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Susan Whelan's BlogPosted by Susan Whelan A recent bout of the ‘flu has brought my household to a grinding halt. After nursing three sick children for several weeks, I finally succumbed to the bug myself and spent a couple of days in bed unable to face the world. Recovery has been slow for us all with very little extra energy and no enthusiasm for any tasks that don’t have to be done. As a matter of necessity, I have pared my household chores down to tasks that just can’t be left undone, no matter how tired, sick or busy I have been. Bathroom Cleaning The shower can wait, but the toilet can’t. A quick wipe over tiles and basins with a cloth will keep these looking clean, but the toilet still needs to be cleaned properly. If illnesses have involved vomiting or diarrhoea, it is particularly important that the bathroom be kept clean and bath and handtowels changed daily. Kitchen Cleaning Washing-up should still be cleared daily – either by hand or in the dishwasher. Sweeping or mopping floors and other big jobs can wait temporarily, but it is important to keep countertops clean and washing up done to maintain good hygiene. Bedroom Cleaning When you aren’t feeling well, it’s amazing what a difference clean bed linen can make to your comfort levels. Get someone to help change the sheets if possible and if energy is an issue. Laundry If you are feeling unwell, you really don’t want to deal with the hassle of frantic searches for school uniforms or clean underwear. A daily load of washing will make sure that clean clothes are there when needed, even if they haven’t been ironed, folded or put away. Posted by Susan Whelan My friend Meri recently decided to deal with her household mess and clutter. After a rush of extra family commitments, sick children and general busyness, I’ve decided that my own home could do with some extra attention as well. House Cleaning Reminders by Email Each day Meri receives emails from The FlyLady encouraging her to wipe down her kitchen benches and clear clutter hot-spots. There is also a 15-30 minute task set for each day aiming to clear away long term clutter. The FlyLady also assigns a simple daily task for Meri’s children, such as returning books left lying about to the bookcase. Meri’s daughter remains sceptical that someone in cyberspace is actually sending these reminders, preferring to believe that this is her mother’s latest devious plan to get her to help with the housework. Speedcleaning and Spotless Since I already waste far too much time in front of the computer (who invented that crazy Facebook thing, anyway?!), I have decided to resort to some non-tech assistance - books - to set me back onto the straight and narrow. Speedcleaning by Jennifer Lush and Shannon Fleming and Sorted! by Lissane Oliver are my weapons of choice. With the promise of a 15 minute a day cleaning routine and techniques to permanently sort out all my clutter worries, I should have a house suitable for a spread in Home Beautiful before I know it. Personally, I’d just be happy with a home where I’m not tripping over the kids’ toys all the time. Task for the Week Make a pact with a friend to get on top of any cleaning issues you might have at home and encourage each other to stick with it until you get results. Posted by Susan Whelan You finally have a day free to get some cleaning done. Your energy levels are high and distractions are low. You’ve stocked up on dust clothes, cleaning products and storage boxes and you’ve got chocolate bars in reserve for that all important mid-morning energy boost. What could go wrong? Unfortunately, days that start like this often result in a house that looks like it has been victim to a team of thorough but not particularly tidy thieves. Every cupboard is open and there are clothes, books, papers, toys, towels, plastic containers and assorted other items everywhere. Days of high energy cleaning are a godsend, but if the energy isn’t focused they can create more chaos than they fix. If you feel the urge to spring clean and/or tackle the clutter in your home, choose one area at a time and then narrow it down to one particular task at a time. Prioritise Tasks to get Maximum Benefit Consider giving different tasks a priority. If you have a collection of items that you need to find storage spaces for, consider cleaning out a linen cupboard, sorting through clothes in your wardrobe, or culling papers in your filing cabinet first. Create the storage space, then put things away. If a messy kitchen is causing you headaches, then sort through the plastic cupboard and utensil drawer and get rid of any containers that are broken or missing lids and any utensils that are no longer used. The pantry is another kitchen area that needs to be regularly checked. Lidless containers can be useful to keep spices and other small items neat a tidy in a pantry, so sort through the plastics cupboard first. Task for the WeekSet aside time to sort through and tidy one wardrobe, closet or linen cupboard. Posted by Susan Whelan The end of the financial year is looming in Australia. Only a few more weeks and it will be time to gather together all the tax-related paperwork and trek off to the accountant in the hope that the Government will kindly return to you some of the money that you have generously shared with it over the past 12 months. Many accountants charge according to the amount of time it takes to complete your tax return. It is in your own best interests to simplify the process for them as much as possible. Turning up with a shoe box full of receipts for everything from work stationery to the coffee you picked up on your way to their office is a costly way to go about things. Organise and Declutter Paperwork The best way to avoid frantic searches for important documents at tax time is to keep track of them throughout the year. Regularly filing receipts, warranties, insurance policy details and other important documents means that you will know exactly where they are when you need them, saving you time and effort when it counts. Paper clutter can quickly take over a home – a few pieces of junkmail, a few school newsletter, some unopened mail and before you know it, the entry table is overflowing with paper. Sort through papers as they enter your home and file them as soon as possible to prevent paper clutter chaos. Household Budgets Tax time tends to remind us that we really should be more responsible with our money. Put some thought into setting up a household budget or looking for ways to economise with everyday expenses. Task for the Week: Gather Tax Paperwork Together Start getting relevant paperwork organised so that it is ready to go to the accountant when you are. Posted by Susan Whelan When you are a home owner there seems to be a never-ending to do list – minor repairs, major renovations, everyday maintenance and cleaning– it goes on and on. It is easy to get so caught up in getting all the household jobs taken care of that you never take time to actually enjoy the wonderful home environment that you are creating. Enjoy your Garden Whether a large garden with a formal entertaining area or a small apartment balcony with a few potted plants, it is possible to create an area that relaxes and renews. Grab a book, a chair and a cool drink and choose to simply spend some time relaxing rather than fussing with planting and weeding. Get the kids out in the yard as well and have some fun. Kick a ball around, or take a game like Twister or Hyper-Dash outside and let the kids burn off some energy. Pamper Yourself Have a long relaxing bath. Grab some bubblebath and a good book and simply allow the warm water to work its magic on your stresses and tensions. If you are worried about wasting water, use a bucket to transfer the water onto your garden or into the washing machine when you are finished. Invite some friends over for dinner and spend a relaxing evening catching up. Forget the fuss of formal dining and preparing a simple barbecue or share the cost of takeaway. Just relax and enjoy your favourite TV show or a movie. When was the last time you just watched a show without trying to take care of ten other jobs at the same time? Task for the Week Stop. Relax. Unwind. Then take on the challenges of the week with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Posted by Susan Whelan I have recently renewed my home contents insurance and have gone through the rather tedious task of preparing a home inventory to make sure that I have enough cover. After being blasé about this for a number of years, severe storms in the area where I live last year have scared me into being more responsible. Check Your Contents Policy Fine Print Unfortunately, many householders didn’t discover that they weren’t sufficiently covered by their insurance policy until they were making a claim. Most contents insurance policies contain clauses that limit the responsibility of the insurer for water damage and other events. A friend discovered after the storms that the carpet that she had assumed would be included in her building insurance policy for a rental property she owns wasn’t actually covered, resulting in a significant replacement expense. Most policies will limit the amount that can be claimed for collections of items that are not specifically listed on the policy or for household items that are damaged or go missing outside of the home (such as jewellery or photographic equipment). Home Inventory Software A home inventory lists all the significant items in a household that need to be covered by the content insurance policy. Preparing a home inventory is a tedious task, but well worth the time it takes. There are software packages and downloadable spreadsheets that can simplify this process. Collectorz.com has a particularly easy to use and comprehensive range of home inventory database software for cataloguing and organising book, music, movie, and comic collections. Task for the Week Prepare a home inventory and check to make sure that your current contents policy actually provides the cover that you need. For more articles on insurance topics, visit Suite101’s Insurance Feature Writer, Lisa Nichols. Posted by Susan Whelan As a long-term clutter-junkie, I have recently been trying to establish routines to prevent the mess taking over my life. Sandra Felton, the founder of Messies Anonymous, suggests that some people are naturally organised and others, Messies, just don’t have the inbuilt mental strategies to automatically deal with the clutter of everyday life. Home Organisation Books There are some great books out there that discuss how to clean and organise your home. After sifting through far too many of them, and thus avoiding actually dealing with the problem, I have managed to find a few that are genuinely helpful.
Mental Spring Cleaning Sometimes the best way to deal with the clutter is to think about our own attitudes, habits and priorities. Spring is a great time for a bit of mental spring cleaning, as much as it is for airing and tidying a home. For some tips and articles on having a more balanced life, visit Jerry Lopper, Suite101’s Personal Development Feature Writer. Task for the Week Make a decision to conquer the clutter! Get some advice from a clutter-free friend, read a book like one of those mentioned above (and apply what you have learned), or think about chatting with a Life Coach to learn some strategies for greater life balance. Posted by Susan Whelan The media is awash with stories about environmental issues. We are constantly urged to reduce our carbon footprint and be more environmentally aware. Plastic Shopping Bag Alternatives An Australian farmer recently suggested that householders avoid using plastic bags by placing a washing basket in the trunk of their car. Groceries can be unloaded directly from the shopping trolley into the basket and then the basket can be used to carry groceries into the home. If you have limited trunk space or simply prefer the convenience of individual shopping bags, Ecosilk Bags are the perfect solution. Made from recyclable nylon parachute material, they come in a range of 17 colours with the added convenience of being washable and compact when not in use. When the bags eventually wear out (Ecosilk gives a predicted usefulness of 5+ years), the bags can be returned to Ecosilk who in turn send them to a plastics recycling plant. A$1 credit against future orders is offered for each returned bag. Chemical-Free Household Cleaners For health and environmental reasons, many householders prefer to use biodegradable, chemical-free household cleaning products. Cinderella Products has a range of cleaning products using natural plant surfactants sourced from renewable sources that are not only highly effective but beautifully fragranced. A neutral pH ensures that the products are kind to humans as well as the planet. Small Changes, Big Impact Making the choice to switch to eco-friendly cleaners like Cinderella Products or keeping a drawstring pouch of Ecosilk bags in your handbag or car are two small ways to reduce your negative impact on the environment without having a negative impact on your budget. Task for the Week Make one environmentally friendly change in your home. Posted by Susan Whelan When was the last time you had a good look at your garden? Not just the vague “I really must do something about those weeds” when you come home after a busy day at work. I mean a really good “Am I making the most of this space?” look. Landscaping Fun Get the whole family involved in a landscaping project at home. Pick an area and talk about what will work best there – a vegetable garden, herb garden, flower bed or maybe a Japanese-style relaxation pebble garden. If you are short on landscaping know-how or ideas, a local nursery should be able to recommend plants that will be suitable for the local climate. Take cuttings from any trees, bushes or plants in your yard or garden that you want to identify. Local technical college landscaping students sometimes offer discounted assistance with landscaping. They get some additional experience and you get some inexpensive professional advice – everyone wins. If all else fails, invest in a landscaping book aimed at children such as Jamie Durie’s Outdoor Kids (Jamie Durie Publishing, 2005) or visit Georgene Bramlage, Suite101’s Landscaping Feature Writer, for some great tips. Have a Holiday at Home With increases in the costs of living, many families can’t afford the added expenses of accommodation and extra fuel that are needed for a family holiday. Be creative and plan a holiday at home. For a fraction of the holiday budget, you can make some minor improvements at home that will be an ongoing benefit for your family. Why not read Mary McCarthy’s Enjoying Outdoor Living Spaces article for some great ideas. Task of the Week Pick a section of your yard or garden and plan a family project – even if it is just clearing all those weeds! Posted by Susan Whelan Children attract mess and clutter like a magnet attracts iron filings. To avoid living in a constant state of disarray, think ahead and make it easier for children to tidy up after themselves. A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place Allocate certain areas for children’s toys and craft materials. Make it easy for children to keep these areas tidy by providing containers that they can easily pack their toys into when they are finished with them. Try to place items as close as possible to where they will be used. If the storage area is convenient, then children are more likely to put items away. Organising Craft Materials If space allows, set aside a shelf in a linen cupboard or other storage cupboard for craft materials such as paper, scissors, crayons and markers, glue and other miscellaneous things. Use clear plastic containers to keep similar items together. Empty shoeboxes also work well for this. Organising Toys Group similar toys into large plastic storage boxes. Soft toys, baby dolls and their clothing and accessories, Lego, train sets and so on can each have their own container. Make a rule that a box has to be repacked and put away before a new box can be unpacked. Label Everything It is easy for children and other adults to put things away if they can clearly see where they belong. Use computer labels and either print out or clearly write the contents of each box on each label. Task for the Week Sort through the toy box and clear out any old, broken or unused toys. Keep toys with a special significance, throw out anything that is no longer working and donate any toys in good condition that are no longer needed to a local charity, play group or women’s refuge. Posted by Susan Whelan Even if the closest you come to cooking is making a cup of tea and toast for breakfast, kitchens are still busy and potentially messy places. Food, the family noticeboard and numerous kitchen items all need to be stored in the kitchen. In addition, the coffee maker lives there, reason enough for many to visit this room frequently. For safety and health reasons, it is important that kitchens remain clean and clutter free. General weekly cleaning is necessary, but it is important to regularly clean more carefully. Remove items from countertops and cupboards to allow access to wipe these surfaces. Clean out the refrigerator and pantry, rinse out the dishwasher and generally ensure that all surfaces are clean and hygienic. An Organised Pantry Prevent pantries becoming cluttered and disorganised by establishing a menu plan. Prepare a meal plan for one to two weeks then check the fridge and pantry for any groceries that will be needed to prepare the meals. Make a shopping list and go to the supermarket buying only the items on the list. Menu plans limit unnecessary grocery purchases, keeping the pantry uncluttered with the added advantage of helping to control the weekly grocery budget. Sort through Cookbooks How many of the cookbooks on the kitchen shelf do you actually use regularly? With the large number of very useful and versatile recipe websites, large collections of cookbooks are unnecessary. Limit cookbooks to those that are particularly useful and used often and consider selling or donating any others. This will remove dust-collecting clutter and free-up some shelf space. Consider creating a household cleaning checklist to ensure that kitchen maintenance cleaning is done regularly and not overlooked. Task for the Week Cull those cookbooks. Keep only those that you really use. Posted by Susan Whelan If only we were all born with an innate knowledge of how to keep our homes clean, tidy and organised. A place for everything and everything in its place. Instead, many of us struggle to keep on top of the clutter of everyday life – junk mail, newspapers and magazines, children’s craft and toys, washing up, making beds, cleaning bathrooms... The list goes on. Fortunately, many people who have the knack of domestic organisation have also mastered the art of writing and are willing to share their techniques and knowledge with the rest of us. Home Management Books Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming have produced three books Spotless (ABC, 2005), Speedcleaning (ABC Books, 2006) and How to be Comfy (ABC, 2007). They cover just about everything a householder could want to know about cleaning, stain removal, easy home decorating and basic home organisation and cleaning routines. Managing a Busy Family If your issue isn’t so much organising your home, but trying to organise the family that makes it messy in the first place, The Busy Mothers’ Companion by Catherine Lockhart and Gillian Caldwell is a great place to start. It’s folder full of checklists and forms to help establish family routines and keep track of important information. As an added advantage, it is available for download as an e-book. Home Management Support For those simply looking for some support and encouragement, the internet abounds with home organisation websites that have a range of books, downloads, forums and email mailing lists to help guide, assist and educate in the areas of cleaning, organising and getting rid of all that clutter. Task for the Week In honour of the FlyLady website, this week wash up or stack the dishwasher every night before going to bed, leaving the sink clean and clear. Posted by Susan Whelan For those living in the Northern Hemisphere, spring is in the air. It’s time to open windows, clear away winter clutter and give your home a thorough clean, inside and out. Clearing Away the Winter Gloom The first step to spring cleaning is to open windows to allow fresh air to circulate. Lack of ventilation can lead to problems with mould as well as simply leaving rooms smelling musty and stale. Open bedroom and bathroom windows as well as windows in living areas to make sure that all rooms are well aired. Target One Room at a Time A thorough spring cleaning cannot be achieved in one day. Tackle one room at a time to ensure that adequate attention is given to each area. Bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and living areas all need to be cleaned beyond the normal weekly cleaning tasks. Share the Workload Enlist the help of other members of the household to ensure that spring cleaning does not become an overwhelming burden. Even young children are able to help in someway, even if it is only picking up their belongings and putting them away neatly to make it easier to access floor areas. Outdoor Areas There is always work that can be done in gardens in spring and better weather conditions make it easier to perform outdoor maintenance and repair jobs. Task for the Week Create a list of annual or spring-cleaning household tasks. To help reduce the strain of an intensive once-a-year clean, why not establish an annual household chore checklist. Time consuming tasks can then be spread throughout the year to distribute the work load more evenly. This leaves more time to enjoy the warmer spring weather with family and friends. Posted by Susan Whelan Change of seasons is a great time to deal with cluttered closets to remove unnecessary clothing. There are several myths that prevent people from having a productive closet clean-up: Myth #1 – Everything Comes Back into Fashion Eventually It is possible to argue that since fashion seems to follow cycles, it is more economical to hang on to everything for the next time it comes around. Some fashion crimes are best laid to rest, however, and others should simply be taken out back and buried, with all photographic evidence destroyed. While fashions will no doubt cycle, there is no guarantee that the items in your wardrobe will still fit you next time bell-bottom paisley pants are strutting down the catwalk. Myth #2 – It’s Too Good to Throw Away Keeping a closet full of clothes that are never worn is only marginally less wasteful than throwing unneeded clothing in the rubbish. Many charities gratefully receive good quality second hand clothing. For bulk donations they will often collect the items from your home. Women’s shelters often appreciate donations of women’s and children’s clothing. Alternatively, get together with friends and have a clothing swap day. One man (or woman’s) trash is another’s treasure. Myth #3 – Too Busy With busy modern lifestyles, time is always at a premium. In the long run, sorting through your wardrobe can actually save time. Removing excess clothing will leave behind items that fit and co-ordinate with other items. It is a cruel trick of fate that closets don’t become cluttered with well-fitting, timelessly fashionable items. Instead, a good look into the far corners of most wardrobes will reveal the ghosts of fashion disasters past. Hot pink and orange leg warmers? What were you thinking? Task for the Week: Tidy that closet! Posted by Susan Whelan I’m sure that paper, like paperclips and wire coat hangers, replicates itself overnight. I clear off a countertop or coffee table and the next day the paper has returned and it has brought along friends. For some, dealing with junk mail, newspapers, magazines, newsletters, personal mail, and bank statements is a simple task. For the rest of us, we need to make a conscious effort to sort, file and discard paper appropriately to ensure that countertops, tables, sideboards, coffee tables and couches remain paper free. I’m not referring to hoarding, which is a more significant and complex issue. This is simply the inability to quickly and efficiently deal with household clutter. Take a good look around and if you can see magazine articles, newsletters, junk mail, children’s drawings and bills all mixed together in piles, then it’s time to declutter! Step 1 – Set up a Filing System Establish some sort of filing system. After all, there is no point sorting through all that paper if there is nowhere to put the documents that you need to keep. Step 2 – Reduce Paper Clutter It’s time to tackle the mess. Separate into four piles – Important, Filing, Sort and Rubbish. Deal with the papers in the important pile as soon as possible – pay bills, make phone calls and copy information into address books or other locations. Take care to dispose of documents containing personal information carefully. Shred or otherwise ensure that personal details such as date of birth and account numbers cannot be later accessed by others. Pin any important coupons, sales information or activity details to a noticeboard to keep track of them. This Week’s Challenge: Deal with Mail Daily Make sure that both personal and junk mail are dealt with each day. Posted by Susan Whelan Procrastination is a wonderful thing. We feel like we are getting things done because we are thinking about them. Long, time-consuming thoughts that will no doubt make the whole process go more smoothly when we actually get around to getting started. Unfortunately, the planning takes so long that there often isn’t time left for action. We sigh and shake our heads with disappointment that we unfortunately don’t have time to implement any of our potentially life-reforming strategies. Housework is an area where for many procrastination reigns supreme. Time is given to thinking about what needs to be done, but unfortunately dirty dishes remain on the sink, the ironing pile threatens to take over the laundry and the Health Department has posted warning notices on the bathroom door. To combat procrastination, make an effort to introduce one new cleaning habit each week. Keep it simple and don’t get distracted. Consistent small changes will eventually make a significant difference to the appearance of your home and your own attitude to keeping it tidy. This Week’s Challenge: Making the Bed. You will be amazed at how much more welcoming your room will seem when you come home at night if the bed is made and looking tidy. Tidy the bed each morning as soon as you get up and pick one day to change the sheets. Even young children can make an effort to tidy their bed. Their first efforts might not look quite right, but they will still be better than dishevelled sheets. Start a checklist to keep track of jobs that need to be done. Visit the discussion boards to let us know how you are going with this week's challenge or to suggest future tasks. Posted by Susan Whelan One of the wonderful things about Valentine’s Day is that it gives us an opportunity to make others feel special. Thoughtful gifts and romantic gestures to let our loved ones know we care. This Valentine’s Day, why not treat yourself? There are lots of ways to add a little fun or luxury into the day without even leaving home. Simple Valentine Treats Light some scented candles in your favourite scents. Prepare a special meal of your favourite foods and dine by candlelight. The food can be anything you like from a home cooked extravaganza to simple take-away. Just make sure it’s something that you will really enjoy. Invite a friend over to join you for a meal or movie to share the fun. It doesn’t have to be romantic. An enjoyable and supportive friendship is worth celebrating as well. Take a long bath. Make sure that the bathroom is cleaned well then treat yourself by relaxing in the sparkling tub with some scented bubblebath. Grab a book and feel your muscles unwind. By making sure the bathroom is tidy first, you won’t spend your time in the bath distracted by all the things that need to be cleaned. Treat yourself by buying something new for your home or garden. Everyday life has so many non-negotiable expenses, why not buy something simply because it makes you feel good. It doesn’t have to be expensive. A new plant for the garden, picture frame, table lamp or even a set of coffee mugs can feel like a great treat if you have been diligently sticking to a home maintenance and decorating budget. When you are putting effort into reminding others that they are special this Valentine's day, don't forget to take a little bit of time out to treat yourself as special, too. Posted by Susan Whelan Felton suggests that the following are the areas that cause the greatest disorganisation.
Why not jump on the Discussion boards and share which of Felton’s pitfalls is your biggest challenge. I confess that paper clutter causes me the most headaches. For some tips on how to conquer these issues, browse though Home Management and pick up some ideas. |
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