During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.
How did your Day 1 Project go? I decided to not procrastinate and actually did my project before breakfast this morning.
I fixed a cup of coffee and turned on the EntreLeadership podcast (my husband got me hooked on it last week! I can’t believe I waited so long to start listening to it. It’s packed with such good stuff!)
The kitchen didn’t need much cleaning up this morning — mostly thanks to the fact that we had a big one-hour house clean-up session yesterday afternoon! It’s always nice to start the week off with the house in good shape. 🙂
I loaded the dishwasher and started it, wiped down the countertops with a Norwex cloth, put the things away that were out, and I was done!
The living room was in great shape, so it didn’t need much work other than some pillow-fluffing, and my computer stuff put away. And then Kathrynne vacuumed it later in the morning (that’s one of her daily jobs).
And that was that! Not too hard at all. Hopefully, it was somewhat the same at your house, too!
Join in the Chatter
::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on linky below. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.
::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!
office cleaning in springfield mo says
Great Idea and Pictures! How about some before and after pictures to show the cleaning results?
janitorial services in springfield mo says
Thank You so much for hosting!
Denise says
Joining in on your cleaning challenge a little late, but better late than never! Because I have this thing about starting from the beginning, I’m going to be a little behind. Thanks for the inspiration!
Denise
Wanda says
I started this challenge with a huge accomplishment. I actually washed ALL the surfaces in the kitchen. LOL. The walls, the appliances, the windows, the cupboards, and the floors. It felt SO good!
The following day, I was gone from early to late and then for the last six days, I was nursemaid to my family who all came down with the flu. Needless to say, today is the first day back at it (Day 8). I love these kind of challenges. Helps me to keep motivated.
~W.
Kimberly says
Well, better late than never. I’m about a day behind on the projects, and about 4 days behind on posting.
Thankful for Spring Break (I’m a 5th grade teacher in NC), and happy to be able to participate in the challenge. Last year when you had a similar challenge, I was also at home, but I had just had a baby (c-section) and was in survival mode. I think all I cleaned was a coat closet. 🙂
Here’s hoping I can keep up with the projects next week when school resumes!
Organize365 says
I am working on getting better at cleaning up the kitchen every night. It’s not my strength!
🙂
Lisa
Elisa says
Okay so I know I am like three days late but I really needed motivation and I hadn’t read my feed in three days. So I decided to tackle all projects today. The only one I didn’t do was my room. Because my room is probably the cleanest place ever. Anyways I did a major transformation of my kitchen of what it looked like after we got home from practice the night before. But I do have to thank you for this challenge it put my cleaning skills to the test.
Amy f;) says
wowsers girl- your house is looking great!
Sarah @ShopaholicSarah.com says
Late start, but got day 1 done!!
Anna says
What is a Norwex cloth? I saw on amazon that it is a microfiber cleaning cloth. But which one do you use? (maybe add an amazon link to it?) I started using microfiber cloth for cleaning and love it. But the ones I got pill easily and is hard to clean (kinda ironic). Would definitely invest in a nicer quality one. It makes cleaning so much easier and fun, like waving a magic wand over dusty counters and appliances.
Melissa says
I forgot about starting yesterday because I was on the road taking care of a few long distance errands that were way over due. But I’m not going to get down on myself because considering I had 13 people in my home for Easter festivities on Sunday, my living room and kitchen/dining room look great! I don’t think I will have a problem getting caught up today because I did some of these things on my list this morning before work (including cooking tonight’s dinner – ham and bean soup, ha ha ) So I hope I’m on track! I will have to remember to take some pictures.
Krissy @ Just Take Two Bites says
This was pretty easy, as most of it is stuff I do every day anyway.
Linda L Martin says
Thanks for the great challenge! I am planning to do your challenges, and add 30 items of my own. This is going to be fun!
~Linda
http://www.lindalmartin.com
http://www.ernestmartinjr.com
Heather Meehan says
Thanks for this challenge. I need this so bad. I can get so lazy and not realize how much cleaning needs to be done. I focused mainly on the kitchen yesterday. It was a little embarrassing that after I was done my 7 year old daughter came into the kitchen and said, “wow, everything is so sparkley’. Guess I needed this more than I thought!
Theresa says
I needed this!
I had some extra time yesterday, so I cleaned the inside of the living room windows and vacuumed under the couch cushions.
Our kitchen was a disaster from the holiday. But I have to say, it was so nice waking up to a clean kitchen this morning. It felt so good, I tried a new pancake recipe for breakfast this morning- then did the dishes while the boys ate!
Keep ’em coming!
Rebecca C says
Thanks for posting this challenge. Today was an easy day for me.
Kristen says
I’m a working mom and sometimes need motivation when I come home from work. I was able to get the counters wiped down, sink clean, cooktop clean. I even wiped down the outside of the cabinets and the appliance fronts! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s challenge!
Crystal says
So proud of you! I’m hoping that some of the projects will be simple enough that working moms/women are able to participate. If not, definitely just simplify it or skip it.
Haila says
I did a few things that I don’t often do – like wiping down the outside of the aquarium filter apparatus w/ vinegar (we have VERY hard water, so the scale builds up quickly). Just looking at it now and feeling happy. There’s plenty more to do, but sometimes it’s nice to focus on an accomplishment.
Kim in Cali says
I did the challenge plus more today!! 🙂 Once I got started it was so motivating. Especially since I had company coming over tonight. Looking forward to tomorrows challenge!
thank you Chrystal.
Jennifer says
My daughter has been sick so I’m a bit behind on some things, but I did get all the laundry folded and put away, did most of the dishes, and found a few things to throw away. I will get caught up tomorrow, Lord-willing!
Shannon says
We hosted the extended family Easter gathering on Sunday so this challenge is timely for me. I was able to complete all of today’s tasks as well as organizing all of the leftovers. That took a little longer than I expected but it is done and the kitchen and livingroom are in great shape too. We will be eating lots of ham and turkey combination lunches and dinners this week too which will leave more time for my cleaning tasks 🙂
crystal Redmon says
I love being challenged, and I so need this one!! Thanks agian Crystal!!
Ann says
Your “before” pictures are probably better than my “after”! We just got home from several days of travelling so our stuff was all over the living room, and my husband thought he saw a bug in a cabinet, so he took EVERYTHING out…sigh. But glad to have the motivation to get it done!
Holly @redberrydeals.com says
Thank you Crystal for creating this challenge. I’ve been a stay-at-home Mom now full-time for the last 2 years and it has been so hard with little babies to keep up with the cleaning. Now that they are toddlers and running around leaving lots behind and getting into everything I find myself still frustrated with cleaning and staying organized.
My biggest challenge is the office and dining room and believe each of those will take longer. I’ve fallen behind on couponing because it has been so difficult to get out of the house with 3 kids, so my collection of coupons are in piles. *sigh*
To stay sane I’ve decided to do my passion and start a new small business of sewing and machine embroidery. It is so exciting!
Paula says
Good luck with your business! Go for your passion!
At home…don’t be discouraged. Take a deep breath and start somewhere. You can do it! We don’t have to be perfect. I have to remember that all the time. I pat myself on the back for the achieving small tasks which add up to be bigger ones. So what if I don’t wash all the wares today but at least I started. Right? 🙂 Maybe you can keep it simple with the couponing? Scan through the flyers on Sunday and clip only those coupons you know you will use. Print only those coupons you know you will use. Store the coupon flyers themselves in a container, file or drawer where you can have easy access to it in the event a good deal arises and you need to clip out more coupons. Some bloggers tell you which coupon flyers you can toss. I think I recently saw you can toss out from September 2012 and earlier. Maybe try not to do any complicated deals if you could until you get your home office cleared up one step at a time. Maybe follow one or two of your favorite coupon bloggers who usually have great deals so you don’t get overwhelmed.
BTW I just have one kiddo. I cannot imagine having to run behind 3 little sweeties. My Mom always told me when I was younger that I was like 10 kids in one. Now I know what she means.
K Quinn says
My kitchen and living room were okay. It was the rest of the home that needed help. I do bathrooms on Monday and we also decided to give the porch a good spring clean (that job is not done). I’ll chime in with everyone. Love the sage green paint of your walls in the living room (I’m looking to paint our master bedroom).
Laura's Ramblings says
So completely off topic, but what chores do your kiddos do. Do you have a general list of age appropriate chores that I could review?
Thanks so much!
Crystal says
Check out these posts:
https://moneysavingmom.com/2012/03/15-chore-ideas-for-4-year-olds.html
https://moneysavingmom.com/2012/03/10-chore-ideas-for-toddlers.html
https://moneysavingmom.com/2012/04/20-chore-ideas-for-7-year-olds.html
Melissa says
After work we had dinner and then I got to work on project #1. I got the dishes done, the kitchen surfaces wiped, the sink clean, and all of the furniture in the living room dusted. I found ten things to get rid of- 7 Easter cards that I recycled now that Easter is over and 3 drinking glasses neither my husband nor I care for that have been taking up precious space in our cupboard for far too long. They are now in a box for donating. I even completed a small project I’ve been meaning to get to for four months- I finally polished up a badly tarnished brass Christmas ornament and it looks shiney and new now! It’s now been put back away with the other Christmas ornaments where it belongs. I know! It sat on our bookshelf for months waiting for me to get to it. All of those chores only took 45 minutes. Thank you for posting this month’s challenge Crystal!
Melissa says
When I got home from work we had dinner and then I got started. I got the dishes done, all of the surfaces in the kitchen wiped down, cleaned out the kitchen sink and then dusted all the living room furniture. I found ten things to get rid of- 7 Easter cards that got recycled now that Easter is over and 3 drinking glasses that neither my husband nor I like that were taking up precious space in our cupboard. I also finally completed a small job that I have been putting off…that was polishing a very badly tarnished brass Christmas ornament. I know! It’s been sitting on the shelf for 4 months waiting for me to do it. Well it’s done now. And it is shiney and new looking and has been put away with the other ornaments. 🙂 All of that took only 45 minutes! I don’t know what I was waiting for. Thanks for this challenge!!!
Erin @ My Mommy World says
I had to chuckle when I saw that you listen to Dave Ramsey’s podcast…I love listening to the Dave Ramsey show podcast while I’m cleaning…it makes the chores goes by so much faster, plus, I learn a lot at the same time 🙂
Sandra says
I decided to join in this morning before work so, I set the timer on the microwave so as not to be late. I managed to straighten out the entire house, clean up the kitchen, and take out the garbage in 15! Thanks for the new challenge.
Daniela says
Great update! Today was an easier day since we also did a deep clean on these two rooms over the weekend. Even though our sink is still broken, I was able to work around it and get the kitchen sparkling. Living Room just needed a quick tidy and that was easy. Looking forward to tomorrow’s challenge!
Jenni says
I love the challenge. I also worked through today’s stuff first thing.
Melissa Hagner says
This challenge left me with clean kitchen today!
Kim says
I was impressed with myself, I was able to clean most of the surfaces in the living room and all surfaces in the kitchen.
Meghan says
I did it!! I find this an extra accomplishment since I work at a CPA firm (I’m a CPA wannabe) and we are a little busy this time of year :). These small tasks really make me feel like I actually accomplish something and can keep up the house work eventhough I’m not home that often. I focused on the kitchen more than the living room since the living room stays pretty picked up. I scrubbed the stove. It’s so sparkly now. Thanks for sharing this Crystal!
Melissa Gibson says
All done before breakfast? This TOOK ME ALL DAY! But it does look nice!
Crystal says
Well, it helped that my kids slept in and that we’d already had a big “house cleaning blitz” the day before. 🙂 Otherwise, it could have taken all day long. 🙂
Go you for getting it done!
Janine says
Today I did a pick up of the whole house.
Tomorrow I’m tackling organizing our bathroom and laundry.
It’s hard working full time nightshift and trying to keep a schedule for sure….
I just caught this challenge today so ill look forward to tomorrow too 🙂
Megan says
Today was kind of a challenge for me because I am usually too tired after work to pick up clutter, but I did it! The challenge even encouraged me to put away a basket of wrapping paper that was still out from Christmas- although it was hidden behind the couch! 😉
Amy says
I got Day 1 finished! Now I’m ready to relax!
Leah @ Sanity Saving Mom says
I’m loving this challenge, so far so good. My goal for tomorrow is to get started earlier in the day. I love it when you are cleaning and find treasures, will I find any tomorrow?
Kerri says
I did Day #1!
Unfortunately, my house was a bit of a whirlwind after the weekend. Easter weekend for me meant five church services in two days. The good news is that today was a day off for the whole family so things got put back into order. It took me longer than the suggested time limit, but the house looks so much better.
Angie@ Creating Our Home says
Thank you for this challenge, Crystal! I was tired from Easter and probably wouldn’t have cleaned today without the challenge! 🙂 It feels great to have the living room clean and tidy for the week.
Angie@ Creating Our Home says
Crystal- I just realized that I accidentally posted the wrong link. #21 I tried to delete it but couldn’t figure out how. Would you please delete it? Thanks! 🙂
Shelly says
I worked on the kitchen counters while my kids worked on the living room. After a busy weekend with family staying over night, hosting Easter dinner and a family birthday party too at our house the living room and kitchen needed some cleaning. I had some paper clutter to get rid of in the kitchen. The living room was over run with new toys my son received for his birthday so we needed to retire a few older toys to the toy box. Then after the surface cleaning everything was much better. Now the kitchen and living room looks so nice and neat. I wish it would just stay that way.
Jenn says
I only found 2 things to get rid of, and my kitchen isn’t super tidy (it’s sugaring season, and I currently have a pot of maple sap constantly simmering on my stove), but the living room just needed the laundry basket full of sheets folded and put away, and a quick vacuum. I usually tidy the house just before bed, so it’s nice to have it done early.
I spent the last 3 months decluttering our house and deep cleaning room by room, and am hoping the challenge will help me find a schedule to maintain our home.
Jenny says
Jenn,
I just had to comment. I love that you have sap simmering on the stove. What a romantic spring vision!
Jenny
Erin says
Your house looks great! That us how I like my house to look in the morning. Waking up to a messy house is not a great start to the day. The first day of this challenge was just what I needed.
Casey says
I so want to do this challenge as I am 14 weeks pregnant and want to bring the baby home to a nice clean house. Especially since my older daughter may be having surgery in the next month or two. When my almost 3 year old was born 8 weeks early we were still in the process of cleaning things out. Stuff was everywhere! 3 years later I don’t feel like much has changed, other than now that I am a SAHM I *usually* keep up with daily chores better. When I don’t have morning sickness all day. I love reading your posts, they are so encouraging! I will have all the major stuff done this time, and with any luck my older daughter will continue to improve her walking skills and can help me more. (Though she is an angel and really helps me out a lot already. )
Lori says
Today’s challenge was so easy that I started working on my daughter’s closet figuring there were seven things that could find a new home. About an hour and three trash bags later, she’s all ready for summer, and her size-smaller friend has a new wardrobe. Win-win for all.
Amy says
This morning’s challenge went well for me, too. Your suggestion to put away anything that didn’t belong in the living room motivated me to go through the basket of toys in our living room and put away all the pieces that go to another set (legos, hotwheels, etc.) that always seem to get left behind. I also dusted, and cleaned our leather couch with wipes. I didn’t vacuum, because our kids are afraid of it, and I have yet to figure out a way around that when my husband is gone. I’m looking forward to the rest of the month!
Sakura says
My kitchen is a disaster. I’m still working on that one, but it will be done. I’m so glad you did this, thank you.
Jenny says
Thank goodness I’m not alone. I’m going to have to do today’s challenge over two days. My kitchen countertops were so dirty I only finished half of them. I stopped living room dusting to go out and get to those so I intend to do more of that tomorrow. I’m not posting photos until I complete this and I’m skipping those bathrooms tomorrow.
Paula says
My daughter has your name. Just had to say that. It’s so nice seeing someone else with the name Sakura. You’ll get your kitchen done by the way. Baby steps okay 🙂
Katie says
Day 1 was great! We started out with a lot of messes, so there was some pretty visible change from completing the tasks from today!
Brooke says
The living rooms were really easy today, but with Easter yesterday, the kitchen was quite messier than usual!! It all got done though =)
Very excited to see what the rest of the month will bring!
Holly says
Crystal, I am going to try very hard to keep up with this 30 day challenge! I have to stay it is a bit challenging to clean after a long day’s work, but I am sure I will be thankful on the weekends!
Taralyn says
I love the idea of listening to a podcast while you clean. I typically listen to music, but think I’ll check out some podcasts during the challenge!
Tracy S says
Today was pretty easy, since I had surface cleaned the kitchen yesterday after the Easter celebrating was over! The kids had also vacuumed and dusted the house Saturday, so that was already done (they also had to clean their rooms Saturday as well!) So, I guess I will really start tomorrow! This challange makes me happy, because it also gets the kids motivated to help me clean!
krys says
OK this may be a weird question but I noticed a cubby with green bins in it, can I ask where you got that? It look awesome !
Laura says
I was going to ask the same thing. We’ve got four kids and that would be great!
Julie C says
Thank you for the podcast hot tip!
Your cabinets are beautiful! How did I never notice the wonderful color of them before now? May I ask what you store in your cubes at the back door? They look like Thirty-One cubes. <3
Willi Morris says
Jealous! Mine does not look that great, but it’s better!
Crystal says
Better is progress — and that’s what you’re aiming for! 🙂
Blythe says
Today was a pretty easy challenge – what a great way to start off the week!
Sarah says
Yes, today was an easy one according to what was on the list, since I pretty much surface clean the kitchen and living rooms daily. However, I did a few extra things that were not included that just needed to get done. I cleaned out a hall closet and found 8 things to get rid of! I also vacuumed downstairs. The only things I wanted to get done that didn’t completely get finished were to clear the breakfast table (which I did most of) and clear off the kitchen ledge (which did not get done at all). All in all it was a win!
Crystal says
Go you! I’m so impressed with your initiative!
Kim says
I need this! Sometimes spreading out the jobs makes it less daunting.
Nicole @ Amazing Frugal Mom says
Today was definitely an easy one, since I surface clean at least once per week. I also got it done early in the day!
Crystal says
Good for you!