Key Takeaways
1. Simplify Cleaning with Daily and Weekly Routines
"Every day a little something."
Daily tasks are key. The Simply Clean method revolves around five daily tasks: making beds, checking floors, wiping counters, decluttering, and doing one load of laundry. These tasks, when done consistently, prevent overwhelming buildup and maintain a baseline of cleanliness.
Weekly schedule creates structure. Assign specific cleaning tasks to each day of the week:
- Monday: Bathroom cleaning
- Tuesday: Dusting
- Wednesday: Vacuuming
- Thursday: Floor washing
- Friday: Catch-all day
- Saturday: Sheets and towels
- Sunday: Daily cleaning tasks only
This structure ensures all areas of the home are addressed regularly without becoming overwhelming. The key is consistency and building these tasks into your daily and weekly routines.
2. Declutter First for Effective Cleaning
"Start with one box or bin—set your timer for 5–10 minutes and completely sort through that box or bin in that amount of time."
Decluttering is foundational. Before deep cleaning, it's essential to remove excess items that impede effective cleaning. This process not only makes cleaning easier but also creates a more visually appealing and organized space.
Use the four-category system:
- Toss: Items that are broken, expired, or unusable
- Donate/Sell: Items in good condition that you no longer need
- Relocate: Items that belong in a different area of the home
- Keep: Items that you use and love, to be returned to their proper place
Set a timer for short decluttering sessions to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Focus on one area at a time, working through the house systematically. This approach makes the task manageable and provides a sense of accomplishment as you progress.
3. Create Efficient Cleaning Stations Throughout the Home
"If you're going to the trouble of putting together cleaning caddies, be sure to use products that you actually enjoy."
Strategically placed supplies save time. Create cleaning caddies or stations for different areas of your home, such as the kitchen, bathrooms, and living areas. Stock these with the necessary cleaning supplies and tools specific to each area.
Essential cleaning supplies include:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Scrub brushes
- Dusting tools
- Vacuum cleaner with attachments
- Mop and bucket
By having supplies readily available, you're more likely to clean as you go and address messes promptly. This prevents buildup and makes regular cleaning tasks quicker and easier to complete.
4. Master Quick Cleaning Techniques for Each Room
"Knowing a quick way to clean any space eliminates the guesswork, which in turn saves time and energy."
Efficiency is key. Develop a systematic approach to cleaning each room type. This allows you to clean quickly and thoroughly without wasting time or energy.
General quick-clean process:
- Declutter and put items away
- Dust surfaces from top to bottom
- Wipe down surfaces with appropriate cleaner
- Vacuum or sweep floors
- Mop hard surfaces if necessary
For specific rooms:
- Bathrooms: Focus on disinfecting high-touch areas like faucets, toilet handles, and doorknobs
- Kitchen: Pay special attention to food preparation surfaces and appliances
- Bedrooms: Prioritize making the bed and putting away clothing
By following a consistent process, you'll clean more efficiently and ensure no areas are overlooked.
5. Implement Natural and DIY Cleaning Solutions
"Cleaning with natural products and ingredients is safe and economical."
Natural cleaners are effective and safe. Many commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment. Natural alternatives are often just as effective, less expensive, and safer for your family and pets.
Basic ingredients for DIY cleaners:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Castile soap
- Essential oils
- Hydrogen peroxide
Simple recipes:
- All-purpose cleaner: 1 1/4 cups water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 10 drops essential oils
- Glass cleaner: 1 1/2 cups water, 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
- Sink scrub: 2 cups baking soda, 20 drops essential oils, small amount of dish soap when using
These natural solutions can clean most surfaces in your home effectively while reducing your exposure to harsh chemicals.
6. Maintain Organization Systems to Prevent Clutter
"The number one rule to an organized home is putting like items with like items."
Organization prevents mess accumulation. Implementing and maintaining organization systems throughout your home is crucial for preventing clutter buildup and making cleaning easier.
Key organization principles:
- Assign a designated place for every item
- Group similar items together
- Use containers and labels to keep things tidy and easily identifiable
- Regularly purge unnecessary items
Focus on high-traffic areas like entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms. Create systems for managing incoming mail, storing frequently used items, and corralling daily clutter. By maintaining these systems, you'll spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying your organized space.
7. Adapt the Cleaning Method to Your Lifestyle
"There are so many household variables when it comes to a cleaning routine."
Flexibility ensures success. The Simply Clean method is adaptable to various lifestyles and household compositions. Whether you work outside the home, stay at home, or have a family with young children, the key is to tailor the routine to fit your specific needs and schedule.
Adaptation strategies:
- For busy professionals: Focus on quick daily tasks and spread weekly tasks over the weekend
- For stay-at-home parents: Incorporate cleaning into your daily routine, involving children when possible
- For large families: Delegate tasks and create a family cleaning schedule
- For those with limited time: Prioritize essential tasks and be realistic about what can be accomplished
Remember that perfection isn't the goal. Consistency in maintaining a baseline level of cleanliness is more important than striving for an immaculate home at all times.
8. Tackle Neglected Areas with Strategic Deep Cleaning
"Once you've gone through these twelve monthly focus areas, your home will be so much easier to clean and keep clean."
Rotate deep cleaning tasks. While daily and weekly routines maintain overall cleanliness, some areas require less frequent but more intensive attention. Establish a rotating schedule for these deep cleaning tasks to ensure all areas of your home receive proper care.
Monthly focus areas:
- January: Whole-house declutter
- February: Kitchen deep clean
- March: Spring cleaning
- April: Bathrooms deep clean
- May: Garage or basement organization
- June: Bedrooms deep clean
- July: Organizing systems review
- August: Closet cleanout
- September: Entryway or mudroom organization
- October: Laundry room efficiency
- November: Living areas deep clean
- December: Office/paperwork organization
By addressing these areas systematically throughout the year, you prevent overwhelming buildup and maintain a consistently clean and organized home. This approach also allows you to focus on seasonal needs and prepare your home for different times of the year.
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FAQ
What's "Simply Clean" about?
- Overview: "Simply Clean" by Becky Rapinchuk is a guide to maintaining a clean and organized home with minimal effort. It introduces a method that requires just 10 minutes of cleaning each day.
- Method: The book outlines the Simply Clean Method, which focuses on daily, weekly, and rotating tasks to keep your home tidy without overwhelming yourself.
- Structure: It is divided into parts that cover the method, a 7-day kick start, a 28-day challenge, and tips for customizing the routine to fit different lifestyles.
- Goal: The ultimate aim is to make cleaning a stress-free, automatic part of your daily routine, allowing you to enjoy a serene and welcoming home environment.
Why should I read "Simply Clean"?
- Efficiency: The book offers a practical approach to cleaning that saves time and reduces stress, making it ideal for busy individuals or families.
- Simplicity: It breaks down cleaning tasks into manageable daily routines, making it easier to maintain a clean home without dedicating entire days to cleaning.
- Customization: Rapinchuk provides tips for adapting the method to fit various lifestyles, whether you work from home, outside the home, or have a family.
- Sustainability: The book emphasizes using natural cleaning products, which are safer for your family and the environment.
What are the key takeaways of "Simply Clean"?
- Daily Routine: Implement a daily cleaning routine that includes making beds, checking floors, wiping counters, decluttering, and doing laundry.
- Weekly Tasks: Assign specific cleaning tasks to each day of the week, such as bathroom cleaning on Mondays and dusting on Tuesdays.
- Rotating Tasks: Incorporate monthly, bimonthly, and quarterly tasks to ensure thorough cleaning of less frequently addressed areas.
- Mindset Shift: Embrace a mindset that values consistency and progress over perfection, allowing for flexibility and grace in your cleaning routine.
How does the Simply Clean Method work?
- Daily Tasks: Focus on five daily tasks that take 10-15 minutes, including making beds and wiping counters, to maintain a baseline of cleanliness.
- Weekly Schedule: Assign specific cleaning tasks to each day of the week, such as vacuuming on Wednesdays and floor washing on Thursdays.
- Rotating Tasks: Integrate monthly and quarterly tasks to address areas that require less frequent attention, like washing windows or cleaning appliances.
- Flexibility: The method allows for missed tasks to be caught up on Fridays, ensuring that the routine remains manageable and stress-free.
What is the 7-Day Simply Clean Kick Start?
- Purpose: The 7-Day Kick Start is designed to jumpstart your cleaning routine by focusing on decluttering and cleaning key areas of your home.
- Daily Focus: Each day targets a specific area, such as decluttering on Day 1 and cleaning bathrooms on Day 2, to quickly establish a cleaner environment.
- Motivation: The kick start aims to provide quick wins and build momentum, making it easier to transition into the full Simply Clean Method.
- Flexibility: While the kick start is structured, it allows for adjustments based on your schedule and the level of clutter in your home.
What is the 28-Day Simply Clean Challenge?
- Habit Formation: The 28-Day Challenge is designed to help you build lasting cleaning habits by focusing on different areas of your home each week.
- Weekly Focus: Each week targets a specific zone, such as the kitchen or living spaces, with daily tasks that take 10-15 minutes to complete.
- Catch-All Days: The challenge includes catch-all days to address any unfinished tasks, ensuring that you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
- Long-Term Success: By the end of the challenge, you should have established a routine that keeps your home clean with minimal effort.
How can I customize the Simply Clean Method for my lifestyle?
- Different Schedules: The book provides tips for adapting the method to fit various lifestyles, whether you work from home, outside the home, or are a stay-at-home parent.
- Family Involvement: Rapinchuk suggests ways to involve family members in the cleaning routine, making it a shared responsibility.
- Cleaning Services: If you have a cleaning service, the book offers advice on how to complement their work with the Simply Clean Method.
- Flexibility: The method is designed to be flexible, allowing you to adjust tasks and schedules based on your unique needs and circumstances.
What are some room-by-room tips from "Simply Clean"?
- Kitchen: Create zones for efficiency, such as a baking zone or a coffee and tea zone, and use a speed cleaning checklist for quick cleanups.
- Bathrooms: Organize toiletries to reduce counter clutter and use a bathroom speed cleaning checklist for efficient weekly cleanings.
- Bedrooms: Implement three daily tasks for a tidy bedroom: make the bed, declutter surfaces, and put clothes away.
- Living Spaces: Use baskets to contain toys and clutter, and follow tips for decorating in a way that makes dusting easier.
How does "Simply Clean" suggest making your own cleaning supplies?
- Basic Ingredients: The book recommends using simple, natural ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap for homemade cleaners.
- Essential Oils: Add essential oils for scent and additional cleaning properties, with suggested combinations for different cleaning needs.
- DIY Recipes: Provides recipes for all-purpose cleaner, disinfecting cleaner, and more, emphasizing safety and cost-effectiveness.
- Environmental Impact: Making your own cleaners reduces chemical exposure and is better for the environment, aligning with the book's sustainable approach.
What are some of the best quotes from "Simply Clean" and what do they mean?
- "Every day a little something": This mantra emphasizes the importance of daily cleaning tasks to maintain a clean home without feeling overwhelmed.
- "Homekeeping is a learned behavior": Highlights that maintaining a clean home is a skill that can be developed over time, not an innate ability.
- "A cleaning routine that runs itself": Suggests that the Simply Clean Method is designed to become an automatic part of your daily life, reducing stress and effort.
- "Embrace a little mess now and then": Encourages readers to accept that perfection is not the goal, and it's okay to have some mess as long as it's manageable.
What are the monthly focus areas in "Simply Clean"?
- January: Whole-house declutter to start the year with a clean slate.
- February: Focus on the kitchen, including deep cleaning appliances and organizing food storage.
- March: Spring cleaning tasks like washing windows and deep cleaning carpets.
- April: Concentrate on bathrooms, ensuring they are thoroughly cleaned and organized.
How does "Simply Clean" address cleaning those hard-to-clean spaces?
- Basements and Attics: Provides a method for sorting through boxes and bins, emphasizing the importance of knowing what you have stored.
- Garages: Suggests a thorough cleaning process, including vacuuming and organizing tools and equipment.
- Cars: Offers tips for cleaning and maintaining a tidy vehicle, including using a lint roller and keeping a mini cleaning kit in the car.
- Seldom Used Spaces: Recommends a systematic approach to cleaning and organizing spaces that are often neglected, like utility rooms or crawl spaces.
Review Summary
Readers generally found Simply Clean helpful for establishing cleaning routines, though opinions varied on the "10 minutes a day" claim. Many appreciated the daily and weekly task breakdowns, checklists, and DIY cleaning recipes. Some found the system adaptable to their needs, while others felt it unrealistic for larger homes or families. The catch-up day and focus on maintenance cleaning were praised. Criticisms included repetitive content and lack of customization options. Overall, readers valued the book as a reference guide for developing manageable cleaning habits.
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