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Sep 03 2012

20 Days to Organise & Clean your home Challenge – Day 2

Category: Organising

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.

<< View the previous task

I have read all the emails & comments from the Day 1 challenge and I want to thank you for your lovely words, I am so pleased that this challenge has motivated so many of you.  I also wanted to let you know that readers are finding inspiration amongst the comments.  What a wonderful community we have, sharing and helping each other!

Please share your progress of today’s challenge below

Main Bedroom - Your bedroom should be a place you feel comfortable in, making it easier for you to fall asleep and have the desire for a little ‘romance’.  Mine got to the point that I was dumping ‘stuff’ on my bedside table and dressing table.  I would wake and the first thing I saw was the clutter, I would take a deep breath and feel overwhelmed and hope I would have the energy to sort through it that day.  I didn’t enjoy waking up each day and seeing clutter.  Getting my room back to a calm and  tidy place was a next priority.  Today’s cleaning task is to do the following in your bedroom: 

  • Strip the bed sheets off the bed
  • Wash all bedding
  • Place decorative cushions on line in sunshine for a few hours to help remove dustmites
  • Vacuum mattress
  • Flip mattress if you have not done in the past 3 months (I flip mine every 2 months)
  • Pick up and put away all clothing
  • Pick up and put/throw away all paper clutter
  • Pick up and put/throw away all other clutter
  • Dust all surfaces, bedside tables, dressing tables, mirrors, picture frames
  • Dust ornaments
  • Vacuum ceiling fan to remove dust that has settled during winter
  • Vacuum the floor, including under the bed
  • Place clean bedding on your bed

Please don’t do the following tasks today, they are coming soon:

  • The ensuite
  • Your wardrobe

Bedroom surfaces – Do you have one too many ‘pretty things, nic nacs, ornaments’ on your bedroom surfaces.  Having too many little things will make the task of cleaning harder and you more than likely won’t be dusting over your surfaces as often as you should.  Today’s task is to look over what you have and re-evaluate if they need to be there.  

Top drawer of your bedside table - My bedside table doesn’t have much in it these days, years ago I would have magazines or a pile of kids drawings, now it’s a drawer of my items I use every night.  My 2nd drawers is where I keep my treasures, cards and love letters from hubby, trinkets and memories of my grandparents and school years.

I use a drawer organiser set from Howards Storage World to keep all my items from rolling around the drawer.  In my drawer I keep moisutiser for my hands, a photo of my Nan, candles, notepad and pen for those moments you get a great idea, nail file, chapstick and medication. 

 Make your bed each morning.  I wake up, leave the sheets down to air out the bed, have a shower, open my blinds and window, make bed, then get dressed.

There’s something about having cushions on the bed that makes it look cozy and inviting and through the day tidy.  This gorgeous Lexie set, can be found via online store Manchester Warehouse.

 Wipe over your dining chairs

Day 2 checklist (place in tasks divider)

  

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW DAY 3 TASKS >>

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  • Toni Fuller

    After an extremely successful Day 1, I can’t wait to sink my claws into this next challenge…lol!!!

  • Dawn

    This is a pretty big task, especially on a busy day, but I am really looking forward to getting stuck in and making my room a beautiful place again.

    • Sandy

      When i looked under the kitchen sink yesterday i thought i will never get this completed but i am proud to say i did, my kitchen looks fantastic, except for a top cupboard that needs dusting, did not get to it! Half of the stuff under the kitchen sink belongs in the garage so i need to get a box and store them away! Looking forward to task 2 tomorrow!

  • Elle

    I am always trying to start good new habits, so I love this part. By any chance will you be doing a sweet little printable with a list of all the new habits at the end? That would be amazing!

    • http://www.facebook.com/jakky.robertson Jakky Robertson

      Yeah that would be good!

      • http://twitter.com/laceyoung Lacey Young

        Yes please. That would be great!

  • Janap

    Looking forward to Day 2

  • Amy

    Cant wait to do this and clear out the stuff under my bed. Hardest part will be cleaning hubbies bedside table that has a stack of car magazines, tools, paper, and pens.

  • http://www.facebook.com/vikki.little.56 Vikki Little

    This was great! Instead of going to a friends for a cuppa for most of the morning, I came back home after taking the kids to school and did day one. Here is my progress on my blog (if thats ok)
    http://mamacomingback.blogspot.co.nz/

    • http://www.facebook.com/sblackler Sarah Blackler

      wow, i saw the b4 and after photos!!! GREAT JOB!!! You must feel so proud, it looks great!!!

      • http://www.facebook.com/vikki.little.56 Vikki Little

        ooh thanks Sarah!

  • http://www.facebook.com/melindadp Melinda Di Palma

    Ive already printed off my printable and filled it in. Have started thinking about what I want the room to look like and thinking of bringing a couple of items in to make it more relaxing for us.

  • miss Prudence

    Phew, missed yesterday but i have caught up – except for the light fittings. My bedroom got painted on the weekend and I am very focussed on keeping this space a sanctuary.!

  • Ally

    This is definitely going to be a hard one for me as I use my room as the dumping ground for everything. I hate that I do but it just always happens !!! But I will get it in order !!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/polka.dot.pin.up Sarah Stevens

    I was just looking at my bedroom and thinking that because of the lack of shows on tv tonight I was going to tackle it :) no excuses now

  • Louise

    I love that each task isn’t that big – sure in the end the whole house is going to be done but it’s a huge task made really easy. Might skip the washing though – storm warnings :) but can’t wait to do it :)

  • ajrunge

    I find that because I have a very small laundry my washing quite often gets dumped in our room, new habit is to try foldind straight away!! Off to tidy the top of the tallboy and the couch in the bedroom so we can actually sit on it!!

  • Michelle Grainger

    Would you believe I had already started this task without knowing!!! Had already stripped and changed the bed and began working on the decluttering of the desk!!! Oh well, more time for relaxation tomorrow :)

  • verybusysupermumma

    ha! I did the bedroom this morning – was sick of looking at it. But the kitchen is half done – the beach was calling hubby and the kids!! :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/lisa.sokol.77 Lisa Sokol

    Yay I have totally finished day 1. Now I have a clean and tidy kitchen!

  • http://www.melanieparisellaphotography.com melanie parisella

    Loved day 1. Might start day 2 tonight cos my room is a disgrace.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1540730050 Lizz Emmerzael

    I began day 1 not quite finished so will try and complete tomorrow, did most of day 2 over weekend so will be laughing by tomorrow.

  • http://www.facebook.com/debbie.marega Debbie Marega

    i actually enjoyed day 1, organised under the sink, my benches are now clear and cupboard doors washed down, didnt do the bookshelf as i had done that a couple of weeks ago instead started sorting out my cd rack

  • Mum of Many

    Had a wonderful day cleaning away – BUT – had a huge laugh at the 5 minute bookshelf clean – clearly your shelf doesnt look like mine!!!! The kitchen has been restored to its former glory, the floor is drying and then I have some ME time before tea!!! How wonderful is that!!

    • Tammy

      My bookshelves (nearly 70 shelves throughout the house!) are mostly quite tidy as we did a huge investment in new shelving last year and rearranged and sorted. With so many bookcases (about 15) in the house, most in areas where they are seen by all comers, I try to keep them tidy. But the little bookshelf on the bedside table, that was another matter, with the 20 books I am reading at the moment!
      a 5 minute task that was helpful, worked towards tomorrow’s goals, and was achievable. Tick!

  • Jenny

    Cant believed I even cleaned my windows & walls today! Crazy! Looking forward to tomorrow I love a clean bedroom and iv been meaning to do the declutter for weeks!!

  • Bec k

    Day 1 was easy for me as that was already organised. But omg am I nervous yet excited to organise my room. It’s a huge dumping ground and it use to be a favourite room of the house. I’m looking forward to getting back to a romantic place :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Toushka-Abrams/100000994930899 Toushka Abrams

    I have failed already. I did my usual dishes and kitchen clean – but the bench is still loaded with crap. Windowsills are clean though! so that’s something. Bedroom eh? I see failure in my future again. I’m being very inspired though.

  • Mickey

    I so loved day 1. My kitchen looks new like when we first moved in b4 daughter came along. No clutter ;-) Im so energized by tasks & having the sun out really helped. Like how it looks so much i don’t want to cook dinner & make mess.

  • Happy3Mum

    Great! Looking forward to tomorrow already! Accomplished a lot today so will build on that tomorrow. I have already done most of the dirty dishes from tea so kitchen will be lovely in the morning. Loving this challenge. Question – what do you use in the water when you mop the floor? Thanks

  • Kerri

    I’m a day 1 failure but I knew that when I saw what day one was & the amount of work i have to get through today plus picking up DD from rehearsal in the city. I’ll get day 1 done in day 2 as the masterbed room is tidy just needs dusting.

  • Sue

    Day one went great. I now have clean sorted kitchen cupboards and an uncluttered bench space. I reorganised my storage of mixer etc. now much easier to get out of the cupboard to use. Things rarely used are now at the back. Also sorted the pantry and got rid of out of date food items. Rubbish straight into the bin and items to donate to charity shop are in the boot of the car to be dropped off tomorrow morning. Also cleaned the windows and doors!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/gabrielnorris Gabriel Norris

    I’m with Kerri- day 1 did not go at all as expected. But I will get it done in day 2, as my master bedroom is always tidy and uncluttered. My Mum always made it clear how important it was to have a haven from the world- and I love having a place I can go with my hubby where we can relax alone (away from our 3 small kids ;)

  • Eccles

    I’m in Oz – so I’m behind already haha. I’m selectively following, based on all the other things I’m trying to catch up with. My day 1: Dressed & ate breakfast, washed & hung up 2 loads of washing, phoned a sick friend. My dishwasher has gone to the great washer in the sky, so, put away dishes from last night, washed a sinkful of breakfast dishes, cleaned the cooktop & wooden chopping board – no mean feat in itself! Sent off info for tax returns, sorted/read emails & mail. I have a wall of blackwood timber doored cupboards – yes, it’s a big job & I’m short & no good on ladders! Washed & dried what I could reach, brought in the dry laundry & I’m pooped!! But I am very well chuffed with my achievements today. YAY me!! I try to keep the cupboard under the sink organised, so there’s not really nuch to do in there, other than a bit of a wipeover of the shelves. My bed beckons & it’s not even dinner time yet. As long as this lovely weather lasts, I’ll be able to keep up with the laundry – there’s always something to do in there. I’ll need to get my lovely & tall DH to clean the light & fan fittings in the kitchen, but I’ll wipe over the window sill when I do the next load of dishes. All things considered, I’m happy :D

    • Bec

      This is an Australian Blog so you aren’t far behind! Today was day 1- the kitchen challenge. Kat sends through tomorrows challenge the day before so we can prepare ourselves :-)
      Well done on getting what you did today, you should be very proud!

  • Tammy

    ooh, looking forward to this! We have recently lost our study, now in our bedroom, and already the clutter that was the study is moving in to my bedroom. My dressing table can’t be seen!

    On a more positive and hopefully helpful note, rotating my mattress is something I do reasonably regularly. Since it needs to be rotated (head to toe) and flipped (top to bottom), On the mattress piping which goes around the edge of it top and bottom, I have written in laundry marker near the left foot of the bed which way to turn it next so all 4 combinations get moved through: H -> T, T->B, T->B, H->T.

    Now I also feel better about not getting my regular cleaning done today – vacuuming my room! I can relax and leave it till tomorrow! Yay!

  • Kate

    day 1 pretty imrpessed with my kitchen today – yay! and tomorrows mission in the bedroom should be a breeze as mines already not too bad and changed all the sheets and such yesterday might even geta picture up or too. Evengot hubby involved today getting down light fixtures!

  • http://www.facebook.com/amanda.henriksen1 Amanda Henriksen

    Yay, I’m ahead. I changed all the beds already this week, as the sun was shing and tomorrow is forcast for rain. I have some things to do, but no bedside table in our room so no having to tidy that.

  • Melissa

    Ooh I am feeling chuffed that I managed to fulfil my morning routine (and got out the door with the kids 5 minutes earlier than usual)… but alas I have failed the kitchen tasks. I am pleased with what I did (cleaned air conditioner, cleaned 1 window and sill and venetian blind…. aaghhh that took forever. I have started to declutter the bench and dinner is in the oven so the family will eat! But, I’ve just read tomorrow’s list and with plenty still left from today’s I fear I will be cowering in a corner by day 4. I had such great intentions! I definitely didn’t get the cleaning gene. Will soldier on…My husband is rolling on the floor laughing… I think I’ll join him … it beats crying! ha ha

    • Sarah

      None of us are super woman do what you can every little bit helps

      • Nioka

        I started to feel the same when I hadn’t finished the kitchen and had to pick up the kids. I am also working part time so probably won’t get all challenges done in one day. I am going to take a couple of days to finish a challenge. Stock pile the ones I don’t get to for later.

        • http://www.facebook.com/julieanne.smith.9 Julie-anne Smith

          I am the same, there are some from yesterday that I didn’t need to do but some desperately, so I am picking and choosing and those that don’t get done will get done either on the weekend or when I get a spare 5 minutes. I find that when I am really busy then to pick one task and set a timer for ten minutes and then just concentrate on that, this does three things, first it makes you soley concentrate on one thing so you don’t get distracted by doing something else you see doing, it makes you go faster, you say right I only have ten minutes and whoosh off you go. and finally you are more likely to start something when you think of it in ten minute blocks. So many people think I can’t start that as it is going to take me forever and I don’t have time but if you have a spare 10mins then you think right what can I do in that time. You will be amazed! I do a set 20mins in my kitchen once a week and in that time I managed to do my benches, clean my bin (trash can for our American friends), clean my oven (not a real deep clean just take out the trays and give it a wipe over), clean my microwave, fridge and one cupboard and that is on top of the daily cleaning that I normally do in it every day (I fit it inside the 20mins) I never would ever have thought that I would get all that done in just 20mins.

    • Nanna

      You have not failed!! You are closer to achieving what you set out to do and there is always another day. I work outside the home so I am not able to complete the entire list BUT I am just ticking off what I have done and when the 20 days is over I will start again on the tasks that didn’t get done the first time.

  • Mel J

    My under-sink cupboard was all just shoved in. It now looks great & I’ve got on my list to find some appropriate containers for what’s staying.

  • Katey

    Off to a great start! Although I’m working full time at the moment, I’m going to try and commit as much to this as possible. My cupboards are sparkling – it really makes a difference! I was just thinking my bedroom needs a good tidy, ready for day 2!

  • http://www.facebook.com/jessicanbrockwell Jessica Kirkland

    what do you do with the cushions off your bed when you are IN there at night?

  • Lynley King

    Had very productive day today, but am apprehensive about bedroom! have been procrastinating on this area for soooo long, but now that I know it is on the list for tomorrow I can work myself up to tackling it. Probably wouldn’t have otherwise!! Am enjoyiong the process though :-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/eponaspride Cassandra Pershin

    For the first time in years my kitchen is spotless. Not being a very tidy person by nature and not really having known how to clean a lot of things/rooms properly my house was getting worse and worse. This challenge seemed like the perfect way to actually get things done, as I don’t have to figure out where to start, I just do my jobs. Thankyou so much.

    • Jell

      I agree, I’m like this too. Very much in need of the challenges and tasks Katrina is providing so I can develop better habits for cleaning the house regularly.

  • Kerrie

    Wow… I achieved all of the tasks today (but I was not working today) and I still had plenty of time to do other things. Including pulling the blind down (plus another 2 sets of verticals) to clean. It feels so much better and much more achievable to do it in small steps rather than in one big go! Everyone thinks I am crazy for doing this, but I can’t wait to finish it and prove them wrong and most of all enjoy my new organised and decluttered home :) THANKS!!

  • Penny Lane

    Today’s task went surprising well! My kitchen, and the cupboard under the sink, is sparkling! Alas, I think it’ll all be undone by my tiny tornadoes before week’s end. Day two shouldn’t be too bad, either. My bedroom is pretty good already.

  • kirby schofield

    my kitchen looks AMAZING i got a 30lt tub of bits that don’t live on my kitchen bench and a 30 lt tub of recycling/paper stuff thank you :)

  • TashL

    Loving my first days efforts, amazing how a clean and decluttered kitchen can make you feel. Looking forward to Day 2, although the weather here isn’t going to be good for the washing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/amy.reinhardt Amy Reinhardt

    Finally finished todays tasks… not that my kitchen was that bad, but I have a 4 month old bub to work around. One thing that I’m really pleased with is the kitchen window and tracks… everytime I look out the window now I momentarily think the window is missing… it’s so clean, yay! Didn’t do the bookshelf, but they don’t really need doing. Tomorrow should be a bit easier as our bedroom is pretty good already.

  • Sandy Belleville

    Totally enjoyed day 1. finished at 6.30pm and am totally huggard now. my wonderful hubby cooked tea for me while i finished off. my windows n light covers esp r sparkling, this totally rocks! thanks Kat :-)

  • Andrea

    Thank you so much just having my routine written down really kept me on track this morning. I even had time to start de cluttering the kitchen. ????

  • Shanay

    Happy that I’ve completed all day 1 tasks. So nice to have shiny cupboard doors! The top of my kitchen cupboards get so grimy. Last time I cleaned them I thought about putting greaseproof paper up there but didn’t get around to it. This time – it’s done, so looking forward to cleaning up there next time. Just pull the paper down and put new stuff up…

  • http://www.facebook.com/panda.clark Allison Clark

    Obviously good taste – we have the same bedroom suite! I am ahead of the game with this task as I had new carpet laid in our bedroom last week and this forced the issue of cleaning all surfaces! I also took the opportunity to move our room around and it’s a lovely fresh change. I have a basket of paperwork that needs looking at so I will do that tonight instead.

  • Cara Tatnell

    I was going to “half” follow along with your challenge and pick and choose bits that were relevant to me BUT I am pleased to report today I caught up on all the pre challenge tasks complete with folder etc and I am hooked. I loved doing the “goals” – what a great way to get motivated. Day 1 went great and I have waited for your email for Day 2. My favourite part is the “5 minute task” just choosing one small job from a mountain of things destroys an overwhleming too hard basket.

  • Erica

    Day 1 was awesome! Was feeling so inspired I had the lot finished before I dropped the kids off at school! Yay me! Looking forward to an easy day tomorrow as I tackled the main bedroom over the weekend! However the perils of the top drawer await…

  • Dani

    My partner is always one about my bedside table so now is my chance to clear it all off! He won’t believe his eyes :)

  • Leanne

    well, that was certainlya task and a half! I also started radiotherapy today….I thought the 20 days would help me not count down for 30 days of radiotherapy. There’s no way I’d achieve these tasks if I were working fulltime – thank goodness for sick leave :-)

    • http://www.facebook.com/richelle.johnson3 Richelle Johnson

      well done for even attempting let alone finishing with having radiotherapy as well. it does take your mind off things having set tasks to do. my mum recently completed radiotherapy. for the 3 weeks treatment she was fine but towards the end she felt tired. at least when you hit the time you will have a nice clean house to be tired in!

  • Bec

    I am so motivated by this challenge. My kitchen looks amazing – I actually enjoyed clearing the dinner dishes tonight! I love your tip on loading the dishwasher through the day, it keeps the benches looking great. My 2 older kids have so far responded really well to their morning and afternoon routines – and I feel like a new woman and a much nicer mum with my morning and afternoon routine. I haven’t yelled at the kids once today! I am usually SO stressed in the mornings, but today I got up at 6.30 and actually had a shower! Thanks so much Kat xo

  • http://www.facebook.com/hayley.rayfield Hayley ‘Fame Excess’ Rayfield

    JUST FINISHED MY KITCHEN! im the dirtiest person i know, & every1 i know will tell u the same thing. i know how to clean, i just dont. i suffer depression, and ive always used it as an excuse, any amount of mess or clutter truly overwhelms me, ive never been givin the tools to be organised either, but when i saw my friend joined this on facey I WAS IN!! so far so good lol i know its only early days yet but im gettin the kids n hubby on board & we’re guna get this done!
    thx a bunch for all the print outs to… they soooo cute !! :-)

  • Kathy C

    Phew, have made it through Day 1…. kitchen looks very nice, I hope I can keep it that way.I am excited about Day 2 as the sheets were going to be done anyway,here’s hoping all days are as successful as today (today is my best day of the week to get things done, it is all downhill from now on) I have made a cheeky headstart and done the dining chairs tonight

  • Lois Crook

    Am loving the challenge – but as someone who works full time and has 2 small children Im wondering if completing 20 days of it might kill me!

    • Julie Cox

      I work too and have two toddlers, so I am doing what I can and I think it might be a 40 day challenge for me – no use stressing!

  • Emma

    My kitchen is looking fabulous and even managed 3 loads of washing today! However tomorrow may be a different story. I was just saying to hubby that I hope the next task isn’t main bedroom. I have such a busy day and the bedroom would be my biggest problem area. Will just have to do what I can!

  • Kirsty

    Don’t know if I can do all of this task tomorrow as we have a forecast of rain, so I will save the bedding washing till a sunny Saturday sometime soon. Also, how do people wash their pillows? In the past I have put them in the washing machine and they bunch up and aren’t the same. Any tips?

  • http://www.facebook.com/richelle.johnson3 Richelle Johnson

    I Managed wiping down half the cupboard doors before i went to work. been a while since i cleaned the kitchen like this so took a while to do. may take me longer than 20 days but it is so much easier being “told” what to clean rather than deciding for myself which results in it not getting done. I did do washing, looked after the sick hubby. and cleaned the microwave! go me! I did get a “I love you, i love you” from my husband for doing what i did. nice to be appreciated : )

  • Trini

    Day 1 done with success, as for my bedroom tomorrow….oh golly mamoth marathon ahead there! Might be completing this task on saturday!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/julieanne.smith.9 Julie-anne Smith

    Well would love to comment on how my day went but I will wait till tomorrow when I am on the laptop, I have not touched it today (been too busy!) and I am now crawling into bed cos I am plain exhausted (but darn I feel good! Lols)

    • http://www.facebook.com/julieanne.smith.9 Julie-anne Smith

      Well yesterday was a good day considering how busy in life I was, I was out with doing children related things for over 6 hrs yesterday and I had hubby home on a day off (you know how they can get under your feet). I didn’t need to do under my sink or my microwave as I had only done the sink a couple of weeks ago and I do my microwave once a week but my benches and decluttering them has been something on my to do list for ages, so this is what I did in dribs and drabs (broke them down into sections to fit in between the different errands I had to run) and I did my walls. I still need to wipe over my cupboard doors and the window but hubby is doing ALL the windows today (already preplanned) so I could get away with that. But I was quite happy as I still managed to get all my normal house work done too (which I was worried about ignoring for the challenge) So, I felt great. Today’s challenge will be easier because I won’t be out today. It is also one of the areas that has been driving me nuts over winter and now that Spring is here I have been itching to get in. Only going to spend an hour doing it though as I also have a massive amount of study to catch up on.

  • christie harris

    These are such pretty printouts, but they look atrocious when printed in greyscale :-(
    Would it be possible to re-do them with higher contrast text instead of grey? It’s almost impossible to read, although it does look lovely on the screen!

  • Jenna

    Day 1 went swimmingly. Even got the boyfriend to help polish silver while cleaning in the kitchen. The bedroom is a challenge indeed. A mountain of clothes has formed and I must get it under control! Thank you Kat for the inspiration!

  • Anita

    Day 1 finally done, though my 10 week old was not helping much today. Luckily his Nanna came over for cuddles so I could get finished for the day. Looking forward to tomorrows task though slightly apprehensive at the same time.

  • Kerry

    Loved todays challenge although it took a looooooong time!!! Feeling more organised already. Just wondering if you will give us a ‘maintenance plan’? I know that by the time day 20 rolls around my kitchen will need doing again!

  • melissa j

    Thank you for day 1. I feel so much more accomplished today then I have in easily years! Can’t wait to start tomorrow :)

  • Janine

    Hm only a small portion of day 1 tasks done, I might have to get up extra early to complete them, and start on day 2′s!! Working full time, organising a wedding and a trip to Europe, is a bit hard to squeeze it all in. Wish I was still a stay at home mum!!!! But thanks Katrina for putting this altogether, at least we have guidelines to help us.

  • Kylie W

    Day 1 complete except for the corner of one bench – a few items that I hate looking at but have no other home elsewhere. I will rectify that very soon. I also washed my kitchen curtain & just cleaned the glass before hanging it back up. My dining chairs are wiped down daily after dinner, so tomorrow’s 5 minute task is done – I’m sure I can find something to fill the time though :)
    My main room is a nightmare – in the wardrobe & under the bed are a cluttered mess & my room has become a home for everything that needs to be sold or doesn’t have a home elsewhere, as well as being a bedroom for our toddler. Sad, very sad. No bedside drawers for me & I did hubby’s last night (his is just a tall set of plastic drawers with his work clothes stored in there). I don’t have much time to work on my room in any day, but, I can certainly do the bed (I already make it every day without fail, it really makes the room look bearable), the floors, the fan & declutter the top of my scrapbooking cabinet.
    I have a huge pile of stuff/clothes I’m working through turbo lister to sell on ebay and hoping to finish renovating & decorating the girls bedroom, but I’m keen to continue with the challenge tasks as much as possible. Thanks Kat :)

  • Tracey Oates

    I really didn’t think I would have the energy after working today and doing my 17 month olds dinner and evening routine on my own tonight as hubby is at work, but it’s done and I can go to bed knowing the kitchen is clean and the bookshelf tidy! I love our bedroom and am looking forward to throwing the bedroom window open and completing tomorrows challenge. I’m also looking forward to having a lovely hot shower, putting on clean pyjamas and slipping into a bed with clean sheets! The little luxuries!

  • Bron

    Have only just sat down to relax after a busy day at work. Looking forward to doing the challenges in a few weeks time. Loving it though. Was wondering if we can print out the blogs without all the ‘extras’ on the side?

  • Ngahia

    Well i dunno about anyone else but my was prob gunna b the biggest job to do in my house and i was a little apprehensive about it for the first challeng but now that its done i feeel like im SO ready to get house clean and organised :) what a awsome start everyone! keep up the great work and thank you to Katrina who has given me the inspiration and more importantly motivation

  • Angela Grimsdale

    My kitchen is looking a lot better than it has in ages (though the top of the cupboards need a really good clean from months of dust). I will have to save that task for another day. I am looking forward to tackling the bedroom as it is a pigsty at the moment!

  • Natalie

    10pm and I’ve just finished the kitchen! It looks fantastic. My kitchen bench is usually full of clutter, but right now it’s clutter free! I can’t say the same for my dining table though, since that’s where a lot of the clutter has landed until tomorrow. Sooooo not looking forward to tomorrow, since my bedroom is my dumping ground for everything i want to deal with later, I know I’ll feel better tomorrow night though once it’s done. Not looking forward to waking up in the morning either. My kitchen was pretty filthy, and I’m pretty sure my efforts to clean it were equivalent to a gym session. Got a feeling I’m gonna be pretty sore!

  • Tammy

    New habit: make bed in the morning.
    Task: Wash bedding, rotate mattress.
    Perhaps not the best day to have chosen for this new habit, but a habit I’ve been working on in the last month anyway. What a difference it makes walking into the room through the day to see the bed made rather than messy, the room feels tidier already, for 5 minutes work! Since our bedroom is right next to the front door, I have always closed the bedroom off as I open the front door to people. With the bed made, once I get my dressing table (which I can’t see, nor its chair either!) decluttered, I will feel more relaxed about leaving the door open.

  • Kate

    Phew! Day 1 completed. Cannot wait to have a bedroom as delightful as my kitchen! Though i’m sure it will require more then one day. I have started replacing my tea towel each night too.

  • Kate Duffy

    Kitchen looks beautiful, I keep on opening the under sunk cupboard to admire how good it looks! Cleaned out the rubbish from under the bed, that was really bad. Vacuuming under bed tomorrow night, the bedroom looks wonderful! The kids even noticed the kitchen, that’s how good it looks!!! This is easier than I thought, and am actually enjoying watching my home becoming steadily on the road to perfection, thankyou thankyou thankyou!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/paulamay.calder Paula May Calder

    Due to a teething 7mth old and unwell 4 year old and very little sleep last night I was unable to do it all at once but thanks to your guidelines I found it easy to keep going back to it and got it all done! oh what a wonderful feeling when my mum pops in amid screaming children and first thing she says is I have never seen your kitchen look so good! And though hubby was completely aware of the tasks for the day he noticed and had positive comments on the differnce! Thanks I feel a little more inspired.tomorrow’s challenge is huge for me my room is like a halfway house. CAN”T WAIT

  • Joanne Nunez

    Just having a little break to let you know I’ve almost finished and my kitchen hasn’t looked this clean and decluttered in years! Thanks so much for setting this challenge Katrina, you’re a true inspiration!… and I’ll sleep well tonight :)

  • http://twitter.com/suburp nikki

    man! today was hardcore.. first i did the kitchen like crazy, in 2 hours this morning, then did divers cleaning and lots of laundry … tomorrow is rental inspection in da house!
    then i saw the task for tomorrow, and since my husband sleeps in the day, I put in an evening shift while listening to can of worms and q&a . all washing folded, sheets changed, clutter removed. the result is a very blunt & bare looking bedroom, but we have a brand new king size bed =)
    I used to have a beautifully decorated sleeping room and a bad marriage – now i have a beautiful (new) husband and a bedroom that needs some decorating. well, you gotta know your priorities ..! ;)

  • http://twitter.com/suburp nikki

    am also pretty chuffed that the kitchen looks neat even AFTER cooking tonight (cuz i tidied up and cleaned AGAIN!) – this is going so well, it’s scary!

  • Tracy

    Feeling a little chuffed that I am going to bed with a nice clean,decluttered kitchen and proud that I got it done with one of my kids coming down sick this afternoon. I did it in spits and spats a couple of tasks at a time but got it done. Normally I would have had a ton of excuses. It did help I have to say that as I was wiping I realised that lots of you were wiping out your microwaves too. It was a comrort!

  • allison

    Well i worked today and brought it all home to finish so day 1 & 2 will need to get done tomorrow after gymnastics for the girls. my under sink is already tidy just need to de clutter and clean benchtops and windows. cupboards are white so i clean them regularly. Bedroom will be the biggest problem due to lack of storage. kids bookcase already done just the other week. Here’s hoping little miss 2 & almost 4 behave for me to get things done tomorrow ss i’m back at work wed & thurs. School hols r coming up soon so can catch up more then. :-)

  • Alli brown

    Yay all set for tomorrow- in the last week I have been working on my bedroom, so most of the tasks are done, but looking forward to cleaning out under the bed! Loving it thanks!

  • Sandy

    When i looked under the kitchen sink yesterday i thought i will never
    get this completed but i am proud to say i did, my kitchen looks
    fantastic, except for a top cupboard that needs dusting, did not get to
    it! Half of the stuff under the kitchen sink belongs in the garage so i
    need to get a box and store them away! Looking forward to task 2
    tomorrow!

  • Roxanne

    Very excited after hours of work the kitchen is shining! I’m so inspired & thank you for helping me get things in order! A list of new habits at the end would be great!

  • http://www.facebook.com/julieanne.smith.9 Julie-anne Smith

    Oh, I also have to say, please keep the photos on instagram coming ladies, they have been very inspiring and I have been giving you all cheers on seeing the completed missions. There has been some really hard work going on out there.

  • Tez

    I LOVE how clean my kitchen looks and I am still not finished!!! Will have to do the challenge over a longer period as not able to get it all done in one day due to work committments but really inspired after day 1!!! Will need to spend a day going through all the boxes I filled from decluttering the benches and shelves though!!!

  • adalita_m

    i had already given my kitchen a massive clean on the weekend ready for my Hens party but I didn’t clean up from that until yesterday. So now it is all neat and tidy! Not sure If I’ll get today all done but I’ll tidy the bedroom up as much as I can.

  • Kathy

    I’m a bit concerned at how I’ll go today, my bedroom is shocking, there are piles of laundry and odds and ends everywhere. Plus I’m working in the school canteen all day.

  • Kim

    Yay my hubby is doing this one today :) he just picked up 5 water bottles from beside my bed. Whoops! Morning sickness is hard:)

  • Anita

    I am so impressed with myself. My kitchen is amazingle clean and tidy in every nook and cranny. My bedroom is now clean and refreshed. I have stuck to my new morning routine which somehow makes my whole day more fluid. My sister commented that my whole house wa looking cleaner than it had in ages. Go, me, go.

  • Vicki

    I just binned my 21st birthday cards which has had a home in my bedside table for ages!! Why, did I hang onto them for soooo long????

  • Liliam

    Loving the idea of the organiser in the bed side table’s drawer. For some reason always becomes messy.

  • http://www.facebook.com/julieanne.smith.9 Julie-anne Smith

    Well I am done, but I have to say, I thought this was a cleaning challenge not a 20 day bootcamp challenge! I am stuffed!

  • Inspired…

    Totally off task today…. swapping a box in the pantry for the medications meant I ended up restacking the pantry and labeling all the containers… and this evening is thankfully leftovers as my cooking time has been spent making a charging station for hubby’s hand radios and phones…. oh well…

  • http://www.facebook.com/KristiDee Kristi Lee

    Oh my God!!! I did it I did it I did it!!! It took me over eight hours but I did it!!! I can see my floor, the room smells so much better, and I have vacuumed up so much fluff that I’m sure my husband’s asthma will improve!!! Thank you for the checklist, it really made the job seem less insurmountable. That one room was my big barrier and now it’s DONE – I can’t wait to see how my house will look at the end of the month!

  • Paulette

    My kitchen was so much easier to cleanup tonight! Am yet to do the windows, but will do them along with the bedroom windows tomorrow. Will be a nice day, so will pop dining chairs out in the sun.
    Making me feel much better already.

  • Miss Perpy

    Room is looking, and feeling, wonderful! Culled lots of useless stuff that was collecting dust!

  • http://www.facebook.com/belinda.martin.7792 Belinda Martin

    I don’t know how I can complete this task. I am 27 and still live at home and therefore everything I own is in my room. I have to admit that I have a pathway to my bed and that is about it. I have things on and in every nook and cranny and stashed on every available surface. I can’t wait to move out so I can complete these tasks, and start making a mark on my own home.

  • Lilli May designs

    I am loving your direction! Thank you so much for helping me declutter my life! Cant wait for tomorrows tasks!! Keep smiling!

  • Tash

    Am I reading wrong? Or do you open your blinds and windows and give your neighbours a view before getting dressed lol

  • http://www.facebook.com/crumblin Melinda Crumblin

    I love these challenges! Sadly I haven’t been able to do any yet as I work every day except Wednesdays and when I am at home toddler takes priority. However, I am printing out every bit of info every day as it is all great! I will be putting it all in my folder and doing it as I get a chance. It might take me the rest of the year to get through all 20 days, but it, and your fabulous page, has already done so much in helping me get organised and feel more in control of the household and helping me reduce my stress levels, so a huge Thank You!!
    http://Www.positivelyme.blog.com

  • http://www.facebook.com/anni.charters Analise Charters

    I partially completed this challenge today along with day 1. I washed and changed sheets, aired doona, and washed its cover and dusted and tidied the room ;) Luckily i did most of this challenge of my own accord a few weeks ago. So things weren’t too bad in there :) Love going to bed in clean sheets and bedding :) Tho we kinda cheated and i changed the sheets last night as we have a really heavy mattress and need hubby to help me :/
    I will have to come back to the decluttering task for the dresser and top drawer but because i ran out of time. I think i did well tho as i have a sick teething baby as well. They really arent that bad anyway so i dont think it will hurt them to wait.
    One win I had in here today was that I found my nursing necklace that i was unable to find. So i was happy about that! 2 missing items now found! Thanks TOH! :)
    Well i’m utterly exhausted so i’m off to bed. Shouldn’t really be on here at this hour but had to watch my tv show first… ;) Night!

  • http://www.facebook.com/HaZeLeYeZ32 Lesley Acevedo

    My nightstand is a glass open shelf piece due to having such a small bedroom. I needed that see thru open feel. But due to lack of drawers to hide the items any ideas for orginizing on shelfs without having those deep baskets? Thanks!!!

  • Nitty Brown

    So i stripped my sheets and it is 11:15pm and realised that I have to put new sheets, a bit tempted to sleep in a bare bed..

  • cyndi hobbs

    i did the bed ect a few days ago, so rather thatn add to my washing pile i think ill skip this one and move onto day 3…..

  • SandraW

    Started the challenge a day late (Thanks SE10 on FB for sharing) so decided to attack the kitchen at 8pm – made for a long-ish night!! BUT it’s clean!! and tidy!! and smells so nice this morning :)
    I’m adjusting the challenge as I go, as I am on leave ATM but work full time and care for a very sick husband, I spent last Sunday doing our bedroom so today is a quick tidy and clean but I can finish off a couple of little things I noticed when doing the kitchen last night.
    It’s not very often I want to clean…but I’m looking forward to all the challenges!

  • Jac @ Common Chaos Chronicle

    Finally got mine done Kat! Yey! Here’s a link to my blog post about it!
    http://www.commonchaos.com/general/day-2-20-days-to-a-clean-home-with-the-organised-housewfe

  • Sandy
  • Deborah K

    My main bedroom is wonderful! Thanks again for the motivation.

  • http://www.cultofkale.com/ Erica @Cult of Kale

    I don’t have too much in my bedroom right now, we had to deal with a bed bug infestation recently and most of our stuff is still in storage. :( I did use my steam cleaner to give a really good clean to the mattress and carpet at least, and decluttered the little bit that was there.

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