Click the images below for the step by step guides for each topic.
If you’re committing to a whole-home project, the guides are meant to be completed in order, 45 minutes a day. You’ll notice it is not “day one” but “step one” because a little grace goes a long way and this is a big undertaking. And life throws wrenches in our best-laid plans. Do not stress about missing a day or if one step takes multiple days. That is just life. Or maybe you’re superhuman and can do more than one step in a day. In which case, please teach us your ways, Oh Exalted One.
If you’re not doing the whole home and just want a quick single-space task, then pull that guide and knock it out.
Above all, please let me know what works for you and what doesn’t. Mostly because I’m genuinely curious and want to hear from you but also because I have things to learn, too. (We’ve already discussed the fact that I am no expert.)
- intro: the great clean up
Coincidentally, this is timed (sort of) with the New Year. But it has far more to do with me being home and feeling so incredibly overwhelmed with all of the projects and stuff and dirt and disorganization that comes from… Read more: intro: the great clean up - step one: the morning routine
This is one of the things I already kind of do naturally so I’m giving myself a little confidence boost right out of the gate. But in case you’re not a routine person, here’s your chance to start. I think… Read more: step one: the morning routine - step two: the evening routine
My grandmother (the epitome of southern grace and housekeeping) called this « putting the house to bed ». And I love that. Large or small, maximalist or minimalist, decorated or not, our homes are an extension of ourselves. We need… Read more: step two: the evening routine - step three: take out the trash
I am shamelessly borrowing this first one from Swedish Death Cleaning but I swear by it. On days when I’m just at my limit and overwhelmed by the house and, well, my life, I start with taking out the trash.… Read more: step three: take out the trash - step four: prepare
Okay, but my house is overwhelming NOW…we’re on step 4 and haven’t even started cleaning yet! I know, friend, I know. But trust me on this one. As someone who has (many times!!) started the decluttering and cleaning process in… Read more: step four: prepare - inbetween: maintenance vs deep cleaning
So you’re doing all of this wonderful clean-out and organization and absolutely crushing it. But now how do you get it to stay that way? And more importantly, without taking up SO MUCH time. Because the steps are a lot… Read more: inbetween: maintenance vs deep cleaning - step five: the fridge
The kitchen is the heart of the home (even if you’re not a cook!) and so that is where we’re starting with the great clean up. Fridges and freezers get gross. They smell, they collect things in corners and gaps… Read more: step five: the fridge - step six: the pantry
This is usually one of the most calming places in the house, or one of the most terrifying. If it’s been a while since the last pantry clean-out (like me), then it can be a little daunting. The good news… Read more: step six: the pantry - inbetween: meal planning
We have a clean fridge! We have a clean pantry! We’ve done it! Now to keep it that way… (cue dramatic music) One of the best things keeping us on track for the pantry and fridge/freezer not getting overstuffed and… Read more: inbetween: meal planning - step seven: the catch-all drawer
Aka the junk drawer. But I’ve always hated that term – it implies that everyhing in there is junk and if that’s the case, then why do we have it?! So let’s change that. Less “junk”, more “home management”. Don’t… Read more: step seven: the catch-all drawer - step eight: sinks
Something about a clean sink makes the whole space feel fresher. And they get so dirty so quickly. And just smell…funky. Or maybe that’s just my house. My boy children have an extraordinary ability to get toothpaste everywhere, the kitchen… Read more: step eight: sinks - step nine: kitchen cabinets
Buckle up. Step nine is the kitchen cabinets. Whew. We can do this. (This is me psyching myself up for this.) It couldn’t come at a better time for me – they’re scary. A couple of years of people who… Read more: step nine: kitchen cabinets - step ten: kitchen drawers
I have a love-hate relationship with my kitchen drawers. I love that I have so much storage space, but I hate how it’s arranged. I never can seem to find the right combinations of things that make my drawers clean,… Read more: step ten: kitchen drawers - step eleven: large appliances
Time to tackle these bad boys. I intentionally haven’t cleaned mine for months just so I could relate. Yeah, that’s totally why. Also, I found a tatertot in the bottom of my oven that was basically a charcoal briquette but… Read more: step eleven: large appliances - step twelve: countertops
I am a countertop moderate minimalist. I absolutely love those styled photos on Instagram where people have books and cutting boards and vintage collections all arranged beautifully and make a kitchen so cozy. But that is not me or my… Read more: step twelve: countertops - step thirteen: small appliances
Confession: I do not own a toaster. Or an air fryer. Why? Because I don’t want to clean one. But I do own more coffee makers than one human should have. And a waffle maker that gets a LOT of… Read more: step thirteen: small appliances
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