Cleaning Schedule

One of my goals for 2013 was to follow a cleaning schedule and have a somewhat neat and organized house. I feel so much better when things are organized--and was so sick of living in clutter!  I am hoping this schedule will make life so much simpler for many reasons.
1. Things will get done when they need done. They won't get neglected or skipped and I won't waste my time "over cleaning" other areas.
2. My husband will know how exactly to help on days when he is around. He is great at following a list and horrible at just knowing what needs done.
3. I function so much better with to-do lists. Gives me obtainable goals and spells out exactly what needs done!
4. No more frantic cleaning because the house has gotten "out of hand."

So here is the schedule I came up with:

 Cleaning Schedule

Daily:
1. Load of Laundry- fold and put away
2. Pick up toys and clutter
3. Wipe off stove and disinfect counters
4. Vacuum
5. Sort Mail
6. Spot Clean floor
7. Make Beds
Monday:  

1. Wash kitchen floor

2.      Wipe out microwave
3.      Clean out fridge for old food
4.      Polish sink
Tuesday:
1. Clean Toilet
2. Clean Mirror and Sink
3. Spray Tub Down
4. Change Towels
5. Scrub Floors
Wednesday:
1. Dust common area furniture
2. Clean Glass doors
3. Clean TV
4. Steam Mop hardwood floors
5. Shop Vac under Furniture
Thursdays:
1. Change Bedding
2. Organize Drawers/Closets
3. Dust Dressers
4. Dust computer
5. Pay Bills
6. File and shred paper
Friday:
1. Clean Mirror and Sink
2. Scrub Tub Down
3. Change Towels
4. Take out bathroom trash
Deep Cleaning Tasks:
Week One:
1. Organize Pantry
2. Wipe off cabinets
3. Wipe out fridge
4. Wash Kitchen and bathroom rugs
5. Dust top of fridge
6. Clean oven
Week Two:
1.  Disinfect door handles and light switches
2.  Dust Ceiling fans and light fixtures
3.  Wipe down kitchen canisters and counter appliances
4.  Clean out cars
Week Three:
1. Clean Windows
2. Vacuum Vents
3. Vacuum Inside Furniture
4. Disinfect garbage cans
5. Clean door track 
Week Four:
1. Wash/Bleach Shower Curtain
2. Wipe down walls and moldings
3. Clean washing machine
4. Wipe down blinds

    Ahh one step closer to a cleaner house! (as long as I stick to it!) I plan on printing it and laminating it and then keeping it handy in a handy place with a dry erase marker! 

Do you follow a cleaning schedule at your house? Do you think it really helps keep the house in order??

Bubble Beanie

In 2012 I learned to crochet--I picked it up really easily and it has been a great hobby to have. I learned on youtube and I am not entirely convinced I do everything "correctly"...I actually am pretty sure I crochet backwards?? Oh well, it gets the job done! I like crocheting because it gives me something to do to pass the time when K is on overnight trips and after Lainey has gone to bed. I picked up the hobby to make my own photography props but have taken a few orders from people. I buy patterns, find free patterns but I also experiment a lot with making my own creations or replicating something I see but can't find a pattern for. Yesterday I was playing around and came up with a technique for a hat that I ended up really enjoying.

I am going to attempt to write a tutorial (hopefully I will not step on anyone's toes doing this---I haven't seen a pattern for this hat)-- I am not a pattern writer. I have only made this hat in newborn size. I also tend to crochet pretty tightly.

I used a size K hook and regular worsted weight yarn.

Gauge 4 HDC= 1 inch

Pattern is worked in rounds and is not joined together; use stitch marker if necessary 

Newborn Bubble Beanie

To Start: Chain 2-- 6 HDC in second chain

Round 1: 2 HDC in each stitch (12 HDC)

Round 2:  *1 HDC in first stitch, 2 HDC in second stitch.* Repeat from * to *  until the beginning of round. (18HDC)

Round 3:  *1 HDC in the first 2 stitches, 2 HDC in third stitch.*  Repeat from * to * until the beginning of round.(24 HDC)

Round 4:  *1 HDC in first 3 stitches, 2 HDC in 4th stitch.* Repeat from * to * until the beginning of round. (30HDC)

Round 5: *1 HDC in first 4 stitches, 2 HDC in 5th stitch*  Repeat from * to * until the beginning of round. (36 HDC) 

This is where I stopped to make a newborn size hat. If you want to increase the size, continue with a similar increase pattern. Your next round would have 42 stitches, 48, 54, 60, etc. To figure out how big to make your base simple take the diameter and multiple it by pi (3.14). Mine was slightly over 4 inches. 4 x .3.14 = 12.56. This hat has plenty of stretch. 

After you reach desired size:

Round 6:  In first HDC *SC, DC, DC skip 2 stitches* Repeat from * to * until the beginning to the round 

Round 7:  In first SC *SC, DC, DC* skip to next SC and repeat * to * until the beginning of round.

Repeat Round 8 until desired height. 

Ending round:  Chain one. SC around. Join to the beginning stitch and fasten off. 

Follow more of my crochet projects here: https://www.facebook.com/totallytangledcrochet

You may sell items made from this tutorial, but please credit me and link back to this blog. 

The shamrock pattern was found here: http://sarahndipities.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-tuesday-crocheted-shamrock.html