My Cleaning Box

Oh, how I squealed when I saw this box and matching index

card dividers. 

Too cute!

If you didn't know, I adore anything stationary,

organizing, office supplies and the kind.

Isn't she sweet ????

This is how I set up my "Cleaning Box."

It keeps me organized and motivated.

My hubby just rolls his eyes when I line up the next

day's cards on the kitchen counter.

It's like a challenge - and I'm going to win!!
Each item below has its own index card to put away
when completed or moved to the next month if needed.

Daily

(You end up doing all of these things enough - you may

not open this folder often)

• make beds & tidy up bedrooms
• wipe down bathroom counters
• quick clean on the toilets
• quick clean of kitchen after dinner
• empty dishwasher in morning
• take out trash and recycling after dinner(oldest son's chores)
• quick dry mop of hardwood floors

Monday

• Clean half bath
• tidy up laundry room
• strip and remake all beds
• wash sheets and put them away
• empty upstairs trash
• go to local recycling / dump if needed

Tuesday

•  Vacuum master bedroom and bath
• dust master bedroom
• clean master bath

Wednesday

• Vacuum downstairs
• dust living room
• clean out fridge (wipe down shelves, throw out items)
• Change all towels in bathrooms

Thursday

• Vacuum upstairs
• Clean boy's bathroom
• Dust upstairs

Friday

• Clean kitchen (wipe down all counters, appliances, cabinets, knobs, etc)
• Dust office and dining room
• Wet mop hardwoods

Saturday

• Anything skipped this week or a "monthly item"

Sunday

• Make out menu for week
• clip coupons
• tidy pantry / mentally review inventory
• make grocery list for the week

Monthly Items

I move these along month to month as I finish them:

• Empty out, wipe down, purge and reorganize pantry
• Vacuum window blinds
• Vacuum all mattresses and wash mattress pads

In addition, I have "special" cards for certain months:

January / June

Clean all ceiling fans.

February / July

Clean all light fixtures.

March / August

Clean, purge & reorganize all kitchen cabinets and drawers.

I also have an additional reminder here in March for me to start looking

into summer camps for the boys.

April / September

Clean outside of all kitchen  & bathroom cabinets with tea tree oil and polish.

May / October

Flip all mattresses when cleaning.

June / November

Clean under fridge, stove.

Vacuum coils.

Clean fan / filter / hood of stove.

Purchase all cards for occasions for next 6 months. 

(January - June)

(July - December)

July / December

Change smoke detector batteries.

Note:  I also change my air filters in the house every three months.

I usually purchase enough of these at the beginning of the year and store them

in my laundry room.

I also make note on my calendar which months to change them.

To some of you, this may seem a little extreme.

Some days I find it that way too,

but with us living on the farm, my house seems to get so dirty so quickly.

Or maybe it's having all boys....

Anyway, all of the dirt, dust and dander from the farm always

makes its way into the house

and for me to feel like I'm on top of it,

I resort to this cleaning method.

Keep in mind,

that I fall "off of the wagon" sometimes and the box

doesn't get opened for a few weeks,

but then I can't stand it and get going again.