worldmaking 001: for ppl who have no clue where to start
I always struggle with what to write about each month, because homemaking is such a big and personal subject! There are things that I think are important that other people do not think about at all, and there are things others find vital that I never bat an eye at.
I’m also terrible at a deadline (Vanessa, my editor, I am so sorry and I love you so much), and thought that some sort of series, where I knew months in advance what I’d intended to write, would be helpful as I tried to respect my editor more and submit things on time (this month, it did not work and again….I am so sorry and I love you so much). And thus, this series was born. Welcome to Worldmaking 001: For People Who Have No Clue Where to Start. This series is going to be practical. Yes, making a home is making new worlds, but how do you do it? How do you make your bed? How do you shine your furniture? When can you DIY it and when should you buy something extra strong?
I haven’t offered too much practical information because as I said, homemaking is personal! So a caveat for this week and every week: these are my opinions, and I’d love your opinions too! I’m imagining that we’re deep cleaning each room in Worldmaking 001–which means, you’re probably not going to need to do each of these things each week or even each month! Maybe you do some of these things only once a year, but it’s important that you have the know-how.
And now, let’s dive in, with the place most of us have access to and are responsible for cleaning:
If you take nothing from this series, please take my virgo insistence that you must make a list! You absolutely must make a list. Without a list, it’s so easy to get super fixated on one thing for too long and end up accidentally “tidying” your desk for 3 hours and somehow at the end, the desk is clean but the room is worse than you started with. A list helps; it might not fully prevent you from hyperfixating, but it’s a good motivator not to get too stuck on one thing!
Microfiber towels: I buy them from the dollar store, use them until I absolutely cannot To keep them longer, wash cold on the gentle cycle with vinegar in the wash, and don’t put them in the dryer. They’re necessary for dusting.A bunch of rags/paper towels/recycled newspaper/recycled paper bags: For wiping down surfaces/windows. Use what you’ve got.New Lightbulbs: if any of your bulbs aren’t LED, now might be the time to think about replacing them!New Batteries: Make sure any remotes, toys, toys, and gadgets are powered up.Timer: to prevent hyperfixating.Glass cleaner: Windex is that girl, and the stuff from the dollar store works just as well. If you want to make it at home, just use 1 cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a bottle.Pipe cleaner situation: for getting into tiny corners. This is a deep clean, remember!Favorite room scent if that’s your thing (incense/candle/etc): you need to set the mood!Baking Soda: for litter boxes, carpets, mattresses…the list is endless.Favorite all-purpose cleaning solution: I like 1:1 vinegar and water with a squirt (loosely defined) of dish soap. Store-bought will do just fine here!Steamer (if you’ve got it) or just plain old boiling water: Boiling water is the most powerful, and most dangerous, non-toxic cleaning tool you have.Broom: try and get a good broom. Nothing makes you want to not sweep more than a bad broom. I find that my back prefers a push broom; your local Home Depot will definitely have something for you.Vacuum: Even if you have mostly hard floors, I urge you to get a vacuum, even if it’s just handheld. There are some things that just are so much easier with a vacuum. Over the past five years, these are the vacuums I’ve accumulated that I would absolutely suggest (with the caveat that they are expensive; I suggest buying refurbished ones on eBay or someplace similar!). The Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum has a super long cord, works on carpets, hardwood, tile, and linoleum floors. It’s the only thing that gets all the litter out of my rugs. I use it about 2-3 times a month. The iRobot 694, which I affectionately call Brooma Sarah, is used daily in my apartment. It is…not amazing. But! It does an equal or better job than I would of sweeping the entire house. And it does it every single day, and I don’t have to lift a finger.Mop: You need a mop if you have hardwood/vinyl/tile/not-carpeted floors. My favorite mops are microfiber spin mops, where you fill a bucket with water. I also mop pretty infrequently! My roommate loves the microfiber reusable Swiffer style mops, and she mops much more frequently! Get what works for you.Favorite floor cleaner (if you have non-carpeted floors): I like Murphy’s Oil Soap. It’s a workhorse, will clean any floor, and smells amazing. The basic tools for a DIY floor cleaner are very hot water, castile soap or Dawn, and vinegar. You will need to do a rinse mop (using just water) after using these though, or the vinegar can leave your floor kind of streaky.Favorite carpet cleaner (if you have carpets/rugs): For general deoderizing, this is baking soda. But here’s the thing, you and 3-5 local friends should absolutely go in together on a carpet cleaner. For anywhere between $150 and $400, you can get something really powerful that will pull things out of your carpet you never knew could be there. When I had carpets, I used the BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro once a month just because it was so fun seeing how gross carpets get in a month. I’d also suggest investing in some sort of oxygen-based stain remover specifically for carpets if you’ve got pets. I like anything from Nature’s Miracle, and my crunchy-dykey vets do as well.Okay! You’ve made your list! You have your tools! Now let’s get to actually doing the do!
Sanitizing and prep work
I start with these tasks because it’s easy to get out the way and makes a big difference in making it feel like you are in the process of cleaning. Set the timer for 25 minutes and go!
Set the mood:Start laundry loadsSprinkle baking soda on carpets/rugs so it can do its job while you do yours.Open windows and let in some good, fresh air.Sanitize door handles/windowsillsChange any dead lightbulbsTidying and Organizing
This is probably what you’re doing each week. I don’t know why, but I tend to start at the space farthest from my door and slowly move towards the door. Your mileage may vary.
15 minutes of putting things backRe-evaluate bookshelves/storageLook at your storageClean deskSet a timer for 15 minutesSet a timer for 10-20 minutesDusting/Windows
Dusting and cleaning your windows will make your space feel fresher and brighter. It’s hard to explain, but it’s a noticeable change whenever I do these two chores. Give yourself 45 minutes to an hour for this, no more.
Clean out AC/ductsClean window screens: did you know your window screens are also air filters? They grab lots of larger particles and can get super dusty, and you should clean them!Clean windows: It’s more involved than you think!When the surface is cool enough, wipe it down with a microfiber towel until dry.Dust lights/tops of things: There are two schools of thought about dusting: microfiber towel or feather duster-style.Feather duster-styleMirrors: Clean them like you clean your windows!Displays
Your displays are so personal and special that I don’t want to tell you how to maintain them; your needs are not my needs!
The top of our mother’s dressers were alters, too.
— her name is cyn. (@cynfinite) January 14, 2021
VanityAltars/Displays/EtcDesk/workspaceClosets/Clothes
We’ve all got clothes, and they last longer when we maintain their upkeep. It’s important for you and your clothes that you keep them clean and store them well.
Revamp the closetUpcycle/recycle/donate stuff you don’t wantClothes into/out of storage?Fabric spray? Launder? Steam?Floors, etc
Floors are not clean, there’s a reason we don’t tend to eat off them! But they can be clean enough. You do your floors last because all the dirt/dust you’re kicking up will eventually land here, so why not tackle it last?
Baseboards: you’ve been shaking up a lot of dust, and your baseboards can use some love. Don’t forget about them.Sweep and/or vacuumHow to mop and/or carpet wash:Bed
Once you’re making your bed, you’ve made it. You’re so close to being done. Set a timer for 20 minutes and go. There are many styles to making a bed! Maybe you like a precisely made bed, maybe you like it to feel airy and loose, maybe you like turndown service! Do what feels good.
Put your duvet insert into your duvet and drape it gracefully atop the bed: Pro-tip, do it like this video suggests.Add your pillows, fluff themLay downLight a candle, take a nap, invite over someone you might want to share the bed with! You did it. You deep cleaned your room, and it wasn’t so hard, was it? Yes, it took effort, but look at all the fun skills you’ve gained, and doesn’t it feel good to have a fresh and clean bedroom? I’m so proud of you!
Also, if you’d like to download the list and tools as a PDF, you can do so here.
Notes for a Queer Homemaker is a regular column that publishes on the fourth Friday of every month!
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