When my kitchen counters are clean and uncluttered I feel like my whole house is clean. Really, that’s my starting point. Floors next. For some it’s dusting. Not me, I hardly ever dust! For others it’s toys picked up. I would have answered strongly in favor of that about 10 years ago, but I’d make myself miserable if that was my goal now.
What’s it for you?
I can't handle a dirty bathroom. I don't know why, but I have to always have a clean bathroom, even if the rest of the house is a wreck. Since starting Fly Lady's program, I agree with you on the sink/counter and either the kitchen or TV room is next on my priority list.
BTW, I love your kitchen! The black counters with the white cabinets is a combination I have considered when we remodel our kitchen.
if I had that much counter space I don't think it would ever be that clean!!!
vacuumed carpets. Trying having dark carpet and a fluffy white cat (or a child who gets more biscuit on the floor then in her mouth, which I am sure you are more likely to relate too 🙂 )
Clean kitchen always does it for me too, though ours being a lot smaller than yours means we have to have some stuff on the counters. As long as they're tidy and clean looking though I'm happy. My other thing is clean floors. I rarely dust either but have the hoover out several times a week and the dust buster several times a day.
It's a clean bathroom for me, that's always where I start. Then the kitchen worktops would be next on my list.
Same as you – a clean kitchen and shiny counters. I can handle the toy chaos and laundry everywhere as long as my kitchen is clean.
I guess I can't log in anymore with my url 🙁
Emily@remodelingthislife
I like clean kitchen counters too, but I think clean bathroom counters are even better. When I see my bathroom after a good cleaning, it always makes me smile.
Having a clean kitchen is a must for me too. It is a refreshing feeling to wake up and not have dirty dishes waiting for me in the morning. I am a new follower of your blog, LOVE it! 🙂
Clean counters and a shiny sink when i wake up in the morning – i think the fly lady rules have now been officially ingrained in me. At least the shiny sink part and getting dressed all the way in the am including your shoes to get me motivated!
The dog sheds so much that for me lately it's the floors. The house looks and feels so much cleaner to me when I don't see tumbleweeds of dog hair blow across the floor when the door opens!!
Cleared off anything – counters, table, shelf- anything that's a surface when we just sit things that accumulate!
Clean floors and most toys away is bliss for me!
A clean kitchen island does it for me. It's such a focal point that if it's cluttered, so is my head!
the kitchen floor must be swept, sometimes I sweep up after a meal (yes, i must do it after every meal, i have a 2 year old and twin 11months old) and then realize I haven't a)done the dishes, b)wiped the table and counters-oops!
It's a tie between a clean bathroom and swept floors! When both are finished, I have a sense that all is right in my world.
I'm just like you – clean counters and floors.
FLOORS!!!! When the rugs are vaccuumed and the floor is mopped ~ all feels right with the world. Oh, and of course a yummy candle has to be burning 🙂
Vacuuming! I love to feel clean under my feet… and with baby still crawling around on the floor and climbing the stair and exploring, it has to be clean!
I'm there with you on the kitchen counters. I am blessed with a large kitchen that has both an island and a bar. The bar is my nemesis. It is 8×3 feet of space that everyone uses as a dumping ground (including me, unfortunately). Things pile up fast. It doesn't matter how filthy the rest of the house is, if that pesky bar is clean, I feel like such a housekeeping hero!
I don't think my counter tops ever looked like that! Where do you put all your stuff?? If my bathrooms are clean, then I feel like my whole house is clean!
I DON'T like piles!!! And generally they seem to accumulate on my kitchen counters 🙁 So, I'm with you….CLEAN countertops make me a happy girl 🙂 I find the less that there are on any counters….the more I clean them 🙂 I don't like moving things around! Hope your family had a wonderful Easter 😉
I agree with you – when the kitchen is cleaned up I feel ready to tackle anything !
If my house is vacuumed then I feel like my house is on the way to being clean. Next is kitchen counters, oh how I dream of having completely cleaned off counters…to bad I don't have enough cabinet space!
Amen to the clean counters! We are getting ready to list our house and I am realizing I have way too much clutter. Away the stuff goes for a yard sale!!
you've encourged me to get off my butt and clean up my kitchen.
see ya!
I'm with you – clean kitchen counters really tickle my fancy.
Floors, floors, floors! If I can't walk around barefoot on our wood without feeling dirt on my feet, the whole house feels disgusting. If the floors are shiny and I can wear white socks and they stay white, life is good!
For me it's making my bed! I can't even begin to get anything else accomplished until that's done. When I was little, someone told me that if I didn't make my bed, evil spirits would sneek under the covers during the day and I would have nightmares at night…seriously, that was it for me! (I know, I probably need therapy for that one!) Have a great week and enjoy those clean counters:]
We have similar posts today! I'm all about clean baseboards. Love how you can see the reflection in your clean countertops!!
Ditto Java– where is everything! 🙂
Dust, sweep, vacuum are always first on my 'to do' list. I love clean counters but they don't stay that way for long.
A clean & spotless kitchen makes me giddy 🙂 It is always in use so it is not always spotless all the time. Oh well. One can dream…
Its totally the kitchen for me, too! I always feel better with a clean kitchen.
a freshly made bed, and a couch with all of the pillows in place.
those are my musts.
Maybe that's why I feel so out of sorts lately…my kitchen counters are getting cluttered again. I could clean all day but if my counters aren't clear and clean, then I feel like the entire house is a wreck.
Clean counters and made beds! Your home is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I'm happy to see that I'm not the only one who starts with making the bed and rearranging the couch so it looks nice again! That's my starting point, but the kitchen is next on my list. I CAN'T cook if my sink is full of dishes or my counters are dirty…seriously, it's impossible. It makes my brain stop working. 🙂
I only feel like things are clean after I've vacuumed. I love vacuuming. And I have hardwood throughout the house. I hate sweeping it is so ineffecient, and to follow with a swiffer is just double the time. So vacuuming it is.
I totally agree! It's clean counters/sink… then made beds… and vacuumed floors!
Floors first for me! I vacuum, sweep, and swiffer to excess but it makes me feel happy to have clean floors to walk on. My counters are small and always cluttered but being wiped off and clean comes after floors. Then made beds. Then clean bathrooms.
For me it's a combo . . . clean counters (kitchen and bathroom), sofa pillows ON the sofa, and toys in the living room picked up. Toys could be everywhere else all over the house but if they are picked up out of the living room I'm good.
Clean counters are nice! Do you put your coffee pot/toaster in a cabinet when not in use?
-FringeGirl
Fresh vacuumed carpets – with the lines in it.
Danielle
A clean counter proceeds a clear mind–doesn't that sound like a Chinese proverb?
Laundry done…that's my thing. Don't like dirty laundry!! My countertops are mostly clear but like where is your coffee pot and maybe some knives or a toaster oven?
My starting point is I have to have the beds made. My Mom always told me that when your bed is made your room is 50% cleaner. If I walk by a room and the bed isn't made it drives me NUTS!
clean kitchen, clean floors
i love your kitchen!
I have to have all the beds made or my house is not clean. I don't know why, but it just drives me insane and I have to make them as soon as everyone is up. My kitchen is tiny so keeping the counters clean is a must and clean floors are another biggie.
My bed has to be made every morning or my day gets shot to heck. I just feel like I'm starting out with a fresh day with a clean room and the bed made.
I'm with you – clean counters, clean sink, clean table. Then beds, then toys, then bathrooms. Dusting is always last.
With a shedding golden retriever, it has to be the kitchen floor…usually 3 times a day.
As someone else said, the island must be cleared off or the entire house feels messy to me.
Uh, where are your small appliances? Doesn't look like anyone lives there.
Counters and floors. Same as you! Also bathroom mirrors. I agree if I always stressed over the toys, I would lose my mind.!
If the beds are made and the sink and dishwasher are empty I feel like I can conquer the whole house!
We have that same little stroller. Only ours is rigged together with jute because the kids both sat it in Christmas morning and it immediately broke! Total Sanford and Son
I love clean kitchen counter also.
For me if my counters are clear and my bed is made the rest of the house can stay as it is. Momma's happy!
Yep… when my kitchen is clean… I am a happier woman!! I love love your kitchen!! *sigh* =)
oh how I love clean counters too! There's nothing better.
For me it's cleaning the kitchen – you can see my kitchen from the front door, so if it's clean people notice. Plus, I love having the beds made – it's helps the bedrooms look clean.
I always start with my kitchen, as I feel the same way. Sometimes that's the only room that ends up getting clean, but it is so true that the whole house feels clean when that room is!
I have never seen cleaner counters ever! Wow. The never dusting thing..I live on a dirt road with a cinder driveway and live in a log cabin, dust unfortunatly is my nemesis.
Cleaning the kitchen is how I end every day. Dishes done, counters wiped, floors swept and appliances wiped down. If it's not done and I have to wake up to a dirty kitchen I feel like I start my day behind the 8 ball.
I like my kitchen clean and my beds made. That makes me happy but dusting doesn't:(
I love clean counters too! I wish I could have the energy to make this part of my bedtime routine. But right now my bedtime routine consists of putting my little man to bed and then vegetating with my hubby until I fall into bed myself. I just hit a wall after supper.
Sometimes if there is a big mess in the kitchen, I start with something smaller like a swish & swipe in the bathroom or making the beds to get myself in the mood first.
I'm the same way. I adore clean counter tops. I've been trying really hard not to go to bed unless they are spotless – it really makes my morning that much easier.
I'd say it is my family room space first with all pillows fluffed and blankets draped neatly, next it would be on to my kitchen, and vacuuming is always in between switching rooms. :o)
I try to stay on top of the dishes throughout the day. and then I start with the clutter. Once I tackle the clutter – then I feel like the rest of the task might happen.
Me too!!! Any clutter in my kitchen freaks me out!
Sadie at heyMamas
No dishes in the sink!
I'm right there with you! Our whole living space can be a disaster, but the kitchen counter (specifically the island) is where I HAVE to start getting control.
Hmmmm..at night I love a clean kitchen with the dishwasher running, a candle burning and the light over the stove on. Everything seems at peace in my world if I make it to this point! 🙂 Hope you're having a wonderful time!!
I love your kitchen!