Copyrigh t 2015 by Karin Le Blanc
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to copy or reprint portions for any noncommercial use, except they may not be posted online without permission.
Contents
Part One: Speed Cleaning Secrets
1. Introduction
2. Weapons Of Mass Destruction (For Dirt!)
The Apron or the Tote-All?
The Old Fashioned, Non-Divided Bucket.
The Tools of The Trade
3. Speed Cleaning Secrets To Use In All Rooms
4. Speed Bumps On The Super Highway Of Clean: (V)Room By (V)Room Secrets
5. Clutter-Control Secrets For The Organizationally Challenged
6. Seasonal Cleaning Schedule
7. Conclusion
Part Two: Lets Get Organized!
8. Introduction
9. Remember To Organize
10. Say Goodbye To Clutter
11. Best Secrets To Getting And Staying Organized
12. The Emotional Toll Of Clutter
13. Turn Clutter Into Harmony
14. An Orderly Life
15. Let Good Order Reign!
16. Getting Rid Of "Stuff"
17. The Art Of Organization
18. A Few Good Organizing Tips And Tricks
19. Determining Your Home-Style
20. Clever Home And Family Management For Better Organization
21. Have Time On Your Side
22. Organize A Bit At A Time
Organize Your Junk Drawer
Organize Your Laundry Room
Organize Your Children
Organize Your Garage
Organize Your Child's Study Habits
Organize Your Kitchen
23. Put The Word "Organized" Back Into Your Life!
24. Timesaving Tips
25. 12 Simple Ways To Organize
26. C.O.P.E.
27. Organize Your Move
28. Establish An Organized Home Office
29. Organize Your Workspace
30. Is It Time To Hire An Organizer?
31. Take Control Of Chronic Disorganization
32. Smart Time Management For Busy Moms
33. A Final Home Organizing
34. The Benefits Of Being Organized
References
Part One: Speed Cleaning Secrets
1. Introduction
They say that cleanliness is next to Godliness. In my home, cleanliness is next to impossible.
Now that I have that confession out of the way, let me tell you why. My home, when my daughter was growing up, was first and foremost a home. It wasn't a showcase and I knew it never would be. I was sure it would never be absolutely spotless because I homeschooled her.
That meant there was almost always something inside to examine for school, which added to the mess. I daily put at least one cleaning chore aside to teach multiplication. That also meant that we ditched laundry every so often to go that cool skate party down the road.
I didn't appreciate a certain someone a relative who remains unnamed at this point visiting my house from out of town for several days and deciding that it just wasn't clean enough to suit her.
This is an example: She didn't like the status of my microwave oven, so she scrubbed it inside and out until it sparkled. Good for her. Personally, I could find better things to do when I visited someone's house. I didn't ask her to do it. So when my daughter went to use the microwave following her "voluntary" cleaning, this relative (I dare not speak of by name) scolded my daughter (in her own home mind you!) for actually using the appliance.
Now! I like clean. But I'm a far greater fan of functional.
And that's what you'll find in this book. Cleanliness may be next to Godliness, but it must be tempered with the knowledge that a home is where people live and, quite frankly, "let it all hang out" at times.
You get the idea. I chose spending time and teaching my daughter over cleaning. That's where I learned some of these speed cleaning tips.
So, my goal in writing this book is to ensure that your house is clean yet functional. (Okay, now quick! Check that microwave to see if it's clean enough for your relative who will also remain unnamed!)
Inside the pages of this book, I'll show you some tips not all mine originally that can help your home look stunning, but still be livable. And I'll show you how you can do this in record time guaranteed.
I'll take you room by room, as well as technique by technique, showing you the most efficient forms of housecleaning I've seen. You'll discover why cleaning windows with newspapers and Windex is good --- but I'll also take you to that next level of window cleaning... well, you'll just have to read the book to learn that.
You'll discover how to "lift" stains out of carpets... how to clean your child's room in nine minutes flat and what to do with that wooden furniture that you don't know quite how to treat (so you do nothing with!)
So settle back and relax. You'll soon discover that you'll be eager to pull those track shoes on, climb into a pair of comfy jogging pants and an old t-shirt and get down to business!
2. Weapons Of Mass Destruction (For Dirt!)
You know, you're just using it as an excuse.
Don't look so surprised at me. If you can't decide, you're thinking, maybe you don't have to actually go through with your commitment.
You're trying to decide what to wear this "speed-cleaning day". I'll give you a one word hint: comfort.
I'd wear those jogging pants right there and that old t-shirt in the drawer. Both give you maximum motion and comfort.
As much as you may think you want to wear those jeans, you really won't be comfortable in them. They'll bind you someplace and inhibit your movements. Then that dreadful moment will occur. You'll decide it's impossible to wear those jeans another minute while you're cleaning and abandon your quest for the clean house.
Trust me, I've been there. Don't even think about the jeans. Choose the jogging pants. You'll feel less restricted, have more freedom of movement and it may even make you feel more energetic. After all, you will be wearing some type of "exercise clothing."
As for that t-shirt, the baggier the better. You would be surprised at how restrictive some t-shirts are. Don't choose a cute one that clings to your body. Select something that allows you to move freely.
And please don't choose anything that you would feel badly about if the bleach or other cleaner happened to cause it a little bit of damage.
The Apron or the Tote-All?
It's an age-old question, much like which came first, the chicken or the egg? Except that this question has much more relevance, especially if you're planning on being serious about your speed cleaning.
Cleaning professionals, in fact, have come down on both sides of the fence of this debate. Now it's time to give you my opinion.
The big debate? To wear an apron to hold your supplies or carry them in a "tote-all"? Many individuals love the idea of an apron. And, indeed, it certainly deserves your consideration. After all, when you wear an apron with "oodles" of pockets, it frees up your hands and the apron protects your clothes.
So, an apron with pockets to tuck cleaning bottles and feather dusters and rags into is a great practice. And if you've been using nothing like it up until now, I guarantee you're going to love it.
But then...
There are those individuals who insist that the only way to go is with a "well- organized tote carry all"... or two. You have two hands, you know. The beauty of these totes is the natural dividers already built in. Plop a bottle of spray in this divider, a feather duster here, a couple of rags there... and you're off to the bedrooms... or the bathroom... or the upstairs.