From the Desk of Clearissa Coward’s Command Center – A Cozy Lifestyle
How To Cut “Big” Cleaning/Organization Jobs Down To Size
A common New Year’s resolution is to get the house clean and organized. Even if it’s not New Year’s, it’s a goal many of us set. But somehow, it doesn’t always get done, or get done all the way…sometimes the big jobs sit undone year after year because they seem insurmountable. But they do not have to be.
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The big jobs seem too overwhelming to tackle, and we think it’s not worth even trying if we do not have a whole week or more to dedicate to that one job.
With that mentality, you are right – it will never get done! So let’s change the way we look at big cleaning jobs. To make big cleaning jobs more doable, we simply need to break them into smaller doable bits. Yes, it is worth it – do not be tempted to think that there is no use doing anything if you can not do it all at once. Here are some tips on how to break up those big jobs into smaller tasks.
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*Whether it is cleaning out the garage, attic, or basement, or cleaning out all the clutter from the bedrooms, big jobs are best done as a group effort. It is almost never a case of one person’s stuff – nearly everyone in the family has mess somewhere, so delegating and asking each person to take care of his or her own mess is a start toward making it more doable. Also, as a family affair, it can be fun!
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Motivational tips include:
* Point out how much neat stuff you will find when you clean up and clean out – “I was wondering where I put that” or “I wondered what happened to that” are common exclamations when cleaning!
* Note the unsanitary and even unsafe conditions that can come with accumulated clutter – vermin can infest it, mold can cover it, and clutter (especially paper) can be a fire hazard.
* Offer incentives like going out for dessert after dinner or having a fun take-out food and game/movie night.
Cleaning Party
*For big jobs like cleaning out the basement or garage, it helps to elicit help from others. Make specific to-do lists and hand them out to your workers, breaking the big job down into smaller ones that can be done by individuals. And make sure you repay them: give out “coupons” for cleaning help at their house that you can come and do, and/or have everyone stay for dinner. Have a big cake or another special dessert to celebrate and thank them.
List the Tasks Required
*Even if you are not hosting a cleaning party, you can make a list of tasks as if you were. Pretend you are managing the big cleaning job and you have to assign tasks to employees (this can help if you are eliciting help from family members, too). Here is a sample list of tasks that might go into a big cleaning job, such as cleaning out the basement:
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-Go through boxes – two boxes per person at a time – and throw out or donate what is not needed.
-Consolidate “keeper” items into boxes and plastic bins.
-Stack bins against the wall and label their contents.
-Sweep and/or vacuum basement floor.
-Call junk hauling service to take care of big items that need to be scrapped.
-Store items to donate in another room, and schedule a trip or trips to the second-hand store.
*Make the job like an assembly line and you will be surprised at how quickly you get things done.
Give Yourself Time (set realistic goals)
If you are doing things in steps, it is going to take a bit of time. Give yourself that time; anything you do is working toward getting the big job done. And remember, it has been sitting undone for so long that another few days or weeks will not hurt! Perhaps the job will take two weekends instead of one and that is perfectly acceptable.
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What is the large project that has been looming over your life? Is it time to break it into smaller jobs and get it done? You can do this and it will not hurt. I promise.
Happy cleaning.
If you want some tips to get your car road ready for your summer road trip or just for the summer temperature change, check out this article.
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I don’t know how we accumiliate so much stuff over time but I agree, when you clean out a room, you end up finding something that you forgot all about but still love and you also get the chance to get rid of things you don’t need.
I have to admit I’ve been juggling with all those vleaning and organizing things at home! And you’re right, the whole house have to be actively involved! Thanks for the tips and happy #omhgww
Hi Indah, thank you so much for stopping in. I am glad you enjoyed the post. You can get your projects done. 🙂
Hi Alice, I agree. I am constantly purging stuff. But it just seems to keep accumulating. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely week.