the kitchen sink
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 468
the kitchen sink
Somehow I have just managed to clean my kitchen sink, which had been neglected for an unknown number of years.
The AHKV* must have been dozing at the time. [*Anti-HouseKeeping Voice]
I reminded myself that "the perfect is the enemy of the good" so just aimed at making a pretty good first pass for now.
Threw out a few items that could not be salvaged. Put aside some other artefacts to deal with later (or maybe they are just staged for later disposal).
It's a stainless steel sink, so luckily I checked the labels of various cleaners before settling on one that would not corrode it. It turned out that I had a full bottle of orange-oil based cleaner that I had bought sometime in the past few years, and it was great for the job.
A relief to see that there are no pits or rust holes in the bottom from pots sitting there against the steel.
So now I have a small but significant accomplishment that I will see often and a frequently used area of the house that I can be happy about.
Passing this along in case it might inspire or encourage someone else.
The AHKV* must have been dozing at the time. [*Anti-HouseKeeping Voice]
I reminded myself that "the perfect is the enemy of the good" so just aimed at making a pretty good first pass for now.
Threw out a few items that could not be salvaged. Put aside some other artefacts to deal with later (or maybe they are just staged for later disposal).
It's a stainless steel sink, so luckily I checked the labels of various cleaners before settling on one that would not corrode it. It turned out that I had a full bottle of orange-oil based cleaner that I had bought sometime in the past few years, and it was great for the job.
A relief to see that there are no pits or rust holes in the bottom from pots sitting there against the steel.
So now I have a small but significant accomplishment that I will see often and a frequently used area of the house that I can be happy about.
Passing this along in case it might inspire or encourage someone else.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,536
I do stuff like this, too. Something that is bugging me like a messy closet, or a stack of papers that need attention, . . . there's just something about tackling a nagging chore that feels good.
Some days I will set aside time to just write to folks I haven't communicated with in a while. THAT feels good and is important.
Yep, self care (and that includes our living environment) is vitally important.
Nice job, Forgetful. And congrats on the gleaming sink.
Some days I will set aside time to just write to folks I haven't communicated with in a while. THAT feels good and is important.
Yep, self care (and that includes our living environment) is vitally important.
Nice job, Forgetful. And congrats on the gleaming sink.
pray for strength
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New England
Posts: 2,414
Hey FK - cleaning has been important for me in the last months. More than it has ever been, actually. The effort offers a visual reward and sense of accomplishment. Like, "clean the toilet and be rewarded with a 'fresh bowl'" 
When I am done working, I shall clean something and feel good. Thanks for the reminder! Enjoy your sink
When I am done working, I shall clean something and feel good. Thanks for the reminder! Enjoy your sink
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 20,458
There are some great websites that offer wonderful suggestions for cleaning. I think the fly-lady does a whole chapter on shiny sinks and toilets. I have a stainless D shaped sink and use "bar-keepers friend scouring powder" and Clorox clean-up on everything porcelain. I keep old tooth brushes to scrub grout.
my favorite humor cleaning site is called " Un-F*** Your Habitat"
my favorite humor cleaning site is called " Un-F*** Your Habitat"
I find cleaning always lifts my mood - though it takes a great deal of arguing with my AHKV to get started! quat
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: terra (mostly)firma
Posts: 4,822
Great post
Funny just heard a similar thing on the radio recently. Without too much rambling, it was about military training and how making up the bed shipshape can help attitudes for SEALS. It is the first task of the day, done well, and even if the other challenges of the day don't work, go fubar, at least you have a nice rack to crawl into and a reminder that you Can do something right, make your bed, it could make your day
Funny just heard a similar thing on the radio recently. Without too much rambling, it was about military training and how making up the bed shipshape can help attitudes for SEALS. It is the first task of the day, done well, and even if the other challenges of the day don't work, go fubar, at least you have a nice rack to crawl into and a reminder that you Can do something right, make your bed, it could make your day
Left the bottle behind 4/16/2015
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 1,416
Feels good to get that done, doesn't it?
Keeping my house clean and organized is probably the only thing I did not neglect during my drinking years, and likely one of the only things that kept me from losing my mind. I can't tolerate clutter, chaos, and filth. I didn't get much else done beyond basic necessities when I drank, but I can say I kept a clean house.
Keeping my house clean and organized is probably the only thing I did not neglect during my drinking years, and likely one of the only things that kept me from losing my mind. I can't tolerate clutter, chaos, and filth. I didn't get much else done beyond basic necessities when I drank, but I can say I kept a clean house.
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Staffordshire, UK
Posts: 712
Originally Posted by Purpleknight 
The little things are fantastic in Sobriety!!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
I relate, Kevin. I had a horrible, unbelievable tendency for neglecting even the most basic needs during my darkest times with drinking and depression. I will rather not attempt to provide graphic examples. I tried to manage this by having cleaners, but at times I would even fire the cleaners so that no one would disturb my drinking and see the insane minimalistic conditions I was living in. And none of this were due to financial concerns, it was how very low level of mental health manifested itself for me.
Yes it feels so good taking care of myself and my environment now, but it took me a while to be back into this in very early sobriety. Interesting, because when I am emotionally healthier, I tend to be one of the most organized persons you could meet and I do care what's around me. I really hope I will never fall back into those habits I had at my worst...
Putting things back in order is so rewarding, good for you!
Yes it feels so good taking care of myself and my environment now, but it took me a while to be back into this in very early sobriety. Interesting, because when I am emotionally healthier, I tend to be one of the most organized persons you could meet and I do care what's around me. I really hope I will never fall back into those habits I had at my worst...
Putting things back in order is so rewarding, good for you!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 468
Took a nap after lunch. Went to the kitchen to get some root beer. Turned around to rinse out a cup and the surprise was almost disorienting. 
There was that clean, simplified area that hadn't been there before.
There was that clean, simplified area that hadn't been there before.
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