Give Me Five Monday!

The 'Give Me Five' Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! This is brought to you by our lovely hostess, Becca, who asks today: Give Me Five tips and tricks for keeping your house clean and clutter free.

I am a pretty organized person as anyone who reads my blog with a little regularity can tell you, and as my family and co-workers would also tell you. But... my house is not spotless! I wish it was! I am forever organizing and cleaning to try and keep up with a family of six. When things are organized and clean, I am simply a happier person.

1. I make a "chore chart" each month that shows the kids what they are expected to do on a daily basis as well as each weekend. They live here, and they are expected to contribute. Granted, they don't do much, and only one of them ever does more than is expected of her, but it helps. I wrote about it in a post here if you'd like to see a picture of what it looks like.

2. Rachel Anne at Home Sanctuary suggested putting cleaning supplies under the cabinet in each bathroom so that you don't have to lug them around, and if the supplies are there, you're more likely to take five minutes to clean the bathroom. Each of my bathrooms has cleansers, glass cleaner, a toilet scrubber, clorox wipes, paper towels, and wash cloths under the sink. I also participate in her "small things" challenges each day, or as often as I can. Check it out!

3. Plan your menus, at least tentatively. Laura over at Organizing Junkie has Menu Plan Monday each week. I participate as often as I can. It helps me with grocery shopping and the "what's for dinner" syndrome. She also hosts monthly organizing challenges. I love her site!

4. Laundry is always a challenge in our household because there is so much of it. I make it a goal to fold and put away laundry as soon as it comes out of the dryer, and I ask my kids to put away their own clothes. The older girls do their own laundry (most of the time), and sometimes even the youngest daughter. Enlisting help is a must.

5. Find a place for everything. We have a basket in the kitchen that holds keys and miscellaneous items. We have school supplies located in one area of our downstairs closet. The kids know where to find paper, markers, index cards, etc. Chargers we don't use frequently and electronic "extras" are in a plastic box in the cabinet. Designate an area, basket, container, or "spot" for everything. This really helps if you are forgetful like me.

6. I know this is Give Me Five, but I can't help myself! I keep my pantry organized - all the spices in one section, soups, canned vegetables, packaged foods, etc. Makes life easier.

7. I still can't help myself! Towels are a big deal when you have four kids sharing a bathroom. I bought new towels, four colors, one color per child. If they pick up after themselves and keep up with their laundry, they will always have a clean towel. My older girls tend to leave their towels on the floor (I think this is disgusting), then they get in the bathroom, their towels are in the bedroom, so they grab another towel. That means a towel a day, but not with my system. There is no reason to use a different towel every day if you pick it up off the floor and hang it up like you should.

Cleaning and organzing is my thing! Well, ONE of my many things! Check out more tips at this week's Give-Me-Five.