DID YOU KNOW? 

A quarter of us spends more than three hours a week vacuuming, mopping and dusting, which doesn't include the

time we spend washing up, doing laundry and ironing. The to-do list of chores can sometimes seem overwhelming

and never-ending, especially if you also work (even part-time) and have to try and cram everything into the

weekends. Chances are, as a mum, you're the one who's doing all the chores, and while there are ways of getting

your partner and kids to be more helpful around the house (stay tuned for this!), this week we want to focus on how

you can reclaim your weekend with six simple cleaning tips.

Check it out! 

We don't know about you, but cleaning is far from our favourite activity! In our day-to-day juggle of balancing

work, family, life admin and some semblance of a social life, it's no surprise we can't always give our all

everywhere, to everyone and everything. BUT, we can implement routines, organisational hacks and shortcuts to make

our lives easierand our busy schedules more manageable. Let's start with the basics ... 

Don't associate chores with the weekend.

Where many of us go wrong is associating housework or chores with our weekends only, as if there's some universal

rule stopping us from doing the vacuuming on a Monday! Learn to 'clean clever' and try taking on one task a day you

usually leave for your weekends. For example, on Monday, you might vacuum and mop the floors; Tuesday, you could

wipe down the bathrooms; Wednesday could be tidying up the bedrooms ...You'll get to the weekend without much left to

do by doing quickfix cleaning during the week. WINNING!

Keep your cleaning products accessible.

While it might not be as aesthetically pleasing, keeping your cleaning products in arm's reach of where you

actually need to use them will help you stay on top of the cleaning without much effort. It can be tempting to keep all

your cleaningproducts together under the laundry sink, but it doesn't really come in handy when you're in the shower

and notice that the glass could use a cleaning. Try keeping a dish wand (filled with detergent) in the shower for a super-quick

clean while your hair mask does its thing or keeping a pack of antibacterial wipes in the vanity to quickly wipe down

the bathroom after you brush your teeth. 

Clean up the clutter.  

To make dusting and wiping down surfaces even faster, keep on top of the clutter and try to minimise the décor on

tabletops, bookshelves and TV units. Not only will it mean fewer places for dust to settle, but it will also mean

fewer thingsto move and clean around.

Schedule the "I'll get around to it" jobs.

Sacrificing one weekend in a month to get to one of the bigger cleaning jobs can be less daunting than having

them accumulate and transform into one massive job you never get to because it's simply too overwhelming.

The secret is to schedule it in your calendar. Pick a weekend you don't have any other commitments, and the whole

family are home to pitch in.  

Let's be honest; cleaning isn't fun. So ... let's MAKE it fun! 

Listen to your favourite playlist, podcast, or audiobook while working to make the time fly.

This one is for those of you who are ultra-competitive... set a timer and make it a game - race against

the clock! Pair a challenging task with something that brings you joy. For example, unload the dishwasher while your

coffee brews or put in your AirPods and call a friend while cleaning. Never underestimate the power of a

reward for yourself.After all, you deserve it.

Now that it's clean light a candle and set the mood. 

As it turns out, lighting a scented candle at home can do much more for you than just make it smell lovely. 

It is scientifically proven that scented candles and fragrances can play an essential role in the physiological

effects of mood, stress, working capacity, and overall mental health. They quite literally light you up! 

Anyway, don't get too caught up in creating a picture-perfect home. Sure, a clean home is important,

but it isn't a big deal if you don't tick everything off the list.

BUT FIRST, time to stock up on mood-improving scents for your home!