National Clean Your Home Month, Aka NaClYoHo Or "Salty Pirates" Month, Is Soon To Be Upon Us!

*takes your face gently in my hands and looks sincerely into your eyes* listen. your home does not need to look like a showroom. homes are meant to be lived in, and that means a certain amount of mess. it's okay if there is clutter on your desk or if you don't remember the last time you cleaned your oven. mess is morally neutral. but at the same time, you deserve to live in an environment that is safe and comfortable, and that means someone has to clean sometimes. things like mold, spoiled food, and dirty litter boxes are genuine health hazards and need to be dealt with before they make someone sick. think of cleaning less as "my home needs to be completely spotless" and more as "I am an animal and I need a habitat that is free of hazardous material." it's okay. *kisses you on the forehead and tucks you into a blanket*

(and of course it is always acceptable and even good for you to ask someone else to help you with cleaning if it's physically or mentally difficult for you. even if you're paying them to do it.)

Tumblr I'm curious and need you to help me out. Please reblog so I can get a larger sample size.

CLEANING YOUR ROOM CHECKLIST ˒ ⊹ ݁ ִ  

@𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐄

desk

⬚ remove clutter from the surface (surface space isn’t storage🙅‍♀️)

⬚ wipe down desk surface

⬚ put things that don’t belong on your desk back in their homes

⬚ reorganize/redecorate surface space

⬚ remove any and all trash from desk drawers

⬚ assign each desk drawer with a purpose if your desk has multiple drawers (one drawer for school supplies, one for stationery, etc)

⬚ reorganize drawers

closet

⬚ pick up anything off your closet floor

⬚ decide what to keep and what to get rid of

⬚ organize; make sure clothes are hung and folded properly, organize by color, season, clothing type, etc.

dresser

⬚ clean the surface

⬚ go through and see what clothes to keep and discard

⬚ have a designated drawer for each article of clothing

⬚ properly fold and put away clothes

⬚ reorganize/redecorate surface

bed

⬚ wash sheets, blankets, & pillow cases

⬚ re-make bed

nightstand

⬚ clear surface and clean

⬚ decorate it in an intentional way (your night stand is right next to your bed, think about what you do and don’t want near you first thing in the morning and right before you end your day)

⬚ clean out drawer(s)

other

⬚ pick things up off the floor

⬚ remove all trash

⬚ empty out your trash bin

⬚ clean your windows

⬚ reassess what you want on your walls (do you need to put up or take down any posters? do you have a pegboard you need to redecorate?)

⬚ make a list of any new decor you think you should buy

some spring deep cleaning ideas for your apartment 🤍

today i’m focusing on deep cleaning my apartment because i completely forgot spring started on monday lol. my advice: always give your space a good deep clean at least 2-4x a month (or more, who cares) and always deep clean every season.

clean blinds

clean windows

sweep balconies

clean mirrors

organize under the sink (kitchen + bathroom)

clean inside drawers

move furniture and sweep/vacuum/mop underneath

strip wash your pillows

repaint over scratched walls + patch up holes

organize closet

mop inside the closet

laundry + fold and put away

change ac filter

change water filter (refrigerator)

pest control (i have it included in my rent but because i live in a semi-tropical environment, i do have crawlies come in sometimes so i buy my own pest control and make sure i place it inside and outside)

deep clean litter box

disinfect doorknobs and handles

clean makeup brushes

clean garbage cans and trash cans

wash bedding

dust ceiling fans

clean base of plant pots

wash/clean your sneakers

put your backpack in the laundry

throw away expired food

organize important papers

get rid of wasp nests outside

dishes

oven cleaning

clean garbage disposal

new air fresheners

fresh air from keeping windows open (turn cleaning fans on so the air can circulate)

wipe off computer, phone, tablet, and tv screens

scrub toilets and bathtubs/showers

put things back where they belong

spray and wipe off washer and dryer

sweep floors, then vacuum (i have hardwood all over my apartment and i still vacuum because it’s easier), then i mop (pine sol is amazing— i love the scent).

put in maintenance requests if needed

clean dryer vents

wash sofa cushions and pillow cases (even on throw pillows)

wash mildew off shower liner

get hair unclogged from drain

clean out your car

refill anything like pens, water bottles, etc.

steam clean carpets

have a professional come and clean rugs

clean welcome mat

replace lightbulbs if needed

toss, donate, and keep clothes in your closet and dressers

happy spring

wanted to share this v important pair of videos from this woman on ig that i absolutely adore, nottheworstcleaner/brogan! she does free deep cleans for people in really unfortunate situations after starting as a psychologist studying the connection between mental health and cleaning.

the first video here talks about the negative effects of cleaning being used as a punishment for children, and the second talks about how to start overcoming that as an adult. personally, it was really revelatory and validating to watch these videos, and they helped me understand another level of why i find it so hard to clean. like i said, i love this account, brogan is so non-judgmental and positive, and really dedicated to truly helping people (i know she’s on tiktok too but i don’t know her @)

anyway, i hope this information can be helpful to other people as well! remember that there’s no shame in finding it difficult to keep your space clean. if you have trouble, that means there’s something there that hasn’t been addressed and needs help, and that - not getting the support you need - is not your fault no matter what! healing is possible, always.

side note: i don’t have the spoons rn to transcribe these videos, if anyone does i would be so grateful 🙏

“[Housework] is undoubtedly a great blessing, too, because it keeps me sane, it forces me to live a regular life & is in general good for me although I curse it every day.”

— Ludwig Wittgenstein, “Letter to Lee Malcolm (5 June 1948)”

Elise Crombez by Helmut Newton

Displeased with the vacuum despite being the cause