Five on Friday

1. What housekeeping chore(s) do you hate doing the most?
Floors. I don't mind sweeping or swiffering so much, but I detest mopping and absolutely loathe and will put off as long as possible vacuuming. Must have been a cat in a former life.

2. Are there any that you like or don't mind doing?
My house is very small and space for anything is at a premium. I really like storing things, using every inch of space to best advantage, whether it's reorg'ing the pantry cupboard after a grocery run, or the fridge, ditto, or tearing into the linen closet and making all the stacks even and pretty. It's an intellectual spacial-relationships exercise for me--a puzzle. Also, doing a swift round of a room squaring edges of magazine stacks, plumping cushions, tucking and straightening slipcovers, picking up detritus. I'm all about the payoff, and when I tear through a room tidying, as opposed to actually cleaning, the result is immediate gratification for minimal effort. I'm easily pleased.

3. Do you have a routine throughout the week or just clean as it's needed?
As needed, and as I see it. I've often told the story of how I lived for six months in my first apartment before I realized the kitchen floor wasn't that color when I moved in. My mom was a supremely competent housekeeper with her own standards which I couldn't match, so it was easier for her to do than to be patient and teach me. Lots of stuff got done while I wasn't looking, so I had no clue. It actually took me an embarrassingly long time to be able to see dirt, as it accumulates slowly. Messes, yes, easy to see and deal with. Floors, windows, bathtubs, with dirt that accrues gradually? Not so much. So now, when I see dirty, I clean it right away, with whatever's to hand. Because if I wait till I have the proper tools and cleaning product and adequate time to devote to the job? I'll do something else with the time.

4. Do you have any odd cleaning/housekeeping quirks or rules?
I don't like to dust or vacuum in artificial light. I prefer the area flooded with daylight.

5. What was the last thing you cleaned?
Emptied the dish drainer and put things away.

Five on Friday

1. What housekeeping chore(s) do you hate doing the most?
Floors. I don't mind sweeping or swiffering so much, but I detest mopping and absolutely loathe and will put off as long as possible vacuuming. Must have been a cat in a former life.

2. Are there any that you like or don't mind doing?
My house is very small and space for anything is at a premium. I really like storing things, using every inch of space to best advantage, whether it's reorg'ing the pantry cupboard after a grocery run, or the fridge, ditto, or tearing into the linen closet and making all the stacks even and pretty. It's an intellectual spacial-relationships exercise for me--a puzzle. Also, doing a swift round of a room squaring edges of magazine stacks, plumping cushions, tucking and straightening slipcovers, picking up detritus. I'm all about the payoff, and when I tear through a room tidying, as opposed to actually cleaning, the result is immediate gratification for minimal effort. I'm easily pleased.

3. Do you have a routine throughout the week or just clean as it's needed?
As needed, and as I see it. I've often told the story of how I lived for six months in my first apartment before I realized the kitchen floor wasn't that color when I moved in. My mom was a supremely competent housekeeper with her own standards which I couldn't match, so it was easier for her to do than to be patient and teach me. Lots of stuff got done while I wasn't looking, so I had no clue. It actually took me an embarrassingly long time to be able to see dirt, as it accumulates slowly. Messes, yes, easy to see and deal with. Floors, windows, bathtubs, with dirt that accrues gradually? Not so much. So now, when I see dirty, I clean it right away, with whatever's to hand. Because if I wait till I have the proper tools and cleaning product and adequate time to devote to the job? I'll do something else with the time.

4. Do you have any odd cleaning/housekeeping quirks or rules?
I don't like to dust or vacuum in artificial light. I prefer the area flooded with daylight.

5. What was the last thing you cleaned?
Emptied the dish drainer and put things away.