A new year is always something to celebrate but how about a clean and organized home? That definitely makes me happy! Especially when we will be hosting New Year and Epiphany get-togethers. Here are five easy ways to get your home in order and start some good habits for 2021:
First Things First
The best way to start your day on the right foot is to get a few essentials done first. Thankfully, they are very easy! Make up your bed and that will instantly set the tone for a tidier and more organized day. Next, start a load of laundry, if needed. And last of all, sit down and make a quick written list of the task or tasks you’d like to get accomplished today.
Get the Right Cleaning Products
Pare down to your favorites and give away or get rid of the excess.
And remember that every cleaning product has its limits. For example, although everyone seems to be obsessed with sanitizing wipes and sprays this year, contrary to popular belief they do not help prevent the spread of influenza or viruses in the cold family (like Covid-19). Look at the labels carefully to see what each product is rated for, and use online reviews to seek out the best.
Speaking of, are you looking for a reliable wood care product? This year, we discovered Scott’s Liquid Gold® for our wood features and furniture. I was previously using cheap dusting sprays on our tables and chairs, but Scott’s blows them all away! It hydrates and nourishes wood while you’re cleaning and dusting. You will see for yourself visible results as it enhances the natural beauty, texture, and grain of real wood. Make your furniture and floors sparkle with new life this year!
Scott’s Wood Care contains natural oils and is enhanced with a pleasant almond scent. There are no waxes or silicone in it. Look at these other ways you can use Scott’s Liquid Gold:
- Protect the wood handles of your tools
- As a lubricant for hinges, chains, nuts and bolts, etc.
- To clean and soften leather
- To remove stickers from vehicles, windows and appliances
Scott’s ONE Clean Home is a newer addition to the lineup. This multi-surface cleaner uses naturally occurring, non-toxic citric acid to clean all kinds of household messes. Made for all types of hard surfaces Scott’s ONE has a fresh grapefruit scent
- Works on all types of hard surfaces
- Cleans greasy, grimy, gritty, goopy messes
- Foaming no-drip formula stays where you put it
- Fresh, clean grapefruit scent
- It’s safe for people, pets and the planet
If you want to give your hardwood floors a new life, try Scott’s Floor Restore. You can shop for Scott’s Liquid Gold products online or at retailers like Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and Home Depot.
To make cleaning easier, invest in a sturdy plastic tote that holds your supplies and can be carried from room to room.
Have a Place for Everything
Countertops, tables and nightstands tend to get cluttered up and can make a room look really untidy. Use closets, drawers, baskets, etc. to get things out of sight and organized.
- Only keep your most-used kitchen appliances on the countertop. Store away others, or donate/sell those you rarely use.
- Designate a “junk drawer” or “junk basket” to stash odds and ends out of sight.
- Organize mail and papers in a stackable file or drawer, and keep them out of the main living areas.
- Ask yourself “is it useful or is it beautiful?” to help decide what to hide away and what to keep out.
If your laundry baskets and closets are consistently overflowing, it may be time to share the wealth. See donating tips below!
Plan a Donate Day
Get out some empty boxes and bags and announce to the family that it’s donate day! The goal is to fill at least a couple of bags and boxes.
This is also a great time to remind everyone how fortunate we are in the Western world, and how so many families don’t have basic material comforts, let alone luxury items. Encourage your family to give with a generous and cheerful heart. Here are some tips for paring down:
- Cut down on the quantity of items you own. For instance, your son will be just fine with 5 t-shirts to choose from in his wardrobe rather than 10. Pick the 5 vases, candlesticks, serving dishes, etc. that you use the most and donate the ones that are collecting dust.
- Ask yourself when is the last time you used, or wore, this item.
- Ask yourself if it’s really worth “handing down” and packing away, or if another needy person could use it right now.
- Ask “does it work?” and “does it get used often?” and “does it have a lot of sentimental value?”
- Go through mittens and gloves and scarves and keep only 1 or 2 per person
- Make a declutter resolution so that clutter doesn’t come back to haunt you. When shopping this year, think long and hard about what you’re buying, how useful it will actually be and if you want to deal with it long term.
Don’t Do it All Yourself
Enlist helpers, whether that’s your spouse or your children. Even if you’re a perfectionist and think no one can do it quite as well as you can, realize that mindset can make you a slave to your household duties, missing out on important things like sleep and time for prayer, hobbies and just plain fun!
If you have children, the best way to get the ball rolling is short learning sessions. Teach your children simple tasks first, like polishing an end table with Scott’s Wood Care or making their bed neatly. Once they get the hang of a job, it’s another thing you can happily check off your to-do list, and you can enjoy watching them take pride in their work. Although the mother is rightly called “the heart of the home,” the human heart doesn’t work in a vacuum, and nor should she!
And now for a giveaway: Did you find these tips helpful? Well, here’s one more thing to help you out in the new year. One lucky reader will win a sampler package of Scott’s Liquid Gold products, for a clean and sparkling home! Use the form below to enter, and good luck! Full terms and conditions are also on the form.
This post and giveaway was sponsored by Scott’s Liquid Gold who provided us with complimentary
products to review and share! Giveaway is representative but does not show actual prize.
