Here are my opinions on how to do this - these ideas may not work for you and part of the journey will be figuring out what works for you.
* How do I efficiently clean up an area and keep it clean while still using it?
- First, start with recycling/selling/donating/throwing things that you don't need. A good heuristic for things you don't need are "If I haven't used this for X months, I should get rid of it." X will depend on a few things, but choose X such that it is somewhat uncomfortable. You may regret a few of your decisions, but that's OK. Of course, your level of nostalgia may work against you. If there are things that you must keep for sentimental reasons (pictures, things of value) set these into another pile.
- You'll now find that you have significantly less stuff, and less mental overhead. You also will (hopefully) have more space. You must now find a home for everything. Which leads me to the second question...
* How do I put away a large number of miscellaneous items in a manner that I know where they are and can easily be found again?
- Group items together in logical categories - I have bins filled with cables, computer stuff, home improvement stuff, clothing, snowboarding stuff. For smaller things, find divided containers like a clear fishing tackle box.
- Clear bins that are shallow are best so you don't have to root around to find something, simply turn the container a few times to find what you're looking for. Put them under your bed.
- For things that are more frequently used, put them in your desk or kitchen drawers. Definitely use drawer organizers.
* How do I put away bowls and food storage containers such that they don't avalanche on me when I open the cabinet?
- Stack them. If your food storage containers are heterogeneous and don't stack well, invest in some.
* How do I organize important documents such that I never lose them and can retrieve them after several years?
- For the most important paper documents (marriage certificates, vehicle titles, social security cards, bearer bonds, passports, etc) get a fireproof filebox, or if not paranoid about fire or theft, a filebox. Again, group things logically in hanging file folders, if you can't come up with a system just create a file for each item. This box should not have a lot of contents.
- Go paperless as much as possible. Paystubs, bank statements, etc. should all be paperless. It is not hard to recreate these if needed unless you work for someone who writes paper checks.
- Get a document scanner like the NeatDesk and scan/OCR everything else (offer letters, receipts, non-marketing material) to Dropbox or Evernote. Boom. Most things are searchable. There are few documents that can't be destroyed at this point. Again, this should not be a lot of stuff.
- Opt out of all pre-screened offers for credit cards. Go to www.optoutprescreen.com. This should cut your junk mail in half. Recycle the rest immediately.
* About how much time should I expect to be devoted to house chores each day/week?
* What chores should I do on a regular basis, and how often? (How often should I dust? Vacuum? Clean toilets?)
- One thing I have noticed in my life is something I call the "seed of disorder." Once an area is clean, and something is left out of place in that area... entropy develops around that seed. Do everything you can to ensure that any seeds are dealt with as soon as possible. Papers, dirty dishes, etc. They all get out of control if you let them.
- If you do that, you won't have to do more than taking out the trash, doing and _putting away_ dishes, and cleaning your food prep areas on a daily basis. If you're in SF and don't have a dishwasher figure 15 minutes a day to do those things.
- For the rest, it depends on your level of personal cleanliness (and those that come visit you!). Ideally, hire someone to come every two weeks. Bathrooms, floors, dusting, etc. are not fun. Plus, when you have someone come clean you have to "pick up" and make sure everything is in its place to begin with. If you can't afford a cleaner to come about twice a month here's a good frequency:
- Vacuum carpets: At least once every couple weeks. Get a roomba, it can do it every day if needed.
- Toilet: I'm assuming you're a guy. Wipe the rim off once a day. Put cleaner in and brush once every two weeks, more often if you forget to flush.
- Bathroom floor: Once every two weeks with a wet swiffer.
- Dust: Once every two weeks unless you have allergies. More frequently if you do, but use a respirator/N95 mask. Buy a very good true HEPA air filter - this will reduce your dusting needs as well. Use a swiffer to dust wood floors, and a swiffer hand duster to dust objects.
- Change bedsheets: Again, if you have allergies, more frequently, but at a minimum once a month.
- Clean kitchen: Sweep the floors every two or three days, stuff tends to get on the floor often. I have a roomba robot do this for me. Wet swiffer the floor weekly. Move everything off each surface and wipe it down at least twice a month.
- Refrigerator: Check the refrigerator for bad food at least a couple times a week. Don't let it get funky - you'll want to deal with it even less. Once every three months or so get everything out of the fridge and wash down every surface.