Clean Sweep

No seriously... Do you remember this show? For people who had some serious disorganization, the show would come into your house and make you clean up and get your house organized by force in like 2 days. I so need this! I actually don't have serious disorganization, but I'd like someone else to come and do all the work. hehe

But, alas, since that's probably not going to happen this week, it's time for my own version. I encourage you to get cracking on your own winter cleaning, too. You know, before we are all stuck indoors with the colder weather...If we are going to have winter cabin fever, it's better to be in a cleaner version of our houses, right?

My suggestion is to do one of these a day until they are all done. Or be like me and try to get them all done in one weekend!

1. Go through your closet and take out everything you haven't worn in the last year and things that don't fit well. If you can't remember when you last wore it, it's outta there! Donate it, have a garage sale, or better yet - sell it on eBay.
2. Wipe down baseboards, dust ceiling fans and sweep under all your furniture. YUCK! I know, I know. But it's gotta be done SOMEtime. Otherwise you'll move your sofa when a friend is over and you will. be. embarrassed. when she sees how much yuck is under there. Yeah, that happens.
3. Take everything out of your fridge and your pantry. Expired stuff just goes AWAY. Wipe out your cabinets and fridge shelves. Stop ignoring that mystery sticky substance that's leaked in the fridge. Yeah, you see it. Clean it up.
4. While you're there in the kitchen, scrub the cabinet faces with bleach water. (1 TBSP bleach, 1-2 gallons water) Self clean your oven and wipe down the microwave. Wipe down every other surface.
5. Sweep and mop and vacuum your house. Mix a little bleach into your mopping substance if it won't damage your floors.
6. Spend some time deep cleaning your bathroom. Throw out all your old shampoos you're hoarding in the shower and toss old razors and toiletries. Clean out your bathroom cabinet and get rid of items that you haven't used in the last year.
7. This one is the scariest in my house so I started with it first, actually - Help your kids go through their rooms. Get rid of stuff that is just taking up dead space. It might mean taking out furniture that no longer makes sense in their rooms.
8. Lastly - the one I hate the most - GO THROUGH the piles you have set aside for later. It's later. Toss stuff or file it. Don't allow another pile to exist simply because you don't know where to put it. If in doubt, file it and get on with your life already.

I'm determined to have a fully enjoyable and clean living space ASAP. I'm already working on my list. BAM!