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Alright, Seriously Now…How Clean Do We Need to Be?

This morning I had one of those moments when I wondered just how clean my house really is compared with what other people do.  That is to say, is my house cleaned more or less often than the American averages - how often the floors are mopped, kitchens cleaned etc etc. I am not a clean freak by any stretch of the imagination, but I hardly consider myself a slob. Oh sure I love cleanliness and we all know a tidy house just feels more comfortable, but I prefer to live on the side of “it’s good enough”. Considering days are always too short and I have an active son who needs to get out and about,  I’d rather spend my time pasting and gluing (and even running outside) with my son rather than fretting over that smudge on the wall. Not that I won’t get to the smudge, I just don’t feel any kind of need to do it before I planned to.  Sometimes our life looks a bit disorganized, but I always feel as though the house is clean, if not a bit disheveled.

At any rate, I happily began googling these household averages, and imagine my shock and dismay when I started reading there are folks out there that mop their floors and clean their bathrooms every day?!? EVERY DAY? Are you kidding me? The bathroom (that is one bathroom for the three of us) in this household is cleaned weekly, though I wipe it down on an as-needed basis. Floors are swept about 4 times a week and mopped once. Yes, once and I’m proud of it. My floors might be “dirty” to some, but I have to say though I wouldn’t eat off it I certainly can walk barefoot without cringing…  And besides, Jaden and I have a blast reading stories in the afternoon, or going for long walks. Before I was pregnant, it would have been one good scrub and one Swiffer mop a week, but right now, it’s just the mop and a spot clean for any spills. We have cats and I only vacuum once a week. Again, that number was higher pre-baby and likely will be again once I regain some mobility (ie can bend over without grunting).  I could do these chores at night once the kiddo is in bed, but that’s time for me and my dear husband.  So really, I try to do a little cleaning a day and rotate the chores so it all gets done eventually, but I don’t have to spend too much time daily in cleaning.

So here’s my question, ladies and gentlemen.  Share your dirty little secrets (or expose mine further!) - how often do you do these routine chores?  I hope you’ll leave me some comments and let me know.  Call it an unscientific poll.

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January Article Available

There is a new article up for your perusal on my article page - simply click on the link to read On the Challenges of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom.
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Lollipop Tree
Suggested Age: […]

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