Did you jot down some New Year's resolutions this year? In case you are lazy, aka a slacker, like myself, I didn't necessarily commit to any. Instead, I made realistic goals that are centered around the home.
I wanted my household goals to be attainable. No cleaning out the gutters or re-tiling the bathtub. These are the lazy person's version to New Year's resolutions.
- Wash the dishes more often My apartment doesn't have a dishwasher so I handwash dishes. I don't mind doing this, but after a long day of work, scrubbing cereal bowls isn't on the top of my list. Glasses, pots, pans, and cutlery seem to overflow in my sink after a few days. I need to make more of an effort to get things washed right away to avoid that pile up.
- Dust ceiling fan monthly I know this is gross, but I don't clean my ceiling fan very often. In fact, I only dusted it once in 2011. I'm short and don't like standing on chairs. Lame? Yes, but it's been my excuse for years. I resolve to cleaning it on a monthly basis to avoid sheets of thick, cakey dust....and sneezing!
- Don't use the dining room table as my extended purse I tend to dump my mail, books, home work, laptop, magazines, dayplanner, receipts, and other contents of my handbag on my dining table. After two days, it's covered with junk. I want to be more diligent about staying organized and put things where they belong. And maybe, just maybe, use the dining table for its intended purpose.
- Follow through on DIY projects I love going to the flea markets. I love a deal. I love finding treasures. All in all, I buy a lot of thrifted goods--all with the intention of cleaning them up and finding them a new home. However, I've yet to actually strip and refinish that credenza or remove pesky rust from those industrial lockers. So instead of hoarding these DIY projects in my entry way, I'd like to complete at least one refurb in the near future.
- Complete my salon wall I love a gallery wall. It's a great way to display your personal treasures in a visually appealing way. I've started one in my stairwell that wraps into my bedroom. I've got a few prints, mirrors, and paintings up, but I want to keep going...
MORE NEW YEAR POSTS ON APARTMENT THERAPY
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• Resolution Revolution: Setting Intentions for a New Year
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Comments (18)
how to clean the ceiling fan only once - Spray anti-static, dust-repelling spray onto a clean microfiber dusting cloth. Use commercial anti-static spray, or make your own w/ 1 part fabric softener (liquid) to 4 parts water. Mix this in a spray bottle and spray it on the cloth (Also removes wallpaper)
Eeeek, that photo is scary. Love that the dishwasher is RIGHT THERE.
That's actually a big list, to me. I would go with something like, "wash the breakfast bowls before going to work," and see how far I got. :-)
I think that's my little sister's university house kitchen. I'm not even kidding. For real. Gross.
Have children. There are too many dishes not to do them EVERY day (laundry too). You can't clutter up the kitchen table since it is a dining space, homework spot, art studio, train table, etc... No time for thrifted projects so you buy them one at a time and skip the rest until you get it done! And photo walls take care of themselves since children are forever being photographed at school, soccer, birthdays and the rest.
this looks like
the beginning
of a
hoarders kitchen
Good ideas, but yeah I think you'll do better to be more specific. Tie it to something you do every day in the kitchen, like maybe waiting on coffee to brew, or popcorn in the microwave. Do whatever amount of dishes you can in that time frame every time you are in the kitchen, instead of trying to convince yourself to do it all at one time.
Try washing dishes after every meal so you do not get overwhelmed. You will get the satisfaction of your kitchen always looking neat.Dish washing will also be easier since you will not have to deal with dried-on food crud.I try to wash dishes will I am cooking, For example while waiting for the pasta to boil, I will wash the cutting board I use for the vegetables etc. Good Luck.
I grew up learning from my Mom that the best thing is to wash pots, dishes and utensils while cooking. There's a lot of time between waiting for things to heat up on the stove, etc. I've never, ever left it all for the end of the meal and it's never been a problem.
This is a health hazard. Save your pennies and replace that dishwasher. Till then wash your dishes and the rest of the kitchen and get organized. Do you brush your teeth, do you bathe. It's doable, just do it.
Mine is to stop leaving stuff that needs to be rinsed & recycled in the kitchen sink for a week. Actually I should be doing that now, but instead I'm looking for inspiration for a 220 sq foot apartment I may be moving into soon. :D
@1952Rancher:
Have children just to have a cleaner home? Thanks, but I think I'll pass. ;)
re: The dining room table. Have a specific, alternative space for all that stuff or it's going to be hard not to use it.
regarding the dining table thing...maybe don't have your dining table so close to the door =P but really...make yourself a landing strip like AT has been recommending for years.
about the dishes, I'm terrible at them and my kitchen looked like this last night. the best cure i've had is to put a mirror in front of the kitchen sink and have my husband sit in the dining room and fold laundry. we can still look at each other while chatting and it gives us some 'us' time, even if it's not really personal.
also...diy projects are always on my 'to do' list. maybe the resolution should be 'stop lurking diy sites and giving yourself ideas that you will want to start but feel guilty not finishing'.
Unfortunately, that's my kitchen (and I have 2 dishwashers).
Washing the dishes every day was my goal for 2011, and I'm pretty proud of myself for (mostly) sticking to it. It took a while to change my attitude from "there's not that many dishes and/or I just don't feel like doing them; as long as they're not too gross I'll leave them another day" to "there's not that many dishes, I'll do them now while it's not a big job", but after 12 months it's become a new habit and I don't feel right going to bed until they're done.
Goal for 2012: don't use the couch as my extended purse! (Actually this was also a goal last year and I failed miserably, but maybe now I've got the dishes under control...)
@KimberlyK I wish I'd had your wisdom!
Cut down on your kitchenware. Dishes, silverware, pots and pans. That way you won't be tempted to just get a clean one, you have to wash the few you have.
I'm a massive tea drinker (conforming to the British cliche) and so while the kettle boils I do some washing up, as I have a super slow kettle it normally only takes a couple of cups till I get rid of even a huge pile and I've not had to take time away from any other activities (other than the constant browsing of my own tea shelf). Silly tip - works wonders.