Cleaning and Decluttering: 4-Week Plan for a Tidy, Stress-Free Home

Cleaning our homes is an integral part of our lives. I maintain a weekly cleaning schedule because I love my home to be clean and tidy, which brings me satisfaction and joy. Typically, I reserve Sunday mornings for cleaning. However, I understand that some people prefer not to dedicate their precious weekends to housework. Consider allocating a couple of evenings after work for cleaning in such cases. You can split your cleaning tasks into two sessions, focusing on the kitchen and bathroom one day and then tackling dusting, vacuuming, and mopping another day. For me, cleaning on Sundays sets a positive tone for the week ahead, especially since I work from home. Keeping my house in order allows me to manage my other responsibilities, such as spending time with my son, work-related tasks, walking the dog and squeezing in a workout at the gym.

Cleaning and Decluttering

Weekly Routine 

In my experience, it’s beneficial to incorporate an additional decluttering task into your weekly cleaning routine. For instance, three weeks ago, I added DIY tasks to my cleaning agenda. I took care of minor repairs, touched up paintwork, and addressed loose wallpaper corners that I found annoying. Adding this task didn’t feel burdensome and provided a sense of accomplishment as I tackled those nagging issues that had been bothering me. These small victories boost our self-esteem and signify our dedication to maintaining our homes, which ultimately reflects our self-care. 

Clearing Out Kitchen Cupboards

Last week, I included clearing out some kitchen cupboards on my list, which involved organising the junk drawer, checking the expiration dates of spices, and giving the cupboard a quick clean. I was on a roll last week, so I also decided to clean the oven. 

Focusing on the Bedroom

This week, I focused on the bedroom, specifically addressing areas like the bedside unit, drawers under the bed, and ottoman. I decluttered by discarding unnecessary items and then reorganised the remaining belongings.

Preventing Accumulation of Clutter

As you can see, I’m not overwhelming myself with too many tasks; instead, I focus on one or two areas at a time. This approach effectively prevents the accumulation of clutter and avoids feeling overwhelmed.

Personally, I aim to have a thorough clear-out at least three times a year. Even though I am quite organised and proactive about decluttering, it’s surprising how quickly things can pile up, especially when living with a teenage boy who manages to fill every available space with all his stuff as well as bulky items such as bikes, skateboards, and scooters. Maintaining an organised and clutter-free home is crucial to preventing clutter-induced stress. Adding decluttering tasks to your weekly cleaning routine is a great way to keep a clean and organised home without feeling overwhelmed. 

Cleaning and Decluttering

4-Week To-do List

Week One: DIY Touch-Up

• Make a list of quick DIY tasks that need attention around your home.
• On your cleaning day, tackle as many of these tasks as you feel comfortable with.
• Examples of tasks include fixing loose fixtures, touching up paintwork, or sticking down loose wallpaper.
• Once completed, take pride in your accomplishments and enjoy the improved appearance of your home.

Week Two: Food Cupboard Clean-Up

• Select two food cupboards (or more if you’re motivated) for a thorough clean-up.
• Empty the cupboards and check expiration dates on food items, discarding anything that’s expired.
• Use eco-friendly cleaning products to wipe down the cupboards before organising items back in.
• Group similar items together for easy access and inventory control.
• Pat yourself on the back for a job well done, knowing you’ve improved the efficiency of your kitchen.

Week Three: Bathroom Organisation

• Start by going through bathroom cabinets and drawers.
• Discard empty or nearly empty bottles and check the expiration dates of medications.
• Clean the shelves and drawers to remove dust and grime.
• Consider if you need additional storage solutions like small baskets to keep items organised.
• Make a shopping list for any needed storage items.
• Pat yourself on the back for maintaining a tidy and well-organised bathroom.

Week Four: Bedroom Under-Bed Clean-Up

• Pull out everything stored under your bed and assess whether you still need each item.
• Create piles for items to keep, discard, sell, or donate.
• Once you’ve decluttered, organise the remaining items neatly under your bed.
• Enjoy a clutter-free and organised bedroom space.
• Reward yourself for your efforts, knowing your sleeping space is now more peaceful.

You can then reassess what needs attention in your home and create a fresh list for areas like the living room, kitchen, or hallway drawers, for example. Maintaining an organised home is an ongoing process, as tasks can quickly build up over weeks and months. Using a to-do list or a resource like my decluttering checklist can help you stay on top of household tasks, preventing clutter from turning into an overwhelming challenge.

Cleaning and Decluttering Tips

1. Keep a notebook or digital list of decluttering tasks you want to tackle. This will help you stay organised and focused each week. Note: check out my digital, interactive decluttering checklists. 
2. Don’t rush the decluttering process. Take your time; if you can’t finish a task in one week, carry it over to the next week’s schedule.
3. Involve other household members in decluttering to make it a team effort.
4. Consider donating or recycling items instead of throwing them away to reduce waste and benefit those in need.
5. Stay consistent with your weekly cleaning and decluttering routine to prevent clutter from accumulating in the first place.
6. As you progress, you can tackle other areas of your home, such as closets, the garage, or the living room, using the same approach.
7. By incorporating these decluttering tasks into your weekly cleaning schedule, you’ll maintain a clean, organised, and stress-free home.

Cleaning and Decluttering: Fresh Energy 

Tackling small areas in different rooms allows you to stay on top of minor tasks while giving each space a renewed sense of freshness. Reorganising, cleaning, and decluttering help clear stagnant energy, replacing it with a vibrant, uplifting vibe. This approach aims to ignite your motivation, making it easier to address small issues quickly and keep your home feeling balanced without becoming overwhelmed.

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