The Happy Slob's Way of Cleaning
by Christina Spence

Description: A laid-back approach to housecleaning that gets the job done.

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Now, if you're anything like me, you're the type of happy-go-lucky person who loves sitting at a groovy coffee shop with a great cup of Java in hand, watching all the fascinating people stroll by. You'd rather be doing this - or frankly, anything else - than doing the housecleaning! For years, I felt the same way. But, after I got married I decided that things had to change. I could no longer stand to live in a pigsty. How could I clean the house well, but without wasting all my valuable time? I was a creative type after all and was much more concerned with writing or photography than scrubbing the horrible toilet.

I came up with a simple 3-step solution to finally solve the hassle of housecleaning. If you're a 'happy slob' like me - just a laid back, fun natured person who's not a big fan of cleaning - then it might be just the solution you've been looking for.

The 3-Step Solution Simplified:

1. Two daily cleaning bursts. What is a cleaning burst? A cleaning burst is an intense burst of energy that you use to get the maximum cleaning done in the minimum amount of time. You do one cleaning burst in the morning and one in the evening. You decide how much time you can budget for each burst. Only five minutes? Fine! If you've got twenty, great! Use a timer to keep track, and when it rings, you're done. During your cleaning bursts, do all the tidying you can in the allotted time - and do your impact areas first (the areas that people see the most in your home.)

2. One daily Focus Room: The daily focus room is an area where you do more in-depth cleaning. Create a list of focus rooms that includes storage areas. I recommend 10-15 minutes a day in your focus room, but if you don't have that much time, then just spend the time you can afford. If you have more time, then go for it!

3. One weekly Clean-for-All: One day a week, you and the family finish up the rest of the housecleaning that didn't get done during the week. Keep track during the week of areas that need more work during your clean-for-all. Assign tasks to all members of the family. Again, set a time budget and use your timer to stick to that budget. Anything that doesn 't get done this week will get done next week. Reward everyone in the family for helping out.

Why does it work? It's simple, flexible, fast, and keeps you focused on the tasks at hand while you are cleaning. Therefore, you get more done in less time - and you don't have to stress about cleaning anymore. Do what you can, and then carry on with your life.

Cleaning Formulas

Cleaning formulas aren't all they're cracked up to be. You'd think, for instance, that anti-bacterial cleaners would be a happy slob's best friends. If it cleans and kills nasty bacteria, it must be good, right? Wrong-o my friend! In fact, these cleaners can make bacteria more resistant and cause even more harm in the long run. Plus, the chemicals in many commercial cleaners are dangerous for our children and pets.

Instead, making your own cleaners is simple, effective and darned inexpensive. Nearly any cleaner that you're using right now can be replaced with a common ingredient in your pantry.vinegar! Yes, I know, it does smell like pickles, but this stuff is masterful to clean the home. It kills germs, mold, and bacteria. Unlike bleach, it's not harmful to your lungs when you breathe it in. It's non-toxic, so it's safe to use around children and pets. And it really works - vinegar is marvelous to get windows streak-free clean, to clean the bathroom, floors, etc. And to top it off, my Very Vinegar Cleaner costs literally pennies a bottle.

Here's my favorite all-purpose cleaner that is so simple and effective. I use it for just about everything, and you will too once you try it.

Very Vinegar Cleaner

In a clean spray bottle (not a bottle that has contained other chemicals) pour 1 part white vinegar to 3 or 4 parts plain cool tap water. Give the bottle a good shake. This stuff is amazing on glass, mirrors, and all other surfaces in the home. And don't worry, the smell dissipates quickly. If you want to add extra cleaning power, add a squirt of natural liquid soap.

Cleaning no longer has to be a much-hated chore. Using the Happy Slob's techniques, you can finally clean in less time, while having more fun. Happy slob's unite! And then let's all meet up at that groovy coffee shop we were talking about earlier.

Christina - the Original Happy Slob - is the author of: "The Happy Slob's Guide to Housecleaning." This 125-page book is JAM PACKED with dozens of homemade cleaning formulas, the detailed 3-step solution to cleaning, clever cleaning techniques, and good humor throughout to finally make housecleaning less of a challenge. Visit http://www.happyslob.com today to get YOUR copy AND join her free weekly newsletter, The Happy Slob Gazette.

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