A Clean House: It's Not A Top Priority

We as women (and men too, because a lot of men are at home now) wear many hats and have many roles that we have to fill in life. How we do this sets the tone for our lives and that of our children. If you're wondering, “What does this have to do with cleaning?”, we'll gladly tell you.

We have talked to several women over the last month and the one common theme we heard was, “Oh, housecleaning or keeping a clean house is not a priority.” Some of the comments included: “I don't like cleaning and my kids won't do it, so it won't get done”and “I don't clean because I like spending time with my kids or I don't have time.” In these cases, remember our children are watching us--what are we really teaching them? (It's not a top priority).

Two other comments were, “I work all the time and when I get home I'm just too tired” and “I've been so busy, I haven't swept my kitchen floor in a month.” (It's not a top priority). We even heard “Why should I clean up for other people. They are coming to see me, not my house” and “It wasn't until I moved that I realized how dusty my apartment was because it was so dimly lit.” (It's not a top priority).

If we do a little soul searching, we'll find that when we don't have our priorities in order, it leads to other problems. When we have different emotions going on inside, we have to take the time to work through them, get them out, find the root cause(s) and come up with a solution. Coming home to or getting up to a dirty home can cause some of these emotions. What you're feeling on the inside shows on the outside and because of this, you try to keep it in so people won't see who you really are. Who are you? Are you the one that closes the door behind you hoping no one will see the mess you have inside your home. What's on the inside will soon come to the outside and you will have to deal with it. Let's see the real you!

Everything we do reflects who we are and the way we deal with situations is what really counts. If anything is bothering you, even something as simple as housecleaning, we would like to suggest the following:

1. Admit that you have a problem.
2. Write it down.
3. Talk to someone about it.
4. Create an action plan.
5. Put your plan into action.

We think that housecleaning should be a priority and when we begin to do first things first, we'll have time for everything else. It just works out that way. One final comment that we heard is one we do agree with and it is, “Thursday is my cleaning day and I get up early (before work) to start cleaning and do laundry so when I come home on Friday, I have a clean home and I don't have to spend my weekend cleaning.”


R U Looking? has more tried and true tips like this, and if followed you will have a cleaner home and just maybe peace of mind! R U Looking? Are you seeing what's really there?

Wannie and Lillie

Spring Is In The Air

Spring is in the air! If you live in the south, you've already had a glimpse of the warm weather that's in store for us. As the season changes, you smile as you hear the birds singing and enjoy longer days. As you look around your home inside and out, there are so many things you want to do or need to do. Where do you start?

If you start inside your home, R U Looking? recommends that you start by decluttering your home room by room. Having too much stuff in your home makes it difficult to find things and it also makes it harder to clean. It can hinder movement throughout your home and it prevents you from seeing the corners in your home. Spring is the perfect time to go through your home and discard items that may be broken or things you're not using or those things you just don't need anymore. This is also a great time to check and/or change filters especially since pollen and other allergens are in full force.

R U Looking? suggests that if you cleaned the halls before you decked the halls, you may not have much to do.  Some of the "spring cleaning" items include:

1. Cleaning and/or painting baseboards and checking corners for trash accumulation especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.
2. Moving and cleaning underneath large furniture and appliances including the stove and refrigerator.
3. Washing windows and window sills.
4. Having air ducts professionally cleaned including the dryer duct.
5. Stripping the floors and applying a new coat of wax.

R U Looking? has tried and true tips not only for spring cleaning, but for maintaining a clean home at all times. Get your copy today!

Wannie and Lillie

10 Often Overlooked Areas of Dirt in Our Homes – The Seen and the Unseen

Sometimes, we have to go the extra mile when cleaning our homes. This simply means those areas that we forget to clean, don't want to clean or thought we did not need to clean may need some extra attention. But don't be alarmed, as stated in R U Looking? these overlooked areas don't have to be cleaned on a daily basis. In fact, some will only have to be cleaned twice a year. But once you do them, they will have a tremendous impact on the appearance of your home. These “dirty” places fall into two categories: The seen and the unseen:

The seen:
1) Clutter
2) Light fixtures, wall hangings and ceiling fans
3) Basements and laundry areas
4) Windows and window sills
5) Corners and baseboards

The unseen:
1) On top of the refrigerator
2) Behind furniture
3) Underneath appliances (stove and refrigerator)
4) Throw rugs and area rugs
5) Clutter

For more detailed information regarding these areas, get your copy of R U Looking? today!

Wannie and Lillie

Spring Has Sprung: Time to Deep Clean

As the season changes and the days become longer, we tend to open the windows in our homes and let the sunshine come in. As we enter into March, we want to remind any of you who made resolutions to de-clutter this year to get back on track. This time of year is a great time to begin spring cleaning.

Major “underneath” cleaning should be done twice per year and spring is usually the first time of the year that we roll up our sleeves to do it. Some things on the “to do” list can range from washing and painting baseboards, stripping floors and applying a new coat of wax to moving and cleaning underneath appliances and large furniture.

In our book, R U Looking? you will find a list of other things to consider when spring cleaning. The list is not exhaustive and you may not have to do everthing that we suggest. As you go through the list however, you will learn to see what's really in your home and you can identify any problem areas and begin to transform the look of your home from floor to ceiling!

Get your copy of R U Looking? today and let the sunshine come in!

Wannie and Lillie

Get the Weight Off and Love Again

February is sometimes called the LOVE month. It's here and in full swing and love should be in the air! But maybe love is not on your mind because you're feeling helpless and the issues of life are weighing you down. The motivation of your new year's resolution is fleeing and you don't feel like doing anything at all – especially cleaning your home.

Hebrews 12:1 says “let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We have to do just that. There are some things in life that we simply cannot control and we have to stop worrying about those things. We literally have to lay them aside because they are out of our hands. But the things we can control and do, we must DO THEM. We have to endure so that we can see the end of it! Follow these steps to make your home a home that you love again.

1. Clear your mind
2. Look around your home
3. Identify your problem room
4. Think about what you need to do in that room
5. Focus on that
6. Now get ready to work

With a clear mind, the weights of life set aside and off your shoulders, you can focus on what must be done in all areas of your life. Choose today to make it your best day. R U Looking? Are you seeing what's really there? Remember, things always look better in a clean room!

Wannie and Lillie

More tips coming soon!

3 Steps to Win the Battle Against Clutter

What exactly is clutter? We found several definitions such as untidy mess; state of disorder; litter; things left around untidily; to disorder and to make untidy. Have you made any progress in your decluttering projects? What state are you in? Are you an "untidy mess" or do you choose to live untidily? Do you find yourself hoarding things or holding on to stuff that you refuse to let go?

In this new year, make an honest decision to live clean and free from clutter. Learn to let go of things that are not important. Don't allow things to become more important than life. You will find that when you let go of things, it not only frees you of clutter physically, it can also free you mentally. As you let go, you will feel a weight being lifted off. And as you clear the inside of your home and yourself, the outside will be better. You will find yourself happier and free!

Let us know what's on your mind and as you go through your clutter, follow these three steps to win the battle:

1. Pace yourself. Once you've chosen the area to declutter, do a little each day. Remember, life by the yard is hard, but life by the inch is a cinch!
2. Don't get too overwhelmed thinking of all the things you have to do because you end up procrastinating and not doing anything at all.
3. Try and get everyone in your home on board. Otherwise you might find yourself fighting a losing battle.

Open your eyes and win the battle! R U Looking? Are you seeing what's really there?