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Cleaning: Take Back your Kitchen – Part 1 of 2

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Cleaning: Take Back your Kitchen – Part 1 of 2

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

As I found myself cleaning our kitchen and not finding a clean surface on which to work, I was inspired to write this two-part post in preparation for Thanksgiving.

During times of celebration, I get out of my rhythm as more people are milling about the kitchen and helping to prepare and serve.

With the more people involved, I find more mess accumulates. At the end of the wonderful celebration, I am left with a sink of dirty dishes, messy countertops, and little motivation to start another project.

Now, my fantastic husband usually cleans it all up after big events. Realizing that not everyone has that kind of help and there are other times that the kitchen is in upheaval, I will share from my experiences how to take back your kitchen.

In part 1, I will share how I work through the mess with a dishwasher and a divided kitchen sink. In part 2, I will share how I would clean up if I had a dishwasher and a big kitchen sink without a divider. In getting back our kitchen, I can muster the motivation needed by visualizing my once-cleaned space, roll up my sleeves, and start.

Part 1: Take Back Your Kitchen with a Divided Sink

1. Prepare the Dishwasher

When everything in my kitchen is in disarray, I concentrate on the dishwasher. If the dishes are clean, then I put them away without setting them on any counter. With an empty dishwasher, I now have one clean space in which to work. 😉

2. Evaluate the Sink

With a divided sink, I keep the rinsed-off dishes that are ready for the dishwasher in the left side. The dishes on the right side still need rinsing/cleaning. When other helpers come into the kitchen, they do not usually follow my system. If I cannot tell which items have been rinsed, then I unload the sink and start over.

3. Setup Boundaries

With the sink unloaded, I start on the right side because this is where our garbage disposal is located. Any food particles can just go through the disposal throughout the cleanup process. I rinse and remove food particles from the dishes and place them in the left side of the sink. I continue to clean until the left side is full.

4. Return to the Dishwasher

With the left side of the sink full, I open the dishwasher and begin loading using the rinsed off dishes. If I fill up the dishwasher, then I add the detergent and start the load. If I still have room in the dishwasher, then I return to the sink and keep rinsing off items. Once the dishwasher is completely full, I get it going.

5. Take a Break

At this point, I usually need a little break. With my “helper” (the dishwasher) still cleaning, I go sit down for a few minutes.

6. Designate a Hand Wash-Only Counter

After my break, I come back to see what dishes are still remaining. If I have hand wash-only dishes, then I designate one counter or space for those items. I gather the platters, silverware, glasses, or anything else that needs handwashing and place it in that space.

7. Return to the Sink

Back at the sink, I rinse off any remaining items and stack them carefully on the left side. If food still needs to be put away, I find an empty space and clean it up.

Then I transfer the food to plastic containers, put them in the freezer or refrigerator, and place the dirty dishes to the right side of the sink. Once all the food is put away, then I finish rinsing the dirty dishes and place them in the left side of the sink.

8. Clean the Counters

By now, the end is in sight, and the only dishes left are in the handwashing pile. I need a space for the clean dishes, so I wipe down all the counters, stove, and any other appliances that need cleaning.

9. Hand Wash the Special Dishes

In the clean spaces, I usually put down a towel. Then I hand wash the items and set them on the towel to dry. If large pots still need cleaning, I tend to hand wash those to get them out of the way. Once all the handwashing is complete. I just need to tidy up.

10. Finishing Touches

With all the dishes either cleaned or rinsed and ready for the dishwasher, I add these finishing touches:

      • Wipe down all surfaces
      • Run the garbage disposal
      • Clean the sink
      • Sweep the kitchen floor (if the floor is dry)
      • Remove any spills or marks on the kitchen floor
      • Go rest with my family

Getting back my kitchen is a process. Thankfully, this process is not an everyday occurrence. The times I use this system are when we entertain or have a complex meal.

As our Thanksgiving celebration is fast approaching, I have a plan in place. It might take time to accomplish the project, but I will know where to start when I am ready to tackle the kitchen.

When you get to where you cannot find a clean space in your kitchen, discover how to take back your kitchen. Feel free to use and adjust my system until you master a process that works best for you. Happy cleaning!

Question: How do you take back your kitchen when you cannot find a clean space?

Cleaning: Oh, I Wonder What That Was?

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Cleaning: Oh, I Wonder What That Was?For the most part, we clean up as we go around our house. If we see a mess, then we will stop to clean it. However, there are messes that we don’t see until something else gets moved. At that time, I might let out an, “Oh, I wonder what that was?”

One such moment occurred before I went grocery shopping. While the refrigerator was bare, I noticed a thin layer of a substance on one of our shelves. Upon further investigation, I found the mess sticky and pale in color. Ick!

Not sure how long that mess had been there, I decided to just clean the refrigerator. I find it easier to clean when the contents are minimal, so I wanted to complete this project before going to the store. My process was as follows:

1. Fill a bowl full of warm soapy water

I use a large plastic bowl and a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent. This bowl remains in the sink, so I can go back and forth to clean each shelf.

2. Take out the items on the top shelf

As I put each item from the top shelf onto the counter, I wipe down each item. This is because I don’t want any residue on these items to dirty my clean shelf. (Visions come flooding back of spending time cleaning only to find more mess than when I started from the smudged jug of milk back on the shelf. Yep, it happened.)

3. Wipe down the shelf and the surrounding area

Cleaning: Oh, I Wonder What That Was?In addition to wiping down the shelf with warm soapy water, I also clean the walls and the rear of the refrigerator while the space is clear.

4. Continue cleaning shelf by shelf

If the shelf is removable, then I take it out and clean the track as well. I’m amazed at what appears to be clean can be so dirty and sticky when the shelf is lifted.

5. Remove drawers

Each drawer is removed, emptied, and wiped clean. I also wipe down the track to remove any crumbs or unwanted substances. As I remove the bottom drawer, I am always amazed at the crumbs collected on the floor of our refrigerator. Yuck!

6.  Clean the shelves on the door

If I have time, I also like to remove the items in each compartment on the door. Surprisingly, these areas stay clean. Wiping them down is quick and easy.

7. Pop off and dust the vent

The last item I like to clean is the vent located on the bottom of our refrigerator. On our side-by-side unit, I must open both the refrigerator and the freezer doors to pop off the vent. This bar gets dirty as it collects dust both on the inside and outside. I also dust off the hoses and other parts hidden behind the vent.

Keeping the vent clean keeps our refrigerator operating more efficiently. Without working harder to ventilate the air, the refrigerator circulates the air and keeps our food cool. I really need to clean this vent more often.

Though cleaning the refrigerator is not the highlight of my day, I like to have the project done. By cleaning as we go, this particular cleaning took less than an hour. Now, I did not clean the freezer, but the refrigerator was done.

In using time wisely, I find cleaning when our food supply in the refrigerator is low results in the best use of my time. Taking out lots of containers and items eats up my time. So, with a small amount of items to remove, I can complete the process in less time. Hope your cleaning projects are coming along.

I am enjoying the smell of our pumpkin candle as I finished a top to bottom cleaning of our living room. I am off to work on our dining room. One step at a time and one project at time is how I roll. Hopefully, I won’t find more messes that have me saying, “Oh, I wonder what that was?” Happy cleaning!

Question: What current cleaning project is on your to-do list?

Dusting: Rotating Decorations

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Squire's barnDecorating our home is a favorite hobby of mine. I love holidays, and all the theme-centered decor surrounding those holidays.

When I was young, my mom started collecting village pieces. I loved looking at all the pieces and helping to arrange them.

As I began collecting my own decor for our home, I continued that love and have my own village collections. My villages are in themes of Easter, spring, fall, Halloween, and Christmas.

Fall village

In addition to my villages, I like knick-knacks. However, I do not like dusting them. As a teenager, I used to have lots of knick-knacks in my room. Keeping the dust off was a chore in and of itself. Realizing that I was spending lots of time dusting, I began packing some items away and rotating decorations as needed.

Back then, I only had a shelf or two of knick-knacks, and I’ve never had a curio cabinet. But by rotating my decorations, I get to see them anew and truly appreciate them a few at a time. They do not get lost in a sea of items. On top of seeing them, I can better care for them as dusting a few takes less time than dusting all my knick-knacks.

Fall wall hangingMy girls are starting to get into decorating. When out with her grandparents, Miss 3 was allowed to choose one item at the dollar store. She wandered around, looked at all sorts of items, and chose a 6-inch purple Christmas tree that sits on the dresser in her room.

As we collect items, I continue rotating decorations. We store seasonal and holiday items by wrapping them and placing them in totes which stay in our garage. As the season or holiday changes, we pack up the current decorations and bring out the next holiday.

If you find your home difficult to keep dusted, then consider how many objects you have around. If you rotated your decorations, could you better keep up with the dusting? It may or may not work for you, but I find this system helpful in using time wisely. Happy dusting!

Question: What tips do you have for keeping up with dusting at your home?

*Expired* Fresh Home Digital Bundle through August 15, 2013

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Fresh Home bundle picPatiently awaiting the arrival of my Kindle, I am ready to get reading the many e-books I have downloaded to my computer.

The best thing about e-books is the space savings in our homes and the immediate access to the download.

When I was alerted to the following fantastic e-book bundle, I knew this deal was just too good to keep to myself.

If you are in the market for cleaning, organizing, and time management tips and tools, then you will want to snag this Fresh Home Digital Bundle of 16 books for $15.  

This bundle is only valid until Thursday, August 15, 2013. After that date, each e-book is sold separately. Happy cleaning, organizing, and using time wisely! ~ Tracy

Fresh Home Digital Bundle

A Bowl Full of Lemons and Clean Mama have come together to bring you an amazing set of e-books and tools. These fantastic resources will help you get your house clean and organized and your time in order. This exclusive bundle will only be available for the next four days, so grab yours now! While this bundle is valued at over $100, it is available to you, our readers, for only $15 (or less than $1.00 per e-book or tool)! “Fresh Home” is the perfect bundle to get you back on track as a new school year begins and new routines are being implemented in your home.

Fresh Home Ebook Bundle Ad

The “Fresh Home” Bundle is a collection of 16 e-books and tools devoted to getting your life in order. What’s included:

  • Click here to buy nowthree cleaning e-books
  • one cleaning printable kit
  • one emergency preparedness e-book and printable kit
  • one babysitting kit
  • three time management e-books
  • six organizing e-books
  • one complete household binder printable kit

Everything you need to get your house clean and organized is in this fresh new bundle! Keep reading to learn the details about each home management e-book and tool….

Fresh Home Digital ebook bundle

CLEANING

($4.99)
Clean Enough: Simple Solutions for the Overwhelmed Homemaker is packed full of practical tips and advice to encourage you in your high calling and help you become a less-stressed housewife.
($5.99)
Christine has put together an easy step-by-step plan for you to create your own cleaning schedule that fits your lifestyle, your preferences, and your family. It will help you Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule.
($10.00)
Cleaning Around the Seasons is a comprehensive guide for anyone that needs to do some deep cleaning and doesn’t know how to start or where to fit it in to a busy schedule. With an easy to read style and quick start approach, you can read it and get started all in the same day.

ORGANIZING

($4.99)
Inside this easy 50-page read you’ll find a new approach to starting down the road to a simplified and more organized life. Rather than instructions on how to fold your T-shirts or organize your pantry, you’ll take a look at your daily habits and weekly routines to start thinking differently about how to efficiently spend your time.
($5.00)
Can you imagine being able to find ANY piece of paper in your house anytime you needed it? 10 Steps to Organized Paper will motivate, encourage, and walk with you step by step while you turn your mountains of paper into organized systems.
($3.99)
Getting It Together is an e-book designed to help you set up your own Home Management System that works. It includes a step-by-step tutorial, and over 30 printables that you can use to start your system right away!
($5.00)
Getting organized is the key to keeping busy moms sane. As a professional organizer (and mother of two active boys), Sara Pedersen shares her favorite tips and easy processes to guide you to an organized, efficient, and happy life. You’ll learn how to organize your time, your clutter, your kids, and the abundance of paper and other things in your busy life.
($10.00)
Emergency Preparedness outlines step-by-step directions on how to put together an Emergency Survival Station in your home. The e-book also comes with a “printables kit” for the Emergency Binder with several pages to fill out your family information.
Need a bit more simple in your life but unsure where to start? Simple Living is written for you. Using minimalist principles Lorilee has created a 30-day course, taking less than 1 hour a day that she guarantees will give you a simpler life.
($4.99)
All of us want to be more organized…and here are secrets and strategies for doing just that! In this ingenious book, the authors of “Who Knew? 10,001 Easy Solutions to Everyday Problems” reveal how to clear clutter once and for all, with ingenious organizing ideas, secrets for repurposing items you already have at home, and much, much more. “Who Knew? Get Organized Now!” uncovers hundreds of tips and ideas to help you clear away clutter and become more organized than ever before!

TIME MANAGEMENT

Tell Your Time
($2.99)
Tell Your Time: How To Manage Your Schedule So You Can Live Free outlines Amy’s straightforward, step-by-step approach to controlling your schedule and ensuring the important things don’t fall through the cracks.
($2.99)
Full of useful tips and funny confessions, “28 Days to Timeliness” is packed with practical information that will help teach you how to manage your time so you can be on time.
($19.95)
“How To Get Organized” is designed to help you organize your time better. It includes pre-made schedules and lists along with information to help you make your own customized schedules.

TOOLS

($7.00)
JOYS Babysitter Notebook is a simple pdf for busy moms who want to empower their babysitters to make the best choices, no matter the situation.
($10.00)
Citrus Paper Company’s complete home binder printable set includes ALL of their binder printables to keep your life and finances organized and beautiful!
($10.00)
Clean Mama Printables’ Cleaning Kit is a comprehensive tool sure to streamline your cleaning routine and maximize the time you spend cleaning. This simple, printable kit has six original documents and introduction sheet that can be used together or separately – any way that works for you!
buy now
Important Details:
  • Please remember to backup your files. We are unable to send you copies of the e-books that have been deleted or lost.
  • Please do not share your bundle with anyone else – it is intended solely for the person who purchased the bundle. Please be respectful of the authors’ copyrights.
  • After purchasing, you will automatically receive an email (to the email address you provide) containing the download link. Please check your spam folder if you cannot find the email.
  • Please download and backup your Fresh Home e-Book Bundle purchase. You have 5 download attempts to access your files. The download link expires on 10/31/13. After that date, we will not be able to provide new links to download.
  • Due to the digital nature of this sale, there will be no refunds available. If you do have questions regarding the downloads, or how to open and save them, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page before contacting us.
  • The Fresh Home e-Book Bundle is only available from 9 a.m. EST on August 11th to 11:59 p.m. EST on August 15th.
  • If you have any questions or issues with any of the e-books or tools included in this bundle, please contact that author directly.

This post includes affiliate links, and I make a portion of the sale of each Fresh Home e-Book Bundle. Thank you for your support of Using Time Wisely!

Establishing Chores for Kids

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Establishing Chores for Kids

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My children are ages 8, 6, and 3, and honestly, we have not established chores for them. My children have routines.

For example, at meal times, they help set and clear the table. With carpet on our dining room floor, my older two children clear their own place settings while my toddler may take her utensils to the sink.

Though they have some responsibilities, we have not established set chores for them.

Realizing that they need to understand the workings of a home for when they have their own, I would like to teach them one step at a time.

Though I am not ready to have them clean the entire house, I am ready to start because, typically, I clean while they play.

Delegating Chores

During this last cleaning session, my children were begging to help. I’m not sure if they were tired of playing, needed a change of pace, or stuck inside due to all the rain, but I welcomed the help. My son and older daughter worked together to empty all the trash cans into the larger trash bag. I then hauled it out to the trash can.

My son dusted, wiped down the furniture with polish, and vacuumed the kids’ rooms. My daughter picked up the bonus room and cleaned the crayons and marker dots off the furniture and doors using a magic eraser. While my children worked in these rooms, I cleaned our bathrooms.

In working together, we cleaned the upstairs in record time. My children were tired after the constant 3-hour session, but they were so proud of their accomplishment. I also was very proud of them and their willingness to help out.

As I consider turning over some of these responsibilities to them, I know their help will end up being a time-saver for me while developing their skills. In thinking about teaching them to use time wisely while being efficient, thorough, and accurate, I know I need to delegate more responsibilities to them.

Chore Chart Suggestions

If you need to establish, change, or adjust chores for kids, these suggestions may offer a starting point:

    • Reader Alyssa finds Kidpoints.com a helpful resource for creating chore charts and monitoring each child’s progress. (Thanks, Alyssa, for sharing!)
    • Chuck E. Cheese offers a number of calendars whereby a child can earn 10 tokens:
      • Daily chores
      • Clean room
      • Let’s get dressed
    • This post from Money Saving Mom includes links to 5 different types of chore charts. I love these because some children need a visual and/or tactile reward when completing their task.

In keeping our home clean, I welcome the help of my children. Though I know I can clean quicker and better right now, I must invest my time into teaching my children how to correctly clean to help them with the benefit of saving me future energy and time. Capitalizing on their willingness to help compounded with gratitude and rewards, I am learning to encourage my children to help.

With no official chores in place, we give our children different tasks. As we see them develop and learn how to complete each task, we will slowly delegate those responsibilities. The ball is in my court to using time wisely training my children a way to correctly clean and maintain a task before handing it over. Yikes!

We are laying the groundwork. I know others who have established chores for kids with success. We are not there yet, but thankfully, my children are still young and willing to help. Happy training!

Question: What tips do you have for establishing chores for kids?