I had SO much fun reading your cleaning tips on the post about my new Daily Chore Calendar.  Here are just a few of the tips from the comments section:

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  • Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats keeps a Swiffer sweeper behind her bathroom door and quickly cleans up the hair that ends up on the floor after blow-drying

 

 

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday does a quick once-over when the bathroom sink starts to get messy.  “I clean the sink with a rag, and then I use the rag to  wipe down the counters, dust the toilet seat, and clean the rim (in that order). Then I’ll go over the inside of the toilet bowl with the toilet brush.”  Tada!

 

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats said, “I think my parents had a really good idea for getting us to clean when we were kids… Saturday mornings, we would wake up to Carly Simon or Led Zeppelin blaring on their stereo and we’d have a dance party (i.e. they’d make us clean). Except now I associate James Taylor with Windex and Pinesol.”

 

 

 

  • RhodeyGirl said, “I dedicate 10 intense minutes of cleaning daily. It’s amazing what can get done in 10 minutes!”  Laura also uses a similar method.  She said, “What has been working best for me is the Pomodoro method…in short – you put aside a block of time and focus only on the task at hand. Every night, I set my timer to 20 minutes and clean as much as possible for 20 minutes. Once it rings, I stop what I am doing and don’t feel guilty about not cleaning. Its pretty crazy how much you can accomplish when you are on the clock!”

 

  • Wendy said, “Another thing that really helps me stay on track with cleaning is to have daily morning and evening routines that include washing dishes and switching the laundry. I have them typed up and keep them in a sheet protector and I can check things off with a dry erase marker as I get them done.”

 

Clean on, my friends!  Clean on.

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Shiny floors make me happy. 

 

Let’s see – beyond reading your awesome tips, I got a lot of work done today!  I’ve reached an epic point in my book-writing process – I’ve written over 115 pages (in Word).  Very, very exciting.  I have a lot of writing to do still, but it’s nice to know that I’m slowly wrapping up my third book (it will be a healthy living / recipe book and will be released next spring!). 

 

I took a break to swim laps and practice my flip turns:

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I did about 1200 meters.  I’m working up to 1500 meters because I’m thinking about signing up for an Olympic triathlon in a few weeks!

 

Most of my grub was pretty standard/boring today (well, except for an amaaaazing marshmellow dream bar at Starbucks), but lunch was standout.   

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Please try the combo of refried beans and goat cheese ASAP.  Truly mouthwatering – the perfect combo of creamy and salty.

 

With some steamed greens on the side:

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Mmm mmm. 

 

Have a wonderful evening!

{ 56 comments }

 

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 19, 2011, 8:18 pm

    I really like the idea of putting yourself “on the clock” with cleaning. I might try out setting the timer for 20 minutes and seeing what I can accomplish.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 19, 2011, 8:18 pm

    Whoa! I got to get cleaning NOw. Hah 🙂 Great tips, thanks for sharing!!

    ANd I say that is FABulous that you might be signing up for an olympic tri—too cool 🙂 I am totally going to try the refried bean + goat cheese. oH, and you should try beans and Greek yogurt, that stuff is the bomb!!

  • Lauren July 19, 2011, 8:21 pm

    LOVE the swiffer idea! That is a good one because over the corse of a week, I swear the bathroom floor collects enough of my hair to make a wig.

  • Claire July 19, 2011, 8:25 pm

    Schedules are awesome and I’m glad that people who are into cleaning have found systems that make them happier. Just thought I’d throw out there that there’s another way that has worked well for me. Stop obsessing about everything being clean. I draw a distinction between “in your head dirty” and “hygienically gross.” I’ve noticed that it’s women who are largely obsessed with a certain level of cleanliness (although some guys too!) that is much more at the “in your head dirty” level and it is therefore women who end up spending tens of hours of their week cleaning. I’ve worked to adopt my boyfriend’s “I don’t see anything dirty here” attitude and keep a more relaxed level of cleanliness. It’s kind of along the lines of “work clothes do not need to be washed every time you wear them; nor do workout clothes.”

    • Caitlin July 19, 2011, 10:00 pm

      Good point!!! I agree that I care more about tidiness than 100% sanitized. 🙂

  • Julia July 19, 2011, 8:30 pm

    I’m a tad inspired to clean now. I’ve been putting it off for awhile now, but maybe tonight will be the night!

  • Jen July 19, 2011, 8:35 pm

    I would never think to pair refried beans with goat cheese, but I’m definitely not a girl to knock down an odd food combination without giving it a shot first! I have a can of organic refried beans in my kitchen (do you use Amy’s too?), but I don’t have any goat cheese at the moment. Luckily, TJ’s is right across the street! I’ll try this soon! Your simple meals always look like they have the perfect combination of flavors. 🙂

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 19, 2011, 8:43 pm

    I do keep our house pretty tidy and I do most of the actual cleaning on the weekends. I actually kind of enjoy it though.

    I love refried beans — with or without goat cheese!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss July 19, 2011, 8:45 pm

    I’m horrible at cleaning. Seriously, I’m like a walking tornado. Fortunately I found a guy that cleans for fun. 😛

  • Danielle @ FoodosaurusRex July 19, 2011, 8:49 pm

    Your flip turns look great!! I remember when I first learned how to use them, it was so intimidating. But eventually it became second nature, and it looks like you’re well on your way 🙂 Once you feel comfortable getting the flip down, try to keep your arms straight instead of using them to flip you over – you’ll save time and energy!

  • Victoria (District Chocoholic) July 19, 2011, 8:55 pm

    Flip turns are awesome. In a month, you’ll have no idea what you did without them.

    I hope your knee is all good for the run of an Olympic tri because I think you could totally smoke what you did before? Which one are you looking at? Please say Luray :). It’s close to you!

  • sharon July 19, 2011, 9:01 pm

    Caitlin I love your blog! You are such an inspiration. I’m new to blogging and can’t seem to find where to follow you on your page. Please let me know. Thank you
    You can follow me at:
    http://Myp90xjourney55.blogspot.com

  • Hillary July 19, 2011, 9:33 pm

    I love Erin’s idea—that’s how I push myself through cleaning, too! Lots and lots of music (although no James Taylor) ; )

  • Jacalyn July 19, 2011, 9:38 pm

    I’m pretty sure any cleaning tip of mine would start with a dose of Ritalin. I am soooo super ADD when it comes to cleaning. I start to dust the living room, then see magazines I need to put away, then start to cleaning the toilet and then do a load of laundry… before I know it… I haven’t cleaned one room fully, but did a little something to every room. So frustrating.

  • Katie @ Life... Discombobulated July 19, 2011, 10:08 pm

    I forgot to leave my #1 cleaning tip on the last post!
    The one place that gets the dirtiest in my house is the kitchen! So, while dinner cooks, I use the 10-20 minutes to speed clean the kitchen. I go to bed every night with a clean kitchen. It’s awesome. 🙂

    • Stephanie C July 20, 2011, 1:48 am

      This is my mother’s method and she is a huge clean freak (in a good way :)!

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga July 19, 2011, 10:13 pm

    I love the cleaning tips! I clean my shower, i.e I spray it down with Method shower cleaner, after I am done showering, almost every time. Take a scrubbie brush for literally 5 to 10 seconds and scrub the shower floor. It saves it from ever getting gross and needing much more than the 10 seconds worth of cleaning I do. Works for me 🙂

  • Katherine July 19, 2011, 10:15 pm

    I love the picture of you turning 🙂

  • Charlie July 19, 2011, 10:27 pm

    The marshmallow dream bar is SO good!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed July 19, 2011, 10:47 pm

    I love the cleaning tips! I like the idea of spending 10 or 20 minutes a day… not that long but long enough to make a difference! I need to recruit the boyfriend hehe.

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 7:06 am

      The husband was there and he took them!

      • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 7:08 am

        Wronnng comment. LOL

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing July 19, 2011, 10:50 pm

    Great tips! I’m so bad about letting chores pile and pile up until I just can’t take it anymore!

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair July 19, 2011, 11:10 pm

    OK. How did you get those awesome flip turn photos????

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 7:08 am

      The husband was there and he took them! 🙂

      • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair July 20, 2011, 2:21 pm

        Haha OK, that makes sense 🙂 I’m thinking “wow Caitlin is getting really good with her self-timer” Hahaha

  • Mary July 20, 2011, 12:36 am

    All these cleaning posts are making me want to clean! Thanks!

  • Jacqueline July 20, 2011, 12:36 am

    Are you using a book writing software program? I’m also writing a book and using Jer’s Novel Writer. It keeps everything nice and organized.

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 7:09 am

      No! I wish I had known about that. I’m just using Word.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) July 20, 2011, 1:26 am

    When I have something in the microwave or oven, I wash dishes while I’m waiting. Even if I’m only cooking oats for 3 minutes, it really helps ease the load!

  • Amilia July 20, 2011, 2:32 am

    Caitlin, does it wrong to bring chicken and have part of meal at a vegetarian shop (not high-end restaurant). Somehow I feel guilthy doing that.
    thanks

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 7:09 am

      I don’t know it’s it “wrong” but I’m sure the restaurant doesn’t want anyone bringing in any outside food at all, vegetarian or not! I would ask them first.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 20, 2011, 3:32 am

    Refried beans and goat cheese sounds INCREDIBLE. Especially if the beans were really hot and the goat cheese got all melty – mmmmmmmmmm!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness July 20, 2011, 3:37 am

    So fantastic! What a milestone! 😀 I cannot wait to read your book. Literally, so excited! 🙂 And dude…Olympic Triathlon?! Sweeeeet! xyx

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over July 20, 2011, 3:41 am

    Can’t wait for your book Caitlin! 🙂

  • Khushboo July 20, 2011, 3:53 am

    I’m yet to find something goat cheese doesnt pair well with 😉

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 7:10 am

      Hahah, true.

  • Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers July 20, 2011, 6:05 am

    Oooooo goat cheese… drooool

    Thanks for sharing the tips.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 20, 2011, 8:05 am

    I need to keep some of these tips in mind when I move into my new apartment in September. I really want to keep it clean, unlike my last place. 😛

  • Verna July 20, 2011, 8:12 am

    We have a little cordless, hand vacuum that we use ALL THE TIME!! With a toddler, they kitchen floor almost always has crumbs on it, so every other day at the most, I’ll vacuum up under the cupboards, the dust bunnies in the corners, and all the hair that accumulates on the bathroom floor. Really makes a big difference.

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 8:52 am

      That’s a good tip. I want a cordless mini vac!

  • Heather July 20, 2011, 8:20 am

    all these cleaning tips are totally inspiring me.

  • Savannah(Sweet and Savvy) July 20, 2011, 8:32 am

    Sooo excited for your new book!!:)

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 8:52 am

      Thank you 🙂

  • Molly @ RDexposed July 20, 2011, 8:41 am

    A clean apartment makes a happy Molly.

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats July 20, 2011, 8:42 am

    Ha! Thanks for including my tip! (I should send this to my parents, too)

    After reading everyone’s cleaning tips I was motivating to make a chore chart and clean my deck! Also, those free printouts from Simple Organized Living = AWESOME. New favorite blog.

  • Kim @ girlevolving July 20, 2011, 9:00 am

    I keep a rag on a hook behind hte sink (you can’t see it) to wipe off the sink top every morning/night. Just getting off standing water, dust, etc. makes it stay so much cleaner in between cleanings.

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me July 20, 2011, 9:02 am

    Love those printable planners!

    I clean up a bit pretty much everyday, ESP the kitchen. I cannot stand a dirty kitchen. It makes me cranky!

  • The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh July 20, 2011, 9:12 am

    Awesome tips! I’m going to put some of these into practice!

  • The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh July 20, 2011, 9:12 am

    Awesome tips! I’m going to put some of these into practice!

  • Ali @ Ali Runs July 20, 2011, 9:14 am

    This post could not be more timely! My apartment is currently a disaster!! I will be doing some serious cleaning this weekend.

  • Wendi @ A Southern Yogi July 20, 2011, 11:11 am

    Can you give any advice on how to learn to do the flip?

  • Amber K July 20, 2011, 12:14 pm

    I can’t wait until your books come out! A good book is one of my favorite things in life.

    I really like the tips about setting a timer and then getting to it. Clutter is what mostly bothers me, and then setting aside time maybe on the weekend to do the deep-cleaning/sanitizing.

  • Ashley July 20, 2011, 6:22 pm

    Needed these tips! I am totally a marathon cleaner. I take a night when I have nothing going on and just move around the house taking care of all the projects that need to be done (usually occurs from about 10pm-3am). I get so grossed out at myself! (Since when did a shed more than a yellow lab in summertime?)

    That said, here’s another tip: Keep Clorox wipes (or similar) under each sink to wipe out food remains, toothpaste goo, or extra powder in a timely fashion.

    Your bean & goat cheese tacos look delish. I like to do this, too, but I usually add some green onions for a little punch.

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