Aug 27 2012

20 days to Organise and Clean your home Challenge – Pre-Challenge Task 1

20 Days to Clean & Organise your Home for posts

It’s not too late to start!! Subscribe to the challenge here. Share your photos on instagram or twitter using #TOH20daychallenge. Follow along with the discussion on facebook.

That’s right, I am setting you all a challenge, 20 days to organise and clean your home. I did it and I know you can too!

Before we start I want to say a big THANK YOU. The response to this challenge has been overwhelming and far more people have subscribed than I could have ever imagined. I hope you all enjoy the challenge as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.

If you are following along on Instagram & Twitter you can use the hashtag #TOH20daychallenge so I can follow along with you all

Day 1 starts Monday 3rd September, however we will be starting this week with pre challenge tasks such as setting up a folder for the challenge, establish some routines and put together a cleaning kit so you will be prepared for Day 1.

How will the challenge work?

The challenge consists of the following daily tasks:

Clean
Organise
Declutter
New Habit
5 minutes only

What if I don’t have enough time?

I know that everybody has different schedules, working, newborn baby, all the kids at home so adapt these tasks around your time and family. If you are not able to complete one of them that’s perfectly OK, it can be finished at a different time.

When will the tasks be published?

I will publish the challenge posts at 4pm the day before. Eg. Day 1 will be published at 4pm Sunday 2nd September, Day 2 4pm Monday 3rd September, this is so you are able to prepare the night before. I will provide you with a daily printable, filled with each of the tasks. The blog post will give you a guide on each of the tasks.

Why 20 days?

Challenge tasks are published Monday-Friday. I don’t believe in cleaning every single day, we need to take the weekends off to spend time with our family and enjoying the outdoors.

Pre challenge task header #1

During this challenge I will provide you with printables such as:

Daily Challenge printable for you to use as a checklist for each of the challenge tasks and to look back on at a later date.
To-do list
Routine Charts
Room Cleaning Checklists
Notes pages

Keep all these printables together tidily in a folder.

20 days to organise and clean your home binder

Supplies needed for this task:

Ring binder
Pack of 5 dividers
Have on hand at least 40 pieces of A4 paper to print the printables
A printer

Steps for this task:

Print the cover page for the challenge and place in your binder
Label your dividers: Tasks, Checklists, Routines, Notes and Other

Cover page

As I mentioned above the response to the challenge has been great and I have had a request to include a linky with the challenge. A linky is for bloggers that are following along which can link up their blog posts about the challenge and we can click on their image and see how they are going in the challenge. I will have a link up each Saturday where bloggers can add their posts and I will share a handful of them with you. So please if you are going to join the challenge please add your link below, remember to add the button to your page to share the challenge with others.

Grab code here

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shoppegirls

What a fabulous idea and fun. I will take part.
Vicki
http://www.shoppegirls.blogspot.com
Becca

This is absolutely perfect timing as my three year old starts preschool the same day! And my house needs this so badly!
Karina

Hi Katrina

I would dearly love to do this but we’ll be away from 1-9 September. I know if I then try to catch up I’ll go completely mad, so I wonder if there’s going to be a way to ‘start’ the challenge on my own later down the track?

Thanks!

Karina
- Kath Mc
  
  I’m going to be away from the 7th to the 23rd too. Will we be able to look through everything afterwards and do it later?
Jade

We have start moving house on the 8th, but I figure this will help moving and setting up the new place properly!
Lynley King

Thanks so much, I have been dawdling along, doing bits and pieces, but this is going to get my butt into gear!!! Actually looking forward to getting stuck in and finally sorting out our house
Mariane

I’m up for it. Actually started cleaning my bedroom yesterday but sure need help with the rest of the place. Thank you for sharing
Jodie Emerton

Yah looking forward to this challenge
Justine

I’m definitely in
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Anne-Maree Russell

I am loving this sick already! A-M xx
http://twitter.com/heyLisaWarren Lisa Warren

I’ve put my folder together, and I’m ready to go!!
Kimberley

I can’t wait. I recently had a baby and this is just the bomb I need to get back into the swing of things.
KG

I am really excited… I have taken on board your tips for our pantry and it looks amazing. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the house will look like after the challenge!!
Fleur Phillips

I am very excited about being part of the 20 day challenge. I am about to go and organise my binder ready for the next instalment!
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Mocha Addict

I….NEED….HELP!!! Cleaning is not my strong point, what with 2 little kiddies (2 and 4yo). Any help is appreciated. Thanks for starting us all up with this challenge. xxx
http://www.facebook.com/heatherpray Heather pray

Looking forward to this challenge!!!
veiledturnip

Don’t forget in the supplies list – hole puncher!
http://www.facebook.com/cate.taylor.33 Cate Taylor

I’m sooooo ready to get into this challenge! I’ve been struggling to get into a routine and my home and family have suffered, but all set for a new start
Fiona

Perfect timming! We are getting married mid oct, so this will get our house well under control before my partners family arrive from intetstate and overseas! Looking forwars to it!
Kirsty

This is so fun! Daily tasks worry me a bit, but I’m looking forward to attempting these! I’ve just got my binder and dividers from Smiggle!
Kathryn

Oh thank you so much, I’m in….. I can’t wait!
Sarah

I can’t wait to get started!
http://www.facebook.com/sharon.warner229 Sharon Warner

O heavens, as a person with hoarding tendacies and a junky house filled with stuff, this may be a real challenge that falls flat. Still holding some small amount of hope that this may give me what I need, a cleaned out house.
Cindy

I love organizing, but some things I do over & over again for short lived results! I can’t wait to see what plans you have for the 20 days!! Thanks for the opportunity to learn some tricks to some elusive clutter!
Blessings,
Cindy
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000662581294 Belle Lipiec

Done!! – Cant wait for this to kick off… Ive been really sick for over 10 days, the house is a disgusting mess (Not that it was sparkly before I got sick)… Bring it on!! Thanks Kat! You are amazing
- Claire Bailey
  
  I could have written the exact same words myself So looking forward to doing this. I hope I make it through. Especially with the school holidays starting next week. Eeep!
http://www.thelegveindoctor.com Rhi

I so need this right now! My house is a bomb site.
http://www.facebook.com/nathaniavoysey Nathania Burgess

Cannot wait for this!! It is totally the kick start I need to start my house off into good habits again. I have been so busy and have not been home to spend the time I would like on my poor house and it is super messy and cluttered and it just makes me so jumbled to have that kind of house…. so thankyou, I cannot wait!!
TAP

So looking forward to this challenge. It has come just at the right time and the thought of being organized again is pure motivation enough.
Scootes

Having been in and out of hospital for the last 2 yrs my house is a shambles (not that it was perfect beforehand!) and I am at a point where it keeps me awake at night worrying about it and the ‘stuff’ we have. Can’t wait to try this and make it work! Thankyou.
Sandi Williams

Can’t wait!! I’m super excited about this!! I’m a busy single mum to 4 children and work full time so I’m looking forward to another approach to a cleaner home!! Xx
http://www.facebook.com/samantha.jouannet Samantha Jouannet

Looking forward to doing this challenge and having a nice clean house ….and it ends just before my sister inlaws baby shower which is at my house .. WIN WIN
http://www.facebook.com/crumblin Melinda Crumblin

I have been wanting to get organised for a while. This will help so much!
Janine

I’m looking forward to this challenge hopefully it’ll help my daughters and myself keep on track with the house and keeping it tidy!!! Thanks
Carisa Mae Webb

Deep breath…ok, LET’S DO THIS!
Alyssa

Done… I am so looking forward to this. It is overdue in my house.
http://www.facebook.com/sarah.macginley Sarah MacGinley

Hi Katrina
I am trying to subscribe to the challenge and your newsletter and I am continually directed to a page advising cannot fine Mantismail. Is there another way I can get access to the challenge task and printables and the newsletter?
Thanks
http://www.facebook.com/keling Sara Collins Westhead

Looking forward to trying to do this… Will be a bit of a challenge to start, as we’re house-sitting and bouncing between two houses, but hope to get some of it accomplished even with the timing!
http://www.facebook.com/debra.watkins2 Debra Watkins

Folder is ready and waiting – looking forward to the challenge – hubby and I work full-time management jobs, two children one at home studying uni and one is married and blessed us with a grandchild – so house is full on and time limited…..want some ORGANISATION.
http://www.facebook.com/debra.watkins2 Debra Watkins

folder set and ready to go, just need to work out how to blog? No idea never done it before….
Priscilla Ali

Looking forward to doing this challenge. I’m single mum working part time to a 20 month old. I never seem to have time and am always chasing my tail trying to keep organised and the house tidy so I can explore doing things I like with my son. This will be a huge help. Thank you so much Katrina.
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Triple T Mum

Okay I’m in. Dipping my toes in here and hoping THIS time I can make it through the challenge and beyond. With 18 month old twins, a 3 year old and a 14 year old the house has been pushed to the bottom of the list! But I think it’s time for a bit of TLC. I’m going to blog my journey as we go. Be gentle with me Katrina!
Chrissy Jordan

Whoooo! I’m in! I need to set aside some time tonight to really read what I’m getting myself into. haha I’m 5 months pregnant and how nice would it be to “nest” now while I’m still able to move!
- http://www.theorganisedhousewife.com.au Katrina
  
  Perfect timing for you, enjoy the challenge!
maria

how can i get the tasks and printables….
maria
grant_46@sympatico.ca
- http://www.theorganisedhousewife.com.au Katrina
  
  Hi Maria the tasks will be given out each day and the printables will also be provided along with each tasks.
http://twitter.com/tattoomummy tattoomummy

I’m wondering if the month packing to move (moving date 26th september) would be a very bad or a very good time to do this… Thoughts and opinions?
Thanks!!
- http://www.theorganisedhousewife.com.au Katrina
  
  It could work in your favour as I have a decluttering task for you each day, so this will save you taking unwanted items to your new house. You could possibly skip the cleaning and organising tasks as cleaning maybe easier once all your items have been removed, however read the tips and tasks so you can implement them in your new home J
Kelly

Looking forward to the challenge! Having a four month old, i’m finding if i’m not organised it just doesnt happen around here! Bring it on!!
- http://www.theorganisedhousewife.com.au Katrina
  
  It’s having my twins that made me so organised, so hopefully this challenge will be exactly what you need J
Whirlsie

I can’t seem to add my blog link anymore? I could see it last night, but now it seems to have disapeared.
savvy fi

Wish me luck I am so going to try this. I have an autistic 5 year old daughter who is obsessed with tipping things out and pulling everything out of cupboards and drawers; and I also have a 2 year old girl who loves being a mischievous 2 year old. I have just come out of a two week stint of having the flu so the house is in the worst state its ever been in. Wish me luck!
Linda

Looking forwrd to joining in this challlenge……..I really need to get my house clean and tidy and get rid of my clutter !!
http://www.facebook.com/amanda.cullen.98 Amanda Cullen

i cant download the cover page to print HELP
vi lammetsma

Can’t download the cover page!
Vi
Alice Springs
nadia

so excited – this is exactly what i need atm!
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Snip

Is there any other way of sharing our photos with you? I don’t have an Iphone so I can’t do use the insagram thingymabob… Can we upload photos on the facebook page maybe?
Sandy

yay yay yay! i’m joining the challenge on my blog here
http://sandysveganblogsandblahs.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/im-becoming-organised-housewife_4699.html
Mandy

I’m going to give it a go.. and I too will be away until Sept 4th, but I will work around it. My blog is
http://fearless-forty.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.facebook.com/nat.clothier Natalie Clothier

Pre-Season Task One including blog post – TICK! Love this challenge, can’t wait to see how everyone tackles it in their own way
- http://www.theorganisedhousewife.com.au Katrina
  
  Wonderful, can you email me the link to your blog post so I can read J kat@theorganisedhousewife.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/liz.carter.75 Liz Carter

I’m in! Can’t wait.
- http://www.theorganisedhousewife.com.au Katrina
  
  Enjoy J
kelly masters

I am up for the challenge!
Cathy

Folder organised
http://twitter.com/carrose Car

I’m in too – I (& my house) are /am in desperate need of something like this! I will be blogging / instagramming my way through
http://carrose-creations.blogspot.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/crumblin Melinda Crumblin

If I can get organised enough in time ( haha!!) I will be doing it on my blog too! http://www.positivelyme.blog.com
Missy

I will be participating, but l work full time Mon-Fri and don’t have any time to clean, my cleaning days are on the weekends! I will complete it, but it will take longer =)
Skye

folder organized but dont blog or use the iphone program how can i upload pics
Karen

Count me in. I will give it my best shot.
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http://twitter.com/sewingmywebb Renee

So I finally got my act together (talk about being organised haha) and now have my stationary for this challenge. Have also thrown your cute button on my blog, http://sewingmywebb.blogspot.com I was just wondering, pretty please, if there is any chance of a matching side binder printable??? I am a bit of a freak with matching stuff as you realise so being able to know what the binder on the shelf is would suit me to the ground.
Thank you
Renee
http://www.facebook.com/pippa.waddell Pippa Smith Waddell

Bargain! Cute little pink folder with 5 dividers and secret pocket at the back. $3 from the Reject Shop!
http://twitter.com/DigForTea Anna

My home is lurking somewhere underneath the Piles of Doom, let’s hope this helps!
lilmissBeee

I’m soooo psyched to do this! Admittedly a self-diagnosed OCD cleaning, organising, arranging & sorting freak whom is extremely time-poor (F/T work, children just starting ‘Big School’, the ‘go-to’ family member that helps everyone & a less than helpful 39 yo ‘child’/partner lol.. and especially after having to move house while I was in hospital [yep! The Mister did it all so I'm sure you can all imagine, lol..] am going absolutely craaaazyyy trying to purge, sort, declutter, organise and implement fail proof systems in my home amongst everything else but its hard enough to just keep the house generally TIDY yet alone do all the above!!!
With the #TOH20daychallenge, it will provide the insight, guidance & motivation I need to FINALLY create my ideal home ))
Can’t wait! If I don’t get the time or chance to do the set tasks on the specific dates/days, I have the plan & will endeavour to achieve as much as I possibly can, when I can; e.g. to have all daily tasks completed within the WEEK, etc
Thank you!!! ….and GOOD LUCK fellow Challengers
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ileana marquez

Hello Katrina,
thank you so much for helping to keep our houses organized I work full time (some days more than 10 hs) and I´m sure I won´t be able to follow day by day the challenge, but I´m signing up to them anyway just to complete the tasks at my own peace, mostly I´ll do them during weekends but I´ll keep you posted about my improvements!
Have a wonderful weekend!

ileana
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MzJax

Can we still just print the pages to the challenge?
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