I have had many requests to bring back my 40 Day posts so I am starting from scratch with them today.
For those who don't know what the premise is, it is to spring clean slowly, discarding clutter, giving away what we don't use or need, with the goal of having a fresh, clean, new beginning at Easter.
Sort of what we are supposed to do to our soul during Lent, but we are doing it in our homes also.
Supplies:
Garbage bags or grocery bags. Whatever size is appropriate depending on an estimate of how badly our houses need it. Black garbage bags are sometimes preferred when little children are present in the house and don't need to suddenly love the toy they haven't touched in two years that you are donating.
One bag is used for donations, one bag is used for garbage.
A pretty notebook. Pretty is not essential but I have a penchant for pretty notebooks. We list forty areas of our house and each day tackle that one area. If on a roll, keep going! If you have a free quiet day, storm through. If a week is busy, don't worry if it doesn't happen. Cross out as we go.
I also use the notebook to list by area, any long terms plans I will have to tackle later, repairs or things I would like to purchase. See THIS POST. My spring cleaning/sell this house system works great along with 40 Bags in 40 Days.
The cleaning product you normally use IF POSSIBLE. If cleaning and purging at the same time can't happen because of children's demands, put the cleaning off. I use Clorox Wipes and a vacuum and carry those to each area.
That's it!
Here we go.
My bathroom was up first.
I love clean countertops.
Some of my drawers:
I have four towels that I use and a few washcloths and hand towels.
Underwear and pj's. I do NOT fold these things, do people do that? I have one pair of pj's I love and found the brand and type of underwear that I love and I just stick with the simplicity of that. Is that TMI? I feel like it might be. Bras are harder for me because I need the mastectomy kind...that's a work in progress. I have two that I use that are working for me right now.
I try to keep my makeup and skin care really simple. I don't like keeping things I don't use every day.
I try to keep everything tucked away.
Epsom salts, garbage, toilet paper, toilet cleaner.
Ditto for the bathroom. Products everywhere makes cleaning more difficult.
If you don't use it and love it, get rid of it! I consolidate bottles of shampoo and conditioner so I don't waste-it's all the same to me.
TIPS:
The less you have the easier it is to clean.
Knowing what brand you love and what works for you from cleaning products, makeup, underwear, etc. makes life simpler. Sometimes less choice makes for less mind clutter.
Making space for things tucked away is easy on the eyes and helps keep things organized.
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Paint Color-it is a very light blueish-green. It was a custom match. If you bring this info in to a paint store they can make the formula.
This is just one of the great ways you have inspired me over the years! Thank you so much Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThank you Courtney!
DeleteI love your bathroom rug!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I don't like cold tile...you can see I can completely avoid it. :)
DeleteLOL! Not TMI. I am now going down to one pair of PJ's...maybe two. Winter and Summer.
ReplyDeleteThat is a glorious bathroom! We've done a reno of one bathroom - getting rid of the huge 1970's vanity that took up too much space. I'm trying not to put all the stuff back - I'm sorting carefully before anything make it back in.
ReplyDeleteWhat color is your bathroom's wall? We have to reno a bedroom soon and we're looking for something light but attractive - a compromise between my husband's desire to paint everything off white, and my hope to have some color!
I will link to the color and paint can above. Thank you! It's not a fancy bathroom but I do love it.
DeleteI loved you 40 bags in 40 days the first time I saw it posted. I had two cabinets full of cookbooks. I cleaned it out last week and only kept a few of ones I use often. What a freeing feeling. I also took out the hard drives from old computers so I can now recycle them at Goodwill. I am fairly organized but these are projects I just kept putting off.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to put off the projects we dread-I do the same.
DeleteI love your suction cup mirror. I need that in a magnification!
ReplyDelete