Welcome to the 5-Day Clean Your House for Christmas Challenge. Otherwise known as: Crystal really needs to deep clean her house and she needs the public accountability to get it done. Ahem. 🙂
{Thank you for humoring me. If your house is in great shape, please just skip over these posts. I may be the only one who has kind of let my housework and decluttering slide a bit the past few months.}
Today, I wanted to pick an easier room. But then I realized that I should probably save the easier stuff for the end of the week. So instead, we’re starting with one of the hardest rooms… or at least the rooms that have been the most-neglected for me these past few months.
And that is… drumroll… the bedrooms!
{I’m trying to sound all cheery about it to psyche myself up for this job that I’ve been avoiding and even dreading for too long! :)}
If your bedrooms are spotless and clutter-free, pick another area of your house that you’ve been putting off and tackle that today.
Here’s my plan for this morning (feel free to follow it somewhat, if you find it helpful… or you can get a laugh out of how detailed I am!):
This Morning’s Plan
1. Read my Bible, exercise, and shower.
2. Get dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
3. Eat some breakfast, read aloud to the kids, start a load of laundry.
4. Morning chores with the kids.
5. Get the kids started on their schoolwork. Kindergarten with Silas.
6. Switch the laundry.
7. Attack the bedrooms:
- Pick up/remove clutter — either throw out or put in Goodwill pile.
- Organize things that need to be organized.
- Vacuum thoroughly.
- Dust — especially fans/light fixtures.
8. Celebrate a job well done… by noon, hopefully!
So, that’s my morning plan. I’m hopeful to have it all done before lunchtime. I’ll take pictures and will post an update late afternoon to let you know how it goes.
Want To Join Me?
Are you joining me? If so, what room(s) are you planning to tackle today and what’s your morning plan? Let us know in the comments. If you are blogging about it, I’ll have a link-up that you can link your post to this afternoon. It should be up by 6 p.m. EST.
I am desperately needing to do this. Thank you for the encouragement and simple game plan!
Yes! I need to do this! Thank you for your encouragement and keeping it “real” I have one daughter that just returned from her first semester away at College and her twin arrives from college in two days. Would love to bless my family with a clean peaceful home.
So, while I did not get my house cleaned today, I DID get a TON of things accomplished, many that I did not even plan to accomplish! BUT, it is my goal to get myself and my home organized in the next 4 days of this fantastic challenge! Wednesday, on deck is two appointments, cleaning our bedroom, sorting through Christmas things, beginning decorating, cleaning the kitchen and STARTING on my office!! A full day planned, indeed! But I’m up for it! <3
Way to go on getting lots accomplished today!
Ohhhh you had to post this! OK, ok… My goal is to clean up my formal dining room (nothing formal about it right now), it’s piled with Christmas decorations and gifts, etc. By the end of today I’d like to get the decorations up and the boxes put in the garage and all of the gifts and receipts & coupons organized.
I am with you!! Only I have to also tackle the laundry because that is the clutter in my room:0) hopefully by the end of the day I will have a clean clutter free room!!!!
i have been working on this slowing since we have had a complete gutting of our kitchen for a remodel. Going slowly but have learned since the kitchen is so new i no longer want to. Bring back the clutter from the kitchen that has been stored in boxes the past few months. Really how many Tupperware do you really need as well as unused items that usually got stored above refrigerator. I am bringing back very little the rest is staying boxed and going for a garage sale at the end of the clutter project. I have also been listing quite a few items on Craig’s or FB page as I go.
I’m late but I guess better late than never. I will definitely commit myself to the challenge. I have been feeling a bit cramped and tend to get a little anxious at times. I attribute that to my messiness. This will be a great jump start for me!
Didn’t see this till 8pm but I’m SOO in! It gave me the kick in the butt I needed to tackle my office floor which was more piles than floor. Just 30 minutes later and the piles are all sorted on my desk to tackle later. Everything else put away. It will give me a total sense of calm and renewed energy when I walk in here tomorrow morning.
Thanks Crystal. I’m working the 21 day challenge for the second Christmas in a row and it really works! I’ve used it many times and it’s even easier re-doing a challenge because my notes and plans are already there and I just tweak them. But this post came just in the nick of time because I was bogged down on day 8 with too much to do.
Good luck to everyone! It’s great to have you as accountability partners cause I sure do need that. It really, really helps me to know that others are in the same boat with me. I’ll be rooting for all of you!
Thank you for the inspiration! My house needs this. I would share a tip I got once. Vacuum last. It has been debated both ways, but especially if you are wiping fan blades or the kitchen counter it’s best to vacuum last.
Yes!! I needed this – a little motivational guide to get me moving. Thank you!
Count me in!! I posted this on my blog for my readers to get ‘challenged’ as well! I love the results from following your challenges! Thanks so much!!
So this was perfect timing! We are hosting a party this weekend for our church group and this challenge is helping me get ready! Thank you!!
You are definitely not the only one who has let the house slide. I’m hoping to tackle bedrooms when the kids are on Christmas break. The cupboards need a little reorganizing too. Oh, who am I kidding?! Realistically, it will all wait just fine till the new year;0)
Gotta love this woman:)
I’m in! The bedrooms aren’t in too bad of shape right now (need to finish putting away clean laundry , dusting, and vacuum).
I can go through the kids’ clothes and pull out things that are too small, stained, holey, etc. That way I can put needed items on a “wish list” for the grandparents for Christmas. My 2 yo has recently gone through a growth spurt and has been wearing his “waiting for a flood pants” lately lol!
Oh boy good timing! I am in also. I’ve been so frustrated with housecleaning lately. I live in a tiny house, just me, my boyfriend, and our 120 lb extra hairy four legged baby. I don’t understand why I cannot keep up with the housework. I feel like I spend an entire day every weekend cleaning, a few hours here and there during the week and never catch up. What happens when we have kids??? How do you all do it? Grrr… Today: my room is the bathroom (the only room I didn’t clean this weekend). Very excited, great idea Crystal.
Just wanted to add that I did decide that if I spend about 20 minutes every day doing the following 3 tasks, it will at least get the house to a point where it isn’t stressing me out: dishes (I hate doing dishes, don’t have a dishwasher, and they can pile up quickly), vacuum (did I mention the dog?), and spend 10 minutes just picking up clutter and putting things back. We will see how it goes!
I have found this article SO helpful. Basically she just does little maintenance things as they finish in a room and cleaning goes very fast. I’ve been doing this more and teaching my kids to do it and it really helps. Also, DECLUTTERING. The less stuff, the easier it is to clean. 🙂
http://andreadekker.com/how-i-clean-our-house-in-60minutes-or-less/
Thanks so much for sharing that link!
Oh, I am in! I will be a day behind you, but I am in!
Hmmm…since it’s 1:15 here and I’m just reading it I’m thinking “by noon” won’t happen, but I’ve already done items 1-6 on your list. Woohoo! Heading upstairs now!
Woohoo! You go, girl!
I am in, my house is a disaster!!! Today I’m going to tackle the bathrooms. Ugh.
Count me in. Going to work on the office de-cluttering.
I need to do this too but I think we will start tomorrow. We got back from a trip last night so there is luggage and laundry everywhere and my 3 year old woke up this morning covered in throw up… It has been one of THOSE days where you start behind and can’t really catch up:(
{Hugs!} Here’s to a better afternoon for you!
My kids rooms need an extreme clean. I think I could spend an entire day in each room with their help. This needs done before new Christmas clothes and treasures come into the room. I will do some each night after work and see if we can return them to clean and functional by Friday. We have a church meeting/dinner at our house on Saturday so I need to keep up on the whole house this week on top of our busy schedules. It will be so nice if we can have a clean house by Saturday and coast for the next couple weeks.
I’m in for this challenge! I’ll have to move mine to the afternoons, though, because I work from home in the mornings. I’m headed to have lunch, lay the toddler down for a nap and then I’ll tackle those bedrooms. *do I really have to touch the teenager’s room? 🙂
Definitely want to join you on this. And I agree bedrooms are in desperate need but what is worse for me right now is our basement area as it is a multipurpose area of file storage office setup and main pantry.
OK, working on it today. So, I have a giant easel in my son’s room. We never use it and it drives me nuts as it takes up so much space. Kids are 4 & 2 – think I should hang on to it or give it away before the Christmas haul comes in?
If I’m not sure if I’m ready to part with something that’s “not used” (or not used much), I’ll put it away for 2-4 weeks and see if we miss it. If it’s something big (like the easel) and I feel relief every time I see where it used to be and we don’t need it in the 2-4 weeks after I put it away, then I’ll get rid of it. With smaller things, I’ll put it in our “give away” box and if we haven’t needed it by the time the box is full, it usually gets given to Goodwill. (I double check through the box before giving it away; if I see something that’s in there and think we could still use it, I’ll pull it out.) Also, after something’s been put away for a month or so, sometimes the kiddos feel like it’s new when you get it out and are more likely to play with it. Hope that helps.
Good plan. I’ll send it downstairs with the Christmas decoration boxes. If no one asks for it before Christmas it is out the door. Hopefully that is the case cuz I’m sure I’ll fill that space up with something else in no time 😉
I finally gave away an easel this fall and it felt great! I kept thinking we’d use it, but in reality we do our art at the kitchen table. I haven’t missed it. (And I don’t think the kids even knew we had it because we NEVER used it! 🙂 )
Thanks!! I moved it downstairs and so far so good. We have been using the space to spread out on the floor and play play doh!!
Oh, I so need to do this! However, I won’t be home long enough today to get anywhere. I guess for me it will be the 4-Day Challenge!
This challenge couldn’t have come at a better time as I’m moving out of my apartment. I plan on starting with the bedroom as well.
I’m up for it!
Ok, ok, since “put away kids’ too-small clothes” is on this week’s goals list, I might as well do it today 🙂
Thanks for the incentive! You’re right that it’ll be great to have things put back together before Christmas 🙂
This is my project for the week. Working today, but I need that extra push. My son’s soon to be fiance is coming next week, and I will be out of town the four days before this, so I have to get baking and house cleaning done this week.
I hope she doesn’t read MSM, lol!!
you made me laugh with ‘before noon” obviously your rooms aren’t very bad if you clean ALL your bedrooms before noon! I did this a couple of weeks ago and it took me two whole days just to do two kids bedrooms! (Two girls to each room!)
Well, it helps that we only have two bedrooms and the kids just thoroughly cleaned theirs last week. I want to dig deep in their room, though, as I think they may have overlooked a few areas. Our room, on the other hand, needs some real help — especially our closet!
So all three of your kids sleep in one room?
I’m in! But trying to decide what needs to be started most! The master bedroom is definitely what I let slide first, but it isn’t a terror right now. The kitchen on the other hand depresses me every time I enter it when it’s dirty (which is 95% of the time). And my main living area tile floor makes me want to pull my hair out for a sweep and mop. The toddler and baby will only sleep for so long though – so sad that I can’t do all three today! If anyone has a burst of inspiration or lucid moment, lemme know!
I feel the same way about the kitchen! I am also very bad about letting it go one day then the next day I feel so overwhelmed that rather than do anything I just let it get worse. I do that in most of the house actually but worse of all in the kitchen. I have 2 little guys, one who is just over a year, so he’s always underfoot and I just want to cuddle instead. But I do need to clean better.
Ok I’m game!! My goal is to have all three bedrooms decluttered, and spotless by the time my husband comes home from work…..But with a joyful spirit!!! Going to have all kiddos hands on deck afterschool!!!
I need to do this! But honestly the thought of tackling my bedroom today overwhelms me. I have pictures that need hung and things needing organized from when we moved in 10 months ago 🙁
I am starting on my computer desk. It is a hot mess right now. I thrive when things are not cluttered and right now … There is no thriving happening lol
I’m going to do this with you! I think it week make my house a happier place to be.
Perfect timing! I’m in. This is just what I need. The next couple of weeks hold parties, banquets, get togethers and my house is feeling the neglect. I feel like I am treading water right now. This will help keep me focused. Thank you.
I don’t think I have time to tackle the whole list today. So I am going to pick the WORST items that you listed. For me that would be the ceiling fan in our bedroom. It is scary dusty.
I’ll tackle DD’s bedroom while she tackles her schoolwork!
I’m in. I’m so not a cleaning type. I’d rather do anything than clean. I’m a lightly pick up around the house kind of girl.
Thank you, Crystal! I needed this challenge. I’m in! I need to get my house uncluttered and organized before family arrives from out of town on the 17th.
Thanks! I was going to ignore the bedrooms, because no one will see them but us. But it would really reduce my husband’s stress to have a calmer bedroom
I find that it makes me feel SO much better when our bedroom is clean and tidy. But yes, it tends to be the room I neglect first.
Like you, my bedroom is probably the most neglected room in the house as well. It’s where everything seems to get piled that shouldn’t be in another part of the house. And since I’m so busy in other parts of the house and really only go into my bedroom when it’s time to sleep, those piles never get taken care of. So today I’m going to tackle those piles and vacuum the floor that is in a mess from our new puppy dragging stuff in there all of the time. Thanks for the challenge!!
My bedroom is neglected and for the same reason. If I don’t know where to put something right away…into my bedroom it goes. Also, I have an issue with mail, all mail, junk mail, bills things that need to be filed. I definitely need help.
Love how detailed you are….I’m in too!
So glad you’re joining us!
I always save bedrooms for last because nobody ever goes in there but us! We’re fixing to have a baby any day here (I’m 3 days past my due date), so I’m not sure how much of the 5 days I’ll be able to commit to. I’ll give it my best shot! Fortunately for me, our nursery is done and just waiting for baby, and we only have our master bedroom other than that. 🙂
I hope your baby comes very, very soon! Waiting — especially past your due date — is hard!
I am definitely on board, my house can really use it. We have had such a crazy month that I couldn’t keep up, but hopefully things will settle down a little now. I’m also going to tackle the bedrooms today, mostly just the master. And maybe try to clean my car, which is possibly worse than my house.
Just do what you can do! Something is better than nothing! 🙂
I am with you. First I need to start a load of laundry and the tackle my youngest room. Need to clear some space. He has been bringing toys down to his room from the playroom so therefore there is more in Hus room that really fits. Hope to be done before lunch also
my impossible room is my office, papers everywhere!
Bedrooms will be easy today!
I’m with you today! I have an unexpected day off of work because the daycare has a power outage. Lol! And thanks for #2! I read that piece of advice from The Flylady years ago and it really has stuck. Sooooo much easier to be productive with shoes on!
Yes! It’s amazing the difference it makes!
Okay, I was afraid that this was meant for me as soon as I saw the title of your post, but when I got to your list and saw Kindergarten with Silas – just as I was getting ready to do kindergarten with MY Silas – well, then I couldn’t deny it anymore! *sigh* On to the bedrooms with me. And with a joyful heart! 🙂
😉 Let’s DO this!
If you can get all that done before noon, then you don’t have much mess. 🙂
This was going to be my exact comment 🙂
There are things that I really missed after all the kids grew up and left home but their messy bedrooms is not one of them! We are in pretty good shape here except for our cluttered pile spots. I do need to tackle those before the end of next week but if I do them too early they will reappear. Cheering you on!
I’m with you on this challenge! Not only do I need to keep organizing my home for the holidays, I also would like to have it spotless by the time my lovable, but completely lacking in the art of putting-it-back-where-you-got-it-from husband, who will be off for winter break from teaching in a week and a half! If our home has any clutter, and he’s on holiday, it will snowball! I’ll be posting pics later! Off to find my cup for more chai! Thanks, Crystal!