Welcome to the base of New Cotton Blend, where chaos meets coffee stains and a touch of toddler fingerprints—yes, it’s the home of a busy, working mom! As a perpetual juggler of schedules, to-do lists, and mommy duties, maintaining a clean home has become overwhelming, exhausting, and expensive! I’m constantly on the lookout for time-effective ways to keep my home in order without losing my mind in the process. Lucky for me, I have a sister who seems to have cracked the code to maintaining a pristine household amidst the chaos of daily life. Stephanie’s allowed me to share some of her tried-and-true, sanity saving tips on maintaining a clean living space. Join me on this journey as Stephanie & I explore efficient and manageable ways to declutter and clean—because let’s face it, a tidy home is the secret sauce to a balanced and blissful life, even in the midst of the daily whirlwind.
SHOP STEPHANIE’S AMAZON CLEANING ESSENTIALS HERE
Sanity Saving Tips #1: THE 15-MINUTE TIDY
First on the list is the power of the 15-Minute Tidy. My sister swears by this quick and efficient approach to keeping things in check. Set a timer for just 15 minutes at the start of each day to tackle a specific area or task. Whether it’s clearing off the kitchen counters, loading the dishwasher, or conquering a toilet that needs scrubbing, this bite-sized burst of cleaning can make a world of difference without overwhelming your schedule.
Sanity Saving Tip #2: THE ONE YEAR RULE
Next up, the decluttering mantra: “If you haven’t used it in a year, or it doesn’t bring you joy, let it go.” Stephanie advocates for regularly evaluating possessions and parting ways with items that no longer serve a purpose or spark joy. This not only keeps the house clutter-free but also creates a more serene and organized living space.
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Sanity Saving Tips #3: NAP TIME POWER HOUR
The third gem in her cleaning crown is utilizing nap time. A golden opportunity for every parent to transform chaos into calm. As the house falls into a temporary hush, Stephanie challenges mom’s to turn nap time into the ultimate cleaning power hour. While the little one dreams away, tackle tasks that require both hands or demand a bit of concentration. Fold a load of laundry, wipe down surfaces, or tackle bigger projects like vacuuming or mopping.
Sanity Saving Tip #4: THE FAB FIVE TOOLS
In the grand dance of daily chores, having the right tools can make all the difference between a mundane task and a satisfying win over mess. I asked Stephanie “If she could only have 5 cleaning tools, what would they be?” Enter the Fab Five, the unsung heroes of Stephanie’s cleaning arsenal. First up, Windex—the secret to a streak-free shine. Next, the versatile Mr. Clean All-Purpose Cleaner, a true multitasker for tackling kitchen spills, bathroom grime, and everything in between. No cleaning tool-kit is complete without the third item of the fab five – Dawn Dish Soap, an integral mixer for many DIY cleaning solutions. Enter number four of the fab five – the magic of Vinegar, conquer stubborn stains and leave surfaces sparkling. Last but certainly not least, the Scrub Daddy Sponge—because its both firm and soft for various jobs, and Stephanie’s words exactly “it’s got a smiley face, so it makes me happy”. She didn’t mention these in the top five, but her Wet Vacuum, and Hoover carpet cleaner, are some of my personal favorites.
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Sanity Saving Tip #5: THE HOLY GRAIL DIY CLEANING SOLUTION
Per the expert, Stephanie – this works on mold, mildew, stains, showers, countertops, stainless steel, windows, JUST ABOUT ANYTHING – her holy grail DIY cleaning solution. Equal parts: Vinegar, Dawn dish soap, Mr. Clean All Purpose Cleaner, and a splash of lemon juice and baking soda!
TO WRAP UP
So, there you have it—my sister’s tried-and-true house cleaning tips that have saved my sanity while giving me a framework for a clean home! Give them a go, and who knows, you might just find yourself enjoying the cleaning process as much as the end result!
Meet the brains behind these sparkling spaces secrets – Stephanie! Head to my Instagram to view the reel of Stephanie introducing her home cleaning faves.
An immense THANK YOU to Stephanie teaching me how to clean efficiently and deeply, and putting in hours of effort cleaning my own home! You go girl, and I’m forever jealous I didn’t inherit the cleaning gene like you did!
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