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43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

Real Simple: 19-minute daily cleanup

Real Simple | Cleaning | The Keep-It-Clean Plan

As the far less tidy half of the two vertebrates on our lease, I shouldn’t have been surprised to find this article printed out and gently wedged into the single clear spot on my office desk. It outlines a straightforward daily cleaning regimen that beats back the squalor on an economical 19 minutes a day.

Here’s the Family Room/Living Room/Foyer daily routine (clocking in at a manageable 6 minutes)

Start with the sofa — as long as it’s in disarray, your living room will never look tidy. Once you’ve fluffed the pillows and folded the throws, you’re halfway home. If you pop in a CD while you dust, you should be able cover the whole room by the end of the third track.

  • Pick up crumbs and dust bunnies with a handheld vacuum (one minute).
  • Fluff the cushions and fold throws after use (two minutes).
  • Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (one minute).
  • Straighten coffee-table books and magazines. Throw out newspapers. Put away CDs and videos. (Two minutes.)

I’ll also use this as the opportunity to reluctantly confess that I love (and currently subscribe to) Real Simple. It really appeals to the productivity pr0n nerd in me (plus I enjoy the Martha-riffic pastels and airy layouts). There. I’ve said it. You happy now?

[Link via the very subtle (and tidy) Ms. Madeline Stiness]

Patia's picture

>male organizing geeks think they've...

male organizing geeks think they've invented lifehacks when women have been talking and writing about them for years

Touche, Judine! Good one.

I love Real Simple, FlyLady, Martha Stewart, 43 Folders and anything else that makes my life easier. Around two years ago, I set up a weekly cleaning routine (AKA "Home Blessing") based on FlyLady's suggestions but customized for my needs. It takes one hour and I do it first thing every weekend, unless I am swamped, in which case I only do the first half. This is it:

Wash dishes (AKA "Shine sink) Empty litterbox Empty trash Water houseplants Straighten and dust Wipe bathroom Vacuum floors

Granted, my place is small and I live alone, but the point is the weekly routine is customizable based on your needs. By doing the basics weekly, I no longer put things off to the point where I have to spend my whole weekend deep-cleaning. And my house is always reasonably presentable and peaceful.

/Stepping off soapbox! :-)

 
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