Keeping the house tidy

*Louise*

Your friends obviously spend time cleaning before you visit ;)


I drop my DS2 at school, DD at nursery then I have 2 and a half hours to get any cleaning and washing done. If I do it every day I only need and hour and it's all done. (The rest of that 'spare' time is mine lol)

Half an hour in the evening (everyone helping or no pocket money come Sat) and it's all reasonable again.

Not saying I live in a palace by any means, but it's nover more than half an hour from being 'visitor ready' (or an hour if the MIL is coming!):rotfl:

MrsRogers

Admittedly I dont have children however my old house was like this with only 2 adults living in it. Always untidy and I'd be mortified if anyone turned up...
Then I moved house and found the answer......
Storage & De-clutter... Everything has a place and lives in it. If something hasnt got a place you either dont have enough storage or you have to much stuff! I have worked on this principle and it has worked and my house stays tidy. Also like above I clean little and often and have a big blitz once a week.

nattyt

You need to become a FLYLADY honey! I went on this thread on Old style 3 weeks ago and honestly can say that its been a revelation!! Get yourself on there pronto, you won't look back. xxxx

rachelet

My problem is motivation. I can always find something better to do than clean and tidy, but I hate having a messy house. I just can't seem to find the motivation to do it. If any friends say they are coming over, I have mad dash to make the living room respectable and then make sure I keep all other doors shut. Like natty says above, find the flylady thread on Old Style board and just do a little bit each day. Everyone is really friendly and I tend to feel bad when I miss a day and don't do any tidying. The main point they have is a little bit each day and it will soon get sorted.

romylou_2

I always find myself in the same position.

In my house there is me, DH and Dog. My DH says that I have OCD when it comes to cleaning and tidying. I can't stand mess and dirt, but he CAN'T EVEN SEE IT!!! He has dirt blinkers on all the time!

I see every speck of dust and dirt and it drives me insane!

I like a clean house and have a major panic attack when someone turns up at the door unexpectedly!

Im going to check out the Flylady Thread. xx

righter

everything in its place...and a place for everything....this means I will put things in their "place" several times a day...and granddaughter gets them out again! BUT it means i keep on top of things and don`t get overwhelmed

Tip 1) have a very small laundry basket (you "panic" when its over flowing...but that's only 2 loads)
Tip 2) (i have a downstairs bathroom) clean kitchen sink...then do bathroom sink with that cloth.
Tip 3) put child in bath...clean bathroom
Tip 4) less clothes means less washing...(about 3 sets of everything each person)
Tip 5) get rid of "stuff"...less toys,for example...rotate boxes of toys
Tip 6) no..or few ornaments (just gather dust)
tip 7) shoes off in house
Tip 8) I rarely dust...just hoover it up...damp cloth occasionally
Tip 9)care less...you only have one life...enjoy it...but I have found,keeping on top of it but with a lower standard...makes me happier.

esmf73

You need an empty cupboard - when you have people coming over, just bundle it all up into there! Used to work a treat for me when the boys were little. Alternatively put your sofas at an angle and use the space behind it for chucking junk!!!

Greener_Grass

easy, stop trying to keep up with the mess and just roll with it :rotfl:

In all seriousness I struggle too, I spend 90% of my free time tidying up mes

M_A_R_I_E

Agree with little and often. I never go upstairs empty handed - putting clothes, toys or just a handful of 'whatever' away in bathroom, kids rooms etc.

Split time into small sections ie 'in the next ad break i will wah up, quickly dust living room etc' - doesn't seem like such a daunting task and things get done. Don't put aside a day a week just do bits each day.

Declutter - I sell old toys, clothes etc on ebay. Keep clutter down!

Ex-Spendaholic

I do very much the same as Righter's list.

Decluttering is the key - if you don't have loads of stuff then it can't be left sitting around.

Don't be too hard on yourself though. Although my house is generally always tidy and presentable (really because of lack of clutter) you will find toys lying around the place during the day. However that for me is totally acceptable. They get cleared away as the kids are going to bed. One friend of mine never has a toy on show anywhere. You would be amazed to learn that she had kids if you ever visited her house. That to me is really sad - the kids should be allowed to play downstairs - not keep their toys in storage boxes in immaculate bedrooms. They are only aged 2 and 4. :eek: