1 minute household chore

[starving_student]

Still in the time needs to be used sparingly mood. I made up a schedule, which seem realistic on paper. I have 3 hours a week for household/ yard/ financial (eg paying bill) etc... and 1 hours a day for diner time (including cooking, eating and cleaning....

I would like to make a ist of chore that can be acomplished in almost no time and with no prep time so I can do them whenever a have a minute to spare (eg taking a study break).

Any ideas?

[ozzy gurl]

1) clean the toilet
2) wipe down the counters in either the kitchen or bathroom
3) vacuum
4) any chopping and dicing that can be prepped ahead of time for dinner
5) dusting
6) folding laundry
7) empty the garbage

Ummm...I'm drawing a blank. I would just say to not look at it as "cleaning the bathroom". Break it down throughout the day, for when you do have those extra few minutes.

[LuxLiving]

okay - I'll try a few:

sweep a room
straighten magazines
hang up item of clothes
empty a wastebasket
dust a ceiling fan
empty the silverware basket in dishwasher
file five papers
check bank account online
windex a mirror or window

[zetta]

In my view, housework tends to expand to fill the time available, especially if you're trying to do a minute here and a minute there. I'd always start something little, like emptying the dishwasher, then notice that the coutertops needed wiping, the floor needed sweeping, the garbage had to go out, etc. The danger is that the little bits and pieces of housework start to eat into your study time (and my college apartments were never so clean as during final exams week!)

I'd recommend just the opposite -- you clean during those 3 hours alloted, making sure to do the highest priority first, and anything that doesn't get done, just doesn't get done! (Eventually it will become the high priority item in a future cleaning session.)

[threebeansalad]

Shaking out area and bathroom rugs (outside, of course!)
Making bed
Wiping out microwave, front of stove and fridge

[sakigt]

Clean as you go:
While cooking dinner wash the dishes youve already used.
Wipe off the counter as you are done with it.

Let things soak to save time:
Let particularly nasty dishes soak for a few hours so you dont waste time or water scrubbing.
Pour your toilet bowl cleaner in, put the lid down (so any animals you have dont get thirsty) and wipe it down in a few hours.

Use machines that save time and energy:
Before I go out Friday night I throw in a load of laundry. When I get home I switch and go to sleep. By Saturday morning my weekend laundry chore is almost done!
I bought a $30 battery-charged hand held duster. Perfect for quick clean ups like around the litter box. Leaves my vacuuming to once a week for ~5 minutes.

[marjorie]

Wipe down bathroom sink whenever you find yourself there. Dust 1 small shelf of books. Sweep stairs. Gather paper to recycle. Update calendar/to do list. Reserve library book online. Dust tv. Start a list of make-ahead meals. Deal with mail. Update list of assignments; decide when to work on each, including longer term assignments. Wash a pan. Dust a lamp. During a commercial break, I can unload the dish drainer and put everything where it belongs. I'm sure there's more...

[Hez]

Write a birthday card/letter
Straighten couch pillows
Clear off bedside table, computer desk of any clutter
Remove cups or dishes from the bedroom, tv room, etc.

[benosayi]

I spray spots on the floor with bleech and water and come back in 5 minute to wipe. I hate moping. I also have duster that i pick up and just dust as I am walking thru my house. After I shower I use the towel to wipe out my sink. I also spray the shower before I shower and wipe down the walls.

[tinapbeana]

my house has hardwoods, and i'm not a big fan of dustmopping. so, when my athletic socks get a hole in them they become cleaning socks. put them on inside out and shuffle around the house in them. use your toes to get into nooks, crannies, and along baseboards when you're walking room to room. when they won't pick up anymore, take 'em off and toss in the rag pile to be washed.