From the Desk of Keith Hafner

Okay, I Admit It…

I like things clean.  When I go to a store, a restaurant, or pretty much any other place, I’m, at least in the back of my mind, doing a cleaning inspection.

Yes, I’m Felix rather than Oscar.  The biggest benefit?  It helps me to think more clearly.

When I was a kid, I had a job cleaning Dr. Kemp’s office.  What a poor job I did!

I remember Mrs. Kemp patiently showing me the right way to clean a sink.  I just couldn’t get it.

I couldn’t see dirt in the same way she did.

So — I’m going to share some of my thoughts and strategies in this sometimes-not-too-popular area.

Before you call me on this:  Yes, I know there is more to life than having things clean.

Lots more, in fact.

But is anybody really enjoying their life more in life just BECAUSE  they don’t care too much about having things clean?

Can’t we have both?

(in the interest of full disclosure:  I was a full blown slob until I was in my mid-thirties!)

#1.  Recognize the difference between picking up and cleaning.  Picking up is good.  Makes you feel better.  But it’s not cleaning.

#2:  To keep a place clean, you have to clean clean things.  For most people, their time-to-get-busy-cleaning cue (if they have one) is when things are dirty. Not us Felixes.  We know that’s it’s harder to clean dirty stuff than clean stuff.  And, half the time, your stuff is dirty.

#3: Simple.  Train yourself to see dirt.  Most people? Oblivious.

#4:  Ownership means responsibility.  Owning something comes with the responsibility of keeping it clean and well maintained. It’s called STEWARDSHIP!

#5:  If you want to make a quick cleaning assessment of your space (or somebody elses), look at:

a. The vent for the cold air return.  Dusty?
b. Edges.  Most people clean in the middle.  Look behind doors that are usually open;  baseboards
c. Electronics; phones; light switches

If these are clean, chances are you are in a place that takes its cleaning seriously.