by Lynn-Nore Chittom

Created on: August 10, 2009   Last Updated: August 12, 2009

Do you ever feel like you get temporary ADHD when it comes to house cleaning? You start a project in one room, wander away to grab something and completely forget to come back? Before you know it, your house is filled with half-started cleaning efforts. Rather than looking clean it feels like you've made things worse instead of better! If this sounds all too familiar, it's time for you to start cleaning smarter rather than harder and here's a system that's sure to help.

Pick a room. It's best to start with the kitchen or a bathroom or an area that might be described as being one end of the house. At my house it's the master bathroom. It's in one corner of the upstairs and if I start there and work my way outwards I can leave a trail of cleanliness behind me.

Commit. This might sound strange, but I'm serious. The biggest deterrent to getting anything accomplished is a lack of commitment to the task. If you have to, actually tell yourself, I am not letting go of this project until it is done! Gather your supplies and, like the old Nike ad says 'Just do it!'

Finish it. Again this might seem obvious, but what I mean is let it be finished. Get it to the point where you can call it clean and move on. It does not have to withstand a white glove inspection every day. Shoot for a goal you can reach. For instance, if you want the bathroom clean, that does not mean it's time to sort through everything under the bathroom sink. Clean the toilet, clean the sinks, change out the towels, clean the bathtub, sweep the floor, walk away.

Connect the Dots. Move on to the next closest room and clean that one. If it's a bedroom, make the bed nicely, pick up laundry and put it in the laundry basket, dust the furniture.

Pick It Up. As you move make a pile or use a laundry basket to toss in whatever doesn't belong in that room. Drag the basket from room to room and when you're finished take a few minutes to put things back where they go.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. If you follow these steps you should be able to clean your whole house and remain on task. You'll be able to finish what you start and you'll be amazed at how fast your house transforms from visual noise to relaxing, calm and quiet.

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