Housekeeping The 12-Minute Way (Revisited)

The 12-Minute Series was originally posted in 2012.

We’ve decided to republish it integrally because we believe it can still help as everyone aspires to make things better.

Let’s hope it stirs up the discussion and stimulates you to change the world 12-Minute at a time!

This article was originally posted on April 12, 2012

Living in a clean environment can contribute to your well-being and happiness but proper housekeeping takes time.

So, here are some 12-Minute Ideas to keep your house neat and tidy. Hope this helps make your home more peaceful, relaxing and inspiring.

Divide Your Home in 12 Distinct Areas and Adopt The Special-Room of The Week Approach 

After dividing your house in 12 Areas (or 12 Rooms), pay special attention to one specific area each week.

On top of your regular housekeeping routine, devote 12 Extra-Minute a Week to thoroughly clean and tidy up this special area. Hunt down all dust in that room; move some pieces of furniture if you have to. Be sure to clean up lamps, windows and behind doors.    

With this Special-Room Approach, your entire home will be deeply cleaned at least every 12 Weeks. You’ll also save precious time when spring cleaning comes around.

If you use a housekeeping service, also ask them to adopt this Privileged-Room Approach.

Free-Up Your Weekends

One of my goals is always to relax as much as possible on weekends. So, we plan to maintain our weekend free of housekeeping.

We like to do a little every day, so 12-Minute of housecleaning every weeknight works best for us. Each member of the family has daily chores.

Some people prefer to do it only once a week. An intense hour one night a week should do the trick for them. We call this housekeeping night and to whole family should be involved.

Laundry is another chore that can be done during week nights. A friend has laundry-and-movie night every Wednesday. That way, he frees up his weekend and other evenings.

Because of the kids, we have to do laundry more often. We usually do it twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. We try doing something fun while waiting: watch a movie, play board or video games... When the children were younger (and sleeping early), it was a great time to relax while reading a good book.

Another friend is into serious training and prefers the gym on weeknights. He does all his housework on Saturday morning.

Once A Week at Work

Try to schedule a little desk cleaning once a week at work.

Book 12-Minute at the end of a day or just after lunch, Wednesday or Friday afternoon are often a good fit. Change you mindset while you clear and wipe your desk, rearrange your files...

A regular quick cleanup will also help keep your ideas in order. You will be more efficient in a clean and clear environment.

Have Fun and Be Indulgent To Yourself

Let’s face it, there’s more interesting stuff out there than housekeeping. So concentrate on more pleasant activities and try to still have some fun while cleaning.

Don’t become a dust maniac. Forgive yourself if the house is not always sparkling clean. I learned to be more indulgent when we were blessed with our first child. It was still hard for a perfectionist like me.

But, remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect; you have more important priorities like your family to care about. A little dust won’t harm anyone (Hmm! Hmm! I said a little...).

So try not to make housekeeping such a hassle!

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