free to ask the Decorous Lady a question. What are some of your household tips? Comment below