Get yourself motivated

March 2nd, 2012 |

Author: Erin V

Funny story. My new favorite app for my iPad, the one that helps me keep my house clean, is actually one that I not only refused to get but about which I teased the friend who told me about it. Why on earth would I want an app to nag me???

Ok, so let me tell you why I LOVE IT and why you will too!

I have tried to figure out the best way to keep on top of all of the cleaning as well as little household chores you tend to forget about. I have “scheduled” them so for example on Monday I would do laundry and dust, Tuesday would be vacuuming and kitchen, Wednesday clean the bathrooms and so on. I have also tried the all day clean where I would devote 3-4 hours one day and do a full on top to bottom clean. Both have their advantages but neither stuck for very long.

Then I heard about “motivated moms”…and two months later actually tried it…I told you it took me awhile

Here is the deal: Instead of trying to figure out what I should do each day the app gives me a list of chores. I do them and then I get to click the little check box…I love the little checkbox

You sign up for the app on your iPhone, iPod or iPad or you can order printable lists from the website motivatedmoms.com

Each day of the week there is a new list of “to do’s” including some items that appear on the list every day such as

wipe down the bathroom sinks
make beds
prepare tomorrow’s clothing
clear and wipe kitchen counters
empty trash

Other items are specific to that day. One day it will tell you to clean the toilets, vacuum the main floor and dust the office. The next day your list will say things like clean the bathroom mirrors, change the hand towels in the bathroom and vacuum the second floor. My favorite thing is that it reminds you to do things that you may not think about such as replenish the stock of toilet paper in the bathrooms, clean the light fixture in the master bedroom and change the batteries in the smoke detectors.

At first the list of items each day seem a little daunting, but after a week or two of using it I made two discoveries. First, make the list work for you. It tells me to do laundry every day. I don’t do laundry every day…for my family it works to do it on Sunday and Thursday. So every other day I just check that off the list and consider it “done.” Second, each task really only takes 5-10 min to do but because I do a little every day I have not had to do a “big deep down clean” of my house in over a month!

Clean bathrooms have been the biggest perk. Come on, we have all had that day when you look at the counter or the sink or maybe the shower and think “I really need to clean this bathroom.” But now that doesn’t happen. I wipe down the bathroom sinks daily…ok if you’ve read my last post you know one of the kids does this. Then each day I do one other aspect of it whether it be toilets, the mirror or the tub. None of these tasks by itself is that time consuming so only need to clean for a few minutes (usually all I can manage with a 2 year old in the house) but I have maintained a clean bathroom for over a month and that is pretty cool.

Another perk, the list “knows” what day of the week it is and what we generally do on those days. Many times the list is things I would be doing that day anyway. On a Sunday it is going to tell you to clip coupons and plan your shopping list for the week. Towards the end of a month it tells you to buy birthday gifts or cards for the upcoming month. Saturdays tend to be lighter on the list of chores.

Just a few disclaimers…

yes it is relatively expensive as far as apps go..around $7. I received some iTunes money for Christmas and decided that since I had the money anyway I would try it…I have found it to be well worth the money! But if you don’t want to spend it there is a free version available. You have less control in being able to “hide” tasks or alter the lists but it can still be helpful.
There are bible verses assigned as one of your daily to do’s. This may or may not be something you want to do – for me personally it is not so I have chosen to “hide” this task and it doesn’t show up on my list. The list is yours to alter as you like.

Check it out and let me know in the comments what you think. Or tell me…what works for you to keep on top of household chores??