Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: common house cleaning

[Lynn Nadeau (welcome]

At RoseWind Cohousing in Port Townsend, we've been using our CH for about 
9 months, so haven't gotten into major deep cleaning needs. For routine 
cleaning, this is our system.

Events and meals: clean up by participants. 

Three-month rotations of cleaning responsibilities in defined areas 
(number on team)
porches and around the edges of the building (1-2)
entry and halls (2)
rec room (1) youth room (1) compost (1) trash and recycling (1)
minor repairs (1)
great room (dining/lounge) (2)
kitchen, beyond post-meal clean-up (3-4)
bathrooms (2)
available to substitute (several)

In addition, various people have self appointed to keep up with donated 
magazines, making flower arrangements, and other small tasks. 

So far, this system has worked ok. It's what you might call facilitated 
volunteerism. "We're updating the cleaning teams. Would you be available 
to work with Joe on the halls?"

I expect we'll have a cleaning party sometime before winter sets in, to 
wash windows, clean kitchen drains etc. There is also work to do like 
installing hooks to hang mops and brooms, and such, that could maybe be 
done as part of such a work party. 

Cleaning is also facilitated by low-maintenance choices we made in 
construction, like Marmoleum flooring in kitchen and kid room, tile in 
entry halls, and a central vacuum system which is a really good 
investment of a thousand bucks or so, if you are still designing a CH.

PS We had a really easy Thanksgiving dinner - coordinated potluck- for 22 
who weren't dining elsewhere. Such a delightful feast, with enough food 
that we tucked it in the fridge and came back Friday night for a 
continuation of the feast. Monday night it will be turkey soup. Saturday 
night was a member's private party, and they got to use the 
tablecloths/candles/decor from our dinner too. They had a small brunch 
clean-up party this morning - another idea for post-event clean-up. 

Lynn Nadeau, RoseWind Cohousing
Port Townsend Washington (Victorian seaport, music, art, nature)
http://www.rosewind.org
http://www.ptguide.com

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