A post by Thrifty Decor Chick got me thinking about how we keep our homes. I have always enjoyed cleaning, even as a child. My sister used to joke that I should have been born with a dustbuster attached to my hand.
That is a personal preference, rather than a standard I expect anyone else to meet. A friend’s tidy house or scattered toys do not change how I feel about being there.
The cleaning routine I enjoyed
At the time I wrote this, I vacuumed every day, mopped once or twice a week, and dusted once or sometimes twice a week. I pulled the couch out weekly to get the dust underneath and cleaned the toilets two or three times a week.
The vacuum standing in the room was an everyday sight. With two sons, my husband, and a black dog that shed, there was always something to do.
I took this kitchen photograph during an ordinary cleaning session. The bottle and cloth on the counter were there because I was using them, rather than setting up a photograph.
Clean surfaces did not mean everything was spotless
Although the house could look tidy, the windows and sills still had dust, webs, and dirt. Laundry was another matter entirely: I disliked it. Dirty socks also seemed to find their way around the house every day.
When the boys were little, we kept their toys in a large wicker chest in the family room. They took them out in the morning, spread them around, and played with friends. I wanted visitors to feel comfortable putting their feet up on the couch, too.
The cupboards I had not organized
I had been an office manager, with organization as one of my strengths. At home, the cupboards told a different story. These photographs show the dishes, containers, and papers that still needed attention.
Cleaning was something I liked doing, but that did not mean every closet or hidden corner was organized. We do not have to do everything the same way. I wanted our home to feel comfortable for our family and guests.
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