bigsister
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Maat goddess of truth, and balance
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 75 
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Post by bigsister on Jun 19, 2009 5:55:39 GMT -5
Thank you all for your support and prayers. I struggle every day to keep ahead of my own messiness. Here is my journey to where I am now with my own house.
I started with just one room.
I told myself I can keep one room livable.
I started with the bathroom because it was the smallest.
First I removed all the trash and put it out in the dumpster.
Then I removed all the dirty clothes and towels and took them to the laundromat( because I could not get to my washer and dryer).
Next I cleaned out the linen closet so I could put my clean towels away.
There must have been 20 or more different kinds of shampoo and conditioner. I threw out all but 4. I don't know why I had so many different kinds. I guess because I could not find any I would just go out and buy more. My linen closet has 4 shelves I removed everything into the floor. I put my towels on one shelf, and vowed that only towels would every occupy that space again.
I cut the cleaning supplies down to what I felt worked the best. Threw out the rest. It was really hard to throw out supplies that were still usable but I had no place to put them so I did.
One shelf I put shampoo, soap and lotions. Threw out any that would not fit back in.
One shelf for paper towels, toilet paper and other bathroom toiletries.
After 2 trash bags full of stuff I moved on to the under the sink, on the counter and medicine cabinet. Looked at all dates on medicine and threw out all expired. Gee I am surprised any of them every worked for me, some were over 10 years old. I had seven partial bottles of Nyquill.
I got some of those plastic storage drawers and put them under the sink.
Assigned each drawer for its contents, one for toothpaste, one for nail clippers, one for hair brushes and hair clips, one for make up.
Threw out 5 curling irons and kept 2.
Threw out 5 or 6 brushes and kept 2.
Threw out so much makeup I could have opened a shop. I have no idea why I had so much. I never wore and never wear much anyway. I kept 2 of each kind I wear.
Finally I began the cleaning process. I began with the tub and shower. Once I had it clean I moved on to the sink and walls. I found that using one of those microfiber clothes works better than paper towels. You just rinse and use again. After that the toilet, and finally the floors.
I cannot tell you how much satisfaction I had when that 6 x 8 foot room was finally clean. It had taken me a week. Now I can go in there and clean it up in less than 30 minutes.
I kept that room clean every day and added another area to purge each week.
Small steps for me was successful. My kitchen was next. I'll post that process later.
Please continue me and my brother in your thoughts and prayers.
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bigsister
New Member
Maat goddess of truth, and balance
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 75
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Post by bigsister on Jun 19, 2009 5:58:17 GMT -5
I start every day now by making sure the room I have cleaned is first. I do not deep clean but once a week, but make sure the floor and counters in the bathroom are clutter free then move on to a messy area. The Kitchen was next.
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bigsister
New Member
Maat goddess of truth, and balance
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 75
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Post by bigsister on Jun 19, 2009 6:02:59 GMT -5
My kitchen was stacked with every dish I owned dirty. Dishwasher full and cabinets loaded. Lots of trash and empty food cans mingled in. Newspapers, magazines, mail etc. The floor was dirty and rugs too. I had that all or nothing mentality that if everything is not clean then why bother cleaning up anything. I know that does not make sense.
Both of the doors to enter my house are in the kitchen, so if anyone comes to the door they get a eyeful of my messes. I have in the past even pretended not to be at home to avoid opening the door.
Anyway. Here is what I finally did.
I started with the trash. I did this on trash pick up day so that it would not be sitting on the curb to long. Hung some trash bags over the drawers and began filling them up. Did not save any magazine or newspaper over a week old. I put all mail I found into one bag to go through later. I opened the fridge and threw out all the old food that was growing in there. The crisper drawers were disgusting, any good dishes were put on the counter to wash. I threw out any plastic containers that were growing mold in them. I think I threw out all of them and vowed never to buy any more. I would use ziplocks for leftovers from now on and throw them after 2 days regardless if they are good or not. If the starving people in Ethiopia were next door I would give it to them, but they are not so out it goes. Next I put all the trash bags out on the curb for pick up.
Next the dishes. Started the dishwasher and removed any dishes from the sink. Moved all the dishes that were on the counters to one side and put down a big bath towel on the other counter. I began with the glasses. Hot soapy water and dawn odor cutting soap. I have a double sink so I put clean clear water in the other side and began. After all space was taken on the towel. I put those dry dishes away, and started over. I took a long time but after a while it really became enjoyable. Seeing all the clean dishes in my cabinets again was very pleasing. I continued until all were done and put away. Next I removed all my canisters and appliances from the counters and completely clean them up. Put back the canisters and appliances and started on the cabinets themselves. I love those microfiber clothes.
Next I returned to the fridge. Pulled out everything and threw out any freezer burnt food and condiments over 6 months old. Thought, why do I keep these partial bottles of dressing, I ended up with another trash bag full from the fridge. Cleaned it up, put back the fresh foods.
Now that I had the counters and the fridge clean I started on the cabinet fronts. Wiped them all down and cleaned the top of the fridge. Orange cleaner from Walmart cuts that sticky build up on the fridge and range tops. Again the Micro cloth beats paper towels. just rinse and use again I had one of my big soup pots full of soapy water and when it got bad I would run another, this way I did not have to keep going back to the sink, I could carry the pot around the room with me.
Got out the duster, ran over all the cobwebs and lights fixtures. Took down the light covers and washed them.
The floor. A mop would just not do the job. Started in the far corner and worked my way to the door. Cleaned one section at a time until all was washed up once. Then went back and did it again getting the baseboards and wall where things had accumulated. Pulled out the fridge and stove, cleaned up years of spills and yuck. Put a nice table cloth on the table and place mats.
There was all kinds of stuff in my kitchen, I had three boxes, one for my stuff, one for my husbands stuff and one for household items in the wrong rooms. After I was done cleaning I sat in the floor and sorted things to put away. I sat my husbands stuff on his workbench in the basement for him to deal with. I put a basket in the kitchen to catch all of his stuff in the future, if he leaves things in wrong place I just toss it in his basket and when it is full I set in downstairs. After a few times of have to look through that basket for things he finally began trying to pick up after himself.
After a week of cleaning finally could open the door to anyone who came by.
This seems kinda simplified, but one little step at a time is what it takes. Do not focus on the whole room just one small part at a time. Each trash bag, each dish. Put on some music.
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bigsister
New Member
Maat goddess of truth, and balance
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 75
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Post by bigsister on Jun 19, 2009 6:08:42 GMT -5
The next thing in the kitchen I had to tackle was the inside of my pantry and drawers. Those hidden areas that build and build until you can't find anything. This is an ongoing problem and as I recall this I realize that those drawers are due for another detox. I will take some pictures of them now and show the results after. They were twice as bad then, if you can imagine.  I am trying to, and have partially succeeded, to look at cleaning and organizing as a method of relaxing and having a proud feeling after I am done instead of a chore and something I just have to do. |
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Post by cando on Jun 19, 2009 22:48:01 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this on the General Board. You are so sweet to share your story and how you cleaned up. As I mentioned on your intro., it is a great step by step process and I'm sure there are many folks out here that appreciate it and may try your model. CD  |
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Post by valor on Jun 19, 2009 23:17:10 GMT -5
Gives us a good idea of how to tackle our own situations. Congrats on your accomplishments
in your home, enjoy!
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Post by Meme on Jun 19, 2009 23:55:15 GMT -5
thank you for writing this up for us- it is such a good step by step success story-- and I appreciate you sharing it with us and adding to our idea of beginning and continuing and ending.. hugs
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Jun 20, 2009 1:47:51 GMT -5
BigSister, thank you, thank you, thank you!  |
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bigsister
New Member
Maat goddess of truth, and balance
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 75
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Post by bigsister on Jun 20, 2009 11:32:31 GMT -5
Ok, today is the day. Posting pictures of the dreaded junk drawer, and other kitchen drawers. Hopefully I can get at least 1 of them cleaned out before I have to go do grocery shopping.
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Post by urocyon on Jun 20, 2009 12:35:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the step by step writeup! I'm not so good at sequencing, so it really helps give a better idea of how to tackle overwhelming areas. It sounds like you've accomplished an amazing amount!
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Bunny_Phoenix
New Member
back at it here for accountability - not new been here off and on since 2008 :)
Joined: September 2008
Posts: 69
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Post by Bunny_Phoenix on Jun 21, 2009 2:03:36 GMT -5
Please keep up the posting, your success is inspiring to me. Especially since I am going through a similar step by step process and maintaining as I go as much as possible...had a few backslides but nothing major  |
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bigsister
New Member
Maat goddess of truth, and balance
Joined: June 2009
Posts: 75
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Post by bigsister on Jun 21, 2009 10:41:08 GMT -5
Well, I could not figure out how to post any pictures. If anyone knows how let me know.
The drawers: First the Silverware drawer, it is the easiest. I knew what belonged in there.
I got a divider. Forks, knives, spoons, that is all I want in that drawer.
So I dumped them all out on a clean towel on the table.
Wiped out the drawer, put in new liner, and then put the divider in.
I sorted out all things I found in there that did not belong.
I have a bad habit of putting things away in a hurry. Also, if my other drawers are to full then I put things in silverware drawer instead. As a result I end up doing the sort out and clean up to often. This time I am throwing out any silly gadgets that I have not used in the last year.
You know what I mean, corn stickers, fondue forks, old knives etc. We were so poor as I grew up that we never threw anything out, instead also accumulated a lot of hand me downs from well meaning relatives. Who needs 6 or 8 ratty handled butcher knives?
I kept only the knives I use weekly. I set a box to take to the goodwill. We have a drop off just a couple minutes from my house so when I box to give away I take it to the drop off the same day. That way I don't have a bunch of boxes in my garage.
Tomorrow the gadget drawer.
Happy Father's day to all you fathers out there.
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Post by limegreen on Jun 21, 2009 11:16:54 GMT -5
Oh wow, this is a great "how to" for those of us who have no idea where to start. Keep on posting! I want to know how you tackled the family room, because mine could sure use some help.
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minimizer
New Member
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 9
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Post by minimizer on Jun 21, 2009 21:18:32 GMT -5
I hope you keep posting with your progress as well.
I like the idea of starting with one room and maintaining,
then moving on to another, etc.
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Post by creativechaos on Jun 22, 2009 1:18:22 GMT -5
great thread! thanks for telling us how you did it and are doing it, step by step! really helpful and inspiring!
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