Bobby’s December Detox Challenge
Photo: Sara Tramp
December is notoriously one of the most stressful months of the year – from holiday traditions, to work deadlines, to everything else that gets thrown your way – it can be (and often is) a chaotic month.
This year is definitely a bit different since life has slowed down and gatherings and parties are limited. It’s also different than past years, in that this year has taught us to really take a look at what is important – both in our homes and our lives – and let go of the rest.
We are all spending more time at home than we ever have and by now we all realize what a positive (or negative) effect our spaces can have on us. So I wanted to do something this month to really allow myself to head into the new year with a fresh perspective… starting within the four walls of my home. So, today I am kicking off the “December Detox Challenge”. A challenge that runs through the month of December and will help you clear the clutter, eliminate the excess, and give your home and your mind a clean start.
Each week you’ll have a to-do list to help you make your way through your home, and by the end of the month you’ll be ready to jump into 2021 fully detoxed!
WEEK 1: Clear the Clutter
When was the last time you emptied out all those cabinets and storage areas and actually took a look at what you have? If you can’t remember then there is no time like today. This first week is all about taking an inventory and placing everything into 1 of 3 piles:
- KEEP: items that you still use (be honest with what you actually use)
- DONATE: items that are still in good working order but you do not use
- TOSS: items that are not needed and cannot be donated or used by someone else
This is the hardest part of the entire challenge, but as Marie Kondo says, if it doesn’t “spark joy” (and I’ll add to that “have a purpose”) then it is ok to part with it. Remember… a clean space is a clean mind and if you don’t use it then it’s time to let it go.
WEEK 2: Clean and Purify Your Space
Once you have cleared everything out and only have the items that you truly do need or have a purpose, it’s time for a deep clean. Your place may already be spotless, which if it is good for you! But if not, then use this time to give your house that deep clean it might need.
This is also the time that you’ll want to purify your space of dust and allergens which is where the Hoover Evolve comes in. I’ve been using this little vacuum for a while now and I have to say it’s the best clean for any space. The vacuum is totally cordless and only weighs 9 pounds which makes it easy to move from space to space. It also features an anti-microbial brush-roll and a pet odor filter which makes it perfect when our little Mano makes his messes and for grabbing that hair we can’t see. One of my favorite features is how you can push a button to change it from multi-surface to carpet to no brush, which is perfect for some of my thicker pile rugs and when I just need to give the floors a quick clean.
It also has 3x the storage space as a traditional stick vacuum which means you don’t have to empty it out as often and you can extend your cleaning time. Trust me when I say that when we used this for the first time on our rugs and carpets (which we thought were clean) this vacuum sucked up so much that we couldn’t visually see.
Right now they are offering 15% your order using the code BOBBY15. CLICK HERE to shop.
WEEK 3: Organize and Create Functional Solutions
With the clutter cleared, and a fresh space to work it you can now organize and bring in functional solutions to help you not only better use your space, but keep it organized through the next year.
Here are a few of my tips:
- DECANT: Decant what you can as that will help eliminate extra space being taken up by boxes and unnecessary packaging. I always use clear jars or organizers which allow you to see the product and also know when you need to get more.
- LABEL: Label not only the product but also the area that it lives. This will help you to put things back where they belong and not buy excess products that you already have.
- USE WASTED SPACE: No matter how big or small your home is you should always employ as much of it as possible for storage solutions. Places like the back of a closet door can get a clear shoe organizer and be used to house all your cleaning supplies. Or under your bed, you can get a bin with a folding lid to allow for easy access to extra linens if you don’t have a linen closet.
- ORGANIZE BY COLOR: When you aren’t sure how best to organize a bunch of products or the inside of a cabinet, organize by color. Not only is it visually more organized but it allows you to keep things in the right spot and not shuffle around for them. This also works best in your closet where you’ll want to organize by category and then by color.
- GO VERTICAL: Using items like shelf risers you can double your shelf space both in your cabinets and any closets.
Last but not least, to keep you and your home organized it’s important to have a weekly cleaning plan so that you have an easy-to-apply checklist for what you need to clean daily, weekly, and monthly. Below I’ve pulled together my todo list for daily, weekly, monthly, and per season cleaning as well as a handful of items that you get immediately let go of to instantly detox your space. And if you are in need of a little inspiration you can head over to my Pinterest where I’ve pulled together even more tips, inspiration and photos on a December Detox Challenge pin board.
So… what are you waiting for?
Good luck with the detox and if you have any other cleaning tips or products that you’ve found helpful be sure to comment below.
Love these helpful tips! I only wish you said to donate the items that can find a second home or to use the half empty bottles before opening a new one. Animals shelters would greatly appreciate towels with holes as well 🙂
You’re absolutely right and thank you for pointing that out. I fully endorse donating instead of tossing when you can. xx -B