Thanks Helix for sponsoring! Go to helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get up to $200 off your mattress, plus two free pillows #helixsleep We hope that you have a great weekend! - Dawn & Tom
There are no words to express how much I loved this video today! Thank you for all the encouragement, positivity and the before and after‘s! You are a great mom and I loved how you said character building… That’s definitely something we try to work on daily in our household. Have a blessed weekend!💗💗💗
"Real life" cleaning is what helps people solve the "real life" cleaning issues. When people show us things that aren't really that dirty, then we don't know what to try or do when we do need to find a way to clean something that *is* really dirty. So...THANK YOU so much for pushing through to show us how to clean things when those types of issues arise :) . Take care.
Yes, I was really grateful, too. My mental health suffered so much because of chore-shaming, and then I found out at 44 I was neurodivergent and just couldn't do it with neurotypical methods. Not being ashamed is so freeing.
Thank you so much for showing this, I literally teared up because I relate 100000%. You ARE a good mom, and so am I, kids need love, and we give them tons of it! No one ever died from unfresh sheets. 🤗
I haven't even watched all of this but I can say with some measure of confidence that probably the reason why a lot of people watch/subscribe is because you are REAL. You and Tom have always been willing to put yourself out there and show us how to handle life in "real time". If your life was perfect we would not be able to identify with you or your methods. Proverbs 14:4 says "Where no oxen are, the trough is clean..." Taking that principle to the home: Where there is no LIFE the house is clean. Your house get messy/dirty because you LIE there. Thanks for keeping it real.💜
I can see some truth to that but things can still be kept clean and you can live there at the same time. It depends on what your threshold is for cleaning, I am sure.
I am no minimalist and have clutter issues, but the Marie Kondo methid of folding changed my life. Every time I open my dresser drawers I get a jolt of inspiration that I really can weed out my possessions and have greater control over my stuff.
Love that your daughter stuck to her decisions even when you said "But I LOVE this dress on you." And "We paid good money for these pants. Arrgghh" She's got a strong decluttering muscle. You were being the embodiment of that inner voice we all have and fight, and she just resisted it with ease. 👏
It’s so hard not to react that way! I have to hold my tongue when decluttering with my kids so I don’t introduce that thinking that I struggle with when I do my own stuff.
This is not as dramatic as you think and it is REAL moments like this that absolutely makes me want to come back and learn from you because you are learning as you go just like the rest of us.
Just started watching you a few weeks ago and have been working on decluttering my house! I’ve taken 28 bags out of the house and have taken many of them to the donation center. It feels SO good to be able to clean everything more often without stuff on it. It feels good to relax and not see the clutter. Thank you Dawn! Great video. It’s nice to see how real you are and that sometimes you still need to declutter. 👍
I found your channel and have been watching every video that you post for the past few years. My home has been transformed because of what I have learned from you. It continues to amaze me how we had space for all the clutter that used to weigh so heavy on my mind (I just didn’t realize it) . At first I only did my own things and my husband was so sceptical, there has been so many bags of trash, recycle and donate stuff gone out of our house. It didn’t take long before my husband was ready to do his things as well. When we first decluttered his things and took them away, he said I feel like you just took all my stuff away from me. After a week he said this is so much better and I don’t miss anything that went away. Our home is now so easy to clean and be in now. Thank you so much for sharing the things you have learned, for your awesome attitude, and for sharing your life and faith. Love you and your family. ❤
I rolled with laughter at the girls' linen situation! So happy you just got past it and moved on! It's the real world! HOWEVER, I think I'd dump that bed-sheet system, no matter how expensive it was, and go back to a fitted sheet that can be removed and washed more often! PS: Teaching your girls the Marie Kondo folding system will set them on a happy and functional path for life! It's a part of parenting they will always thank you for as adults!
@@creativelycountry3343 I agree about the spark joy method. I don’t really think that many of my clothes or other items necessarily “spark joy” necessarily, but I don’t use that as a criteria. For clothing, I use my own method: “is it uncomfortable, does it fit, so I look bad or feel bad in it?” I do like the folding method, but I have modified it a little to be a little quicker. It looks about the same in the end and my drawers and closets have been pretty neat for about a year since I started doing it this way!
I hate the konmarie folding. It's a waste of time. If you don't remember what you have, you have too many unused items. I hate it with a passion. It is terrible once you pull things out and everything falls over. Its terrible if you don't have quite enough items to stack up and hold. It just sucks. It is one of the worst methods I know so teaching it to kids is a waste of their time.
Just love that you are so REAL!! No judgment here ever. You are always so kind in your teaching, sharing and suggestions. Love your channel and even enjoy Diana's channel and I'm an agnostic! I know your mom is so proud of her family.
Dawn, you and Tom are great parents teaching your kids great values. None of us are perfect. This is a great room refresh! It's so cozy and inviting. Great video!
I agree. And it doesn’t have to be major changes..just little changes to declutter, freshen up the look, add functionality and order. I love their room! I am so uninspired to organize, purge or declutter until I watch your videos or others that I follow. It definitely gives me ideas and helps motivate me.
My kids each have two sets of sheets. For me that makes me more willing to strip and change the sheets. Then I don't feel the pressure to get them washed, dried and back on the bed in one day.
I love how you kept your true feeling in. The disappointment when she didn't want the dress. Talking about paying good money for the jeans she needed. But then the realization of the truth that she won't wear them if she's not comfortable in them or doesn't like them. This is real life decluttering with kids.
Once a week everybody helped by stripping their own bed and, until we were old enough to make our own beds, we helped mom do it. It instilled the habit of weekly laundry. Once everybody was potty trained, there was one set of sheets for every bed so if you didn't make your bed, you slept without sheets. Plus if you continue the routine as you get older, there's the incentive of having that fabulous clean sheet feeling once a week. Part of enjoying the little things. Also helped to keep things on track during mom's hospital stays.
I just got home from a wonderful week riding with my husband in his semi. I used so many of your tips to help him make this small sleeper cab more functional. Thanks for what you do. Hugs ❤
Thank you for being transparent and showing the bedding prior to washing because most parents don’t wash as often as we should. I don’t feel so awful now. I feel normal.
I would definitely put mattress protectors on the kids’ beds too to keep those nice mattresses clean and stain free🙂 We’ve all been there with kids bedding, it’s shocking how dirty they can get so quickly.
Right?! I cherish my childhood memories of catching frogs and getting absolutely filthy. Kids that don’t grow up in the country don’t have that luxury. 🙂
@@jocelynsloan7801 Yes my children were country children. I was a city tomboy! My Mom let me play and have fun! I got dusty too! Lol! (I played dolls too!)CHEERS to Moms who let us be us!!!
When you buy new stuff (Target or Amazon) if it doesn't work you can return it quickly and you want your money back. If you get used stuff and it doesn't work you have to get rid of it. And that is the stuff that stacks up. I think when you think minimally you really are not buying needlessly. Oh and I love that your house is regular house not a new fancy one. And your kids share rooms.
Watching your daughter struggle with that bedding system, my thought was, “that’s why we have at least two sets of sheets for every bed”. I grew up in a home where the sheets were washed every week. I’m not at all like that, but I have a keen sense of smell. If I can see dirt or smell dirt, it’s time for a wash. That way, they never get so dirty that they won’t come clean in an ordinary wash. Kids get dirty in summer, especially! As for using the Konmari folding method, it works great for smaller items, like undies and children’s clothes. I haven’t found a way to use it for clothes that wrinkle easily. Great thing to teach the kids. As always, Dawn, I appreciate you keeping it real! I’ve learned so much from you!
I love that you show your true emotions with this. Its a little frustrating to spend good money on stuff they end up not loving,, especially when we love it on them!! I just passed a long a brand new outfit that my son didn't like. He wore it once because i told him i really like it. He wore it even though he didn't want to because he wanted to make me happy. Never again.. I want him to wear what he wants and be who he wants to be. You're supposed to machine wash the laundry, then do the strip. It gets a much better, deep clean this way.
I appreciate the real messes! I can’t stand watching videos where the house is already clean. Makes me feel normal for having to fix old holes in the walls and having things that truly need cleaned.
We love folding our clothes like that!❤️ I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it is so satisfying knowing that everything is neat and tidy inside the drawers 😂 My 5 year old can now take her clothes from the dryer, fold them Kon Mari style and put them away herself🥳. Having less definitely makes it easier, and she finds it just as satisfying as I do!! 😂😂
I love that you have came to the realization that folding does have a value. The only thing I would say to you is teach the kids how to fold like you did and it will be so helpful.
I have been using the Marie Condo type of folding in my drawers for a couple of years and love the fact that you can see everything and more easily get it in and out! Takes a little longer but so worth it!
I did the ConMarie fold on my dresser years ago! The best hack ever!! When folding, fold with the words/design on the outside, so you can see it. I also move the ones I wear to the front, if I haven't moved one in a while, I remove it. Great room reset! I know they'll love it! ❤️
Dawn - I laughed & cringed right along with you about the bed linens! 🤣 Oh my goodness I love your channel & how REAL & TRUE it is. My kids had bedding like that too - thanks to lots of therapeutic cuddles with the dog, sunscreen from busy, sunny days, etc. It’s all good! Love your girls’ room & love your organizing style/tips. I think the retailers you utilize (Target, etc) are PERFECT for kid spaces as they transition through the age ranges. FWIW - my daughters are now 21 & I
Dawn, I just started watching your videos about a month ago. I have since done a massive declutter of our closet, kitchen, dining room and our storage closets in the living room. I am currently sitting in my bathroom floor, decluttering the cabinets under our sinks. You are an inspiration and I just want to say THANK YOU!
We call it boy head. I have to replace his pillow every six months. That is with a pillow protector also. I change the bedding every week. Yes, I have two sets.
That bedding looks an absolute pain to remove and launder. Plain cotton sheets all the way! Get a double or king size and fold it in half for a single top and bottom sheet in one, slip it inside the fancy bedding. In UK we have duvets with covers, I always use sheets to sleep between and the duvet just as a topper. You'll really benefit from KonMari folding, I love it
I will echo what others have said: You are real. I am a 65-year-old grandmother who watches your videos because I always learn something. They are all honest and relatable as evidenced by me and by the comments. For example, you took us through the process of your dental work- that meant so much because so many people have had to do this. Another examples are the conversations you and Diana have such as the one recently where you talked about how sometimes women need hair extensions or eyelashes or whatever. Your comments lift up women rather than criticize. This video is another example. I am so glad to hear what you said about the zipper sheets. I thought about getting them for my grandchildren, but then I reflected on the way my own kids made their beds- or didn't. These zippered sheets would be annoying for them. Thank you fo all you do.
The room is darling. If the girls bathe most nights, or wash their feet, the sheets will stay cleaner longer but heck. They're young. No big deal. You are a great mom.
I'm not a minimalist (though working on being more minimalistic!) but I started folding my own laundry that way about 5 years ago and I will never go back to the old way! I love opening my drawers and seeing each thing easily. Things don't get lost and I just love it 😍
I didn’t’t see your kids being spoiled with good things. I see them as being blessed with good things. And why not, with the blessings of wisdom you share with us, God is sure to bless you and your children. You guys are awesome. It is ok to Accept and enjoy His gifts.
This just in. Dawn is a real life mom with children who play outside in the dirt and spend minimal time on screens. This has the potential for many real life moms to feel a sense of relief that they are not unique. Just as I felt a sense of relief in parenting classes that my mom life was fairly universal. Thank you. I was a little OCD as a kid. I was always frustrated that my clothes got messy by stack folding. File folding (popularized by Marie C) is a gift. My method has become if I pass an item over for something else, asking why, if my reason is weak it is outta here. I love my blank spaces and I keep unused hangers as they represent letting go. So satisfying.
I’ve used that folding method since my kids were babies. I love it. Makes it easy for my kids to get dressed as they know exactly what they have to wear.
My mom made us strip our beds and put fresh sheets on every Friday after school - now I see why - I also see why I like to shower at night before I get into bed
I thought this type of bedding might be ideal but now I know that keeping sheets I can change weekly is a much better choice! Thanks for trying it out first!
Use blue Dawn on Meggies bedding. Squirt a lot of Dawn on the soiled areas, scrub it in, let it sit for 30 minutes or more, then wash in hot water. The Dawn will remove the body oil and staining. I used Dawn on a pillow with a lot of body oil and it removed the staining with no issues.
I think I would ditch the expensive bedding and go with a fitted sheet and washable comforter, blanket,, or quilt--no flat sheet at all. This is what I started doing in our camper and it makes things so much simpler. So then I started doing it at home. "Changing sheets" once a week means just washing a fitted sheet and quilt. Just eliminating the flat sheet makes things way easier for some reason.
We did the exact same thing on our four boys' two sets of bunk beds. It worked great, but I laugh when I think of their future brides wondering why they have no knowledge of flat sheets!
I prefer a flat sheet on my own bed, but yes, it's turned out to be much easier and simpler to use just a fitted sheet and washable blankets on the kids' beds.
We just went with that for our camper too, older blankets folded into duvet covers and a bottom sheet. Those Europeans have such a more efficient bedding system than we do.
I have a flat sheet now that I have a king size, but I never used one as a kid. Wasn't until I had a bed that was bigger than a full size that I saw the benefit. It saves me from having to wash my comforter so much, I never thought washing a blanket could be a workout 😂 If you have a smaller mattress then yes I completely agree, ditch the flat sheets! When your comforter, fitted sheet, and one or two pillow cases can all fit in the wash together it makes washing a lot easier! Mine always ended up bunched up at the bottom of the bed if I used them as a kid anyways, they're useless if your a wiggle worm while you sleep lol
For a person that says she doesn't fold clothes is now saying things that supports why you should fold your clothes! Love you, Dawn! Have told lots of people about you.
Here is a tip you might want to try for the stain in the carpet. I had beige carpeting in my last house. There was a black stain on the carpet in our bedroom and a red fruit juice stain on the playroom carpet. I tried everything to get those stains out and then one day I saw a video where someone used shaving cream so I tried it. I used regular cheap shaving cream, sprayed it on the spot, worked it into the stain with a damp cloth and then wiped it off. It amazingly removed both stains.
Please continue to show these examples for us. It makes you relatable and convinces me that these aren't just theories. It actually works when you put in the work. 😊
I am so glad you showed the Beddys!! I totally understand the ease of making the bed but I always wondered how you clean it…answer: you do with difficulty or you just don’t! Haha thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Marie Kondo’s folding method is the only part of her system that has worked for me long term. I’ve used it for years now. The girls’ room looks great, well done Mom.
Oh my gosh Dawn you are an amazing mom! I have a 6 year old boy and a 4 year old daughter and their beds can get exactly like that very quickly! They play outside almost all day during the summer (especially)and when they come in we sponge them down but they get so dirty playing in the sand and dirt and just being kids! Hahaha I’m here for more mom honestly. I’ve totally got your back!
I am sooo glad to see your moment of "oh look at this disgusting mess lol" as I have been following you and working on becoming more minimal for the last two years and although I have seen improvement in the time it takes to clean and the ease of putting stuff away, but still have many (daily actually with grandkids and pets) "oh look at this digusting mess! moments!", so now I do not feel like a failure:)
I had a house guest come visit last week, so I thought a refresh of the guest room was in order because the closet was a catch-all for bedding, pillows,, and seasonal clothes. I was able to get rid of several things plus some bulky boxes, and it made the room look so much more welcoming.
I have said to myself "Enjoy the age your child is at" so many times! Also, you can't change other people you can only change yourself. Love all of your ideas. My kids are in their 20's and you have to get rid of stuff as they age.
I’m only a quarter the way through this video, and already there’s sooooo much to love about it. First is how you’re prepared to let us into your home to show us your reality. Should the bedding be changed more often? Sure, but life happens, and you don’t notice the colour until you contrast it with the part under the pillow. So THANK YOU for being so open with your followers. If this sort of thing still happens to you, it means we’re ok to just take a deep breath and carry on. I also loved it when your daughter was saying she really doesn’t wear dresses, after you’d said you loved to see her in that dress. So then you asked her if it should go, making it clear that the final decision was hers. And the look on her face was priceless - she said “yes”, but she was a bit hesitant, watching you for any sign that this was the “wrong” answer. You stuck to the idea that she gets to decide, which was such a hard lesson for me to learn, even though my daughters are all adults now lol
I love that you give us permission to not like all the “fancy” products that are so popular among influencers and embrace what really works for your family instead.
I'm so glad you showed the bed ! I have 5 boys 7 and under, and I always feel so guilty, like I'm the only mom on the planet that falls behind on the kids linens. So seeing this assured me that I'm not the only one and we are all doing the best we can 💕
I'm old, but I think Maggie is my spirit animal (no dresses !) And living on a farm with children that play outside and enjoy life, there might be a little dirt. We have a Beddy in our RV, but when my children were young I gave them a choice of a sleeping bag with their bedding. It was fun, easy to wash and they could easily change out options as they grew. Now my grands have sleeping bags also. Great job on the room!
Pretty cool. I never had a sleeping bag until I was 57, & it was so warm & comfortable that slept inside of it every night for the first two winters. Last two winters have been so mild, that I’ve only been an to use it a couple of times.
I have to say, its nice as a super newbie to decluttering (and hopefully family minimalism), to see someone who has been at this for a while go through some of the same mental battles I'm going through... the "I paid good money for that skirt... what do you mean you don't like it now". Thank you (off to keep watching!)
I started the KonMarie folding about 2 years ago and love it. It makes it so much easier to see what you have and then you notice what you are not using.
We started folding the Marie condo way about 4 years ago. My son hated folding clothes. But I showed him this method and he loved that he could see all his shirts and has been folding them this way (not as precisely) ever since. He’s a freshman in college now and still does it. Originally I folded everything that way, but after a while I noticed it would take me a couple of days to get around to folding the socks and underwear so they are just tossed in now, but shirts and pants still go in Kon Mari style.
During the early stage of the pandemic I was a “prisoner” in my own home. No company long winter days and nights. I went through my bedroom dressers and folded my socks, underwear etc. in that same manner. It is so functional. I see everything and it has stayed neat for 2 1/2 years. Love it.
Lots of random judgement about the pandemic stuff instead of focusing on the point of organizing. Glad it worked for you and you had something positive to do
@@abundantlife8396 I get what you are saying, but I think most of us (well not my husband or daughter because they work in healthcare) were home a lot more in 2020. We got out..and went camping..but no one really wanted to be sick. My perfectly healthy son landed in the hospital from Covid (from school). wasn’t just what the government told us to do..it’s also using our own common sense. But that’s beside the point. I was home more also (I was able to work from home at that time), and that’s when I started folding my clothes and organizing using Marie Kondo’s method and following a lot of UA-cam channels (like Minimal Mom) because I was home more.
Thanks for being so real. It's so nice to know that even the experts don't always have everything together all the time. It makes it feel so much more achievable for Joe Schmoe's like me! 😉
I love your honesty! When my girls were that age they shared a double bed. I did their laundry but they cleaned the room. So one day the room was overwhelming for them so I helped. Underneath the bed were at least a hundred socks! I thought they were disappearing because of the laundromat machines! I actually got mad and took away the bed frame and they got the message. No more missing socks!
Sounds like your brother is definitely the carpet expert but my favorite spot carpet cleaner is Folex. It's amazing. It even got rust out of a carpet that had probably been there for years. (Found it when we moved the filing cabinet and apparently my puppy had been lifting his leg on it for who knows how long ago.) You'd never know it was there!
Don't worry about the body oil stains on bedding! Some people's body oils do this to bedding and pillows. My husband is one of those people! I've been married 35+ years and soaking/striping his pillows and our bedding for years. I enjoyed this video.
Their room refresh is really cute...and so functional for how they are living right now. I appreciate your transparency about things you've tried (and that things aren't always "perfect"). Love your videos and family!
Years ago my MIL taught me to roll all the knit tops/tee shirts which serves the same purpose as Marie K way of folding but it takes a lot less time than folding and there are no fold marks. Her folding method still works best for shorts/jeans/pants.
The fewer clothes I have, the less stressful choosing and dressing daily and more easy can keep laundry up to date. I love your minimal clothing episodes. Great for kids. We had 2 shorts, several tops , a sweat shirt, a sweater, a pair of pants, sneakers flip flops sandals and rain boots and wind breaker for summer ( plus bathing suit) . Simplicity
Absolutely love your honesty! I have sheets like that, after trying and trying to get them clean I have given up and bought floral patterns this time to disguise it!! Great idea with the baskets inside the drawers. Thanks 😊
Your story is real and speaks to all of us!!! Just FYI for future soaking...Washing soda is easy to make ...you just bake 2 cups baking soda at 400F on baking sheet for 1 hour, stir and bake 1 more hour!
You and your family are the best!! Love that you keep it real…I just started watching the video but wanted to comment before I finish because I appreciate you so much!! We could totally be great friends ❤️
I like that you showed the real bed, dirty and all because that’s life with kids! Personally, we have a rule we only sit on our beds with clean clothes on. We have the kids take baths most nights and change into clean jammies, so I don’t have to wash sheets as often. I typically wash my kids’ every 10-14 days and when the bed is made and you don’t get in it unless you’re clean, it stays clean pretty long. That’s just what works for me. I wash my sheets opposite weeks of my kids so I can get it all done in the day.
We use duvets on the bed and pull them to the end of the bed in the morning so the mattress can air. Much better for the bed. Okay, not such a tidy bedroom but it is a private space.
That moment was awesome! As a mom I constantly think "Am I the only one that can't balance everything all the time?!" So thank you for showing that, really, it made me feel normal like see even the mom that "has her life together" can sometimes forget things because life is hard and balancing everything is impossible even for the best UA-cam Moms. So thank you for being real!
Thanks Helix for sponsoring! Go to helixsleep.com/minimalmom to get up to $200 off your mattress, plus two free pillows #helixsleep We hope that you have a great weekend! - Dawn & Tom
There are no words to express how much I loved this video today! Thank you for all the encouragement, positivity and the before and after‘s! You are a great mom and I loved how you said character building… That’s definitely something we try to work on daily in our household. Have a blessed weekend!💗💗💗
Dawn, I need those lights for the sconces that you showed. What are those??
If they sell it in your area, try a product called Spot Shot on carpet stains. It's awesome!
Do they have washable mattress covers as well?
Please don’t say circle back. 😂 I’m still suffering some ptsd from hearing that way too much on the White House updates. Maybe try re-visit? 😂
"Real life" cleaning is what helps people solve the "real life" cleaning issues. When people show us things that aren't really that dirty, then we don't know what to try or do when we do need to find a way to clean something that *is* really dirty. So...THANK YOU so much for pushing through to show us how to clean things when those types of issues arise :) . Take care.
Summertime sand...no worries! It just means that Maggie has been out enjoying the Minnesota Mud! M
Yeah seriously I've see much worse ;)
Thank you! ❤️
Yes
Yes, I was really grateful, too. My mental health suffered so much because of chore-shaming, and then I found out at 44 I was neurodivergent and just couldn't do it with neurotypical methods. Not being ashamed is so freeing.
Thank you so much for showing this, I literally teared up because I relate 100000%. You ARE a good mom, and so am I, kids need love, and we give them tons of it! No one ever died from unfresh sheets. 🤗
I haven't even watched all of this but I can say with some measure of confidence that probably the reason why a lot of people watch/subscribe is because you are REAL. You and Tom have always been willing to put yourself out there and show us how to handle life in "real time". If your life was perfect we would not be able to identify with you or your methods. Proverbs 14:4 says "Where no oxen are, the trough is clean..." Taking that principle to the home: Where there is no LIFE the house is clean. Your house get messy/dirty because you LIE there. Thanks for keeping it real.💜
So well said!
No judgement here! You have have 4 beautiful kids, and they are loved :)
I can see some truth to that but things can still be kept clean and you can live there at the same time. It depends on what your threshold is for cleaning, I am sure.
Yes well said 😊
YES that is one of the things I love about you.... you are REAL ! your show isn't "set up" ahead of time.
I am no minimalist and have clutter issues, but the Marie Kondo methid of folding changed my life. Every time I open my dresser drawers I get a jolt of inspiration that I really can weed out my possessions and have greater control over my stuff.
" I never wear dresses" I'm loving how confident she is with her style this is amazing🤗💪
Love that your daughter stuck to her decisions even when you said "But I LOVE this dress on you." And "We paid good money for these pants. Arrgghh"
She's got a strong decluttering muscle. You were being the embodiment of that inner voice we all have and fight, and she just resisted it with ease. 👏
Her face was priceless in that moment!
It’s so hard not to react that way! I have to hold my tongue when decluttering with my kids so I don’t introduce that thinking that I struggle with when I do my own stuff.
This is not as dramatic as you think and it is REAL moments like this that absolutely makes me want to come back and learn from you because you are learning as you go just like the rest of us.
Just started watching you a few weeks ago and have been working on decluttering my house! I’ve taken 28 bags out of the house and have taken many of them to the donation center. It feels SO good to be able to clean everything more often without stuff on it. It feels good to relax and not see the clutter. Thank you Dawn!
Great video. It’s nice to see how real you are and that sometimes you still need to declutter. 👍
I found your channel and have been watching every video that you post for the past few years. My home has been transformed because of what I have learned from you. It continues to amaze me how we had space for all the clutter that used to weigh so heavy on my mind (I just didn’t realize it) . At first I only did my own things and my husband was so sceptical, there has been so many bags of trash, recycle and donate stuff gone out of our house. It didn’t take long before my husband was ready to do his things as well.
When we first decluttered his things and took them away, he said I feel like you just took all my stuff away from me. After a week he said this is so much better and I don’t miss anything that went away.
Our home is now so easy to clean and be in now.
Thank you so much for sharing the things you have learned, for your awesome attitude, and for sharing your life and faith.
Love you and your family. ❤
Maggie is a little sweetheart.
Dawn and Tom you have great kids…. You should be so proud ❤️
I rolled with laughter at the girls' linen situation! So happy you just got past it and moved on! It's the real world! HOWEVER, I think I'd dump that bed-sheet system, no matter how expensive it was, and go back to a fitted sheet that can be removed and washed more often! PS: Teaching your girls the Marie Kondo folding system will set them on a happy and functional path for life! It's a part of parenting they will always thank you for as adults!
Yes, I don’t do the spark joy thing, but her folding system is amazing!!!
I put all the families laundry away, should work on teaching others to do it
Completely agree, i change mine once a week. But, only have 2 sets of sheets. Try very hard to keep minimum inventory. But, I am perimenopausal...
@@creativelycountry3343 I agree about the spark joy method. I don’t really think that many of my clothes or other items necessarily “spark joy” necessarily, but I don’t use that as a criteria. For clothing, I use my own method: “is it uncomfortable, does it fit, so I look bad or feel bad in it?”
I do like the folding method, but I have modified it a little to be a little quicker. It looks about the same in the end and my drawers and closets have been pretty neat for about a year since I started doing it this way!
Yep - so much easier and with more space since I started folding everything like that.
I hate the konmarie folding. It's a waste of time. If you don't remember what you have, you have too many unused items. I hate it with a passion. It is terrible once you pull things out and everything falls over. Its terrible if you don't have quite enough items to stack up and hold. It just sucks. It is one of the worst methods I know so teaching it to kids is a waste of their time.
Just love that you are so REAL!! No judgment here ever. You are always so kind in your teaching, sharing and suggestions. Love your channel and even enjoy Diana's channel and I'm an agnostic! I know your mom is so proud of her family.
Dawn, you and Tom are great parents teaching your kids great values. None of us are perfect. This is a great room refresh! It's so cozy and inviting. Great video!
I agree. And it doesn’t have to be major changes..just little changes to declutter, freshen up the look, add functionality and order. I love their room! I am so uninspired to organize, purge or declutter until I watch your videos or others that I follow. It definitely gives me ideas and helps motivate me.
My kids each have two sets of sheets. For me that makes me more willing to strip and change the sheets. Then I don't feel the pressure to get them washed, dried and back on the bed in one day.
I love how you kept your true feeling in. The disappointment when she didn't want the dress. Talking about paying good money for the jeans she needed. But then the realization of the truth that she won't wear them if she's not comfortable in them or doesn't like them. This is real life decluttering with kids.
I do all my linen in the wash on Thursday, so I do not let it go too long. Yes the folding is very useful. My t-shirrs and sweater is best for me.
Once a week everybody helped by stripping their own bed and, until we were old enough to make our own beds, we helped mom do it. It instilled the habit of weekly laundry. Once everybody was potty trained, there was one set of sheets for every bed so if you didn't make your bed, you slept without sheets. Plus if you continue the routine as you get older, there's the incentive of having that fabulous clean sheet feeling once a week. Part of enjoying the little things. Also helped to keep things on track during mom's hospital stays.
Well said, & so true;)
I just got home from a wonderful week riding with my husband in his semi. I used so many of your tips to help him make this small sleeper cab more functional. Thanks for what you do. Hugs ❤
Thank you for being transparent and showing the bedding prior to washing because most parents don’t wash as often as we should. I don’t feel so awful now. I feel normal.
Changement de draps une fois par semaine
@@karineb5980 that’s ideal. Doesn’t usually happen at my house, especially for my son.
Amén, right, now we can feel normal! 😊
@@karineb5980 moi aussi...
Exactly Jesus was born and slept in a manger. Dirty sheets are not the end of the world. And you said they are older now to help out.
I would definitely put mattress protectors on the kids’ beds too to keep those nice mattresses clean and stain free🙂
We’ve all been there with kids bedding, it’s shocking how dirty they can get so quickly.
Don’t feel bad! My daughter had a mattress pad underneath her sheets and it looked EXACTLY like that! -I had the same reaction you did when I saw it!😂
It’s true. We mourn letting go of each stage but the ones to come are great in their own ways too
I was so sad and scared when I realuzed my niece was getting too old for dolls, but really enjoying the young adult she has become.
No judgement!! That’s just a sign that your kids play outside (and probably wear sunscreen). Your kids have a wonderful life!!!
Agree!
Right?! I cherish my childhood memories of catching frogs and getting absolutely filthy. Kids that don’t grow up in the country don’t have that luxury. 🙂
@@jocelynsloan7801 Yes my children were country children. I was a city tomboy! My Mom let me play and have fun! I got dusty too! Lol! (I played dolls too!)CHEERS to Moms who let us be us!!!
I always squirt a little blue dawn in with bedding to break down body oil etc. seems to work.
Ughh. I love it. It makes me want to move somewhere less hot and humid.
When you buy new stuff (Target or Amazon) if it doesn't work you can return it quickly and you want your money back. If you get used stuff and it doesn't work you have to get rid of it. And that is the stuff that stacks up. I think when you think minimally you really are not buying needlessly. Oh and I love that your house is regular house not a new fancy one. And your kids share rooms.
You’re an incredible mama! Trust me, sooo many of us can relate to you. And I really appreciate that you shared.
Watching your daughter struggle with that bedding system, my thought was, “that’s why we have at least two sets of sheets for every bed”. I grew up in a home where the sheets were washed every week. I’m not at all like that, but I have a keen sense of smell. If I can see dirt or smell dirt, it’s time for a wash. That way, they never get so dirty that they won’t come clean in an ordinary wash. Kids get dirty in summer, especially! As for using the Konmari folding method, it works great for smaller items, like undies and children’s clothes. I haven’t found a way to use it for clothes that wrinkle easily. Great thing to teach the kids. As always, Dawn, I appreciate you keeping it real! I’ve learned so much from you!
I love that you show your true emotions with this. Its a little frustrating to spend good money on stuff they end up not loving,, especially when we love it on them!! I just passed a long a brand new outfit that my son didn't like. He wore it once because i told him i really like it. He wore it even though he didn't want to because he wanted to make me happy. Never again.. I want him to wear what he wants and be who he wants to be.
You're supposed to machine wash the laundry, then do the strip. It gets a much better, deep clean this way.
I appreciate the real messes! I can’t stand watching videos where the house is already clean. Makes me feel normal for having to fix old holes in the walls and having things that truly need cleaned.
We love folding our clothes like that!❤️ I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it is so satisfying knowing that everything is neat and tidy inside the drawers 😂 My 5 year old can now take her clothes from the dryer, fold them Kon Mari style and put them away herself🥳. Having less definitely makes it easier, and she finds it just as satisfying as I do!! 😂😂
I just love every bit of your heart and your reality!! Perfect pair!! So wonderful to watch, relate and learn from you!!
I love that you have came to the realization that folding does have a value. The only thing I would say to you is teach the kids how to fold like you did and it will be so helpful.
I have been using the Marie Condo type of folding in my drawers for a couple of years and love the fact that you can see everything and more easily get it in and out! Takes a little longer but so worth it!
I did the ConMarie fold on my dresser years ago! The best hack ever!! When folding, fold with the words/design on the outside, so you can see it. I also move the ones I wear to the front, if I haven't moved one in a while, I remove it. Great room reset! I know they'll love it! ❤️
Dawn - I laughed & cringed right along with you about the bed linens! 🤣 Oh my goodness I love your channel & how REAL & TRUE it is. My kids had bedding like that too - thanks to lots of therapeutic cuddles with the dog, sunscreen from busy, sunny days, etc. It’s all good! Love your girls’ room & love your organizing style/tips. I think the retailers you utilize (Target, etc) are PERFECT for kid spaces as they transition through the age ranges. FWIW - my daughters are now 21 & I
Dawn, I just started watching your videos about a month ago. I have since done a massive declutter of our closet, kitchen, dining room and our storage closets in the living room. I am currently sitting in my bathroom floor, decluttering the cabinets under our sinks. You are an inspiration and I just want to say THANK YOU!
We call it boy head. I have to replace his pillow every six months. That is with a pillow protector also. I change the bedding every week. Yes, I have two sets.
That bedding looks an absolute pain to remove and launder. Plain cotton sheets all the way! Get a double or king size and fold it in half for a single top and bottom sheet in one, slip it inside the fancy bedding. In UK we have duvets with covers, I always use sheets to sleep between and the duvet just as a topper. You'll really benefit from KonMari folding, I love it
Character building! Yes!!! Love that! I literally laughed out loud at that part.
I will echo what others have said: You are real. I am a 65-year-old grandmother who watches your videos because I always learn something. They are all honest and relatable as evidenced by me and by the comments. For example, you took us through the process of your dental work- that meant so much because so many people have had to do this. Another examples are the conversations you and Diana have such as the one recently where you talked about how sometimes women need hair extensions or eyelashes or whatever. Your comments lift up women rather than criticize. This video is another example. I am so glad to hear what you said about the zipper sheets. I thought about getting them for my grandchildren, but then I reflected on the way my own kids made their beds- or didn't. These zippered sheets would be annoying for them. Thank you fo all you do.
I am a gramma who is your age and I agree with you completely about Dawn. Love all her videos!
I am 65 also. It was well done and REAL! I l♡ve that!
The room is darling. If the girls bathe most nights, or wash their feet, the sheets will stay cleaner longer but heck. They're young. No big deal. You are a great mom.
Having the kids(and adults) nightly shower before bed will help a ton!
We ALWAYS shower before bed!
Especially in the summer--sunscreen, bare feet, bug spray, etc…so much to wash away each day.
I'm not a minimalist (though working on being more minimalistic!) but I started folding my own laundry that way about 5 years ago and I will never go back to the old way! I love opening my drawers and seeing each thing easily. Things don't get lost and I just love it 😍
No judgement! We ALL have those areas that don’t get cleaned often. One of the reasons I love your channel is because it’s real life.
I didn’t’t see your kids being spoiled with good things. I see them as being blessed with good things. And why not, with the blessings of wisdom you share with us, God is sure to bless you and your children. You guys are awesome. It is ok to Accept and enjoy His gifts.
Oxiclean takes out just about any stain from any fabric, even carpets. I took blood off of a mattress with it. The room is so cute.
Oxygen peroxide removes blood, in vet med we use it on white fur if needed. And oxyclean is made with it
When it comes to carpet cleaning Dawn works well a little goes a long way! Also Electrolux carpet cleaner is AMAZING!! No machines necessary as well!
This just in. Dawn is a real life mom with children who play outside in the dirt and spend minimal time on screens. This has the potential for many real life moms to feel a sense of relief that they are not unique. Just as I felt a sense of relief in parenting classes that my mom life was fairly universal. Thank you.
I was a little OCD as a kid. I was always frustrated that my clothes got messy by stack folding. File folding (popularized by Marie C) is a gift. My method has become if I pass an item over for something else, asking why, if my reason is weak it is outta here. I love my blank spaces and I keep unused hangers as they represent letting go. So satisfying.
I’ve used that folding method since my kids were babies. I love it. Makes it easy for my kids to get dressed as they know exactly what they have to wear.
My mom made us strip our beds and put fresh sheets on every Friday after school - now I see why - I also see why I like to shower at night before I get into bed
I love your honesty and openness!
I thought this type of bedding might be ideal but now I know that keeping sheets I can change weekly is a much better choice! Thanks for trying it out first!
Cute. We can't possibly juggle it all even if we're minimal. Life still ebbs and flows.
Use blue Dawn on Meggies bedding. Squirt a lot of Dawn on the soiled areas, scrub it in, let it sit for 30 minutes or more, then wash in hot water. The Dawn will remove the body oil and staining. I used Dawn on a pillow with a lot of body oil and it removed the staining with no issues.
I need to do that to our older sheet set - my husband used to work in a scrap yard so there's a lot of grease/oil buildup 🙈 Thank you :)
A shirt folder is a game changer for file folding clothes. Keeps everything uniform size and so is so much faster than traditional hand folding
I think I would ditch the expensive bedding and go with a fitted sheet and washable comforter, blanket,, or quilt--no flat sheet at all. This is what I started doing in our camper and it makes things so much simpler. So then I started doing it at home. "Changing sheets" once a week means just washing a fitted sheet and quilt. Just eliminating the flat sheet makes things way easier for some reason.
We did the exact same thing on our four boys' two sets of bunk beds. It worked great, but I laugh when I think of their future brides wondering why they have no knowledge of flat sheets!
I prefer a flat sheet on my own bed, but yes, it's turned out to be much easier and simpler to use just a fitted sheet and washable blankets on the kids' beds.
We just went with that for our camper too, older blankets folded into duvet covers and a bottom sheet. Those Europeans have such a more efficient bedding system than we do.
Yes! I remember hating my feet under that top sheet anyway. Comforters are sooo much easier!
I have a flat sheet now that I have a king size, but I never used one as a kid. Wasn't until I had a bed that was bigger than a full size that I saw the benefit. It saves me from having to wash my comforter so much, I never thought washing a blanket could be a workout 😂 If you have a smaller mattress then yes I completely agree, ditch the flat sheets! When your comforter, fitted sheet, and one or two pillow cases can all fit in the wash together it makes washing a lot easier! Mine always ended up bunched up at the bottom of the bed if I used them as a kid anyways, they're useless if your a wiggle worm while you sleep lol
I love pressurized drawer dividers to organize our drawers. Love the laundry stripping, I do it a lot. So satisfying. Thanks Dawn.
Love the honesty. We totally understand how real life works especially if you have real life kids 😅
For a person that says she doesn't fold clothes is now saying things that supports why you should fold your clothes! Love you, Dawn! Have told lots of people about you.
Here is a tip you might want to try for the stain in the carpet. I had beige carpeting in my last house. There was a black stain on the carpet in our bedroom and a red fruit juice stain on the playroom carpet. I tried everything to get those stains out and then one day I saw a video where someone used shaving cream so I tried it. I used regular cheap shaving cream, sprayed it on the spot, worked it into the stain with a damp cloth and then wiped it off. It amazingly removed both stains.
Please continue to show these examples for us. It makes you relatable and convinces me that these aren't just theories. It actually works when you put in the work. 😊
I am so glad you showed the Beddys!! I totally understand the ease of making the bed but I always wondered how you clean it…answer: you do with difficulty or you just don’t! Haha thanks for sharing 👍🏻
the biggest worst most expensive bedding I've bought. The sheet tore from feet movement in bed and you can't bleach and ugg had to throw it ALL away.
Marie Kondo’s folding method is the only part of her system that has worked for me long term. I’ve used it for years now.
The girls’ room looks great, well done Mom.
Same with me on the folding system.
Oh my gosh Dawn you are an amazing mom! I have a 6 year old boy and a 4 year old daughter and their beds can get exactly like that very quickly! They play outside almost all day during the summer (especially)and when they come in we sponge them down but they get so dirty playing in the sand and dirt and just being kids! Hahaha I’m here for more mom honestly. I’ve totally got your back!
Kon-mari folding is life changing! Kept it up for 3yrs now!! So easy to find everything & pull stuff u longer want!
I am sooo glad to see your moment of "oh look at this disgusting mess lol" as I have been following you and working on becoming more minimal for the last two years and although I have seen improvement in the time it takes to clean and the ease of putting stuff away, but still have many (daily actually with grandkids and pets) "oh look at this digusting mess! moments!", so now I do not feel like a failure:)
I had a house guest come visit last week, so I thought a refresh of the guest room was in order because the closet was a catch-all for bedding, pillows,, and seasonal clothes. I was able to get rid of several things plus some bulky boxes, and it made the room look so much more welcoming.
I have said to myself "Enjoy the age your child is at" so many times! Also, you can't change other people you can only change yourself. Love all of your ideas. My kids are in their 20's and you have to get rid of stuff as they age.
I’m only a quarter the way through this video, and already there’s sooooo much to love about it. First is how you’re prepared to let us into your home to show us your reality. Should the bedding be changed more often? Sure, but life happens, and you don’t notice the colour until you contrast it with the part under the pillow. So THANK YOU for being so open with your followers. If this sort of thing still happens to you, it means we’re ok to just take a deep breath and carry on.
I also loved it when your daughter was saying she really doesn’t wear dresses, after you’d said you loved to see her in that dress. So then you asked her if it should go, making it clear that the final decision was hers. And the look on her face was priceless - she said “yes”, but she was a bit hesitant, watching you for any sign that this was the “wrong” answer. You stuck to the idea that she gets to decide, which was such a hard lesson for me to learn, even though my daughters are all adults now lol
I love that you give us permission to not like all the “fancy” products that are so popular among influencers and embrace what really works for your family instead.
I love that your showing us this! Thanks for being real. ;) it’s encouraging to us who are still working hard to improve our spaces.
Thank you!! 💛💛💛
I'm so glad you showed the bed ! I have 5 boys 7 and under, and I always feel so guilty, like I'm the only mom on the planet that falls behind on the kids linens. So seeing this assured me that I'm not the only one and we are all doing the best we can 💕
I love your videos and the fact that you share so much of your real life and opinions. Thanks for being you and sharing with the rest of us!
Try Folex on carpet stains. I can’t recommend it enough. It works like magic!
You can always pass the American Girl dolls onto their cousins. 🥰
Ty for sharing❤ it’s ok. no judgements. We all have this tipe of things. Love you❤
I'm old, but I think Maggie is my spirit animal (no dresses !) And living on a farm with children that play outside and enjoy life, there might be a little dirt. We have a Beddy in our RV, but when my children were young I gave them a choice of a sleeping bag with their bedding. It was fun, easy to wash and they could easily change out options as they grew. Now my grands have sleeping bags also. Great job on the room!
Pretty cool. I never had a sleeping bag until I was 57, & it was so warm & comfortable that slept inside of it every night for the first two winters. Last two winters have been so mild, that I’ve only been an to use it a couple of times.
Folex carpet spot remover is the best that I've used! Thanks for all you do to help us that are just beginning the journey of letting go.
I have to say, its nice as a super newbie to decluttering (and hopefully family minimalism), to see someone who has been at this for a while go through some of the same mental battles I'm going through... the "I paid good money for that skirt... what do you mean you don't like it now". Thank you (off to keep watching!)
I just love you! Thank you for being soooo real!
I started the KonMarie folding about 2 years ago and love it. It makes it so much easier to see what you have and then you notice what you are not using.
We started folding the Marie condo way about 4 years ago. My son hated folding clothes. But I showed him this method and he loved that he could see all his shirts and has been folding them this way (not as precisely) ever since. He’s a freshman in college now and still does it. Originally I folded everything that way, but after a while I noticed it would take me a couple of days to get around to folding the socks and underwear so they are just tossed in now, but shirts and pants still go in Kon Mari style.
During the early stage of the pandemic I was a “prisoner” in my own home. No company long winter days and nights. I went through my bedroom dressers and folded my socks, underwear etc. in that same manner. It is so functional. I see everything and it has stayed neat for 2 1/2 years. Love it.
I had to keep reminding myself, I can leave anytime I want!
Yes, some good things came from quarantine.
Lots of random judgement about the pandemic stuff instead of focusing on the point of organizing. Glad it worked for you and you had something positive to do
@@abundantlife8396 not true…
@@abundantlife8396 I get what you are saying, but I think most of us (well not my husband or daughter because they work in healthcare) were home a lot more in 2020. We got out..and went camping..but no one really wanted to be sick. My perfectly healthy son landed in the hospital from Covid (from school). wasn’t just what the government told us to do..it’s also using our own common sense.
But that’s beside the point. I was home more also (I was able to work from home at that time), and that’s when I started folding my clothes and organizing using Marie Kondo’s method and following a lot of UA-cam channels (like Minimal Mom) because I was home more.
Thanks for being so real. It's so nice to know that even the experts don't always have everything together all the time. It makes it feel so much more achievable for Joe Schmoe's like me! 😉
I love your honesty! When my girls were that age they shared a double bed. I did their laundry but they cleaned the room. So one day the room was overwhelming for them so I helped. Underneath the bed were at least a hundred socks!
I thought they were disappearing because of the laundromat machines!
I actually got mad and took away the bed frame and they got the message. No more missing socks!
Thanks for sharing your real life. You have made me see things differently. I'm a minimalist now because of you. ❤
Sounds like your brother is definitely the carpet expert but my favorite spot carpet cleaner is Folex. It's amazing. It even got rust out of a carpet that had probably been there for years. (Found it when we moved the filing cabinet and apparently my puppy had been lifting his leg on it for who knows how long ago.) You'd never know it was there!
Thanks for that tip!
Don't worry about the body oil stains on bedding! Some people's body oils do this to bedding and pillows. My husband is one of those people! I've been married 35+ years and soaking/striping his pillows and our bedding for years. I enjoyed this video.
Their room refresh is really cute...and so functional for how they are living right now. I appreciate your transparency about things you've tried (and that things aren't always "perfect"). Love your videos and family!
Years ago my MIL taught me to roll all the knit tops/tee shirts which serves the same purpose as Marie K way of folding but it takes a lot less time than folding and there are no fold marks. Her folding method still works best for shorts/jeans/pants.
@@verafriesen1372 I roll too. My sleep clothes and pants
The fewer clothes I have, the less stressful choosing and dressing daily and more easy can keep laundry up to date. I love your minimal clothing episodes. Great for kids. We had 2 shorts, several tops , a sweat shirt, a sweater, a pair of pants, sneakers flip flops sandals and rain boots and wind breaker for summer ( plus bathing suit) . Simplicity
Slime stains can be softened by vinegar and need to be scraped out from carpet before washing :)
Learning a lot from your channel; thank you Dawn!
Hey Mom!! You are great! It’s called kids…always a surprise!!!! Much love to you!
Absolutely love your honesty!
I have sheets like that, after trying and trying to get them clean I have given up and bought floral patterns this time to disguise it!!
Great idea with the baskets inside the drawers.
Thanks 😊
Your story is real and speaks to all of us!!! Just FYI for future soaking...Washing soda is easy to make ...you just bake 2 cups baking soda at 400F on baking sheet for 1 hour, stir and bake 1 more hour!
You and your family are the best!! Love that you keep it real…I just started watching the video but wanted to comment before I finish because I appreciate you so much!! We could totally be great friends ❤️
Dawn I always love your honesty and positivity! :)
No judgement!! I hate to think about how often I “should” do the sheets!! Life is so busy!! You are an amazing mom!!
I like that you showed the real bed, dirty and all because that’s life with kids! Personally, we have a rule we only sit on our beds with clean clothes on. We have the kids take baths most nights and change into clean jammies, so I don’t have to wash sheets as often. I typically wash my kids’ every 10-14 days and when the bed is made and you don’t get in it unless you’re clean, it stays clean pretty long. That’s just what works for me. I wash my sheets opposite weeks of my kids so I can get it all done in the day.
We use duvets on the bed and pull them to the end of the bed in the morning so the mattress can air. Much better for the bed. Okay, not such a tidy bedroom but it is a private space.
I feel so seen right now ! Thank you for showing this !
I think I’m going to hire Maggie to pitch stuff in my house, lol! She did a great job.
That moment was awesome! As a mom I constantly think "Am I the only one that can't balance everything all the time?!" So thank you for showing that, really, it made me feel normal like see even the mom that "has her life together" can sometimes forget things because life is hard and balancing everything is impossible even for the best UA-cam Moms. So thank you for being real!