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I’ve been working on cutting the crap in order to make my life easier, more streamlined, and all-around BETTER for over a year now. It’s been a whole process, and I have let you know about how things are going as I’ve revamped and found new ways to improve my home.
My friends are sick of me coming in to their houses and telling them they have too much STUFF at this point, but I can’t help it! Streamlining has really worked to help maximize my life and home, so I wanted to share 10 Ways to Cut the Crap and Maximize Your Life!
This post is in collaboration with Tidy Cats® LightWeight Free & Clean and Target. I know you all will be excited to see my little babes, North and Joey, in the blog today! (More Joey than North, because North decided she really didn’t want photos today.) I’m excited to share ways I’ve learned to hack cleaning and organization to make life as a cat mama much more clean and easy! Read on below for my top 10 suggestions and to learn more about Purina Tidy Cats.
Clean Litter Tip
Litter is a necessary evil if you’re a cat lover like I am! My sweet kittens deserve a space that’s free of dyes and fragrances, and is 99.9% dust free! Luckily, Tidy Cats® LightWeight Free & Clean is both lighter for easy clean-up, and a better alternative to other cat litters. TidyLock® with Ammonia Blocker keeps ammonia odor from forming for at least 2 weeks when used as directed, plus it clumps tight and weighs half as much as leading clumping litter. Not only is it better for the cats, but it keeps your home smelling better for longer!
Pet Food Clean-Up
One place that starts to get messy quickly is wherever you feed your pets! We love to keep a mat down and be sure to wipe it off as we are feeding every day to keep away the bits of food that can be cluttering up the space and make sure it’s not attracting little critters to the excess food either!
Task Delegation
I have tried fancy-pants lists and chore charts, but what works best for me and my husband is just knowing our typical roles and making prioritized lists of extra things we need to accomplish. For example, I usually always load the dishwasher, clean the stove/counters/etc., clean the upstairs bathroom, and cook. He does the trash, unloads the dishwasher, does the laundry, and cleans the downstairs bathroom. It works for us, especially because we don’t STRICTLY stick to this. We help each other out, and it’s super important for an “all hands on deck” type of mentality- even during delegation!
Closet Purge
Closet clear-outs are something you know I’m passionate about if you have read my blog at all within the last year! I suggest going through your closet every few months (or every season change,) so you can get out the things you aren’t using! A less-packed closet makes picking out your clothes more easy and enjoyable! You can always donate or sell the things you are getting rid of as well!
Daily Clutter Clear-Out
Every home has a few spots that collect clutter. Mine are definitely my dining room table, a sofa table that sits in our hallway, and my side of the bedroom (see below.) Make it a point to sweep those spots daily before bed, and your home will seem cleaner and more organized in an instant!
Take a look at my table above! You can see how much better the space looks just by being de-cluttered! The clean table makes a great work space, or even a spot to sit down and have dinner to wind down for the evening with my husband.
Weekly Bedroom Brush-Up
I’m a messy person by nature. None of this comes easy to me, and I have to remind myself constantly to do it all. (Hence, the lists!) My bedroom can get the brunt of all the clutter clearing in the rest of the house, since it’s where I let my mess collect. On my list, I just make sure that at least monthly, (let’s be real, I can’t do much better than that!) I get into my bedroom and reorganize the clutter that’s just hanging out. You know, so I can begin cluttering it up the next day.
Container Storage
My biggest suggestion for the storage containers is to get a set that matches. You can see from the photos of my before and after, we love glass containers (since they are easier to microwave and clean!) Having this matching glass set helps keep organized, and helps us stay more invested in the set since they are more expensive. We find that we are throwing them out less and keeping them organized and with their matching lids at all times!
Label-Maker Organization
I have a tendency to put things in containers in an effort to be more “organized,” but then I just forget whatever I put into the containers and then when the time comes, I can’t find it! I’ve started using my label-maker to clearly indicate what’s on the inside of the box. Now when I am looking for something or my husband is, we are both on the same page, because we can clearly see the labels! It’s magical!
Simple Cleaning Solution
Something that definitely cuts the crap, is learning to use a non-chemical cleaner. We love using vinegar, both diluted and non-diluted to clean our surfaces. It’s great on dirt and grime, but easy enough on more delicate surfaces like hard woods. On spots that are more difficult to clean, heat the solution for more cleaning power. Any “vinegar” scent will disappear once the solution dries.
Daily Bathroom Cleaning
Bathrooms are probably the one room I really try to stay on top of daily. My makeup mess may NEVER be clean, but the toilet and sinks are both something I like to keep up on every day. It’s easy to just go into the restroom during your nighttime routine and do a once-over of the room to make sure it’s clean, hygienic, and ready for the next day!
