20 Days to a Clean and Organized Home: Day 1

It was probably a little over a week that I came upon a pinon Pinterest about a Cleaning and Organizing Challenge.  I’m always on the hunt for a better way oftaking care of the house and keeping me on track, so I naturally clicked on thepin and went to the website/blog.  It waslove at first sight, well not to that extreme but I was sure impressed with Kat’smotivation and direction.  I found hersubscription link and signed up.  Duringthe whole challenge I will get email notifications each day pertaining to whatthat day’s task is. 

The week prior to the start of the challenge, Kat had us(the followers) do some prep work before nose diving into this commitment.  Now I have a binder that I had lying aroundthat has the cover sheet, dividers for Tasks, Checklists, Routines, etc.  She provided all the free printables for thechallenge as well as some advice and tips in preparing for the next 20days.  She also encouraged us to start aroutine if we didn’t already.  I have aroutine but it’s mainly for the baby when it comes to her feeding, playtime,and sleeping.  Luckily, I’m not workingat the moment so I don’t have to be up early to start my day.  Knowing that one can’t always stay onschedule with a 2 month old I’m just going to see how this routine fits withour daily lives. 

My Morning routine:

·        9AM:  Wakeup and feed the baby

·        9:30: Baby’s morning nap or playtime/ I shower

·        9:45: Make bed

·        10:00: Breakfast and coffee

·        10:30: Put away dishes and load the dishwasher

·        10:45: Wipe counter tops and dining table

·        10:55: Start a load of laundry ** Kat suggests that we start a laundryschedule.  I’ll mention mine on Day 2**

·        11:00: Hair & Makeup

·        11:45: Tidy up vanity area

·        12PM: Feed the baby

·        12:15: Activity/Tummy time and my lunch time

·        12:30: Check the To-Do list and start chores

Evening routine:

·        6PM:  Feedthe baby

·        6:15: Activity/Tummy time and I start a load of laundry (if needed)

·        6:30: Fold any clothes

·        7:00: Start making dinner

·        7:30:  Dinnertime (at the table instead of in front of the TV)

·        8:00:  Oneperson washes dishes, the other bathes the baby, and whoever is done firstwalks the dog

·        8:15: Load up the dishwasher

·        8:30: Wipe counter tops and dining table

·        8:45: Sweep kitchen and dining area

·        9:00: Feed the baby and relax

·        9:15: Baby’s bedtime

·        11:00: dream feed and pump

I printed out the routine printables, placed them in sheetcovers and use magnets to hang them on the fridge.  I then placed some Velcro 3M tape on the backof a dry erase marker and stuck it next to the routines.  Sometimes I have scheduled meet ups with some of my mommy friends so my morning (usually) routine will have to adjust in those situations. 

For day 1, Kat wanted us to attack the central hub for most homes:  the KITCHEN.  For me, I always try and keep the kitchen astidy as possible since it tends to be the drop off zone for so many things,things that really shouldn’t be there.  Ialso like to have a bare minimum on the countertops.  I like the look of spacious countertops.  For this days task I wasn’t so worried about it.  I organized under the sink by using the pink emesis basins you get from the hospital.  I grabbed a few after I had the baby thinking I would use them for something.  I finally attacked the big pile of mail that tends to collect on the counter.  I jotted down on a shopping list that I need to get a paper filer that goes on desks. This will help my husband and I know exactly where to drop off any mail if we don’t have time to look at it then. I also need to get some drawer organizers for all the baby bottles.  Right now we just don’t have a spare drawer to place them.   I plan to at the new house.  I also penned down that I need a bottle dry rack. After I completed all of the tasks at hand I had a clean and clutter free (to my standards) kitchen. Looking back, it didn’t take me that long so I was happy with that.  I probably spent 2 hours in the kitchen plusmore when it came to the extra to-dos on my list. 

My list

What I plan on getting for the new house

no more crumbs..for now :)

I hate a dirty sink

More organized

Tidy enough for me right now.  I plan on it being better at the new house.

Before I close on this post, I should mention that Kat isfrom Australia which means I get a little head start on the next day’stask.  When I get that email notificationabout the next day I just print it out and plan out what I’m supposed to do thefollowing day.  This helps me plan andget an idea of what’s to come.

I hope after reading this, you will follow my progress andmaybe join in on the challenge.  I know most of you don’t like cleaning and organizing but it’s just something that hasto be done.  I find it therapeutic to clean and organize (once I find my groove). I believe this challenge will help me and a lot of you if you put all your effort into it.  I’d love to hearsome tips and or comments on how you stay organized and keep your kitchen all sparklyand shiny J