Care to join me?

[hwmabire3]

Today I'm going to do "top of the hour" or TOTH cleaning. I'm going to do one 15-minute task at the beginning of each hour, starting at 9AM(central time, 10AM eastern, etc.) and going until 4PM(central). If anyone else would like to join, I'll post each task on here so that we can all do them together throughout the day today.

If you're interested in joining in, please post, otherwise I won't take up any room on the board...no need to post challenges to myself, LOL.

This should be fun, and our house will be cleaner at the end of it!

[Ceashels]

That sounds like fun, but I have errands to run today that may make me miss a TOTH task. I would look forward to doing this though.

[Jamauk]

oh, oh, oh - I need this! I'm in!

I surface cleaned yesterday because we had a showing, but trust me - my house is far from perfect!

[Ceashels]

So what is the first task? I'll be home for this hour.

[hwmabire3]

5 minute challenge #1:

Set a timer for 15 minutes and GO!

We're starting in the kitchen. Load or unload your dishwasher(whichever you need to do) and give your kitchen floor a quick sweep. If you have time left over, give the counters a quick swipe with a wet sponge or rag.

If you don't have a dishwasher, then fill the sink with hot soapy water and let the dirty dishes soak. You can sweep the kitchen floor and wipe the counters while the sink is filling up

[Ceashels]

this is a great incentive for me, thank you for starting it. I have the dishwasher and floor done which is nice. But 15 mins is my limit and I'm out of breath. LOL

[hwmabire3]

this is a great incentive for me, thank you for starting it. I have the dishwasher and floor done which is nice. But 15 mins is my limit and I'm out of breath. LOL

That's great! You're not supposed to go over 15 minutes anyway. I guess I forgot to mention that. Kudos on making progress!

[Jamauk]

DONE! This is exactly what I needed today! Thanks!

[hwmabire3]

Okay, time for the next challenge

#2: Moving along to the living area, your living room or family room.
You’ll need
a trash bag,
a box (or some other large container)
a laundry basket (or some other kind of large container)

Do as much of this as you can in 15 minutes:
Put all the trash in the trash bag.
Put anything that doesn’t belong in the living room into the box. shoes, toys, etc.
Finally, put all the clothes into the laundry basket.
If you have time left over, dust your ceiling fan

When the timer goes off, STOP! Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.

[Ali Lee]

Forget that cleaning...I want to hold that beautiful baby!!!

[hwmabire3]

Forget that cleaning...I want to hold that beautiful baby!!!

LOL, thanks.

#3: Now we’re in the bathroom.

Do as much of this as you can in 15 minutes:
Put all the dirty clothes and towels into your laundry basket
Put all the trash into a trash bag
Put anything that doesn’t belong in the bathroom into the box
Give the inside of the toilet bowl a quick scrub (30 seconds, MAX) with a toilet brush
Wipe down the sink and counters
If you still have time left over, go through your medicine cabinet and check the expiration dates on everything. Toss anything that is out of date.

When the timer goes off, STOP! Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.

[hwmabire3]

#4: This challenge is for the master bedroom:

Do as much of this as you can in 15 minutes. You can do it!
Make the bed (2 or 3 minutes, TOPS)
Put all the dirty clothes in your laundry basket or in a hamper
Put all the trash in your trash bag
Put anything that doesn’t belong in the bedroom into the box you have from earlier
If there are any clean clothes lying around, either fold them and put them away or hang them up in the closet
If you still have time left after all this, straighten whatever is on your nightstand and dresser.

Again, when the timer goes off, STOP! You don’t have to finish today, you just have to make progress.

[hwmabire3]

#5: Back in the kitchen:

Again, only do what you can get done in 15 minutes:
If you put dishes in the sink to soak, go ahead and wash them
For the rest of you:
Wipe down the stovetop with some cleaner and a rag or paper towel
Wipe down the outside of your appliances, big and small. (Do NOT do anything to the insides)
If you still have time to spare, spot mop the floor with a wet rag or dishcloth

[hwmabire3]

#6: Now, we’ll tackle the first places that guests and your family see when they come to your home, the front porch and entrance areas.

Only do what you can in 15 minutes:
Sweep your front porch and steps, if you have any.
Shake out the indoor and outdoor welcome mats.
Wipe both sides of your front door(s) with the appropriate cleaner (Windex if it’s glass, dusting spray if it’s wood, etc.)
If you still have time left over, take some all purpose cleaner or Windex and wipe the light switch plate. (It’s amazing how nasty those things get!)

[hwmabire3]

#7: Second bedroom or second bathroom, do whichever needs it the most – spend only 15 minutes

For the bedroom:
Make the bed (2 or 3 minutes, TOPS)
Put all the dirty clothes in your laundry basket or in a hamper
Put all the trash in your trash bag
Put anything that doesn’t belong in the bedroom into the box you have from earlier
If there are any clean clothes lying around, either fold them and put them away or hang them up in the closet
If you still have time left after all this, straighten whatever is on your nightstand and dresser.

OR

For the bathroom:
Put all the dirty clothes and towels into your laundry basket
Put all the trash into a trash bag
Put anything that doesn’t belong in the bathroom into the box
Give the inside of the toilet bowl a quick scrub (30 seconds, MAX) with a toilet brush
Wipe down the sink, counters and mirror
If you still have time left over, go through your medicine cabinet and check the expiration dates on everything. Toss anything that is out of date.

When the timer goes off, STOP! Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection