Clean, Neat and Organized
Clean and neat do not always come together. A very clean and antiseptic house will still look dirty if it is cluttered while a house that looks neat may have germs lurking all over the place.
Also, neat does not necessarily mean organized. I used to be obsessed with neatly storing things to the point that I couldn't find anything anymore. It is not enough to be just neat, there must be some order in the neatness.
It know it's difficult, if not impossible, to maintain a 100% CLEAN AND NEAT AND ORGANIZED apartment so I had to learn to strike a perfect* balance between the three elements.
Here are some quick tips on how to achieve this balance:
CLEAN
VACUUM! I can vacuum one whole room in our apartment in less than 10 minutes (5, if I don't get anal). No need to dust, spray or wipe. Just suck the dirt out of every nook and cranny. Buy the best vacuum cleaner you can afford. It will be worth every penny (centavo).
NEAT
HIDE IT! Hide your stuff in cardboard boxes, plastic bins and cabinets. Put everything in its proper place. It will only take a few seconds to return that stapler you just used inside the drawer. Compare that to one whole Saturday lost to cleaning if you let clutter accumulate.
ORGANIZE
LABEL IT! Labeling bins, baskets, drawers and cabinets will remind you and your housemates where to put back an item after it is used. You don't want them to returning the stapler in the wrong draw.
*Perfect is relative. Define your own level of perfection.
Mrs. G, Housewife & Lawyer
Mrs. G said her adieus to the fast-paced legal world to pursue a full-time career in home management. This domestic diva blogs about everything related to making your home manageable, organized and comfortable.
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Mrs. P | Nov 24th 2008 5:31PM
"HIDING IT" is the only way by which I can organize! Great tips Mrs. G!
Mrs. G | Nov 20th 2008 9:21PM
@witsandnuts and Mrs. Z-- I use a silent vacuum cleaner. 10 mins. is a long time when you don't need long breaks to rest your ears. Plus we have tiny rooms, less than 25 sqms. With the furniture, there is very little flooring left to clean.
witsandnuts | Nov 20th 2008 7:02PM
To vacuum in less than 10 minutes. Impressive. Never did beat that record yet. Any reasonable brand that you can recommend?
Toni | Nov 20th 2008 6:34PM
Mrs G! Great article! :) Could you recommend a good vacuum cleaner? I'm not after the pricey ones, just one that would give me the best bang for my buck. I'm buying a vacuum cleaner for myself this Christmas. Haha! Oh well. But I sure need one. :)
Mimay | Nov 20th 2008 5:55PM
Great tips, Mrs. G!
Do you have suggestions for shoe storage near the from door without a foyer?
I'd like to be able to store my shoes as soon as i enter the apartment.
Thanks.