Friday, April 13, 2012

Spring Cleaning

I am woefully behind in my horsie chores. I have loads of saddlepad and barn towels to wash. Every piece of tack I own needs a thorough cleaning. Spirit's waterer has more moss than water in it. And with all the rains going on right now, I'm sure to have a muddy horse too!

So, to try and get motivated, I've compiled a list of tips, tricks, and guiding principles for keeping things clean and tidy. Please share if you have others!!!

Guiding Principles

  • A place for everything and everything in its place.  
  • A little cleaning everyday goes a long way. 
  • Make it easy to do regular cleaning. Put supplies in a handy place, in easy-to-use containers. Buy cleaning products you like to use.


Tips & Tricks

  • Assign a "home" to each item you have. 
  • Keep a small cloth and spray bottle near your tack so you can do a quick wipe down after rides.
  • Put all your bathing supplies in one area.
  • Label your stuff. Use special colored electrical tape on everything. Makes it harder to forget things around the barn. Or for things to walk away.
  • Dust from top to bottom. 
  • Remember, vinegar and baking soda and dish sponges and steel wool work at the barn too.
  • Have lists for shows/events/going off property. 
  • Have a centralized binder or folder for horse info and papers. 
  • Keep a calendar for wormer/farrier/trainer/show schedules. 
  • Get rid of stuff you don't like or don't use. Its not worth hanging on to - its just clutter.
  • Oftentimes selling stuff is more hassle than its worth - give it away instead. 

Well, this weekend I plan to do some cleaning and organizing of my garage and closet (horse stuff central). Maybe some tack cleaning and trailer and tack cubby area organizing too.

PS - To follow up from yesterday's post about shorter leg issues, I've been stretching 3 times a day for the last 2 days. I'm taking this a lot more serious after seeing those photos of the horse's back after unbalanced riders (post was edited in the afternoon). I owe it to Spirit and myself to be as balanced as I can be.

2 comments:

  1. I like this game plan. I will need to use it for my house, rather than my horse because I've got my horse pretty organized.

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  2. L. Williams - I've gotten some great nuggets of wisdom from www.flylady.net. The "swish & swipe" and de-cluttering methods have helped me tape my once crazy house.

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