Flylady Zone 1

 

 

FlyLady Zone 1 Cleaning: Transform Your Entrance, Porch, and Dining Room

Welcome to Zone 1 of the FlyLady cleaning system! Zone 1 focuses on the entrance, front porch, and dining room, which are often the first spaces guests see and the areas that set the tone for your home. This is the entrance to my home above, and if you are a regular on my You Tube channel Clean With Kate you will have seen it many times.

Zone 1 cleaning is typically done during the first few days of the month, as it aligns with the FlyLady system's monthly zone rotation. Since each month starts on a different day of the week, the exact duration of Zone 1 depends on how many days are left in the first week.

Example:

  • If the month starts on a Monday, Zone 1 cleaning will cover Monday through Friday (or whatever your cleaning schedule allows).
  • If the month starts midweek, Zone 1 might only last for two or three days before moving to Zone 2 (the kitchen).

You can adjust the time spent in Zone 1 to fit your schedule, focusing on a few key tasks each day. Spending just 15 minutes a day in this zone can make a big difference in creating a welcoming and organised environment. Let’s break it down!

Why Focus on Zone 1?

Your entrance and front porch are your home's first impression, while the dining room is a space where family and friends gather. These areas can quickly become cluttered with shoes, coats, hats, bags, dog leads, post, and everyday items. By dedicating time to Zone 1, you'll create a warm, inviting atmosphere and keep clutter at bay.

Zone 1 Checklist

Here’s a simple checklist to help you get started:

Entrance/Front Hall:

  • Sweep, vacuum or mop the floor.
  • Dust all the flat surfaces decorations, furniture, and light fixtures.
  • Declutter shoes, bags, and coats.
  • Wipe down the front door, doorknobs, and light switches.
  • Clean mirrors, pictures or glass panels.
  • Clean skirting boards
  • Vacuum rugs or entrance mats. If you have washable entrance mats give them a wash. Machine washable entrance mats are great. 

Front Porch:

  • Sweep or hose down the porch.
  • Shake out or wash doormats.
  • Wipe down outdoor light fixtures and remove cobwebs.
  • Tidy up planters and outdoor furniture.
  • Check for clutter such as post, tools, or toys.

Dining Room:

  • Dust the dining table and chairs (don’t forget the legs!).
  • Polish any wood furniture.
  • Wipe down walls, baseboards, and light switches.
  • Clean glass doors, mirrors, or light fixtures.
  • Declutter storage or display cabinets.
  • Wash or replace table linens such as placemats and napkins.

 

Kates Top Tips for Cleaning Flylady Zone 1

  1. Start Small: You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Set a timer for 15 minute, 10 minutes, 5 minutes or even 2 minutes and work on one area or task each day. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in a short time!
  2. Declutter First: Before deep cleaning, remove items that don’t belong in the space. Donate or discard anything you no longer need, and find homes for items that belong elsewhere.
  3. Keep It Simple: Focus on high-impact areas and visible surfaces first. A quick wipe of the front door (mine is always covered in muddy dog paw prints) or a declutter of the entrance and of the dining table can make a big impact.
  4. Add Personal Touches: Once the space is clean and tidy, add a few decorative touches like a vase of fresh flowers, a pot of spring bulbs depending on the season in the entrance hall or the dining room or a welcoming wreath on the front door. 

Benefits of Zone 1 Cleaning

  • Creates a positive first impression for guests.
  • Makes daily routines smoother with a tidy and organised entrance.
  • Encourages family gatherings in a clean and inviting dining room.
  • Boosts your sense of accomplishment and sets the tone for tackling other zones. 
  • Get easier each time you do it

Make It Fun!

Put on your favourite playlist or podcast while you clean, or listen to my cleaning channel Clean With Kate on You Tube, and turn it into a productive, enjoyable session. If you’re short on time, you could try to involve the whole family and assign small tasks to each member, but remember to keep it fun and have a reward at the end. 

By focusing on Zone 1 at the start of the month, you’ll kick off your FlyLady routines with a clean and welcoming home. Remember, progress, not perfection, is always the goal. Happy cleaning!

FlyLady Zone 1 focuses on creating a welcoming and clutter-free entrance, including your porch, hallway, and any other entryway spaces. This zone sets the tone for your home, making it a priority to keep it tidy and inviting. During Zone 1, we tackle tasks like sweeping the porch, wiping down door frames, decluttering shoes and coats, and giving these high-traffic areas a fresh start.

By the end of Zone 1 week, you will really start to see progress in your entrance hall to your home. Remember, as flylady says progress, not perfection! Keep picking up after yourself every day, and see you next week in Flylady Zone 2.

For step-by-step guidance and cleaning motivation, check out my Zone 1 FlyLady Playlist on YouTube. From seasonal decoration swaps to deep cleaning tips, my real time Flylady zone 1 cleaning videos will help you breeze through Zone 1 with ease. 

Click here to watch Flylady Zone 1 videos from Clean With Kate now.