This week we’re coming at you with the ultimate apartment cleaning guide that will help you cut your cleaning time in half – and help you save your Saturdays for the things that really matter.

Ultimate Apartment Cleaning Guide

• Have a plan and develop a routine. Cleaning without a plan is, like many other things in life, a surefire way to miss a step or forget something altogether. Maybe this means making a list (and we all know how satisfying it is to cross something off when we’ve accomplished it) or doing the same thing, in the same order, every time you clean. Whatever your strategy, just make sure you have one. 

• Start at the top. If you vacuum first, you’re going to end up vacuuming again to get the dirt and dust that ends up on the floor after cleaning everything else. If you start at the top – lights, shelves, counters, etc. – all that dust will travel to the floor before you’ve cleaned it, meaning you won’t have to clean it all over again! 

• Focus on tasks. While tackling one room at a time may seem like the best way, it probably isn’t. If you focus on one task until it is complete, then move on to the next, you won’t waste time going back over things that got dirty again during the cleaning process. It also makes more sense because you’re using the same tools without having to constantly switch things up. Dust your entire apartment, clean all the counters, vacuum all the floors – this just saves time.

• Organize your cleaning supplies. If you keep all your supplies in a cupboard, you’re wasting precious time going back and forth getting the things you need. Instead, keep everything you need to cover the whole house in one organized cleaning caddie – something you can cart around easily – so your supplies are always right there beside you. 

• Remember: if it isn’t dirty, don’t clean it. Think about it this way: does the hallway mirror really get dirty as fast as the kitchen counter? No likely. Vertical surfaces are almost never as dirty as horizontal ones, so don’t waste that valuable time cleaning things that can wait until next week!

• Do as much ‘as-you-go’ cleaning as you can during the week. If you can, do a little bit of tidying or cleaning as you’re doing other things. Wipe the counter down while you’re brushing your teeth. Empty the dishwasher while you’re waiting for dinner to cook. Fold clothes while watching television. This will make things easier – and faster – on cleaning day. 

No matter the size of your apartment, you can seriously cut your cleaning time down by following these simple rules. Cleaning is called a chore because no one really wants to do it, but it has to be done. Why not make it a little easier on yourself? Seriously, relaxation is calling you…

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And if we're being completely honest, this isn't just an apartment issue…

So, to help you fit it all in, here are 6 tips for optimizing your space.

6 Apartment Storage Hacks to Make More Space

1. Go vertical.

When we think about organizing an apartment, we tend to think about closets or drawers, or floor space. But what about all of those big, beautiful, EMPTY walls? They represent a pretty critical organization space that you need to take advantage of!.

For example, a slim, but functional bookcase can be a huge space saver, but so too can be removable/movable command hooks. And if the idea of an open bookcase just doesn't work for you, consider how you can add functional boxes or baskets to hide some of the items you'd rather keep out of site!

2. Make the bed work for you. 

Do you know how much room you have under your bed? It's a lot. Like a lot. And if your bed is close to the ground, that's a ton of storage space you're not using! Find bed risers, place them securely under each bedpost, then store underneath to your heart's content!

3. Tension rods are your friend.

In cupboards and in closets, tension rods can offer storage for almost anything. If it hangs on its own, like belts or scarves, towels, or even bottles of cleaning supplies, awesome. If it doesn't, think about the ways you can make it hang, or find space savers that hang at the dollar store. You might just be surprised at how much space you have in the cupboards just waiting to be used. 

4. Use the bathroom…

Ok, by this we don't literally mean "use the bathroom." Often when considering storage we forget about it and everything it has to offer space wise. For example, a rack over the back of the bathroom door, a small standing shelf in the corner, or even some shelving hung above the toilet can add a lot of storage without overcrowding.  

5. Mix it up with magnets

Have you ever seen those long slim magnets used to hold spice containers under cupboards or nails in the garage? Think about all of the different places around your apartment you can use these to your advantage. They're great for small stuff and they'll really help you keep things organized. 

6. Consider a clean out.

Sorry, but we all have to do this once in a while. If you've added vertical shelving, added some tension rods and storage under the bed, and still have too much stuff, maybe the problem isn't the size of the apartment… Consider what you have. Is there anything you don't really need to keep. Can any of those unneeded items be sold for a little extra cash? That thought alone might just be enough to have you spring cleaning all year long! 

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The stress can build up… and that's never "tidy." So, what are your options? Allow the resentment to build because you find yourself constantly cleaning up someone else's mess? Nah, that's not healthy either. 

Here are a few tips for living with a messy roommate to help you live peacefully, whether your messy roommate is a friend, a stranger, or even your significant other!

Tips for Living with a Messy Roommate

1. Keep those lines of communication clutter-free

Ok, we played that one up big time, but really, one of the best ways to deal with this is to talk it out. Often we find ourselves doing a little more each day without saying anything, or leaving passive-aggressive notes that do the opposite of encouraging the messy individual to clean up their act. Instead, sit down and have a heart to heart. Maybe all that person needs to begin with is to have the issue brought to their attention!

2. Create "Messy" Zones

If talking doesn't seem to cut it, maybe it's time to divide the house into zones. Yes, sit down and draw up a floorplan of "messy" zones and "tidy" zones. Maybe the "tidy" zones are areas that both of you use, like the kitchen or the bathroom. Then, messy zones can be their bedroom or the office, or even certain drawers or closets throughout the apartment. 

This way, there is some comfort for you, and some comfort for your roommate. And if, for example, your roommate leaves their messy stuff in a "tidy" zone, instead of tidying it up, you can just move it to their "messy" zone for them to deal with. I mean, unless it's dirty dishes – we might advise against putting those in their zone, especially if it's a closet or a drawer..

3. Create a schedule

Another way to help ease the stress of the mess is to delegate. Now, this strategy won't work for everyone, but it can be a big help if both of you stick to the plan.

Each of you should be responsible for an equal amount of the household tasks – so make a schedule (as strict or flexible as you need it to be). Maybe it's daily, maybe weekly. As long as you have something that shows who is on the hook for certain tasks you may find that things get a little easier. Just remember, if it's a weekly task (ie. your roommate has to vacuum this week), you can't start hounding them on Monday when they actually have until the end of the week.

4. Respect the mess (Yes!)

This one might be hard to hear, but bear with us…

If your roommate doesn't even notice the mess, maybe that's their safe zone. For example, just as you like everything in its place, perhaps that "mess" that you see is actually organized chaos for them. Maybe this is a stage they're going through, maybe their life is messy right now and their messy surroundings help them deal. Maybe they literally just don't have the time. Whatever the case may be, remember, just because you're all about clean and tidy, doesn't mean that person actually has to be too!

5. Hire a housekeeper or reevaluate the relationship…

In the end, if all else fails and you constantly find yourself squabbling about the mess, it might be time to think about parting ways (this is ideal if you're relative strangers) or hiring someone to come in and handle the mess for you. 

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If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, this usually means you’ve got tools to organize along with everything else. Since you don’t want to have an unsightly toolbox hanging around, or tools spread all over the apartment, we’ve created the ultimate list for DIYers.

Here are the basic tools that, no matter how handy you are, you should have in your toolbox:

• Screwdriver – one with multiple drives and sizes is great, but if you’ve only got one, your safest bet is the Phillips head
• Level – a laser level is great, but even one that requires a little eyeballing is great and helps you avoid lopsided pictures and curtain rods
• Pliers – these are useful as a hand-held vice or clamp
• Tape measure – a good size for most DIY jobs is 3/4-inches-wide, 16-feet-long
• Hammer – a claw hammer with one end for hammering in nails and the other for removing them is ideal
• Exacto knife – keep the steak knives in the utensil drawer 
• Adjustable wrench – if the faucet is leaking, this is great for a quick fix. When you’re searching for one, look for a larger one – you can always adjust it and make it smaller
• Hot glue gun – this is handy for mending small breaks in fragile items or for those of you who are big Pinterest fans and big on crafting
• Duct tape – while we’re not really sure whether it’s fair to actually classify this as a tool, when all else fails…
• Toolbox – once you’ve gathered all the essentials, get yourself the perfect sized toolbox to store everything away and out of sight

If you’re just starting out and therefore don’t have any or most of these items, you can often find a basic tool set in its own handy toolbox at most home improvement stores. 

Whether you’re into building your own shelves out of pallets or just like to have the tools on hand for those odd jobs you know you can handle on your own (or with a little help from a YouTube video or two), this list of basic tools is perfect for the condo. 

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But over time, these things become something problematic…

Clutter!

This week, we're focussing on clutter – why it's an issue, and, of course, the benefits of decluttering.

It's time to do a clean-out!

WHY IS CLUTTER A PROBLEM

As mentioned, it happens over time, and often without notice.

But clutter can, well, clutter up our brains and bodies!

It's true! According to experts, our environment can positively or negatively impact our ability to complete tasks as well as our overall mental health. And if the physical space around us feels scattered, it’s likely our mental space will feel the same.

Plus, the more stuff you have, the harder it is to clean around said stuff. All those nooks and crannies are perfect little pockets for dust and dirt – and we don't want that in our lives.

The task of clearing out the clutter can seem daunting, and thus the clutter itself can become a major stressor…

THE BENEFITS OF DECLUTTERING

There are many benefits of decluttering your home:

Relieve anxiety. One of the biggest benefits of decluttering is that it can help reduce anxiety. Sometimes we don't recognize how hectic our home has begun – and thus don't appreciate how it contributes to our anxiety. But it does! Chaos outside = chaos inside. To allow our minds to find some peace, decluttering can lift that weight and help us to think clearer and feel calmer.

Improve your mood. Yes! Decluttering can make you feel good! The simple act of organizing can give you a feeling of accomplishment – which is always positive. Plus, if the clutter has been bothering you, just getting rid of it will make you feel like you've achieved a goal. Again – positive!

Boost your concentration. If your environment is a mess, this can zap your concentration big time! It can be really difficult to focus on a specific task if there is chaos around you. If you're constantly concentrating on the mess, you can't focus on the other (more important) stuff going on in your life. By decluttering, you clear that chaos and can allow for mental focus and concentration.

Improve your sleep. We all love a good night's sleep, but clutter can rob you of it! Seriously. Whether it's in the bedroom or not. Again, chaos outside = chaos inside, and when we're stirring over the clutter when we try and sleep, we're not giving our brains the chance to relax and unwind. By clearing out the clutter and creating a more calming environment, you can significantly improve your sleep!

TIPS ON DECLUTTERING

This weekend, if you don't have anything on the agenda, tackle some of that clutter. Here are some things to remember:

• Go room by room to make the task more manageable.
• Recycle, donate, or sell what you can to avoid things going into the landfill.
• Organize as you go (keep the stuff you're keeping organized).
• Go easy on yourself – don't get overwhelmed or feel pressured. Go at your own pace.

Letting go can sometimes be hard, but there are many benefits to decluttering. It can also help you to appreciate and treasure the items you have that carry true meaning and value, helping you to live a more fulfilling life.

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