Our lovely rhythm chart. Once upon a time we all got together and decided on what the basics where to keep the house running. The chart is based on self accountability, simply put your initial and amount of points in the square that corresponds to the date and task. During our house meetings we read the scores out load and create a safe space to discuss if there are any adjustments to be made. Though the idea is not for us all to be equal, it should feel fair.
Here is the low-down for each item:
Bathrooms: We have three full bathrooms. If you are one of four people who does not have a private bathroom, then cleaning the bathroom is right for you! If you notice a small thing that needs to happen like taking the trash, cleaning the mirror or scrubbing the toilette, then take a point. If you are up for cleaning the whole room then it is billed at one point for every ten minutes.
Compost: With frequency the compost needs to be taken to the green compost bin on the curb, rinsed clean and put back into use. Two points are given as incentive though the task takes ten minutes at most.
You Name it!! This is the section to log those things that are not on the chart, but still need attention. Examples might be filling the spice jars. cleaning the front porch, anything that benefits all of us is appreciated and can be added here for 6 points per hour.
Deep Clean: At first glance, the home in all its glory, its hard to see how dirty it can get! For one, we have no hood in the kitchen so that creates a layer of fuzzy dust that needs to get tackled with regularity. We usually discuss deep cleaning at the meetings and take volunteers for the “action items”, however, we do get together once a month for an hour to an hour and a half, make a list, put on music and deep clean. It’s kind of awesome.
Dishwasher: Filling the dishwasher happens though out the day. If you find yourself loading someone else’s dishes, take a point. Emptying the dishwasher and putting everything away is worth three and add an extra if the small drying rack also gets put away. *Special note: plastic food storage containers need to be loaded on the top two shelves of they will warp and crack. Also, we do rinse the dished before putting them into the dishwasher.
Dish towels: (and other cleaning towels) On the left side of the shelf above the washing machine is where the dirty towels gather waiting to be cleaned. We have plenty of towels and there are three categories: the small, white towels are for drying clean hands so we can keep them looking like something you might want to wipe your hands on. Then we have a stack of towels handy to wipe the counters or “cleaner dirty stuff”. In the laundry area we keep a stack of towels for dirty messes, these are more like rags. Lastly, we have the common kitchen towels which are kept in the drawer to the left of the silverware drawer. The kitchen towels are vibrant and striped. * To wash the towels, use laundry detergent AND a cap full of bleach to kill any mildew. When you wash, dry, sort, and put away the towels it is 3 points.
Fill Berkey: The manor has a water purifier. If you enjoy drinking pure water from it, then you will participate in filling it. When the water level is low (which can be seen on the outside meter of the spicket), fill the Berkey to the top with cool tap water making sure to go above the filters. When the Berkey is filled to the top, it is important to “harvest the water” from the bottom chamber. This can be done simply by filling the water kettle on the right. (The reason for doing this is if the bottom is full while the top is filled, when the filtering starts, water may come out of the middle).
Garbage: The kitchen trash goes out to one of two grey bins to the left of the driveway. Reline the can with a new liner located in a box on the floor to the left of the garbage can. We do not have to remember when garbage day is because, thankfully, they take it from where they sit!
Gardening: We do have a sweet little garden.. If you like to garden and enjoy spending time out there, points will come easy for you! 6 points per hour.
Mop Elsewhere: We now have a fun and easy to use steam mop. It is stored in our compact broom closet located to the left of the washer and to the right of the downstairs bathroom. To use it, make sure there is a clean pad on the bottom (of which we have a plethora) and fill it with the purified water. Plug it in and steam away! When you are finished, put the dirty cleaning pad with the other dirty kitchen towels in the basket on the top left of the washing machine.
Mop Kitchen: The reason we have this in a separate category is so we can see at a glance when the last time it happened.
Recycling: We have been very fortunate that in every constellation we have had living here, someone always gravitates towards being “in charge” of this. That is not to say that one person does it all! If someone is more passionate about recycling organization that the others, they earn the right to revamp the recycle area to suite their desired flow. The glass is separate (no lids). The large wicker basket is for cleaned cans, paper, envelopes with plastic window removed, plastic jugs (no lids).
Clear plastic bags or sheeting is collected and brought to New Season’s market (or recycle place of your choice if you are the one bringing it). Bottle caps, hard plastic lids, corks and other oddities are collected to donate to SCRAP, an art collective. This chore earns one point per trip to the curb of 6 per hour if you are taking it further..
Sweep main floor/kitchen: This is self explanatory. The broom and dustpan are kept in the broom closet to the left of the washing machine. Please return them when you are done.
Stove top: Our stove in brand new and easy to clean. If you really go to town on it, give yourself an extra point! The oven is not listed because it is so infrequent and considered a “deep clean”.
Vacuum: We have a Dyson stick vacuum mounted on the kitchen wall. If you use it, we appreciate it! We mostly have hard floors, however our massive living room rug and the wool rug at the top of the stairs can use a good vacuum from time to time. The dust chamber fills up quickly and is easy to empty into the kitchen garbage. This is best shown in person.
Water plants: Oh, the pretty, pretty plants! It is easier if a couple of us gravitate towards taking this over for the sake of the plants. We have indoor plants, front porch plants and the garden. These beauties really give the place a gift with their presence!