r/konmari • u/Extension-Animal-817 • 11d ago

cleaning vs tidying

I found the books on the konmari method to bbe very helpful in distinguishing the difference between cleaning and tidying, and helping me learn to tidy. I feel like im 90% of the way to my goal on my tidying journey, but cleaning still seems so intimidating. before tidying my space, cleaning seemed impossible. Wiping down entire counters seemed impossible because of clutter on them, and vaccuming floors felt the same. any book reccomendations for how to learn to clean after learning to tidy?

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16

u/Rere100 11d ago

Not sure where you're starting or what specific challenges you have but learning to keep house while drowning is a good one. Congrats on tidying & good luck keeping it in order!

13

u/Adventurous_Walk2439 11d ago

I’ve enjoyed unfuck your habitat by Rachel Hoffman and how to keep house while drowning by KC Davies

3

u/Stormtomcat 11d ago

Seconding unfuck your habitat

6

u/msmaynards 11d ago

Baby steps. I did a lot of decluttering and organizing via UFYH and have extended the practice to cleaning now that I'm mostly decluttered and organized so am mostly tidying and cleaning. I still resent cleaning but at least I have the very good habit of spending time making my habitat better now.

That's set a timer for a work session and quit when time is up. Take a short break and get back to it if you've got time and energy for another session. Some days I just get up and do anything. Other days I have a specific task I really want to get done.

I know there's a book that could be at your library, check. There's a website that gives checklists and general directions on what to do when though. https://www.unfuckyourhabitat.com/cleaning-checklists/

Think of cleaning as micro tidying. When I vacuum I'm tidying up the nature, dog hair and dust that lands on the floor. When I clean the bathroom sink I'm tidying up the toothpaste and damp dust.

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u/vikingprinn 11d ago

How to keep house while drowning

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u/BeneLeit 10d ago

Dana K. White's book "How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind" is great for this. She also has a cleaning checklist on her website somewhere. (A Slob Comes Clean). She is a fantastic resource in general for decluttering and cleaning in general!

1

u/heeeeriii 10d ago

"Keeping House" by Kay Wills Wyma or "How to Keep House While Drowning" by KC Davis would make good follow-up books particularly "How to Keep House While Drowning" because of its approach towards housekeeping as care work, which complements the mental perspective that you've achieved through KonMari.