Some More Multitasking to Help with Cleaning

Once a load in the wash is done, and contains any washcloths, I take a damp washcloth (it's the perfect dampness by the way!) and wipe down the dryer and washing machine. Once I'm done, I just throw it back in the washing machine to be washed next time. I know one of the Daily Mission's of Flylady is to clean them, and by developing habits like this, I don't have to "remember" to do it, or schedule to do it, etc.


When emptying the kitchen garbage, throw 5 trash bags in the bottom underneath the new bag. When I empty my last bag, then that would be when I wash out the trashcan (same goes for bathroom trashcans). This way I don't have to remember to do it...the fact that I have to add more bags to the bottom tells me I should clean it first! If it doesn't need cleaning at that time, then I don't do it. Just add 5 more in and see if it needs cleaning next time

Pick up after yourself! It only takes a few seconds to put back the box of cereal, or that book back on the bookshelf, or that CD/DVD back in it's case. But when you have a ton of stuff like that, those seconds turn into many many minutes.


Keep up with laundry. I HATE being behind in laundry. Here's a tip that I started doing. If you are one of those who does a load a day, how about starting that load at night? Before bed have it going in the dryer so then the next day it's ready for you to fold when you are ready for it. If I want to knock it out at 7am I can. Just an idea

Leave a grocery list on the fridge at all times, even if it's just a scrap piece of paper. Add columns by departments (produce, household, beauty/meds, dairy, etc) and the second you know you need something add it to the list. By having the departments already planned out, you don't need to rewrite your list. Just grab it and go. I recently bought a clipboard and I would like to purchase some magnets to put on the back of it. I keep track of how much I'm spending by rounding each item to the nearest dollar and continue to add everything up as I'm putting stuff in the cart. I finally caved and bought a clipboard because I need something hard to write on. So I want to put my grocery list on the clipboard, keep my clipboard on the fridge, so then I can really just grab and go. I might even make a special column for me to write out the figures as I'm adding. :-)

For your kids' rooms - have a system where everything has a home, even if that home is a box with a taped piece of paper with it labeled what goes in it. Diaper boxes work great! I even use them in my closet...I rip off the flaps and lay them on it's side. I have wire wracks for shelves in my closet and by putting the boxes on its side, I'm able to store books and DVDs in them. Also, the top of the box creates another type of shelf, so I'm able to put stuff up there. Here's a pic:

Clean stuff that the kids can't mess up in the morning time and then clean up the stuff they can mess up, before hubby comes home

When you are in a mood to clean, take advantage of it! Work in one space at a time, even if it's one counter or one shelf.

Linked to: Your Thriving Family, Consider the Lilies, Finding Joy, Finding Beauty, Call me Blessed, Growing Home, Cornerstone Confessions, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies, Lessons from Ivy, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Creative @ Home, Women Living Well,