It’s Monday and guess what that means? That means it’s time for our weekly deep-cleaning project! Every Monday morning this year, I’ll be assigning us all a deep-cleaning project to tackle (well, that is, if want to join us!)
Today’s project is to deep clean the kitchen. Do as much as you’re able to do — whether that’s a complete deep clean or just getting the dishes down, the countertops wiped off, and the appliances wiped down.
We have a really full week this week. We’re prepping for a big filming project next week that a whole crew of people are flying in from out of town to film/produce (I can’t WAIT to share more about this course we’re designing — I think you’re going to love it!), we’re back to our normal extracurricular activities now that the snow has finally melted, we have multiple get-togethers with friends (which I’m excited about — we were cooped up at home because of the snow for almost all week last week!), Kathrynne has an all-day swim meet one day this week, there’s a film crew coming in for another short film project this week, we have a few different appointments, and I’m training my brand-new local assistant whom I just hired (She starts today — I’m so grateful to have found her!)
So needless to say, I’m making sure to streamline thing, simplify as much as possible, and keep my expectations for this week on the low side. 🙂
With this in mind, I got an early start on today’s project and did some of it this weekend. 🙂 I already cleaned out the fridge and microwave and swept the floor. So this morning, I just need to do the dishes, wipe down the outside of the cupboards, and wipe down the countertops.
Here’s my plan for this morning:
- Exercise, shower
- Bible reading/journaling
- Breakfast/Morning Time
- Chores/quick house clean up
- Clean the kitchen — dishes, wipe down countertops, and wipe down the cupboard doors
- Get girls started on their independent work
- School with Silas
- Work on laundry for 15 minutes
- Ready to go — lunch made — head to work at our office space
This evening, I’ll share a post about how my morning well and give you an update (with pictures) on how my kitchen-cleaning project went.
Need some motivation? Check out my post on 10 Ways to Make Cleaning More Fun.
Want to join me? Leave a comment to let us know you’re participating! If you have time, tell us what your morning plan is, too.
Lesley says
Since you and your husband are both working and helping with homeschool would you ever consider hiring a cleaning lady? You also seem to have some wiggle room in your budget so why not?
Crystal Paine says
We actually have already done that! 🙂 My husband urged me to do it for quite some time and when I finally decided I was willing to try it and add the expense to our budget, I realized what a great idea it was! Having someone come in once a week or every other week and help with some deep cleaning projects for a few hours saves me *hours* of work each month. We still do all the daily maintenance stuff (I’m sort of a neat freak!), but we let her help with the deep cleaning stuff — like a thorough mopping of all the floors, etc.
Lesley says
Good for you! I am a teacher and I think I would lose my mind if I had to spend my Saturdays cleaning. And you’re right even with someone cleaning every other week there is still work to do everyday……laundry, dishes, cooking, etc.
Wendy Kim says
Hope to do this soon!
Wendy Kim says
This is so timely! I just quit my job, so I can focus more time on my family and my blog. Now that I have more flexibility in my schedule, I’m trying to figure out what routines do/do not work for me. Seeing you juggle it all is inspiring!
My kitchen is surprisingly clean because we had friends over on Saturday night, which is always a forcing function for us, but would love to get into the position where I’m not moving heaven and earth to prepare for when friends to come over.
I find I get the basic kitchen cleaning done weekly, but rarely have time for the bigger jobs: oven, cleaning the fridge, etc. What works for you?
Crystal Paine says
I’m blessed to have a husband who shares household cleaning responsibilities with me (as well as lots of other responsibilities — like cooking and homeschooling!), so that’s one of my big “secrets” to productivity and success. In addition, my kids are old enough now that they help out a lot. I think one of our biggest keys is to have two clean-up times per day — one in the morning after breakfast and one in the evening after dinner. By getting the house all picked up/kitchen cleaned, etc. twice a day, it rarely becomes too overwhelming or unmanageable. And when we all work together, it goes pretty quickly!
Wendy Kim says
Thanks! That is very helpful. Now that my son is turning 7 and my daughter is turning 5 I hope to include them more in the cleanup too.
Amy R says
Is there a trackback to the other posts in this series. Somehow I missed this, but I love this concept! Monday happens to be a great day for me too so I’m definitely interested in jumping on board now and going forward with you, but I’d also like to try to catch up some of the ones I’ve missed.
Crystal Paine says
Here you go: https://moneysavingmom.com/tag/monday-cleaning-project
annie says
Dishes are done and put away. Weird, but there is a lot of dust collected on the cabinet door hinges. I’m in for wiping down the doors.
Banana bread is in the oven. A batch of your bread stick recipie is cooling on the counter. I wrap my dough pieces around a string cheese. They don’t last too long.
And, drum roll please…….Today I finally received my gratitude journal! I’m so excited. I’ve already filled out 2 things for yesterday and one thing for today. It’s funny but it’s almost as if I can’t decide what to write down because there are more than 2 things. Thank you!
Emily says
I am still waiting for my Gratitude Journal. I ordered it from Amazon back before Christmas. Hopefully soon!!!
Crystal Paine says
We are supposed to be getting a big shipment any day now, so I’m hopeful that Amazon will FINALLY be getting more in, too. I know that they’ve placed a large order for them, we just had to wait f-o-r-e-v-e-r for them to go through the reprinting process!
Emily says
yay!! I heard that they should get them at the end of February so I was hoping it would be this week 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I LOVE this comment! Thank you for taking time to share and YAY!! that you finally got the gratitude journal!!!
Jody says
My kitchen is definitely in need of some cleaning this morning. I prepped my sons blendeized g tube feeds for the week over the weekend AND prepped two meals for my husband and I to eat this week (Something I haven’t done in a LONG time and am trying to slowly change our bad habit of eating out all the time!) I feel good going into the week but need to get my kitchen back together.
Sounds like a very exciting week for you all. I am looking forward to hearing more about the film projects and the course!
Crystal Paine says
Yay for prepping two meals for your family this weekend! Way to go!
Cari says
I am still half-awake, but did manage to cross off one dreaded to-do item already. And I did force myself to finish pans this morning. It helped that I postponed baking this weekend and didn’t have much to clean up. Didn’t plan on cleaning today but you have motivated me to try to declutter a little today. You definitely have a full week ahead! I really like the idea to streamline and simplify when so much is going on.
Crystal Paine says
Yay for crossing off a dreaded to-do item so early in the day!
Kristen says
I’m really good about keeping my kitchen clean but I must have read your mind. I spent Saturday pulling the whole kitchen apart! I had been wanting to clean out the cabinets above my fridge for months (lol who uses those anyway?!) but finally got the motivation to do so when I got more “junk food” than I would usually buy in months for a steal at the store this weekend. I needed a place to hide it from the kids 🙂 my house is often the gathering point and while I’d like to feed all of our visitors something healthy my wallet doesn’t agree! Anyway my point is it felt good to clear that space from clutter and put it to good use!
Crystal Paine says
Haha! I cracked up about you hiding junk food from your kids. 😉
Lana says
I have it done already this AM! I have finished the laundry and been to the grocery store where I got $106 worth for $22. I have the upstairs to do a thorough dusting on today. Hubby took down some ceiling vents and cleaned them over the weekend and I am sure there is plenty of dust to be taken care of after that.
Sarah says
Way to go! Did you use coupons for your groceries?
Lana says
I did and I had a $10 off $50 store coupon which is rare.
Sarah says
That’s wonderful.
I tried to coupon a few years back, but it got very stressful and I could never find coupons for produce or the healthy foods I wanted.
I think there are better options now so I may give it another try 🙂
Lana says
Produce coupons have become more common but this morning my groceries were more of the stockpile type such as canned tomatoes, coffee, cereal, tp, Parmesan cheese, etc. I also bought 4 big bags of M&M’s for $1.75 a bag which was a splurge item because they are hubby’s favorite treat. I do most of my produce buying at Aldi because of their great prices and freshness at my store. Start small! You can do it!
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo! Way to go! You’re such an inspiration!
Bethany says
I will be joining! Dishes are high in the sink. I even hid some in the oven and fridge. :-S Hopefully I’ll get to the floors.
Crystal Paine says
You’ll have to take before and after pictures and email them to me! crystal @ moneysavingmom.com I’m cheering for you!
Julie@frugallyblonde says
My kitchen really needs to be cleaned. My niece came over this weekend and we made raspberry cupcakes. We had such a great time but the kitchen is a mess. I love the motivation that the Monday morning plan gives me. Thanks!
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad you find it motivating! And I’m happy that you’re joining me!