Simplify Your Cleaning Routine.

It's been a recent fantasy of mine to get rid of excess. I noticed that I have entirely too many bottles lying around. There is a cleaner for the countertops, dusting, stainless steel, carpet, and the stovetop under the sink. For the bathroom, there is cleaner for the toilet, mirror, bathtub, and floors. I'm pretty sure that is a lot of money spent on a big marketing scheme.

And I totally fell for it.

Having all these choices make cleaning a pain. It's almost as though I'd rather not even do it because dealing with all the different cleaners. It is out of control.

I've reduced my cleaning products significantly and am really happy with the outcome. My cleaning routine is very simplified and it makes it so much easier. It cuts cleaning time down a bunch when there aren't so many choices. Who says you have to use different cleaners for each crevice in your home? Oh right. It was the advertisements.

The easiest way to do this is to keep a few tools, and throw away the rest. Don't feel guilty about it.

Here is what I use now:

A wet rag with a dab of dish soap, or heavily diluted bleach+water mix for extra sanitation.

I use this on countertops, stovetops, toilet, and tub.

I simply dust with a damp rag. If you must have a shine, a tiny dab of olive oil does the trick. I don't go that far. That is just an extra unnecessary step in my opinion.

I know that some people do not like to use bleach and that is fine. Vinegar and water mix is a healthier alternative. I tried it, but didn't like it because my house smelled like Easter.

Seriously, cleaning is way more manageable now. I have zero guilt when it comes to getting rid of all the unnecessary bottles of specific cleaners. That marketing does a number on the checkbook.

Bathroom Counters.

I'm loving this whole do-something-small-every-single-day task. It is something that takes minimal effort and makes a big impact. There is nothing more irritating than having to spend a sick-day home from work or a whole weekend cleaning up a humongous mess. It's unnecessary, especially when you can do small things every day. It frees up time to do more deep cleaning and organizing in free time. Plus it's easy on the eyes.

The first picture is a scene that clutter's the mind. It's so easy to leave our get-ready mess on a daily basis. By putting hair supplies in a cute basket and makeup in an easy to move case, cleanup is a breeze. Simple put everything back in their baskets and cases and put under the sink.

Fabulous! And it takes less than 30 seconds.

30 Bags in 30 days

Sometimes you get a fluttery feeling and just want to go purging away through your things. You start imagining how lovely your home would be if it were only organized.

We need not fall into the 'organization' trap. You know, the trap that tells you to go out and buy a boat-load of space bags and cute storage bins? That's also spending unnecessary moolah on plastic to hoard all your clutter and shizz.

The true way to get that clean, on-top-of-the-world feeling is to get rid of stuff you don't need.

It is so liberating and can be so fun! You can make a list like the one I have above if you are having trouble starting the decluttering process. Or, if you feel frisky just start. And you can even start small. The point is to just get the ball rolling.

You won't be sorry.

You will only be lighter, brighter, calmer, and happier. You can't bag that up folks!