Cleaning: The Priority List

By Lev Novak

I am not a cleaner.

Generally speaking, I’m content to live…well, not “live in filth” per se, but definitely live in disarray. Clothes can be on the floor. Empty diet Coke and beer cans litter the kitchen. The sink has more than a few plates in it. Whatever; home is home.

That said, I do keep my apartment clean- well, to my standards- by holding firm to a cleaning pyramid that keeps things in order. You can use it too. Ready?

1. Clean Anything That’s Changing Your Life

Cleaning the sink is generally a pretty low priority for me, as far as priorities go. Same with worrying about a slow drain, or dirty clothes. Cleaning out the fridge? Eh, later. However, there are times when all these become number one, and that’s when you find the moment that you’re living your life around an issue.

Is your kitchen sink so full that you’re using the bathroom sink every time? Tough it out; clean the sink. Yes it’s gross; that’s the whole point. Whenever the specific issue of your house affects your living situation- your comfort, your room-mate happiness, anything- it’s important to handle that.

That’s because, quietly, in your brain, you’ve let it beat you. If your fridge is super gross, maybe you’re not getting groceries, or you’re not cooking as much as you should since you don’t want to deal with the dishes. These are all surprisingly normal things for young adults. But deal with them; sooner than later, and you’ll be so much happier.

2. Anything Gross With Food Gets Cleaned First

After all the initial go-through, worry about food.

Food can spoil and be gross; it can smell and be weird. Moldy bread is the worst- spoiled meat is worse than that. Everything about bad food- and bad food stains- can become a lot worse than any other stain or spill or issue, so focus on those first.

3. Wash Clothes

You don’t have to fold them or get them off the floor, but wash your clothes and your towels. The smell-test isn’t a test you want to resort too, my friend.

4. Get Cover-Ups

Any good-smelling thing, like one of those candles, or, more realistically, a Febreeze, is great because it reduces the level of cleaning you have to do later. It’s cheap and easy. Do it.

5. Throw Stuff Out

Trash, and clothes you don’t wear. Get rid of clutter. Your whole house will be cleaner, and it’ll be harder to get dirty when there is less physical stuff you have to worry about ending up on your floor in the first place.

6. Dust

We’re getting pretty low-level on the list here, but dust, every now and then. It’ll help any allergies you think you have, or any allergies your friends actually have.

7. Organize

When you’ve done all these things- and only then- can you get in your organization mode. I never have, but if you ever have enough coffee to get this far- to fold clothes, to clean, to alphabetize- more power to you. Congratulations; you’ve won cleaning.

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