Dusting Tips

Dust can make a room look filthy in a hurry, even if it's not very cluttered. I know freshly dusted surfaces are not on the top of most of our to-do lists, or even something most of us think about. But I thought I'd share a few tips that work for me and a few that just seem logical to make the job a little easier.:)

• Less is more.-I find that I'm more inclined to dust if I know it won't take me but a few seconds on each surface. At first I had every nick knack that so and so gave us, plus pictures and framed quotes on every piece of furniture with a flat surface. Not to mention the creeping clutter that finds its way in little piles here and there. So, I decided to downsize on the nick knacks, keeping only the things that I really enjoyed and/or had "real" sentimental value. By "real" sentimental value, I mean the things that I want to keep because it is special to me, not just because I "have" to keep it. Also, I try to keep the clutter minimal. 
• Display your trinkets in a china cabinet or glass case; to minimize the need to dust them and to eliminate the tediousness of moving and dusting each one on everyday surfaces. 
• I believe having a place for pocket clutter is key. I soon plan to get a small basket with a lid to contain all of Darling's pocket stuff (wallet, receipts, change, bolts, screws, etc.) And I'm going to place it near where he already dumps his stuff, so he will be more likely to use it. Then I plan on going through it once in a while, throwing out garbage, filing receipts, etc. so that it doesn't overflow onto the surfaces around it. 
• Try to hang up as many of your pictures as you can. I tried this and I'm happy with the results. If you have lots of pictures, maybe you could dedicate a wall in your house as a "picture wall". My Grammie has lots of pictures of family and most of them she hangs in her hallway which would otherwise be "dead space". I had some in various places and found that when I didn't have to move six frames to "swipe" a surface, it happens more often.
• Desks- It can be a pain to dust your desk/work area if it always has piles of papers and all sorts of pens, scissors, markers, dirty coffee cups and dishes and the like all over it. (Not to mention, you'll be less likely to finish up that project or write that letter). Using a pencil cup to contain pens, rulers and such will help clear the space and make things easier to find. When you get up to do something else, take your dishes and wrappers with you! Most likely you will go by the sink anyway, and if not, it only takes a second! Sort your papers and set up an easy to follow filing system. Then if not immediately, you should try to at least file your papers weekly. With our farm business, we have to keep track of what we spend and earn separately from household expenses for tax purposes. Which mean lots of receipts to file. I usually make a little pile on my desk and then once a week or so I sort and file them away.
• Keep some cleaner of your choice and a cloth handy. I just keep some vinegar mixed with water under the kitchen sink for dusting the house and wiping the table/counters. But if you have a separate room for your office and you are in there a lot you may want to keep a small bottle of solution and a rag in a drawer of your desk.

That's all I have on that for now.
  The nursery is going well. I finished painting the walls and trim, replaced the outlet covers and picked out flooring yesterday! I can't wait until it is all done! I think I'm a little jealous, the baby's room is looking better than mine and he isn't even here yet lol. Maybe that could be an anniversary present next March...lol!