By Charmaine Peters, Farm Director at Arden
I’ll admit it. I could be much better at cleaning my apartment. It’s embarrassing that I can’t keep a 525 square-foot space in sparkling, mint condition. I don’t even have the excuse of kids, pets, or roommates. What I do have is a job that (while fulfilling) consumes a great deal of my time and energy. The worklife/homelife balance scale is not just tipping toward work; it has toppled over the cliff into a canyon. To be truthful, I’m kind of tired of feeling guilty about it.
At work I have no trouble prioritizing the things that must get done over the less critical tasks. However, that philosophy has not carried over into my home. Cleaning EVERYTHING is the goal, but rarely is it achievable. So what criteria can be used to break housework down into priorities?
Healthy, Safe Home Environment
The whole reason we clean is to live in a place that contributes to our health and wellbeing, a place that does not create sickness. Generally, this means removing two things: germs and allergens.
Germs
Germs can be everywhere, but they are most likely to make you sick from the surfaces that people touch frequently. Prioritize wiping down knobs, fridge doors, remotes, faucets, and other handled surfaces. If you can’t get the entire house cleaned, feel accomplished that the key germ-passing areas are constantly refreshed.
Allergens
I don’t currently have carpeting in my home, but if you do, prioritize frequent vacuuming to remove particles trapped in the fibers. Dusting all of your house can be tedious, especially if you have belongings accumulating on all your flat surfaces. Store these items away. This will save time and effort on dusting. Even better, you can clear out unwanted household items by donating or selling them. The more stuff you own, the more places that collect dust and dirt.
Prioritize key sanitation areas in your home. Get rid of or store away excess clutter. Ditch the guilt!