Tidy what's there

We're not starting with a deep clean

It’s a good time for the Reasonably Clean House series, because we actually do have time to get things in order for the holidays.

We started in the bedroom. When you read that post, notice I’m not talking about a deep clean, not really; that’s an overwhelming way to begin learning your housewifery and tempts you to lapse back into pretending you don’t care.

Today, with your bedroom fairly clean, go to your living areas and just tidy up what’s there.

You need a laundry basket for items that belong elsewhere. Start around the periphery, moving clockwise or counterclockwise (I don’t care, just choose so you don’t have to think!), ending in the center of the room.

Straighten cushions, make neat piles of things on the coffee table, arrange toys where they are, align the spines of books in bookshelves or in their stacks on side tables, throw away trash (I recommend a small decorative trash basket with a plastic bag in it in every room other than the formal ones).

If there are piles of paperwork, straighten them out in place.

Don’t — do not — address the contents of the laundry basket until you have tidied the living room/den/dining room situation — just stick it in the hall. When the rooms are tidy, you may summon children to put their things away.

Put on a load of laundry and figure out what’s for dinner!

The School for Housewives brings you short, practical, and thoughtful messages to inspire you to make your home. For the longer version:

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As with everything here at the SFH, the best thing is for you to take what I’m saying — ideas that come from my experience of 45 years of marriage and raising seven children — and apply them to your situation with discernment, prudence, and confidence — and a sense of humor!

Nicholas Van Der Waay