Some people are naturally good at keeping their rooms tidy, while some of us need to be reminded, whether by a frustrated parent or roommate, or by not being able to walk through our room without tripping over something. The problem is that if your room is a mess, the prospect of cleaning it can seem like an overwhelming task. But if you approach it in "layers" as described below, it'll be much less intimidating and, who knows? You might have some fun!
**Turn off the computer, unless you are going to use your computer to listen to music. Sign off from any chat programs. Don't even take time to put up an "away message". The temptation to chat or browse can be a major pitfall. If you are in the middle of something, then turn off your screen at least.
**Put on an album that you enjoy singing or dancing along with. Stay away from mellow, relaxing music--you need motivation. Turn it up as loud as you're allowed to put it so you're not thinking of anything else. Make a game of seeing how much you can get cleaned up during one song.
**Open all of your curtains or blinds and, if appropriate, the windows themselves to let some light and fresh air in. If you're cleaning at night, just turn on all of the lights. This will allow you to see everything and brighten your cleaning process. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on. There's a good chance you'll work up a sweat.
**Sweep out everything from under the bed and dressers. You may be surprised to find just how much junk has accumulated there, much of which is probably stuff you'd thought you'd lost or may have simply forgotten about. Separate all of it into four piles: One is trash, the second is give away, the third is recycling, and the last pile is things that should stay in your room.
**Gather the trash and throw it away. Then recycle the recycling. Keeping a garbage bag in the room will help. Pull stuff out from under and behind the rest of your furniture like desks, dressers, end tables, nightstands or bookshelves. Your only concern right now should be trash and recycling so don't put anything else away, and don't start organizing just yet.
**Put everything in your room that you need to put away in a big pile on your bed. When stuff is all over the room it is easy to avoid, but when it's all right there in a big, tall pile, it is almost impossible to leave it there. As you're building up your pile, set any clothes aside in a hamper or in a separate pile.
**Fold or hang your clean clothes and put them away, while throwing the dirty ones in the laundry basket. If you come across something that you haven't worn in quite some time, try it on. If it doesn't fit you, give it to charity, as long as it's not dirty or torn. Organize your closet and dressers. Close all drawers and doors; make sure nothing is sticking out.
**Attack the pile. Put everything in its place - don't just shove everything under the bed and call it a day - but don't organize yet. For example, put all the books where they're supposed to be, like on your bookshelf, but don't get caught up in organizing the bookshelf just yet, or else you'll lose momentum. Just keep grabbing an item from the pile on your bed, put it in its place, and move onto the next item. If you find something that doesn't belong anywhere, either consider giving it away, or make a place for it. Continue putting everything away (stuffed animals, photographs, purses, shoes, and so on) until your bed is cleared.
**If you find things that need to be put in another room (like dishes that belong in the kitchen) grab a laundry basket or box and put those items in there. When you're done putting everything away that belongs in your room, you can go and put the rest of the things away that belong in other rooms. Individually taking the items to their spots in other parts of the house is a big waste of time.
**Time for the bed. Strip it bare. Take off all the bedding and use this opportunity to rotate the mattress. Flipping over your mattress not only increases its lifespan, but it will also feel great to sleep on the under-used side. Now, get out some fresh bedding and change the sheets. Then, finally make your bed. An unmade bed will make any room look messy by itself.
Stack your books and magazines neatly, even those on the floor. Organize your bookshelf if you have one. Dust the books and the shelf surfaces with a feather duster or a moist cloth.
**Clean up your desk, organizing and dusting as you go along. Even a simple dusting can make your desk look more inviting to sit at again.
**Straighten or organize anything else that needs attention. Look around your room and see if there are any spots remaining that look messy. Now is the time to untangle your jewelry, put pairs of shoes together neatly, re-arrange your picture frames, and so on. Focus on the finishing touches.
**Mop or vacuum the floor. Believe it or not, even if the floor isn't too dirty, cleaning it can make your room look much better. Make sure you get into the corners and edges as well.
**Wipe all surfaces with a cloth or paper towel and an appropriate cleanser. Don't forget door knobs, mirrors and windows. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it off and dust it thoroughly with a damp cloth.
**Spray your favorite air freshener or place some bags of dried lavender or potpourri in your room and reward yourself when you are done with something that you enjoy. You earned it!
COURTESY
Additional reading : How to clean your home in 19 minutes
**Put on an album that you enjoy singing or dancing along with. Stay away from mellow, relaxing music--you need motivation. Turn it up as loud as you're allowed to put it so you're not thinking of anything else. Make a game of seeing how much you can get cleaned up during one song.
**Open all of your curtains or blinds and, if appropriate, the windows themselves to let some light and fresh air in. If you're cleaning at night, just turn on all of the lights. This will allow you to see everything and brighten your cleaning process. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on. There's a good chance you'll work up a sweat.
**Sweep out everything from under the bed and dressers. You may be surprised to find just how much junk has accumulated there, much of which is probably stuff you'd thought you'd lost or may have simply forgotten about. Separate all of it into four piles: One is trash, the second is give away, the third is recycling, and the last pile is things that should stay in your room.
**Gather the trash and throw it away. Then recycle the recycling. Keeping a garbage bag in the room will help. Pull stuff out from under and behind the rest of your furniture like desks, dressers, end tables, nightstands or bookshelves. Your only concern right now should be trash and recycling so don't put anything else away, and don't start organizing just yet.
**Put everything in your room that you need to put away in a big pile on your bed. When stuff is all over the room it is easy to avoid, but when it's all right there in a big, tall pile, it is almost impossible to leave it there. As you're building up your pile, set any clothes aside in a hamper or in a separate pile.
**Fold or hang your clean clothes and put them away, while throwing the dirty ones in the laundry basket. If you come across something that you haven't worn in quite some time, try it on. If it doesn't fit you, give it to charity, as long as it's not dirty or torn. Organize your closet and dressers. Close all drawers and doors; make sure nothing is sticking out.
**Attack the pile. Put everything in its place - don't just shove everything under the bed and call it a day - but don't organize yet. For example, put all the books where they're supposed to be, like on your bookshelf, but don't get caught up in organizing the bookshelf just yet, or else you'll lose momentum. Just keep grabbing an item from the pile on your bed, put it in its place, and move onto the next item. If you find something that doesn't belong anywhere, either consider giving it away, or make a place for it. Continue putting everything away (stuffed animals, photographs, purses, shoes, and so on) until your bed is cleared.
**If you find things that need to be put in another room (like dishes that belong in the kitchen) grab a laundry basket or box and put those items in there. When you're done putting everything away that belongs in your room, you can go and put the rest of the things away that belong in other rooms. Individually taking the items to their spots in other parts of the house is a big waste of time.
**Time for the bed. Strip it bare. Take off all the bedding and use this opportunity to rotate the mattress. Flipping over your mattress not only increases its lifespan, but it will also feel great to sleep on the under-used side. Now, get out some fresh bedding and change the sheets. Then, finally make your bed. An unmade bed will make any room look messy by itself.
Stack your books and magazines neatly, even those on the floor. Organize your bookshelf if you have one. Dust the books and the shelf surfaces with a feather duster or a moist cloth.
**Clean up your desk, organizing and dusting as you go along. Even a simple dusting can make your desk look more inviting to sit at again.
**Straighten or organize anything else that needs attention. Look around your room and see if there are any spots remaining that look messy. Now is the time to untangle your jewelry, put pairs of shoes together neatly, re-arrange your picture frames, and so on. Focus on the finishing touches.
**Mop or vacuum the floor. Believe it or not, even if the floor isn't too dirty, cleaning it can make your room look much better. Make sure you get into the corners and edges as well.
**Wipe all surfaces with a cloth or paper towel and an appropriate cleanser. Don't forget door knobs, mirrors and windows. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it off and dust it thoroughly with a damp cloth.
**Spray your favorite air freshener or place some bags of dried lavender or potpourri in your room and reward yourself when you are done with something that you enjoy. You earned it!
COURTESY
Additional reading : How to clean your home in 19 minutes
