OS Cleaning Tips and Quick Questions...

saraberry

me and the OH are so incredibly lazy housework is so much effort, we'd love to get a cleaner and think we could justify it as my OH has jst given up smoking so the money wouldnt be missed as we're used to not having it.. no idea how to go about finding someone trust worthy though, will have to try a few of these little hints and tips as I look into it.
Seriously considering getting rid of the coffee table now having read this thread

Saraberry

Miss_Poohs

valk_scot wrote: »

I sort the clean damp laundry out into piles...each bedroom has a radiator rack and I dry the socks and undies of each person on their own radiator. They can pit it away when dry themselves. They also have a clean laundry basket each where I place ctheir other clean, dry, folded laundry. I expect these baskets to be dealt with on the same day the laundry appears. Putting their own clothes away means less wails of "I can't find it, mum!!"

Changing beds: I strip beds on laundry days but new duvet cover, sheet and pilllow case will be left on the bed for the owner to deal with themselves.

I clean the loo and sink when I'm in the shower...I spray on the cleaning whatever, have my shower and wipe down/brush/flush when I get out.

I wash the bathroom and kitchen floors before I'm about to go out for the shopping so they can dry before I get home.

I spray the cooker with cleaner when I'm loading the dishwasher last thing at night, then wipe it down, wipe down the work surfaces, rinse both cloths while wiping down the sink too and pop them in the diswasher. Can't stand a mucky kitchen firsat thing in the am.

I have a routine...very rough, but it helps. Monday & Thursday are laundry days, also Proper Cleaning day for either kitchen or bathroom, one for each day. Wednesday is Big Shop and Cooking in Advance day, Tuesday afternoon is mending and sorting clutter, Monday & Friday are Hoovering & Dusting days. Works for me and saves procrastination about what I'm supposed to be doing that day. I do a fast pick up, tidy and swab every day of course, including the rubbish bins. 30 minutes total and I try to do it before I go out. Loathe coming back and having to face a sweaty sticky guddle. Also I have Room of the Week which gets special attention if I have free time or there's a specific job needing done, like changing curtains or cleaning cornices.

I'm impressed!!! Really I am, wel done you.

I'm going to give the "I'll strip and launder the bedding and you can make your own fresh bed up" a try.

Hes 12 and its about time he learned

Wish we had a "I'm not worthy" smilie

Penelope_Penguin

Good morning :beer: As this thread is mainly tips about cleaning, I'll add it to the existing thread

As for tidying - declutter, declutter and declutter You can't tidy clutter, only move it around There's a thread on tidying, if anyone is interested.

shandyclover

My local library has mp3 audio books - for long dirty jobs I'll whack on the headphones, wear old clothes and get lost in a book - it's suprising how enjoyable cleaning can be that way!

baby_fuzz

ali-t wrote: »

Honestly it is amazing, a total godsend. I leave a tidy but slightly grubby house in the morning and come back at night to find there is no dog hair on the floor, the glass doors/patio doors have been polished, blinds have been cleaned, bathroom shining etc - total bliss.

I think my choice would be for a magic cleaning fairy to wave a wand, and it all to be done!
Just feel uncomfortable about the idea of having someone pottering around my house and moving my stuff around!

JoKay_2

Mackem_Susan wrote: »

* Sort the cutlery basket/drainer into items e.g knives, forks etc then they are quick to put away

WOW, thank you so much for this tip - I've tried it and can't believe how simple it is to do!!!

poohbear59

Can anyone help me, please, find a way to remove horrrible smells from an old sideboard I have recently acquired? I have used bicarb so far but it still smells. It is a smell of old furniture (oak) but I don't want my bits and pieces to smell too.

zippychick

Poohbear

have you tried using beeswax to feed/clean the wood? Then you should get its lovely aroma too

bluebag

I leave a sponge scourer on the bathroom sink so everyone can give it a quick swish round and remove all the tidemarks and toothpaste gunk after each use.
I have set jobs on set days or I would just do nothing. I hate cleaning!
I would much rather sit on a couch that hoover under it anyday.
I truly envy people who enjoy cleaning, their homes are much nicer than mine.

ANYTHING that can make it go faster or be less tedious is more than welcome.
I would have to seriously decontaminate my house before I could allow a cleaner in.:(

poohbear59

Thanks zippychick I will see if I can buy any locally. I hope I haven't damaged the wood in the cupboards with my bicarb and stardrops. I remember years ago my mum used lavender beeswax.