Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | 19 Minutes to a Clean House

19 Minutes to a Clean House
from Real Simple

The holidays mean unexpected guests, dropping in to spread cheer -- but causing you anxiety over a not-quite-clean house. Don't worry. We've got speed cleaning down to a science. Simply incorporate our 19-minute method into your routine and you'll have a tidy house all day, every day.

KITCHEN: 4� MINUTES
� Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
� Wipe down the stove top (one minute).
� Wipe down the counters (one minute).
� Sweep, Swiffer or vacuum the floor (two minutes).
Tip: Always start with the sink. "Keep it empty and shining," says Marla Cilley, author of Sink Reflections. A sparkling sink becomes your kitchen's benchmark for hygiene and tidiness, inspiring you to load the dishwasher immediately and keep counters, refrigerator doors and the stove top spick-and-span, too.

BATHROOM: 2 MINUTES
� Wipe out the sink (30 seconds).
� Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds).
� Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds).
� Wipe the mirror and faucet (15 seconds).
� Squeegee the shower door (30 seconds).
� Spray the entire shower and the curtain liner with shower mist after every use (15 seconds).
Tip: Make cleaning the basin as routine as washing your hands. But don't stop there. Get the most out of your premoistened wipe by using it to clean around the edges of the tub and then the toilet before tossing it.

BEDROOM: 6� MINUTES
� Make the bed (two minutes).
� Fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry (four minutes).
� Straighten out the night-table surface (30 seconds).
Tip: Make your bed right before or after your morning shower. A neat bed will inspire you to deal with other messes immediately. Although smoothing sheets and plumping pillows might not seem like a high priority as you're rushing to work, the payoff comes at the end of the day, when you slip back under the unruffled covers.

LIVING ROOM: 6 MINUTES
� Pick up crumbs and dust bunnies with a handheld vacuum (one minute).
� Fluff the cushions and fold throws after use (two minutes).
� Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (one minute).
� Straighten coffee-table books and magazines. Throw out newspapers. Put away CDs and videos (two minutes).
Tip: Start with the sofa -- as long as it's in disarray, your living room will never look tidy. Once you've fluffed the pillows and folded the throws, you're halfway done. Pop in a CD while you dust; you should be able cover the whole room by the end of the third track.

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