Maximum nesting, minimum time
December 20, 2016 7:05 PM Subscribe
I return home on December 30. I start intensive studying for my med school board exam on January 1. I'd like to spend the day of December 31 making my studio apartment as nice an environment as I can in anticipation of five weeks of not going beyond the minimum cleaning/chores/etc. What should I do with this one day to make my place as nice as possible?
If you have a small disposable fund of cash, stock up on things that will make cleaning/clean up easier. I suggest: Lysol wipes, disposable plates, a Swiffer type floor cleaner if you have hard floors/don't have one, paper hand towels for the bathroom (super easy to at least wipe down the sink with when your hands are clean), foaming bubbles type stuff for bath/toilet, papertowel for cleaning up small messes. Go thru the fridge and clean any old stuff out. Mark your calendar for garbage/recycling day (if this applies to you).
Good luck with the studying and exams! Knock 'em dead...I mean, alive....well, do awesome anyway!
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 7:26 PM on December 20, 2016 [4 favorites]
Good luck with the studying and exams! Knock 'em dead...I mean, alive....well, do awesome anyway!
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 7:26 PM on December 20, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'd work up a big list of the stuff you like to eat, and then lay in as many supplies as you can -- freezer and pantry stuff being the most important to stock up on, so you can supplement with minimal fresh ingredients you pick up during the five weeks.
If there's any possibility of booking a top-to-bottom cleaning that day, it'd really be wonderful. If you have Handy available in your area, I'm sure they'd have someone available even though that's New Year's Eve day. (Think of if this way: some person who does cleaning for a living really, really wants to earn money that day and you could be the person to help.)
I'd also purchase two tubes of Clorox bleach wipes, and stash them in the bathroom and the kitchen. They're great for doing a 60-second wipe-down of all surfaces, which is great to do once a week or whenever you have an extra 60 seconds in kitchen or bathroom.
Do all your laundry, including the sheets and towels, so everything's as fresh as it can be.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:29 PM on December 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
If there's any possibility of booking a top-to-bottom cleaning that day, it'd really be wonderful. If you have Handy available in your area, I'm sure they'd have someone available even though that's New Year's Eve day. (Think of if this way: some person who does cleaning for a living really, really wants to earn money that day and you could be the person to help.)
I'd also purchase two tubes of Clorox bleach wipes, and stash them in the bathroom and the kitchen. They're great for doing a 60-second wipe-down of all surfaces, which is great to do once a week or whenever you have an extra 60 seconds in kitchen or bathroom.
Do all your laundry, including the sheets and towels, so everything's as fresh as it can be.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:29 PM on December 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
You live in a studio. Stocking up on stuff might not be the ideal way to create an environment conducive to peace and focus.
What about getting rid of stuff? Can you spend a block of your time going from closet to cupboard to shelf to drawer and throwing every unnecessary, unappreciated, unused, unloved thing into piles for discard and donation, and then arranging for someone to come pick up the donateables?
posted by padraigin at 7:41 PM on December 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
What about getting rid of stuff? Can you spend a block of your time going from closet to cupboard to shelf to drawer and throwing every unnecessary, unappreciated, unused, unloved thing into piles for discard and donation, and then arranging for someone to come pick up the donateables?
posted by padraigin at 7:41 PM on December 20, 2016 [3 favorites]
Can you take some time to set up systems? Like, a monthly or weekly cleaner, weekly grocery or food delivery, a daily/weekly schedule, a study group, a gym membership or YouTube exercise class, an Audible or Netflix subscription to get the most out of your downtime (or, if you timewaste on Netflix, canceling your subscription)?
posted by instamatic at 7:45 PM on December 20, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by instamatic at 7:45 PM on December 20, 2016 [5 favorites]
Lighting:
Set up two areas of your apartment with the kindest lighting for studying. I say two areas so you can be in different positions, like a desk and an armchair, or your bed and the kitchen counter. You'll need two kinds of lighting for each area - one that provides an even bright light on your books and notes, and one that provides softer ambient lighting that bounces off the ceiling or wall. If possible make this happen without using an overhead ceiling light, because those provide terrible light for reading. Reposition lamps and tables as needed, point them at the wall so they bounce back onto your workspace, get warm LED bulbs in higher perceived wattage, and position any large mirrors you might have so they bounce the light around without glaring in your eyes.
Sleep:
Make your bed and the space around it as conducive to restful sleep as possible. Wash and fold all your linens so everything is ready for the next month+. Consider getting some new pillows from a discount store - they won't last long but they'll last at least a month and give you more support when you need it. If your place runs hot at night switch to cotton sheets and a lightweight duvet, if you're cold do flannel sheets and a big squishy comforter. If like me you don't use a top sheet, you can put that top sheet on the fitted sheet and tuck it in all around, and then you can just take it off when it's time for new sheets and you've got the fitted sheet underneath all ready to go. If you have a humidifier, set that up near your bed so you don't get dehydrated at night, and program notifications into your devices to remind you to clean it every week so you don't accidentally encourage a cold. Look into blackout curtains for your windows, and make coverings for any bright leds that might glow at night.
Getting Out:
Make up a couple kits to set by your door so it's really easy for you to get the heck outside and breathe fresh air. With your sneakers make up a bag with clean gym/yoga clothes, a water bottle, some non-perishable snacks and a clean towel, plus whatever things you use for your exercise of choice. Then you can just grab and go and change in a locker room, or if you're changing at home you know you'll have clean workout clothes because you set them aside earlier, and you don't have to try to find your shoes. With a pair of nicer shoes (but still comfy) set aside a cute outfit that makes you feel confident and pack a small purse with anything you'd need for a night out like extra cash, a fancy scarf, extra phone charger, little container of headache and indigestion pills etc. Then when the opportunity comes knocking for you to go out, the only thing you need to do is wash up and put your wallet, phone, and keys in your purse and then gtfo.
posted by Mizu at 8:10 PM on December 20, 2016 [8 favorites]
Set up two areas of your apartment with the kindest lighting for studying. I say two areas so you can be in different positions, like a desk and an armchair, or your bed and the kitchen counter. You'll need two kinds of lighting for each area - one that provides an even bright light on your books and notes, and one that provides softer ambient lighting that bounces off the ceiling or wall. If possible make this happen without using an overhead ceiling light, because those provide terrible light for reading. Reposition lamps and tables as needed, point them at the wall so they bounce back onto your workspace, get warm LED bulbs in higher perceived wattage, and position any large mirrors you might have so they bounce the light around without glaring in your eyes.
Sleep:
Make your bed and the space around it as conducive to restful sleep as possible. Wash and fold all your linens so everything is ready for the next month+. Consider getting some new pillows from a discount store - they won't last long but they'll last at least a month and give you more support when you need it. If your place runs hot at night switch to cotton sheets and a lightweight duvet, if you're cold do flannel sheets and a big squishy comforter. If like me you don't use a top sheet, you can put that top sheet on the fitted sheet and tuck it in all around, and then you can just take it off when it's time for new sheets and you've got the fitted sheet underneath all ready to go. If you have a humidifier, set that up near your bed so you don't get dehydrated at night, and program notifications into your devices to remind you to clean it every week so you don't accidentally encourage a cold. Look into blackout curtains for your windows, and make coverings for any bright leds that might glow at night.
Getting Out:
Make up a couple kits to set by your door so it's really easy for you to get the heck outside and breathe fresh air. With your sneakers make up a bag with clean gym/yoga clothes, a water bottle, some non-perishable snacks and a clean towel, plus whatever things you use for your exercise of choice. Then you can just grab and go and change in a locker room, or if you're changing at home you know you'll have clean workout clothes because you set them aside earlier, and you don't have to try to find your shoes. With a pair of nicer shoes (but still comfy) set aside a cute outfit that makes you feel confident and pack a small purse with anything you'd need for a night out like extra cash, a fancy scarf, extra phone charger, little container of headache and indigestion pills etc. Then when the opportunity comes knocking for you to go out, the only thing you need to do is wash up and put your wallet, phone, and keys in your purse and then gtfo.
posted by Mizu at 8:10 PM on December 20, 2016 [8 favorites]
Fellow studio apartment dweller here - ruthlessly edit your stuff, and get appropriate storage for what's left. Almost everything around you should be there for a functional reason, and function well - have a place for everything (and obviously put everything in its place), so you don't have to rustle around to find things or deal with annoyance or struggle in your physical world. (Keep a few pretty things to rest your eyes upon. Arrange them in a pleasing way.) If you're lacking bookcases, get some - ideally closed ones, no open shelves, so you can limit dusting if possible. (This is a regret of mine - if I were to do it over, I'd definitely get something with doors.) Get stackable bins for your storage closet for your out of season clothes/shoes/tools/etc, so you don't have to dig around to find things. Regular closet/wardrobe - *only* have stuff you *know* you're going to wear over the next couple of months in it. Everything else can go into a storage bin either in your storage closet or under your bed. Doorway: have a handy place to put keys, gloves, mail; hooks or a stand for coats; a rack for shoes. Kitchen: put away all but two dishes, two bowls, 2 sets of knives/forks/spoons, a frying pan, and a pot (or whatever will meet your bare minimum needs. Set up your desk area so it's comfortable and healthy. (Manage your cables, and get something to put your printer on so it's within reach. Good if it can store things, too). For me, lighting matters so much, for a sense of comfort and calm - an overhead "big light" alone feels depressing, best to have lots of different light sources. So suggest getting table or floor lamps if you're missing them - one for every corner of the room, plus another for your desk, plus one more for next to the couch. (This thing is very adjustable, highly recommend for desk and/or couch area. Comes with a plastic shade, but you can get nicer ones.)
If things aren't set up this way already, it won't be done in a day, though - on the 30th, measure everything, and get gridded paper (or draw things roughly to scale) and play with layouts. Buy any stuff you need online (use measurements as your guide) and arrange to pick it up at the store on the morning of the 31st. Take a cab (ask for a minivan and pay the driver extra to help you take stuff up). Afternoon - get garbage bags and sort / chuck / donate. Late afternoon: sweep, mop, dust all those open spaces. Evening - set up your storage / put things into place. Night: sleep like a baby, because that is a lot of work, but it's doable in a day with enough caffeine (have done it) and is well worth it, imo. Because after that, you don't have to think about anything. The place runs itself.
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:16 PM on December 20, 2016 [2 favorites]
If things aren't set up this way already, it won't be done in a day, though - on the 30th, measure everything, and get gridded paper (or draw things roughly to scale) and play with layouts. Buy any stuff you need online (use measurements as your guide) and arrange to pick it up at the store on the morning of the 31st. Take a cab (ask for a minivan and pay the driver extra to help you take stuff up). Afternoon - get garbage bags and sort / chuck / donate. Late afternoon: sweep, mop, dust all those open spaces. Evening - set up your storage / put things into place. Night: sleep like a baby, because that is a lot of work, but it's doable in a day with enough caffeine (have done it) and is well worth it, imo. Because after that, you don't have to think about anything. The place runs itself.
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:16 PM on December 20, 2016 [2 favorites]
(Speaking of clothing: get a uniform going. Isolate e.g. leggings, tees, and cardis or sweatshirts that all work together and just have those in your closet. Get 10 pairs of the exact same socks so you don't have to match them when you get dressed or do the laundry, you can just dump them into your drawer and get dressed with your eyes actually closed.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:23 PM on December 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:23 PM on December 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: While these are all helpful suggestions, I am not looking to spend money on my housekeeping day; I am primarily looking for suggestions of what to do rather than what to buy. (Combination of being at the end of my current loan period and, yes, not wanting to bring more stuff into a small place.)
Particularly helpful would be suggestions for things I ought to clean/organize for the maximum benefit of future me.
Relevant info: there are no pets in this apartment, and I will be doing most of my studying outside my apartment.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:26 PM on December 20, 2016
Particularly helpful would be suggestions for things I ought to clean/organize for the maximum benefit of future me.
Relevant info: there are no pets in this apartment, and I will be doing most of my studying outside my apartment.
posted by ocherdraco at 8:26 PM on December 20, 2016
Response by poster: Also, I have already made my food plans for my study period, so that particular angle is covered!
posted by ocherdraco at 8:29 PM on December 20, 2016
posted by ocherdraco at 8:29 PM on December 20, 2016
While these are all helpful suggestions, I am not looking to spend money on my housekeeping day; I am primarily looking for suggestions of what to do rather than what to buy.
I have discovered that keeping the kitchen and bathroom clean make me feel like my apartment is the cleanest. Are there certain areas in your place that you always *notice* when they're dirty? Concentrate your time there.
posted by lazuli at 8:30 PM on December 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have discovered that keeping the kitchen and bathroom clean make me feel like my apartment is the cleanest. Are there certain areas in your place that you always *notice* when they're dirty? Concentrate your time there.
posted by lazuli at 8:30 PM on December 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
I also second the suggestion of cleaning out the fridge, if applicable. Or even actually cleaning the fridge. So much easier to grab food if you don't have to sort through what's fresh, what's old, etc.
posted by lazuli at 8:40 PM on December 20, 2016
posted by lazuli at 8:40 PM on December 20, 2016
Clean your windows. (I did that once during an exam period as a procrastination technique, but the extra light did make me feel better).
posted by kjs4 at 8:57 PM on December 20, 2016
posted by kjs4 at 8:57 PM on December 20, 2016
If by any chance you have a lot of paper around like I do, consider trying to sort it out. When I'm stressed or busy I just tend to toss bills or concert programs or holiday cards or whatever in a big pile; I feel like the house is much cleaner when I sort that stuff out and throw out anything unnecessary.
posted by ferret branca at 9:39 PM on December 20, 2016
posted by ferret branca at 9:39 PM on December 20, 2016
Also, scrubbing the burners on the stove gives me a nice spring cleaning feeling, plus makes me more motivated to clean them a bit better after each use, which is probably a more efficient use of time.
posted by ferret branca at 9:41 PM on December 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ferret branca at 9:41 PM on December 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
I am fond of checklists! Lazuli is so right about the kitchen and bathroom -- so long as they are clean, the whole place feels better. So here's my Kitchen/Bathroom Plus List.
Before you begin, get out an enormous trash bag and hang it on a door handle for trash. Then turn on some music and get to work!
KITCHEN (2 hours)
- Take everything out of fridge, scrub inside and out, toss old and expired items, place fresh food back in sparkling clean fridge
- Organize pantry and storage, incl. junk drawer
- Wipe down cabinets, not forgetting tops of cabinets (I like Caldrea multi-purpose cleaner for wipedowns because it smells so good)
- Scrub stovetop
- Scrub countertops
- Wipe down microwave and coffee maker
- Wipe down windows/windowsill
- Scrub sink and faucet until they gleam
- Empty and wipe down trash can/recycling bin, replace liner bags
- Scrub floor and baseboards
- Launder and fold dish towels
- Replace kitchen sponge and make sure your dish soap bottle is full
BATHROOM (1 hour)
- Toss or consolidate toiletries
- Organize bathroom storage under sink or on shelves
- Scrub shower and tub -- walls, floor, faucet, drain area
- Scrub toilet, inside and out
- Empty and wipe down trash bin -- if it's beyond wiping down, soak it in the shower to freshen it up
- Clean mirror and wipe down windows/windowsill
- Wipe down sink and faucet (I do this daily in between cleanings)
- Wipe down/rinse soap dispenser bottle
- Mop floor, getting into all the corners; wipe down baseboards
- Launder and fold bath towels
- Launder or replace bath mat
- Put a delicious new bar or bottle of soap in the shower
- Make sure you have TP, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste for the month... Fresh toothbrush, too
MAIN ROOM (3-4 hours)
- Launder all linens (from mattress pad to pillowcases) and make bed
- Organize desk area
- Organize closet
- Go through accumulated mail and pay any bills you can in advance
- Wipe down/dust all surfaces
- Wipe down your front door, both interior and exterior, esp. the handle area, and straighten up the welcome mat
- Wipe down windows and windowsills
- Clean the floor twice -- that's either two passes with the vacuum or two passes with the broom and mop
- Wipe down all corners and baseboards
- Set out a candle. This is your Dedicated Relaxation Candle and you get to light it after you get home from studying.
posted by mochapickle at 12:22 AM on December 21, 2016 [13 favorites]
Before you begin, get out an enormous trash bag and hang it on a door handle for trash. Then turn on some music and get to work!
KITCHEN (2 hours)
- Take everything out of fridge, scrub inside and out, toss old and expired items, place fresh food back in sparkling clean fridge
- Organize pantry and storage, incl. junk drawer
- Wipe down cabinets, not forgetting tops of cabinets (I like Caldrea multi-purpose cleaner for wipedowns because it smells so good)
- Scrub stovetop
- Scrub countertops
- Wipe down microwave and coffee maker
- Wipe down windows/windowsill
- Scrub sink and faucet until they gleam
- Empty and wipe down trash can/recycling bin, replace liner bags
- Scrub floor and baseboards
- Launder and fold dish towels
- Replace kitchen sponge and make sure your dish soap bottle is full
BATHROOM (1 hour)
- Toss or consolidate toiletries
- Organize bathroom storage under sink or on shelves
- Scrub shower and tub -- walls, floor, faucet, drain area
- Scrub toilet, inside and out
- Empty and wipe down trash bin -- if it's beyond wiping down, soak it in the shower to freshen it up
- Clean mirror and wipe down windows/windowsill
- Wipe down sink and faucet (I do this daily in between cleanings)
- Wipe down/rinse soap dispenser bottle
- Mop floor, getting into all the corners; wipe down baseboards
- Launder and fold bath towels
- Launder or replace bath mat
- Put a delicious new bar or bottle of soap in the shower
- Make sure you have TP, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste for the month... Fresh toothbrush, too
MAIN ROOM (3-4 hours)
- Launder all linens (from mattress pad to pillowcases) and make bed
- Organize desk area
- Organize closet
- Go through accumulated mail and pay any bills you can in advance
- Wipe down/dust all surfaces
- Wipe down your front door, both interior and exterior, esp. the handle area, and straighten up the welcome mat
- Wipe down windows and windowsills
- Clean the floor twice -- that's either two passes with the vacuum or two passes with the broom and mop
- Wipe down all corners and baseboards
- Set out a candle. This is your Dedicated Relaxation Candle and you get to light it after you get home from studying.
posted by mochapickle at 12:22 AM on December 21, 2016 [13 favorites]
Just finished a couple-year stint when I got an MA and wrote a book while working full-time. The thing that bugged me the most was the bathroom - you have to go there many times a day and when it's a mess it's depressing. So give that a big thorough cleaning, and then do a simple wipe-down every few days, and take out the wastebasket. Get those blue things for the toilet or just spray some toilet cleaner into the water every few days. Give it a scrub next time you come in and then flush. Keeps it from getting gross.
If you have a dishwasher, cultivate a habit of always rinsing and putting dirty dishes directly into it. Piled-up dishes are exhausting to look at. If you don't have one, always rinse and neatly stack until dish time. Do all the day's dishes after dinner or before bed. It doesn't take long and this is one of those things that takes 5 minutes if you stay on top of it, but sucks way more than 5 minutes' worth of energy if it starts to pile up in a way that is discouraging looking. Also, start putting pots, pans and everything into the dishwasher. For some reason I used to think you had to handwash most of those, and you don't usually. The washer may not get them 100% clean but you can just finish the job by hand or run it again. The machine wants to help, use it!
Simplify your stuff. Clean things off surfaces - bits of decor and clutter are seriously distracting. You are probably going to be living pretty simply. Pull your most-used shoes, clothes, accessories and toiletries to the front/active areas, and put away/hide the fancier things you really aren't going to be needing until after exams. Streamline the space.
Make a landing/sorting station for incoming mail, bills, forms that need filling, etc. Schedule a time every few days to go through this stuff and take care of it. Don't spread it over the house where you re-discover it unexpectedly when you shouldn't be dealing with it.
Take out a chunk of cash so you always have cash in your wallet - avoid wasting time on ATM runs.
posted by Miko at 5:49 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
If you have a dishwasher, cultivate a habit of always rinsing and putting dirty dishes directly into it. Piled-up dishes are exhausting to look at. If you don't have one, always rinse and neatly stack until dish time. Do all the day's dishes after dinner or before bed. It doesn't take long and this is one of those things that takes 5 minutes if you stay on top of it, but sucks way more than 5 minutes' worth of energy if it starts to pile up in a way that is discouraging looking. Also, start putting pots, pans and everything into the dishwasher. For some reason I used to think you had to handwash most of those, and you don't usually. The washer may not get them 100% clean but you can just finish the job by hand or run it again. The machine wants to help, use it!
Simplify your stuff. Clean things off surfaces - bits of decor and clutter are seriously distracting. You are probably going to be living pretty simply. Pull your most-used shoes, clothes, accessories and toiletries to the front/active areas, and put away/hide the fancier things you really aren't going to be needing until after exams. Streamline the space.
Make a landing/sorting station for incoming mail, bills, forms that need filling, etc. Schedule a time every few days to go through this stuff and take care of it. Don't spread it over the house where you re-discover it unexpectedly when you shouldn't be dealing with it.
Take out a chunk of cash so you always have cash in your wallet - avoid wasting time on ATM runs.
posted by Miko at 5:49 AM on December 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! Your answers have helped me make a game plan. In addition to some combination of the suggestions above, with mochapickle's list as a starting point, I plan to do the following:
posted by ocherdraco at 9:19 AM on December 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
• clear my coffee table of everything but coasters and remotesSo much good guidance here! I'll post a photo when I'm done.
• clear my dresser, desk, and TV table tops completely
• get cheapo curtains to cover my two bookshelves, and a floor length tablecloth to cover a table that I stow things under (reduce visual clutter!)
• clear the cabinet under the kitchen sink so it can be the new home for the trash and recycling bins
• replace my decorative 2016 calendar with a 2017 decorative calendar
• hang the framed artwork that has been leaning against a wall
• put up a command hook by the front door to be my coat hook (maybe a 2nd for my hat?)
• repurpose one small wastebasket to be a laundry hamper for socks
• move a reading light near the sofa
• remove clothes I won't be wearing this month from my dresser and stow them under the bed
posted by ocherdraco at 9:19 AM on December 21, 2016 [4 favorites]
Yay! And for visual decluttering, you might like The Breadbox Rule.
posted by mochapickle at 9:36 AM on December 21, 2016
posted by mochapickle at 9:36 AM on December 21, 2016
Response by poster: Still working away, but the bathroom is done!
posted by ocherdraco at 11:37 AM on December 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by ocherdraco at 11:37 AM on December 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
I was just wondering how this was going! Looking good!
posted by mochapickle at 2:05 PM on December 31, 2016
posted by mochapickle at 2:05 PM on December 31, 2016
Come do my house next!
posted by mochapickle at 2:06 PM on December 31, 2016
posted by mochapickle at 2:06 PM on December 31, 2016
Response by poster: Ha! I made lots of progress, but didn't get the rest of the place to photo-ready levels. It's getting there, though.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:38 PM on December 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ocherdraco at 3:38 PM on December 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Cooking takes a lot of time and often also makes the kitchen a mess. Having lots of meals ready (even simple things like sandwiches or soup) could help keep your place nicer, and potentially help keep you feeling good, too.
posted by MangoNews at 7:11 PM on December 20, 2016 [10 favorites]