clean



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Cleaning isn't the most riveting pick for a topic. But it is more fun than cleaning.

I've combed the internet a time or three, looking for some type of source where I can draw motivation. Something that tells me constantly (and by constantly, I mean every 30 minutes) picking up toys and strewn dishes has a long term benefit to shaping my little son's personality. He'll be calmer, maybe? Improved concentration? More organized? Generally a more happy adult because he wasn't living in a sea of chaos as a toddler? There has to be a concrete reason behind the stay at home mom's daily cleaning scrimmages.

Nope. Nothing.


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I'm really proud when I can sit on my couch and present Matt and Carter with an uncluttered, wiped down, put away house. But you know what? I'm not really sure they care one way or another about where things are, folded laundry or clean surfaces. Feed them a big bowl of salted edamame on the couch, surrounded by clutter, and everyone's happy. (I never said we ate normal things.)

The only real benefit to cleaning that I've been able to nail down is my own sanity. And a lot of days, with Carter running circles around me, my own sanity doesn't even seem worth fighting for. When my line of vision flows past clear countertops and empty floors, I can focus. I can hug my husband a little longer. I can sit under a blanket with Carter and read a book with endless patience and enthusiasm. But things become undone just as fast as they're done. It literally makes me dizzy.

I've met moms who openly admit to always dressing the entire family from wrinkly laundry piles and never, ever picking up toys. Nope, not even after bedtime. Sometimes the extreme appalls me a little, but I find it really comforting to hear other people say it's okay to just let go and focus on playing with the baby. Just because the house is horrendous doesn't mean I"m failing. Especially if there's a smile on Carter's face. There've been a lot of days when we've rummaged through a pile of clean laundry to get dressed.

I can admit that most of the mess is caused by me. I fix Carter a snack, then rush to give it to him as soon as the peanut butter hits the banana. I leave everything strewn on the counter while I'm on to my next task, persuading him to try it.

I rush to get dressed and leave clothes on the floor, because once it registers with Carter that we're about to leave the house, he brings me my shoes. I have less than a minute until a toddler meltdown if we're not out the door. I know keeping up with it all is probably as easy as slowing down and verbally reminding myself to put things back in their places. (Lesson #167 from Things to learn about Toddlers: Boy, do they rush you.)

I created benefits to putting away toys every night by hiding them around the house in different spots. I toss a giant ball or truck in Carter's favorite kitchen cabinet. I place little animal figurines inside the seat of his fire truck or pots and pans. Small, fun objects in his shoes. Happening upon a toy in an unexpected place makes his day less mundane. I love hearing the little Oh woah! from across the kitchen. It's like practicing for Christmas Eve all year long.

If nothing else, I try to vacuum every night. It doesn't have to be thorough or even make it to the edges of the walls. Fresh vacuum lines in the carpet bring peace and completeness at night as I sit and quietly blog. I like the feeling of waking up in the morning and being able to pull Carter from his crib and present him with a sense of freshness to his new day - whether he really notices the floors or not, I like to think he feels the cleanness.


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A few of my cleaning favs.






Lysol Dual Action Complete Clean Wipes (Crisp Linen scent). These are moist and have a rough side and a smooth side. The rough side works better at scrubbing dried gunk on my stovetop than sponges I've used.












Scotch Brite Greener Clean Sponges. Built to be sterilized in the dishwasher and reused!












Febreeze Vacuum Bags. My house fills with a pretty, clean scent every time I vacuum.















Swiffer Wet Jet. This is such a quick, easy way to get the floor clean. And I love the scent.



20 comments:

  1. I sooo know how you feel. And some good advice I have had is get the toddler to help. It works... Sometimes. =)

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  2. one of my favorite quotes of all times, "good moms have sticky ovens, dirty floors and happy kids"

    dirty up with the best of us ;0) {and this coming from a self proclaimed neat freak}.

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  3. Another great cleaning tool that will clean virtually ANYTHING, regardless of how long it has been sitting there is a Mr.Clean Magic Eraser!

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  4. Doesn't vacuuming work wonders? I'm so much happier when things aren't sticking to my feet. Now if only I could get the dog to stop ripping out the cat's fur when they wrestle around! Oh and have you tried Mr. Clean Magic Erasers? They really are magic. We have white trim in the house so they get grungy quick & it cleans in one swipe where I'd have to scrub with a washcloth. Plus kitchen counters are a dream to clean too!
    Umm now that I sound like an infomercial I'll be going, haha!

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  5. They lysol wipes are my biggest fave these days. They are such a fresh touch to a counter when I am in a hurry! My gal loves the vacuum too!!

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  6. Meghan, have you heard of Scentsy? I sell it, and it is the perfect touch to the end of your cleaning... it's a safe wickless candle (it's a light bulb instead of a flame). I noticed how you said you like the febreeze vacuum bags because it makes your house smell pretty. I think you'd LOVE Scentsy! You can check out my website: www.staciegrahn.scentsy.ca

    I LOVE Magic Erasers as well :)

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  7. @Stacie thanks for the suggestion, stacie, i'm going to check it out! i'm a huge fan of pretty scents! my husband claims to be a magic eraser fan, too. i haven't tried it.

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  8. @Casey Martinez the scrubbing ones are awesome! i got some on sale with coupons for 50 cents per container last month :)

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  9. @Cat haha i kinda felt like an infomercial talking about products too!
    my husband got a magic eraser sample and used it to clean the crayon off the tub, he loved it. i haven't tried it yet. i want to now though.

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  10. @Anonymous ok, with all these magic eraser comments, i've got to try it!

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  11. @nicole. i like that quote too, i pinned it on pinterest :) i WANT to be a neat freak. i'm bad at it. hehe

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  12. @Camilleta awesome advice! i have gotten his help here and there, it's astounding having him work with me instead of against me. you never really realize these things are possible until it happens.

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  13. I think you have the right idea, Life is so much more important than a spotless home, you have great focus! When Carter (or any other child) looks back at his childhood, he is never going to remember clutter - He think of good memories like you mentioned before.

    Just a note: I use all Norvex products. It's worth looking into (ask around), I promise they are the best!

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  14. send him on over to our house, :)

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  15. Girl, you have gotta get yourself a Dyson! If you think you like cleaning now, just wait!

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  16. Hey!! Check out the giveaway I am hosting for a chance to win some awesome Boudreaux's Products: http://kellyandlincoln.blogspot.com/2011/07/boudreauxs-butt-paste-review-and.html

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  17. I have to say my husband is opposite, he DOES notice clutter, and gets all bitchy about it lol

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  18. Google FLYLADY... 15 mins a day and your house will be awesome! :-)

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  19. Love the lysol wipes too! I just discovered them! Love how you list your faves. I always enjoyed your youtube fave videos.

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  20. oh my gosh you are the cutest thing ever! I stumbled across your youtube channel. We follow each other on Twitter but I haven't been able to comment on your blog for some reason. My blog has been screwey lately. You have the cutest little family ever. I wish you guys the best of luck on your journey to baby #2!

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