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| THE LOUNGE |
Look around the room. Is the coffee table covered in junk? The TV top? What about the Bookshelves
(if you have them)? How does this mess make you feel? Ugghh?? Think you can't clean it? Know what?
You're right-in this condition, you can't. That's why we say CLEAR THE CLUTTER-CONTROL THE CHAOS;
then clean the dirt. If you are like most Clutter Chaotics, you can't even SEE the dirt for all
the clutter on top of it.
So what do you do? Forget it? Can't cope with all this-it'll take way too long to clear: hours,
maybe even days. How about coping with about 10 minutes? Look at your watch or clock and note the
time.
First-see that messy coffee table? Or at least you can see the mess-you know the coffee table is
under there somewhere! Grab a bag or two-old Woolworth's or Bi-Lo plastic bags will do. You don't
want anything fancy or super-strong-it's just going in the garbage bin. Take all the bits of paper,
broken toys, Banana peels- whatever and put them in the garbage bag. Empty the ashtray into the
bag (take out the lit cigarette first). O.K. Anything else on there to be thrown out? Then throw
it in the garbage bag.
Any toys on the table? Take them into that child's room. It doesn't matter right now where you put
it, the room's probably in a worse mess than the coffee table and we'll get round to that later.
Any books or magazines? Put them in or around the bookshelf or wherever you should (normally) keep
them. If you don't yet have a place to keep them put them in a pile on the floor for now.
Anything else? Put it where it should be or in another pile on the floor beside the books and
magazines waiting to be sorted. When you've finished with the piles and the garbage bags, tie up
the handles of the bag and take it to the big bin outside-now!
Now what do you see? A coffee table? No kidding!! Told you it was under there somewhere! Now get
out the Spray and Wipe or whatever you use and clean it!
Do you know what you have just accomplished? Even though it's just the coffee table, you have
Cleared the Clutter, Controlled the Chaos and cleaned the Coffee Table. Now check the time. How
long did that take? Probably about 10 minutes more or less-if the phone didn't ring, the dog didn't
eat the cat or one of the kids didn't set off the smoke alarm.
And you thought it was too big a job! The whole house is too big a job to do all at once, but by
breaking things down into 10 minute jobs, it is achievable.
The Clutter Clearing Bug has struck! Now what? Reward yourself-have a cuppa and admire the clear,
clean coffee table. (Use a coaster so you don't leave a wet ring on your nice clean coffee table).
While you're having your cuppa, I bet you'll be thinking about the next 10 minute job. What is the
next 10 minute job? Decide where to put those books, magazines and whatever else is in the other
pile on the floor … then put them there. It's o.k. if the place you're putting them is in a
mess-that's another job. There is always heaps of double handling the first time round.
Now the bug has really got you. What next? The TV or entertainment unit if you have one. Do the
same with this as you did with the Coffee Table. Grab a couple of bags and let's go. If you have
an Entertainment Unit, don't try to clear the inside-we're only working on the outside and top
right now. TV Guide? Remote Control? O.K. they usually have to stay there, but put them on the
coffee table for the moment. When you throw out everything you don't need, clean and dry the
TV top/Unit top and put back the TV Guide and Remote Controls. If there are any
ornaments/photographs you want to keep on display there, wash and dry them before putting back
in place.
Do the same thing with any other tops in the lounge - desk tops, bookshelves, CD/Cassette/Video
storage drawer tops, Nintendo/Playstation. Each will take just s few minutes- some less than 2
minutes.
Next is the inside of the Entertainment Unit and the Bookshelves-grab the bags and go get 'em
tiger.
Now look up-that's right, look up. What do you see? On the ceiling? Light Fittings, maybe a
Ceiling Fan? Dirty or clean? I thought so-these are a couple of the most-missed items in any
cleaning routine. What else is up there? In the corners and at the top of the curtains or doors?
Cobwebs? Pesky things get everywhere don't they?
Get the broom and an old tea-towel, t-shirt or some such lightweight fabric. Tie it around the
broom head and start cleaning. It only takes a couple of minutes. Now take off the diffuser bowl
(that's where all the bugs gather). Empty out the dead bugs and give the bowl a good wash in warm
soapy water. Rinse and let drip dry. While it's drying, make sure the light is switched off and
use the fabric covered broom to clean any dead bugs or cobwebs from the ceiling attachment. Also
dust-yes dust-the light globe. When you put the dry bowl back on, you will be surprised just
how much more light shines through.
Of course, there are different types of light fittings, so if you don't have the diffuser type,
you will have to stand on a chair or ladder while cleaning your fitting. While you're up there,
clean the ceiling fan. What a lousy job!! Gotta be done though, so you might as well do it while
you're up there.
Wash everything glass-mirrors, TV screen, glass front of the Entertainment Unit (if you have one)
and the inside of the windows. A spray bottle filled with metho or white vinegar gives the nicest
shine.
Any other pieces of furniture with Clutter on them? What about the armchairs, couch, the floor?
Do the same thing-Clear it up. If your Lounge Suite is Vinyl, wipe it with a water-damp cloth.
Now for the window ledges, skirting boards, tops of the doors, tops of anything framed that's
hanging on the walls. If the frames are glass covered-wipe the glass. A damp cloth is usually
all that's needed to clear and clean in one go.
Cleared the Clutter and Controlled the Chaos in the Lounge? Not yet you haven't-just one more
job which takes less than 10 minutes. Vacuum the carpet and or rugs.
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