Clean – Washing Machine
One day many years ago I washed one of my doona inserts and it came out of my washing machine filthy with black marks all over it. It was then that I realised that the washing machine needed to be regularly cleaned. Cleaning your washing machine will remove the build up from fabric softener and soap and prevent marks and scum appearing on your linens and clothes.
Find details:
- how to clean a top load washing machine
- how to clean a front load washing machine
[wlchecklist name=’CleanDay11′]
Declutter – Linen Cupboard
It so easy to accumulate extra bed sheets or towels, from sales, gifts or just because we have to have it. I’m rather partial to a beautiful quilt and soft towels and do have a good collection. But I need to limit myself as my linen cupboard is only so big and if I was to buy more I wouldn’t have the space. So my rule is, one in one out but also be realistic when I make the purchase (see more below in new habit).
What I keep in my linen cupboard:
- Top shelf – seasonal linens I don’t regulary use ie blankets, winter sheets
- 4th shelf – bed linens and a few cleaning supplies – see full list of bed linens I keep for each bed here
- 3rd shelf – bath towels and pet supplies – I have one extra towel for each family member plus 4 spare towels
- 2nd shelf – beach towels and table cloths
- Bottom Shelf – Cleaning bucket, cat food, a bag of kitty litter and rags
[wlchecklist name=’DeclutterDay11′]
Organise – Linen Cupboard
I usually take 2 minutes to tidy the linen cupboard as I place linens back into the cupboard after being washed as the kids usually prefer the towel at the bottom of the pile which is how it gets messy easy. Today’s task is to tidy it up and organise in a manner that you can easily find something the next time you are looking for it.
I keep a few extra laundry products here and extra mop pads
I use the stackable storage bins from Howards Storage World to store the cat’s litter tray liners, clippers, brush and medication. In the containers underneath I store my ironing water container, refills for the duster and tissue packets. I used to use different containers here, however I needed to utilise this space better and using stackable containers makes it easer to access everything and fit more into the linen closet if needed.
I use Ikea storage boxes in the top of the laundry cupboard, this holds all our seasonal sheets (so in summer I keep the flannel sheets in here, in winter I swap them over and it holds our normal sheets). Then I store any extra quilt covers to the right of the cupboard.
I keep all extra toilet paper, tissues, paper towel on a shelf in the garage. It’s my stock pile shelf where I also keep extra laundry detergent, cereals, bathroom soap etc. I usually purchase two or three of an item we use when I see it on special.
Find video tutorial (ooh these are so old and I am 40kg heavier in all of them, but these will help you) here on how I fold:
- fitted sheets – fast with no fuss
- bath towels – basic, but just shows you how I do it
[wlchecklist name=’OrganiseDay11′]
New Habit – One in one out
Keep buying impulses under control using the one in one out policy. However consider the one that has to go out, is it still usable? If yes then you don’t need to get rid of it and you don’t need to buy a new one. If it wasn’t useable, eg worn or has holes then it can be replaced.
[wlchecklist name=’NewHabitDay11′]
5 Minutes Only – Tidy under your laundry sink
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DOWNLOAD
Print the daily sheet and checklists to keep for reference while you are completing the above tasks.
- DAY 11 DAILY TASK SHEET – file behind ‘Daily Task’ divider – click to download.
78 comments
Washing machine clean 🙂 I do a vinegar + hot water rinse every 2-3 months.
Linen cupboard & towel cupboard just needed a quick tidy up! I use Martha Stewart’s tip of putting the matching sets in the pillowcase. Have been using it for about 7 months – its great!! I like your idea Katrina, of wrapping them in the flat sheet too! I have never folded my fitted sheets “properly” = it usually ends up rolled into a ball and shoved in the back of the cupboard – NOW It’s folded more flat and hidden in the pillowcase lol
Fantastic Charlene! Love how well organised you are! Yes great idea in doing cleaning out your washing machine every 2-3 months.
I wanted to ask the same 2 questions as Jo (on blog re front loaders), however the link that Kate has provided does not give that kind of detailed info, of where to actually put the vinegar for a cleaning cycle and for use as fabric softener (obviously in that compartment)….Can somebody please advise us – thank you so much
Natalie, I have a front loader and i place the vinegar in the compartment where i would normally put the washing powder. Works a treat.
Great ideas on organising a linen cupboard. Mine definitely needs to be more organised!
.:)
Only thinking last night and more about it this morning that the linen cupboard needed a DE cluttering 🙂 Yeah onto it this afternoon after work 🙂 I was thinking of having baskets with the size of the bed labelled on the front with a couple of winter sets and a couple of summer sets. As we have a single bed/ dble bed/ queen bed & king Size bed in the house. I want to eliminate the time waste of trying to find what sheets fit what bed, and usually my husband pulls them out to read the label and just stuffs them back into the cupboard.What are people’s thoughts?
I think that is a really good idea Nicole! Especially since you have a good variety of sizing with your bed sheets.
I don’t used bleach is there any other alternative a bit more natural for cleaning the washing machine machine ?
Cath, I use a vinegar rinse through my washing machine to get it a really good clean. I place it in the compartment where you would put your washing powder. You may also like to try an Epsom salt rinse, i find this works well after washing my husbands work clothes.
Hi Kat
Thank you for the post card, it was a lovely surprise.it spured me on.
I have enjoyed doing the tasks.
I loved being surprised each morning with a different challenge.
Thanking you Linda
Ooh how wonderful Linda!.:) So glad you are achieving so much with the challenge and enjoying it!
Just my own little tip for folding and storing sheets, I fold mine and once neatly folded slide into matching pillow case!
Love this tip!! Thank you for sharing Hayley!
Another way i came across was to fold my sheets and then put them inside their pillowcase to keep the sets together and they stay neat and tidy in the linen cupboard.
Thank you Tash! Seems to be a really good tip, thank you for sharing.:)
Ooo I was wondering when we would get to this. Here’s my tip for everyone when you fold sheet sets, pop the fitted sheet, top sheet ans additional pillow cases inside the matching pillow case. That way they are always together ans you don’t pull the whole cupboard out looking for something. I got the tip years ago and its fabulous.
That is an awesome tip Felicity!
I’m a bit excited, will be slightly ahead this week. I washed my machine when I did the laundry in the first week.
Your onto it Caroline!!