How to Declutter, Clean and Simplify Your Life

This post has been sponsored by SC Johnson. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cleaning has always been a practice that has its fair share of mixed reviews. One portion of people may tell you they find it therapeutic while the other associates it with a chore or task they loathe. I personally find myself falling into the category of finding household work relaxing. Lucky for me, organization is having a major moment thanks to Marie Kondo and her methods of organizing. If you find yourself wanting to declutter, clean, or reorganize your space, you’ve come to the right place! I’m here to dish on my favorite tips for starting fresh each season and knowing which tools you’ll need to gather to get the cleaning underway.

Tools of the Trade:

A good clean requires tools or in this case, products to help you achieve the best clean possible! Because of this, I turn to S.C. Johnson Cleaning products to help get my space tidy in no time. Typically, I store a variety of these in a handy-to-reach basket under my kitchen sink (you may want to store higher if you have little ones!). We tend to stock up on these supplies when grocery shopping at our local Safeway. You can find all these products in the cleaning aisle. Along with a few heavy bristle brushes, sponges, and mop pads, these products will cover you from bathrooms to living spaces and every room in between.

Bathroom:

Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover: A slow-going drain can be a nightmare, especially if you're expecting company. To keep things moving smoothly, we always keep Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover on hand. It works fast, is safe on pipes, and cuts through standing water!

Scrubbing Bubbles® Bathroom Grime Fighter Aerosol: Scrubbing Bubbles® has long been our go-to for easy bathroom cleaning. Its penetrating foam removes 100% of lingering soap scum while also cleaning hard-to-reach spaces on tiled surfaces. 

Scrubbing Bubbles® Fresh Gel Toilet Cleaning Stamp: I’m all for efficient, little-effort products—especially when they can extend the clean while also keeping things fresh! This fresh gel stamp lasts up to 12 days and helps maintain your hard work for you—meaning no scrubbing or touching! Just add them to a freshly cleaned toilet to keep things looking spick and span. These would be perfect for a hallway or shared bathroom!

Multi-Space:

Windex® Glass Cleaner: It's a must for removing lingering finger-prints, dog nose smudges, and all the other window marks! Cleaning your windows is an easy fix to brighten any space.

Pledge® Multisurface Cleaner: For common area surfaces, Pledge® does the trick! I love the misting spray on this cleaner; it’s designed to be gentle and safe for all your favorite surfaces. It helps reveal your surface’s natural beauty without damaging them! 

Get into the Zone

Who said cleaning had to be all work and no play? If I know I'll be spending the better part of the day cleaning, I’ll put on music or a podcast to listen to while working. Not only does this make the time go by quicker, but you’ll also be enjoying what you're hearing—or dare I say, singing!! 

Time Block

If you’re pressed for time and need to tidy, look no further than time blocking. The method isn’t complicated and is more-so designed to make you efficient at completing the task at hand. This was key for me, as I’m quite notorious for starting in one room and jumping to another area without fully cleaning the previous. Knowing I have several spaces to clean, I can designate 10-12 minutes of time to each space and knock out the majority of the rooms in my home in an hour! Give this method a go next time you clean; simply set a timer for the designated minutes and get to work. Try your best to stay within that space and not stray to the next.

Clear your Counters

Each and every one of us is bound to have a unique cleaning approach. The same can also be said for the style in which we choose to decorate or design a space. Generally speaking, I always find that a room, whether it be a living space or kitchen counter, tends to collect “things” over time. Both Kevin and I are always dropping a mail on the kitchen table, tossing work bags on the couch, and leaving Evie’s pacifiers scattered throughout our home. These are signs of life and love and although I don’t typically mind them during the week, I always make a point to tidy on the weekends.

A great way to clear your counters is to make a pile of all the out-of-place items in the room. After you're done with your cleaning, start on your pile and begin putting these things back in their appropriate rooms. This was a tactic my mom would utilize when I was growing up. It encouraged us to grab our belongings (which were typically toys, clothing, or shoes) and put them back where they belonged. If you have children (toddler to teen), you can also try incorporating this method as a way to get them involved in the cleaning process.

Don’t Forget your Plants

Plants need basic cleaning, too, especially if you have plants or trees in your home with large or wide leaves. I make a point to wipe down any large leaves (like our fiddle-fig leaf) with a damp cloth or paper towel. This task is especially true if you have faux plants, as they tend to be dust-collectors!

Keep it Simple

While cleaning is technically a chore, the process doesn’t need to be over-complicated. Utilizing great products, like the ones mentioned above from S.C. Johnson, can make a difference in any room. The same can be said for semi-consistent cleaning. I find that if I designate one day a week to clean, my house stays organized for much longer than if I waited for things to get worse. These days, you can also utilize mobile apps (like Safeway's!) to order products ahead of time or search for savings prior to your visit.

I’d love to know how you stay on top of cleaning your home! What hacks or cleaning products do you utilize to keep your home looking tidy and fresh?

Happy Cleaning,

Kelly