One of the things that has been stressing me out the most regarding my apartment is trying to keep it clean. I try not to track dirt in, but it’s a near impossible feat considering this is New York City. I’m also not used to having so much space that’s ALL my own. It’s completely my responsibility to clean it. No roommates to blame, no moms to pick up after me, and definitely no cleaning ladies showing up twice a week.
I’m not even a messy person, but I feel like I’m constantly trying to make the apartment cleaner and cleaner. Part of it is that I feel like NYC in general is just not that clean and I want to make sure my apartment is super clean to counteract it! The other part is that this is my apartment…. that I’m paying for entirely on my own; I want to completely respect my space.
One major issue I have is that I don’t really have the time to devote to solely cleaning. But I’ve come up with some solutions that are QUICK and EASY and GET THE JOB DONE.
White Board Calendar | I have a calendar in my apartment that has events coming up (and it’s where I brainstorm blogging ideas). I also schedule days when I’m going to clean. While I clean on a daily basis, I schedule once a week where I go through the whole apartment and give it some proper TLC. I also include little marks to remind me the days of trash pick up and when to put out my recycling. It’s a good idea to come up with a schedule… and stick to it. It’s way too easy to simply say, “I’ll do it tomorrow.”
Windex + Paper Towels | The guy in My Big Fat Greek Wedding was spot on. Windex is the solution for just about all my problems. (Maybe not everything… but it seems like it!) It’s great for wiping up messy and sticky spills, dirty windows, smudged mirrors… you name it.
Febreze | Love the smell of this… but only in small doses. I really limit the amount of this stuff I use, but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. This may be completely weird, but I like to spray it as I leave my apartment. I actually walk backwards spraying as I go and leave the can by my front door. When I get back from wherever I was, my apartment spells amazing. (And it’s so not strong anymore since I gave it time to “settle.”)
Swiffer Vac | This. Is. Brilliant. My apartment is small and I don’t have any carpet, so the Swiffer Vac is just perfect. I tend to use this at least twice a day. The vacuum is pretty great (although it’s no Dyson). And whatever doesn’t get picked up is magically captured by the actual Swiffer part!
Clorox | Sometimes bleach is necessary. I know, I know… it’s not the “greenest” of products… but it cleans. Like really, really cleans. The wipes are perfect for cleaning down all sorts of surfaces. I always start with the door knobs and sink faucets and dials. I feel like those are the dirtiest of all places and often get left out of the cleaning routine.
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I'm like you! I usually clean as I go (I'm a messy cook!), but at least once a week, mostly on Saturdays, I scrub and vacuum and spray and wipe everything down. I feel stressed when my place/stuff is a mess, so cleaning is a great way for me to relax and feel proud of my space!
I live in a kind of strange dorm room where I have my own bathroom and fridge but I have to wash dishes in the bathroom sink… odd I know! And I LOVE the clorox wipe (Or lysol) I always use them when I am done with dishes to wipe the sink and counter. Alo because I don't have much storage I use Pledge multi surface instead of windex because I am a serial duster. 🙂
The Swiffer Sweeper Vac is one of my favorite products of ALL TIME! I have dark wood floors, two white cats, and a very messy toddler and it does a great job for me. I use it all day long.
The Swiffer wetjet is a great thing to have as well! If you live in an apartment with a tiny kitchen, pulling out the traditional mop to clean the floors is WAY too much work and way too messy. I use my WetJet every other day to clean up sticky messes and just clean the floor in general. It smells great and was only $20!
I've had a lot of success with GreenWorks products. I try to balance being environmentally friendly and using as few chemicals as possible, with getting the best clean. Definitely something to check out. I wish I had enough time to completely make my own, but alas that is not a possibility. Thanks for the tips and giveaway!
When a stranger offers to take a photo of you and your boys and it ends up being a framer 🫶🏻🥹 Jack is at the perfect age for fun adventures like a trip to the farm (and not just any ole farm, @oldmcdonaldhasafarm!). 🌽 🐄 🐷 👩🏻🌾 We fed the cows, played with the kittens, said hello to bunnies, watched piggies race, saw one month old calves… so much fun for an almost three year old! (And Rory is more than happy to come along for the ride!)
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Reposting because my brother in law was right, this is the better photo and I want it on my grid!! Can we pretend like it’s the first time you’re seeing it 🙊
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The night this photo was taken was one of the most beautiful evenings– we had dinner with our friends outside at Millie’s. Taking turns bouncing Rory and keeping Jack on track to eat his dinner. I couldn’t tell you a single thing that was discussed between rushed bites and standing up and sitting back down only to stand back up again. (In my memory, I was just completely preoccupied with trying to keep Rory out of the sun.) When the final drop of our margaritas were sipped and the last chip with guacamole was consumed, we all got up to go catch the sunset on the beach– bedtimes be damned! As we were walking, my brother in law carrying Rory and Jack on Mike’s shoulders (I was trailing behind with my phone snapping pictures), a man walked by us and said “it may not seem like it, but these are the best days of your life.” He got choked up telling us about his children; I got choked up thinking about how lucky we are. The air was cool and the sun was painting the sky with cotton candy colors and I said to Mike, “I’m so overwhelmed all the time but it’s the best kind of overwhelm.” I feel like I’m drowning most days– there’s always more to do and less time to do it in– and I’m touched out and overstimulated and my brain is most definitely mush. And they’re still the very best days. 🫶🏻
I’m Carly! I have been creating content online for over fifteen years- I started my blog my freshman year of college and now I’m a 34 year old mom of two little boys.
Right now I am finding the sweet spot of mothering and working. I am creating a magical, simple childhood for my boys while still finding time to do things that fill my own cup like working out, reading, practicing photography, and needlepointing.
I feel best when I put on a cute outfit in the morning and a tiny bit of makeup and have my hair blown out… but I also want to be comfortable and I am embracing my wrinkles and I’m letting my hair go grey.
My dream is to own a bookstore (one day!!), I am a huge homebody (major JOMO), and I’d love for to follow along! 🫶🏻
I'm like you! I usually clean as I go (I'm a messy cook!), but at least once a week, mostly on Saturdays, I scrub and vacuum and spray and wipe everything down.
I feel stressed when my place/stuff is a mess, so cleaning is a great way for me to relax and feel proud of my space!
<3
kimberrleigh.com
I live in a kind of strange dorm room where I have my own bathroom and fridge but I have to wash dishes in the bathroom sink… odd I know! And I LOVE the clorox wipe (Or lysol) I always use them when I am done with dishes to wipe the sink and counter. Alo because I don't have much storage I use Pledge multi surface instead of windex because I am a serial duster. 🙂
The Swiffer Sweeper Vac is one of my favorite products of ALL TIME! I have dark wood floors, two white cats, and a very messy toddler and it does a great job for me. I use it all day long.
The Swiffer wetjet is a great thing to have as well! If you live in an apartment with a tiny kitchen, pulling out the traditional mop to clean the floors is WAY too much work and way too messy. I use my WetJet every other day to clean up sticky messes and just clean the floor in general. It smells great and was only $20!
I've had a lot of success with GreenWorks products. I try to balance being environmentally friendly and using as few chemicals as possible, with getting the best clean. Definitely something to check out. I wish I had enough time to completely make my own, but alas that is not a possibility. Thanks for the tips and giveaway!
Love these essentials, they are the perfect tools to keep any apartment clean. And I'm loving the whiteboard schedule, definitely going to do this!