Declutter Like a Champ & Clean Like a Boss

A 5-day free challenge that will help you to reduce the clutter (#momlife) by focusing on one area of your house per day (in less than 30 minutes, because I know you're as busy as I am!), while also giving you the resources clean up your clean routine. Cleaning doesn't have to suck and you don't have to live in perpetual mess. Seriously.

What do you get when you sign up?

Instructions, advice, cleaning supply recipes, and a daily dose of encouragement straight to your inbox.
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Live videos on Facebook for some extra motivation, support, advice, and all your questions answered.

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The challenge has started but...

In case you missed the first email, here it is! Day 1! 

Day 1: The Kitchen
Oh hey, girl! We are HERE! Day 1! I am actually so freakin' excited to get started ... Yep, I'm pumped to clean and you should be too! Today, we are tackling the kitchen - it's the heart of the home and, man, does it ever get dirty.


I am going to give you a list - you choose what works for you and/or what your home needs the most. I'm challenging you to pick 3-5 (or more) items from this list and just get them done. Don't let procrastination stop you!
 
Pick your first task, set a timer for 5-10 minutes - depending on the task - and bust it out. Heck, race the timer, and reward yourself with some hot coffee if you win.
 
The Kitchen

• Declutter countertops (if it doesn't belong in the kitchen, keep a box or basket handy to return all the misplaced items that have found their way to your counters)
  
• Wipe down counters
  
• Clean out expired, bad, and old food from the fridge
  
• Wipe down fridge shelves
  
• Wipe down appliances
  
• Clean coffee maker
  
• Decrumb the toaster (just take that bad boy outside, flip it upside down, and give it a good shake)
  
• Clean out the junk drawer (you know your kitchen has one. This task is super ugh, but you can do it!)
  
• Clean the microwave
  
• Sweep floor
  
• Wipe down kitchen chairs
  
• Declutter the kitchen table (don't think too much - if you know you don't need it, toss it or donate it! Again, return everything to it's appropriate home)
  
• Clean the oven (this is a quick one if you have a self-cleaning oven and it also makes you feel super productive!)
  

I also want to share with you some of my favourite natural recipes for cleaning products. I've found them to be a healthy alternative and we've been saving some money as well! Check them out below!

Drain Cleaner

• 1/4 cup baking soda
  
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  
• 3 drops wild orange essential oil
  

Pour essential oil directly down drain, followed by baking soda, and then vinegar. Allow to sit for fifteen minutes. Pour hot water down the drain, followed by cold water. Unclogged drains, voila!

Oven Cleaner Paste

• 1 cup baking soda
  
• 1/2 cup water
  
• 1 tablespoon dish soap
  
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
  

Combine ingredients in a bowl to form a paste. Apply with a sponge and let sit for up to thirty minutes. Wipe off with a clean cloth or sponge and water.

Coffee Maker Cleaner

• 1 cup vinegar
  
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
  
• Water
  

Pour vinegar and lemon essential oil in your coffee maker water reservoir. Fill the rest of the way with water. Run your coffee maker (no coffee though, sorry). Rinse coffee pot out. Fill reservoir with fresh water and run another cycle, to rinse the inside of the coffee maker.

Microwave Cleaner

• 5 drops lemon essential oil
  
• Water
  

Fill bowl with water; add oil. Put in microwave and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Wipe down microwave with a damp cloth. Saves you the time spent scrubbing out all that old food!

Don't have essential oils? No worries! Tackle your kitchen with the cleaning products you have. If you're interested, you can check out the ones that I use here.

Quick Kitchen Cleaning Tips

• Clutter is your enemy. Seriously, if all you're doing when you're cleaning is moving stuff around, get rid of some stuff.
  
• Save time by letting your products "sit" on the really big messes before you wipe or scrub
  
• Spend 5 minutes at the end of every day decluttering the area where stuff builds up, whether that's your counters, your table, or both. Saves you time and your sanity.
  
• Train your kids early to clear their plates from the table and, when age-appropriate, to rinse after each meal.
  

Reminder: I will be live at 3pm MT/5pm EST in Fill Your Cup. If you haven't yet, join the group here! I'll be answering questions, sharing a bit more about my day, and offering encouragement. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the list of tasks ... just pick one thing. Feel free to close your eyes and point. The hardest part is starting, so you've just got to do it!

Now, go declutter like a champ and clean like a boss!

Sarra

Day 2: The Bathroom

What what, it's day 2! Today is bathroom day. Ugh, I know. You might even be thinking, "I can clean my bathroom, but declutter? Really?"

Well, if your bathroom ends up anything like ours, you've got all kinds of things in drawers, cupboards, the medicine cabinet, and the shelves in your shower. Your counters might just be covered with products you've used once and didn't love or even stuff that doesn't belong in the bathroom (I spotted a My Little Pony and an iPad in mine earlier today). Plus, because a bathroom is usually a small room, a bit of clutter or mess makes a big difference. So, let's do this.​​​​​​​
Remember, I am giving you a list - you choose what works for you and/or what your home needs the most. I'm challenging you to pick 3-5 (or more) items from this list and just get them done. Don't let procrastination stop you! Remember, a timer can be a great motivator! 

The Bathroom

• Clean inside and outside the toilet (especially if you have boys... the bottom of the toilet can be pretty yuck)
• Clean fixtures
• Clean vanity and sink 
• Sweep or vacuum (depending on your floor!)
• Clean tub 
• Clean out/declutter medicine cabinet (expired meds gots to go!)
• Clean out/declutter cupboard(s)
• Clean out/declutter drawer(s)
• Clean all mirrors and glass
• Clean windows 
• Clean baseboards
• Clean light switches, doorknobs, and doors
• Clean behind the toilet
• Declutter hair products (anything you'll never use again ... get rid of!)
• Declutter make-up (again, if you haven't used it in the past year, it goes)

I also want to share with you some of my favourite natural recipes for cleaning products. I've found them to be a healthy alternative and we've been saving some money as well! Check them out below!
Soap Scum Remover

• 2 cups hot water
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup borax
• 10 drops lemon essential oil

Add ingredients to a spray bottle (I got a bunch from the dollar store) and shake well. Spray surfaces and wipe dry. Store in a cool place for 1-2 months.

Window & Mirror Cleaner

• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil

Add ingredients to a spray bottle and shake. Spray windows or mirrors and wipe dry. Store in a cool place for 1-2 months.


Disinfecting Cleaning Wipes

• 12 thick and durable paper towels
• 1 cup boiled and slightly cooled water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops lemon essential oil

Cut paper towels in half and stack in a neat pile. Roll up and stuff into a quart-size wide-mouth mason jar or large ziplock bag. Mix ingredients and pour over paper towels. Put the lid on or zip and shake to moisten towels. Use to wipe down all surfaces in bathroom!

Disinfecting Toilet Bowl Cleaner

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix ingredients to dissolve baking soda. Add to toilet. Let sit for 5-15 minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush! 


Don't have essential oils? No worries! Tackle your kitchen with the cleaning products you have. If you're interested, you can check out the ones that I use here. 

Quick Bathroom Cleaning Tips

• Spray cleaners on damp or wet surfaces for ease of cleaning! 
• Just like in your kitchen, let the products do the work. Spray and walk away; give it some time before you scrub.
• Clean your shower curtain 2x a year. Toss it in the washing machine with 2 bath towels on the gentle setting. Add 1/2 cup baking soda to your detergent during the wash cycle and 1/2 cup vinegar during the rinse cycle. Let it drip dry (no dryers).

Questions for Decluttering the Bathroom

1. Do I use this? I mean, you either use it or you don't. Now, I'm not asking "Will I possibly maybe use this one day in the future?" It's a simple question.
2. Is this item extra? Like, do you have 17 bottles of body lotion? Do you really use that sparkly purple eyeliner? Choose your favourites of your beauty products and toss or donate (unopened) the extras.
3. Would I buy this today? If you were at the store, would you pick this out and bring it home? This is a good question for decorative items - is it adding beauty or function to the space or is it just adding to the clutter. For toiletries or make-up, ask whether these products really work for your skin or hair or teeth, etc. If the answer is no, it's time to go!
4. Does this make my life easier/better? Look, I get it. I have stuff that I don't really need, but I use regularly and they make me happy. (Like, the collection of bathbombs that my husband rolls his eyes at.) Don't go throwing away stuff you really love. 

Reminder: I will be live at 4pm MT/6pm EST in Fill Your Cup. If you haven't yet, join the group here! I'd love for you to share your before/after pictures in the group! 

Now, go declutter like a champ and clean like a boss!

Sarra

Day Three: The Living Room

Good morning friend! How did day 2 go? I feel so freakin' good having decluttered the remainder of my overwhelming body lotion collection.
Today, we're going to tackle your living room/living area. Ok, you know the drill - pick 3 to 5 items from this list and get to it! 

The Living Room

• Clean all mirrors and glass 
• Clean behind/under furniture
• Declutter bookshelves (got anything you could give up or donate?)
• Sweep and/or vacuum the floors
• Tidy movie/DVD area (again - declutter anything you can get rid of!)
• Dust - while doing this, feel free to declutter knick-knacks that don't make your life better, easier, or serve any sort of purpose
• Dust baseboards
• Dust ceiling fans
• Dust blinds
• Vacuum couch cushions with soft-bristle head (or wipe down leather couch if you have the same couch from your husband's bachelor days)
• Sanitize your remotes (do your cellphone while you're at it!)
• Put the curtains in the wash
• Wipe down doorknobs and light switches

I also want to share with you some of my favourite natural recipes for cleaning products. I've found them to be a healthy alternative and we've been saving some money as well! Check them out below!
Natural Scratch Remover

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 3 drops lime essential oil

Mix ingredients in small bowl. Dip cloth into solution and rub onto wood surface. Rub on scratches until they disappear or on deeper scratches until they are managed. Buff away any residue with a dry cloth. 


Upholstered Fabric Cleaner

• 1/4 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons castile soap
• 3 drops lime essential oil

Mix ingredients in a container. Dip cloth in the mixture and dab onto the stain for quick spot treatments on any fabric.


Carpet Freshener

• 2 cups baking soda
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops orange or grapefruit essential oil

Combine all ingredients in container. Sprinkle on carpet or rug and let sit for 15minutes. Vacuum thoroughly. 


Hardwood Floor Cleaner

• 1 gallon warm water
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 drops lemon or orange essential oil

Mix water, vinegar, and oil in a large bucket or container. Mop with a drop mop or by hand with microfibre cloths.

Don't have essential oils? No worries! Tackle your living room with the cleaning products you have. If you're interested, you can check out the ones that I use here. 

Quick Living Room Cleaning Tips

• Baking soda + essential oil = amazing deodorizer for your carpet. You can also do this on couches and chairs! Just throw it down (recipe above). Let sit and vacuum up
• If you're using a cleaning spray, spray on a cloth, not furniture.
• Just like on previous days, collect stuff that doesn't belong in the living room in a box or laundry hamper; then, take 5 minutes returning the items to their proper homes.

Reminder: I will be live at 3pm MT/5pm EST in Fill Your Cup. If you haven't yet, join the group here! 

Now, go declutter like a champ and clean like a boss!

Sarra

Day 4: The Bedroom

Hey girl! We've got just 2 days to go in our week; time flies when you're having fun, am I right? 

​Today is all about your bedroom. Yes, the master bedroom. I mean, you could pick a kid's room if you wanted to. I'm not going to come to your house and demand that you show me your clean bedroom. But so often we put ourselves last on our list, so I want you to encourage you to put in some effort into your space today.

You know what to do - pick 3 to 5 items (or more) and get to it! 

The Bedroom

• Dust the tops and sides of dressers/nightstand
• Declutter the tops of dressers/nightstand
• Clean under the bed
• Go through your sock and underwear drawer(s) and toss out stuff with holes
• Wipe down door and door handles
• Do a 5-minute closet clean-out (If you want to spend more time, you totally can. Read more about decluttering your closet here)
• Deodorize your mattress; you can do this with baking soda. Just let it sit as long as possible (like, all day), and then vacuum the baking soda off before putting sheets back on. 
• Dust ceiling fan
• Dust everything, let's be honest
• Vacuum or sweet the carpet/floor
• Remove anything from the bedroom that doesn't belong 
• Throw in a load of laundry
• Wash sheets
• Clean windows and mirrors

Quick Bedroom Cleaning Tips

• Wash your sheets weekly. Seriously, just pick a day and stick to it. You get rid of dust, sweat, dirt AND washing your pillowcases helps prevent zits. Yes please.
• Read this article about setting up your bedside table - I'm a huge fan of a functional space.
• Make your bed every morning. Even if it's the only "cleaning" thing you get done in a day, it pulls the room together and makes you feel so damn productive.

Reminder: I will be live at 4pm MT/6pm EST in Fill Your Cup. If you haven't yet, join the group here! 

Now, go declutter like a champ and clean like a boss!

Sarra