Clockwise and anti-clockwise

[Louise Lotz]

I have been keeping up my tasks and will come and report back on them soon.

I want to share my tip for keeping the rest of the house clean in a hurry.

This is what I call clockwise and anti-clockwise.

When I am in a hurry I go round the room clockwise and put away everything I can see that looks as if it needs to be put away. When I have a bit more time, I go round the room anti-clockwise and spend more time clearing an area that needs more attention. I find that in each room I can remember my 'place' on anti-clockwise - so I know which big area needs a clean. The clockwise goes really quickly so I can start anywhere.

So when I go into the kitchen, instead of being really random, I sweep round the room clockwise and look at what needs putting away. For anti-clockwise, I know I have reached the vegetable rack, so I know when I am in the kitchen with some time to spare, I will go through the vegetable rack, remove any dead vegetables or misplaced objects, take all the old shopping bags to the recycle point and so on. After that my next move is the next area that needs cleaning, so going anti-clockwise that will be the dustbin.

By doing this clockwise and anti-clockwise, it means I don't just wander from room to room, and when I am in a room I know what to do there. It does not always work, as my tendency to procrastinate is very inventive. But it means I have a good habit in the making and it is easy to remember. If the phone rings or if I go out, it means when I get back I know where to start again. It is simple enough to remember.

-L