Erasable Chore Chart

I know these have been done to death, but I needed to find something that would work with my kids and I think this just might be it.The paper charts we were using before would get convienently lost. Then I would hear, “what day do I do the dishes?”, ”I didn’t know I had to empty the garbage”, “no, I don’t do that on tuesday, I do it on wednesday”. Really!

My kids are older (the youngest is almost 7), so I don’t need a cutsie chart any more. I made the chart using different fonts for each child: Modern No. 20, Wingdings, Kristen, Lucida Calligraphy, Bradley Hand, Bookmark Old style, Comic Sans. And different colors for each child too: Red, Lime, Orange, Aqua, Plum, Light Blue, Black. 

Before I could put it all together, I sprayed the whole frame black because I didn’t like the gold trim around the inside of the frame. It took 4 coats of paint to make the gold disappear. 

While the paint was drying, I cut the scrapbook paper to size, to be used as the mat. 

Then I cut the chore chart a little smaller than the scrapbook paper.

Glued the  2 pieces of paper together and then slipped it into the frame.

I used the Command strips to hang the chart where the kids would have to walk past it at least 20 times a day.

And I made sure to use the level while hanging it. The Command strips are very forgiving though. If you’re off a little, it’s easy to adjust by just realigning the hook and loop a little.

It hangs on a wall in the mudroom (nope, I haven’t finished the room yet). The dry erase marker just sits on top of the frame.

As they do their chores for the day, they mark them off the chart. You can use the dry erase marker directly on the glass. It wipes right off and is ready for the next week. Now if I get asked if they can play, I ask them if their boxes are all marked off for that day. It’s that easy! And I hope it works.

I’m linking to:

Get Your Craft On at Today’s Creative Blog

Spotlight Yourself at It’s So Very Cheri

Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple

Hookin’ Up With HOH at House of Hepworths

Get Your Craft On Thursday at Life As Lori

Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge

Friday Fun Finds at Kojo Designs

Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom

Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming

DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Organize a Family House Clean-up Day

·                    Make sure the day you choose is free and clear from any other activities or distractions. Have your whole family mark the day on their calendar or planner and make sure they know they are expected to be there.

·                    Write down areas that might be a problem and what supplies will be needed. Go shopping and purchase all the supplies you will need before the clean-up day.

·                    Don’t forget to purchase your families’ favorite snacks and drinks to have on hand for those well-deserved breaks.

·                    Have everyone pick his or her favorite CD to bring to the clean up. You might end up with some Little Mermaid, High School Musical and Rap, but then you’ll have your turn. You could even give a prize for the most motivating music.

·                    Be sure to make the chores age appropriate for everyone. Younger one’s can work beside you, so you can keep an eye on them and help if needed. Or you can team them with an older sibling. If they’re really young, see if a family member can take them for a few hours.

·                    Turn off your cell phone and confiscate your kids cell phones to limit distractions and get the job done in a timely manner. If you really have to check it, you can do it during a cleaning break.

·                    Take pictures of the clean up along the way. It will show how it looked when you started, what everyone worked on, the end result and what everyone looked like. You kids can also prove to their kids that they actually did help around the house when they were younger.

·                    Use your four boxes for cleaning up: throw away, give away, store away, put away. Toss the throw away bags in the garbage and have someone take the larger items to the dumps. Have someone take the give away boxes to the donation center. Have someone take the put away box around the house and return items to their proper places. Have someone put the store away box in storage and be sure to label the top and sides.

·                    Plan a family reward for when the job is finished. If you’re too tired from your busy day or it’s too late, plan it for another day. Take your family out to dinner and a movie, bowling or miniature golf.

·                    Enjoy spending time with your family even if it’s a clean-up day. You’ll be surprised how much fun everyone will have, even the teenagers.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

I love spring. I can open my windows and let out all the stale air of winter. It makes me want to get my house spick and span now, so I can enjoy summer and not have to do any deep cleaning then. Of course, in Utah, the weather is still pretty iffy. This week it’s going to get up to 70, but by next week we’ll be having snow and it will be down to 38. There’s so much deep cleaning to do that I usually do a little every week and spread it out over a month. That way I don’t feel overwhelmed and get it all done before the perfect weather starts. You can spread the chores out, do a little every week, do some every weekend or enlist your family and try to do it all in one day. Happy Spring and give yourself time to enjoy the warmer weather.

·                    Wash windows- inside and out.

·                    Wash window coverings.

·                    Wash blinds- I take mine down, it’s easier.

·                    Wash shower curtain and put up a new liner.

·                    Wash walls, door frames, window sills and baseboards.

·                    Shampoo carpets or hire someone to do it.

·                    Wax wood or tile floors- if your wood floors are really damaged have them sanded first and then refinished.

·                    Have furniture cleaned and sprayed with protectant.

·                    Condition leather furniture.

·                    Clean out cabinets, closets and other storage areas- find a charity to take your good, used items to.

·                    Clean under and behind large appliances- use the vacuum to capture dust.

·                    Clean under beds- do you know what’s under there?

·                    Wipe down cabinets- inside and out.

·                    Deep clean the oven, burners, stovetop and microwave.

·                    Clean area rugs and hall runners- I store mine away for spring and summer.

·                    Wash out interior and exterior garbage cans.

·                    Inspect, clean and repair outdoor furniture.

·                    Turn over and flip mattresses.

·                    Clear away any remaining dead foliage and weeds from lawn and flowerbeds.  

Conquer Monthly Cleaning Chores

·                    Clean light fixtures and exposed light bulbs- use a damp cloth to wipe clean and remove dust.

·                    Dust air vents- use the vacuum to quickly remove dust and take it away.

·                    Clean walls- kitchen and bathroom walls get dirty quicker than other rooms, because of grease and hair products. Use a wet cloth and a mild cleaner to wipe down the walls.

·                    Clean window treatments- take an old sock and place it on your hand to clean blinds easier. Vacuum drapes and sheers with a vacuum attachment.

·                    Dust thoroughly- use a micro fiber cloth and a spray to pick up more dust.

·                    Vacuum inside furniture- remove sofa and chair cushions and vacuum deep down in the furniture. Maybe you’ll find some money too.

·                    Clean windows- use newspaper instead of paper towels to not leave lint behind on windows.

·                    Spot clean carpet and upholstery- use a spray upholstery and carpet cleaner to keep spots away.

·                    Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month. Replace batteries if needed.

·                    Change filters- change your furnace and air filters every month. Change them on the same day every month so you don’t forget.

·                    Deep clean appliances- clean your oven, microwave, toaster or toaster oven, refrigerator coils, etc.

·                    Books and Magazines- toss or recycle magazines monthly. If you haven’t read them in a month you probably won’t. Return any borrowed books.

·                    Shower curtain/liner- wash your shower curtains monthly. Liners are so cheap, buy a few and have them on hand when you need to change them. 

Conquering Weekly Cleaning Chores

·                    Vacuum- carpets, rugs, stairs, furniture, hardwood floors.

·                    Dust- furniture, window sills, ceiling fans, table top décor, flat surfaces, wall décor, cobwebs.

·                    Spot clean all walls and doors.

·                    Collect garbage from all rooms- this will probably need to be done twice a week.

·                    Kitchen- clean microwave inside and out, clean toaster and/or toaster oven, scrub kitchen sink, wipe down all appliances, toss uneaten leftovers from fridge, mop floor.

·                    Bathrooms- clean tub, toilet and sink, wash mirror, sweep and mop floor, restock bathroom supplies.

·                    Bedrooms- change and clean all bed linens, dust and vacuum.

·                    Car- wash, vacuum, toss out garbage, clean windows, take out all toys and other things that don’t belong in the car.

Depending on your time, you can choose to do these weekly chores all in one day, over a few days or divide them up and do just one area each day. My husband’s in charge of the car, so that’s one I don’t have to worry about.

10 Ways to Make Time for Cleaning

·                    Use little minutes of time to get chores accomplished. Refer to my list of “25 Chores you can Complete in Less than One Minute”, posted on March 4.

·                    Use a Day Planner to schedule in time for chores. If it’s written down and you keep looking at it, you’re more likely to get it done.

·                    Don’t clean something if it doesn’t need to be cleaned. Why wash the windows or clean the blinds if they’re not dirty, just because you think it might be time.

·                    Do your cleaning at the same time or on the same day every week. Once a habit is formed, you just naturally do it and other things don’t seem to get in the way.

·                    Do you want your kids to help and learn the responsibility of doing chores daily? Use a chore chart and have a reward at the end of the week, once everything gets completed.

·                    Make doing chores fun for everyone. You can work together in teams and have a contest of who gets done first, maybe they can pick dessert for that night. Play music and sing while doing chores, set a timer and try to beat it or hide coins and treats for your kids to find while they’re doing their chores.

·                    Multi task as much as you can. Clean the kitchen counter and load the dishwasher while you’re preparing dinner, wipe down the washer and dryer while doing laundry or balance your checkbook while helping with homework.

·                    Keep up on the maintenance daily. Remember it’s easier to keep up than to catch up. It takes only a minute if you deal with your mail daily, but could take a half hour if you leave it till the end of the week.

·                    Break your chores into smaller, easier to manage chunks. Don’t try to accomplish everything in one day. Break it down and make it easier on yourself. Don’t try to organize all your closets in one day, work on one or two a week.

·                    Don’t forget to reward yourself. If you’ve work hard to accomplish something, give yourself a reward. Take a nice long bubble bath, read a favorite book or magazine or work on a project you’ve been wanting to start.

25 Chores You Can Complete in Less Than a Minute

Sometimes in your day, you don’t have more than a few minutes to get a few extra things done in the house. So here’s a list of chores that can be accomplished in less than a minute. Even if you only have an extra five minutes, you can accomplish at least five things.

·                    File today’s mail- do this daily so things don’t get out of hand.

·                    Empty the bathroom trash can- I never know what my kids might have put in there.

·                    Wipe fingerprints off a few doors.

·                    Clean a window- start with the one that is seen by guests the most.

·                    Dust the computer screen, keyboard, speakers and tower.

·                    Fluff pillows and fold throws- it can make your room look instantly neater.

·                    Wipe out the kitchen sink.

·                    Wipe down the washer and dryer- they get dusty really fast.

·                    Check your bulletin board- take off old notices, announcements, etc.

·                    Change a light bulb or two- buy the new light bulbs that last 5 years and you’ll have to change them less often.

·                    Clean the lint filter in your dryer- it will work more efficiently.

·                    Dust a ceiling fan.

·                    Replace the box of baking soda in your fridge and freezer- write the date on the box.

·                    Shake out your floor mats in front of your front and back doors.

·                    Wipe down one of your blinds- start in a public room.

·                    Dust air vents- or use the vacuum.

·                    Test your smoke alarms on one floor.

·                    Change the battery in a clock.

·                    Water a few plants.

·                    Wipe down a counter top- do it while you’re preparing a meal.

·                    Sprinkle baking soda in your garbage can.

·                    Wipe down an appliance or two- do this while you’re preparing a meal also.

·                    Clean a mirror.

·                    Change the hand towels in the bathrooms.

·                    Dust the TV screen.

Shortcuts to Cleaning

            No one likes to spend more time cleaning than they have too. Why not make it as quick as possible. Here are some cleaning shortcuts to help you save some time in every room of the house.

Kitchen:

·                    Only keep on your counters items that you use everyday. Put everything else away or give it to someone, if you don’t use it.

·                    Keep disposable wipes handy to wipe down the front of cabinets, the refrigerator, small appliances, the sink and water faucet.

·                    Clean up the counter, stove and dishes as you go during meal preparation.

Laundry Room:

·                    Use plastic totes or bins to hold detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, sprays, etc. to contain items and prevent spills.

·                    Have a wastebasket close by for dryer lint and items taken out of pants pockets. Have another basket close by for items taken out of pockets that need to be kept.

·                    Dampen a rag to clean the washer and dryer, before starting a load of laundry, then just toss the rag in the washer.

Bathroom:

·                    Instead of using bar soap to wash hands, use liquid soap so you don’t have to worry about soap scum on the sink.

·                    Wipe down the shower door and bathroom mirror after every shower.

·                    Wipe down the sink and other surface areas in the bathroom after you are finished getting ready every morning.

·                    Keep extra shower curtain liners on hand so you can change it as soon as it gets gross.

Entry or Mudroom:

·                    Have a rule that no shoes, only socks can be worn in the house. Have a space to store shoes by the door you use.

·                    Have a doormat on the inside and outside of the door to catch the dirt before it comes into the house.

·                    Store gloves, hats, scarves, umbrellas in baskets or bins near the door for convienence and to control items.

Living Room and Family Room:

·                    Fluff throw pillows, fold throws and flip over couch cushions for an instantly neater looking room.

·                    Vacuum only high traffic areas regularly and hard to reach areas during a deeper cleaning.

·                    Use a lint roller on drapes, sheers, lampshades and pillows to clean up lint and pet hair.

Bedrooms:

·                    Use baskets or bins with lids to hide toys, magazines, sewing projects and so on.

·                    Use a micro fiber cloth to quickly clean picture frames, TV screen and flat surfaces.

·                    Put clothing and other items away promptly to control clutter.

I’m linking to:
So Fresh and So Clean Party at Thrifty Decor Chick

The Quick Clean

          We’ve all been caught off guard one time or another when a friend or family member calls to say they’re on their way over. It always seems to be on the day when we’re running slower than usual and the house is not as clean as we would like. You take a quick look around your house and panic sets in. Don’t panic, just get busy and do a quick clean. Because nobody’s house is perfectly clean all of the time.

• Take a basket around the house picking up clutter, then put the basket out of sight. Just be sure to schedule time to put it away later.
• Clean up any trash and throw it out.
• Wipe down any obvious places in the bathroom.
• Close the doors to any rooms your guests won’t be in.
• Wipe the floor down with a damp cloth.
• Put cleaner in the toilet and swish it with the brush.
• Vacuum only the high traffic areas your guests will see.
• Dust mop any wooden floors quickly.
• Wipe up any obvious smudges on furniture, counters and mirrors.
• Straighten books, magazines, knick-knacks, etc.
• Straighten slipcovers, pillows and throws.
• Burn a scented candle for a pleasant smell.

Side Note:   Check your newspaper or mail inserts these next few weeks. Grocery stores are having case lot sales and you can pick up some really good deals for food storage and food you use everyday. My favorite this week is at Albertsons: select Campbell’s soup and pasta, 20 for $10.00. Good deal!

QUICK DAILY CLEANING

          This takes anywhere between 19-40 minutes a day depending on how many bathrooms and bedrooms you have in your home. Happy and fast cleaning so you can get to doing activities that are more fun.

·                    LIVINGROOM- 6 Minutes

1 min- pick up crumbs and dust bunnies with a hand held vaccum.

2 min- fluff cushions and pillows and fold throws.

1 min- wipe tabletops and spot clean fingerprints off cabinets.

2 min- straighten books and magazines. Throw out or recycle newspaper. Put away CD’s and DVD’s.

·                    KITCHEN- 4 ½ Minutes

30sec- wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher.

1 min- wipe down the stove top.

1 min- wipe down the counters.

2 min- sweep the floor.

·                    BATHROOM- 2 Minutes

     30 sec- wipe out the sink.

     15 sec- wipe the toilet seat and rim.

     15 sec- swish the toilet bowl with the brush.

     15 sec- wipe the mirror and faucet.

     30 sec- squeege the shower door.

     15 sec- spray the shower and curtain liner with shower mist.

·                    BEDROOM- 6 ½ Minutes

2 min- make your bed first thing in the morning.

4 min- fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry.

30sec- straighten out the night table surface.