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Weekly Flylady Thread 17th January 2022
Valli
Posts: 25,563 Forumite
What is FLYLADY? Well, it's our version of the US flylady idea - but we work on the principle that housework is not fun, it's boring, can be time-consuming, is often thankless but, unfortunately, necessary. It's here on Old Style to provide the support we all need and to make the whole task easier and quicker. We also accept that, sometimes, life just gets on top of us and we can't keep up, maybe because we're time-poor, not in the best of health and/or we have littlies who need us. We are definitely NOT control freaks aiming for perfection and utterly spotless show-homes.
Welcome to the weekly Flylady Thread. You're more than welcome to join us in the everlasting battle against dust, grime and gibble. The aim of our thread is to make those onerous tasks less daunting, and to support each other - and to make time for the finer things in life!
Please do remember we have to abide by MSE rules; each post should, ideally, include some mention of flying.
Thank you Natty for last week's thread.
Please follow the forum rules on this thread as Flylady has been here a LONG time and is a fabulous support and resource for lots of us. All posts should have some Flylady-related (ooh a compound adjective) content!
The idea is that even if you are really busy you don't need to fall off the wagon!
Every room comes back around next week so please don’t stress about catching up
These lists are only suggestions and not a must do list; you are more than welcome to post and follow your own lists.
Also adding a declutter mission each day will help to gradually clear the clutter and make flying easier.
A few of the basics before we start the week
Hotspots are areas where if one thing gets put there, loads of other things follow!
Daily routines are anything you need to do on a daily basis like washing, swish and swipe kitchen and bathroom, ironing, making beds, vacuuming high traffic areas, making meals etc.
Night-time routines are all things which make getting ready in the morning easier, preparing clothes for the next day, making lunches, swish & swipes of the kitchen and tidying the living room before you go to bed plus personals like shower/brush teeth etc.
Fling Boogie - stick on some loud music, grab a bin bag and whiz around the house finding items that can go out with the rubbish, recycling, for charity shop, basically anything that will stop it cluttering your home.
Swish and swipe/S&S means have a quick wipe over an area such as a sink or toilet to prevent the build up of dirt. This is usually done on a daily basis
HHE/HHC/HHI Half Hour exercise/challenge/ironing ... run around for 30 minutes to the Benny Hill music frantically cleaning exercising or ironing.. .other music may be used if you prefer!
WM ~ Washing machine
TD ~ Tumble dryer
SC ~ Slowcooker
BM ~ Breadmaker
DW ~ Dishwasher
SOAADFA ~ Sit on 'bottom' and do 'nothing'
KH/XH/FW ~ Ex-husband and other not so polite versions
DH/DD/DS/DW/DP ~ Dear husband/daughter/son/wife/partner/whatever
OH/SO ~ Other half/significant other
NN ~ nice neighbour
Toxic (friend/mother/sister/whoever) ~ person in your life that seems to exist to make your life miserable
AF ~ Aunt Flo 'time of the month'.. nothing to do with flying but it comes up often.
ETA ~ Edited to add
Gibble ~ miscellaneous crap that appears forever homeless
Dot-to-dot ~ pick a small area (not a whole room) like a chair/coffee/table/shelf/worktop or wherever- that’s your first 'dot' - totally clear it - clean it - and only put back what should be there - deal with what you have removed (not just move it somewhere else) then if you have time move on and do the same to another 'dot' -the idea is just like a dot to dot puzzle, you aim to join up all the dots and have a tidy room. The trick is to keep each dot tidy until you get them all joined up! All credit to AnW's Mum for this one
RoD ~ Room of Doom, the one room that feels like it is a permanent pit and cannot be used to its potential!
MAD half hour
- Mad is the abbreviation for Make A Difference.
The idea is that you have a Forth bridge (ie never-ending - or just huge) task but that you work on it in half-hour bursts. This way you know you ARE stooping, and that you won't get it finished but you will make a difference - so it might be clearing out - the garage or shed, or clothes sorting, or weeding - you get the picture - but rather than keep going until you've lost the will to live you do half an hour...but, eventually those half hours will get the job done!
Mr S/A/T/M/L/Al - supermarkets Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi. You get the picture!!
Click here to read Toots wonderful welcome guide
ok Here goes this Week...
FLYLADY THREAD PICK'N'MIX - Bringing it back as we seem to be flagging/exhausted/overwhelmed/sick (Delete as appropriate)
I'm not going to list the rooms by day, just by room but you are free to either do a whole room (all three levels) or mix up the levels across the week - so, for example, you might pick level 1 to do for all rooms. Just post what you HAVE achieved! Sharp-eyed flyladies will notice there are six lists...because YOU are picking and mixing. You might choose the worst room to really make a difference (and because you have the time) or the least minging because you're short of time.
Bathroom, Cloakroom, En suites
Level 1
Remove all rubbish (bin bag dance)
Clean windows
Dust all furnishings
Polish mirror, shower screen
Wipe shower cubicle out
Change towels
Level 2
Clean loo - and bleach
Clean basin - don't forget to clean the underside of the plug
Wash toothbrush holders/toothmugs
Wipe loo roll holder
Level 3
Clean bath
Clean floor
Wipe door(s) down paying special attention to handles
Wipe pull switches
Check cabinets - wipe sticky shelves
Hall, Stairs and Landing
Level 1
Clear rubbish/binbag dance
Clean windows
Wipe all handles and stair rails/banisters
Wipe sockets and switches
Level 2
Dust skirtings
Attend to plants
Dust everywhere
Level 3
Sweep, mop, vacuum floors
Clean mats
Check outdoor/security lighting is fully functional
Check smoke alarms and CO monitors
Kitchen/dining room
Level 1
Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances
Replace what lives there, wiping as you go
Empty bin and clean it out too
Wipe sill, sockets, door handles and switches
Clear and clean sink and accessories - don't forget those out-of-sight places - under plugs and under draining racks
Clean/polish table - wipe mats/change cloth
Check fruit and wash bowl
Throw away your manky dish cloth or sponge and replace with a new one!
Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts, not forgetting handles and tops and bottom as well as fronts!
Clean hob
Clean microwave
Sort fridge and wipe seals; weave stuff that needs using up into your meal plan
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clear WM , TD and DW filters
Level 3
Pick a cupboard or a drawer; empty it, clean it out and put back its contents tidily
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean windows
Master Bedroom
Level 1
Open windows w-i-d-e unless it's persisting it down/freezing
Strip bed
Allow to air
Remake bed
Level 2
Clear floordrobe and chairdrobe
Clean windows
Vacuum, sweep or mop floor
Empty bin
Put as much stuff as you can away - clear the clutter
Level 3
Dust all sides and shelves
With a just damp cloth wipe all your lotion and potion bottles, hairdryers (especially if you use product while blow drying) etc. and put all perfumes away in a drawer. The sun/heat will damage the contents.
Rinse the cloth and wipe sockets and switches
Polish mirrors
Vacuum/dust light fittings and lamps
Living room
Level 1
Open windows
Empty out any rubbish
Clear and clean coffee table/side tables
Recycle old newspapers and magazines
Rehome anything which is out of place
Wipe coasters
Deal with any flowers/water & wipe plants
Level 2
Dust and polish any wooden furniture or just dust
Check corners for cobwebs/spiders and remove
Dust skirting boards
Wipe handles/sockets/switches
Dust electricals
Level 3
Lift chair/sofa cushions and vacuum under them
Wipe leather furniture/vacuum sofas
Dust lightfittings - and bulbs!
Dust skirting boards/dado rails etc
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Kids room/spare room/guest room
Level one
Open widows
Strip bed (if needed)
Remove rubbish
Deal with flowers
Remake aired bed
Level 2
Clean window
Dust level surfaces
Check lighting functional
Level 3
Dust skirtings
Wipe mirrors
Vacuum floor
Daily little tasks that keep the whole house running smoothly
S&S kitchen (unless it's kitchen day)
S&S bathroom(s) (unless.. you get the idea)
HHI
Other key tasks
Pick and choose if/as necessary
When you're meal planning double up on at least one meal and freeze for busy days
Check all car lights are fully functional; top up oil and screenwash as required. Make sure you have de-icer to hand. Check tyre pressures.
Lots of lurgies are lurking - wipe switches and handles with antiseptic wipes/disinfectant.
Clean all machine filters - TD, DW and WM and run WM on a hot wash to clear gunge.
Plan in some me-time - visit to a salon, long bubbly bath, snuggle down with a good book, time for crafting - whatever makes you feel relaxed and less frazzled
Welcome to the weekly Flylady Thread. You're more than welcome to join us in the everlasting battle against dust, grime and gibble. The aim of our thread is to make those onerous tasks less daunting, and to support each other - and to make time for the finer things in life!
Please do remember we have to abide by MSE rules; each post should, ideally, include some mention of flying.
Thank you Natty for last week's thread.
Please follow the forum rules on this thread as Flylady has been here a LONG time and is a fabulous support and resource for lots of us. All posts should have some Flylady-related (ooh a compound adjective) content!
The idea is that even if you are really busy you don't need to fall off the wagon!
Every room comes back around next week so please don’t stress about catching up
These lists are only suggestions and not a must do list; you are more than welcome to post and follow your own lists.
Also adding a declutter mission each day will help to gradually clear the clutter and make flying easier.
A few of the basics before we start the week
Hotspots are areas where if one thing gets put there, loads of other things follow!
Daily routines are anything you need to do on a daily basis like washing, swish and swipe kitchen and bathroom, ironing, making beds, vacuuming high traffic areas, making meals etc.
Night-time routines are all things which make getting ready in the morning easier, preparing clothes for the next day, making lunches, swish & swipes of the kitchen and tidying the living room before you go to bed plus personals like shower/brush teeth etc.
Fling Boogie - stick on some loud music, grab a bin bag and whiz around the house finding items that can go out with the rubbish, recycling, for charity shop, basically anything that will stop it cluttering your home.
Swish and swipe/S&S means have a quick wipe over an area such as a sink or toilet to prevent the build up of dirt. This is usually done on a daily basis
HHE/HHC/HHI Half Hour exercise/challenge/ironing ... run around for 30 minutes to the Benny Hill music frantically cleaning exercising or ironing.. .other music may be used if you prefer!
WM ~ Washing machine
TD ~ Tumble dryer
SC ~ Slowcooker
BM ~ Breadmaker
DW ~ Dishwasher
SOAADFA ~ Sit on 'bottom' and do 'nothing'
KH/XH/FW ~ Ex-husband and other not so polite versions
DH/DD/DS/DW/DP ~ Dear husband/daughter/son/wife/partner/whatever
OH/SO ~ Other half/significant other
NN ~ nice neighbour
Toxic (friend/mother/sister/whoever) ~ person in your life that seems to exist to make your life miserable
AF ~ Aunt Flo 'time of the month'.. nothing to do with flying but it comes up often.
ETA ~ Edited to add
Gibble ~ miscellaneous crap that appears forever homeless
Dot-to-dot ~ pick a small area (not a whole room) like a chair/coffee/table/shelf/worktop or wherever- that’s your first 'dot' - totally clear it - clean it - and only put back what should be there - deal with what you have removed (not just move it somewhere else) then if you have time move on and do the same to another 'dot' -the idea is just like a dot to dot puzzle, you aim to join up all the dots and have a tidy room. The trick is to keep each dot tidy until you get them all joined up! All credit to AnW's Mum for this one
RoD ~ Room of Doom, the one room that feels like it is a permanent pit and cannot be used to its potential!
MAD half hour
- Mad is the abbreviation for Make A Difference.
The idea is that you have a Forth bridge (ie never-ending - or just huge) task but that you work on it in half-hour bursts. This way you know you ARE stooping, and that you won't get it finished but you will make a difference - so it might be clearing out - the garage or shed, or clothes sorting, or weeding - you get the picture - but rather than keep going until you've lost the will to live you do half an hour...but, eventually those half hours will get the job done!
Mr S/A/T/M/L/Al - supermarkets Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl, Aldi. You get the picture!!
Click here to read Toots wonderful welcome guide
ok Here goes this Week...
FLYLADY THREAD PICK'N'MIX - Bringing it back as we seem to be flagging/exhausted/overwhelmed/sick (Delete as appropriate)
I'm not going to list the rooms by day, just by room but you are free to either do a whole room (all three levels) or mix up the levels across the week - so, for example, you might pick level 1 to do for all rooms. Just post what you HAVE achieved! Sharp-eyed flyladies will notice there are six lists...because YOU are picking and mixing. You might choose the worst room to really make a difference (and because you have the time) or the least minging because you're short of time.
Bathroom, Cloakroom, En suites
Level 1
Remove all rubbish (bin bag dance)
Clean windows
Dust all furnishings
Polish mirror, shower screen
Wipe shower cubicle out
Change towels
Level 2
Clean loo - and bleach
Clean basin - don't forget to clean the underside of the plug
Wash toothbrush holders/toothmugs
Wipe loo roll holder
Level 3
Clean bath
Clean floor
Wipe door(s) down paying special attention to handles
Wipe pull switches
Check cabinets - wipe sticky shelves
Hall, Stairs and Landing
Level 1
Clear rubbish/binbag dance
Clean windows
Wipe all handles and stair rails/banisters
Wipe sockets and switches
Level 2
Dust skirtings
Attend to plants
Dust everywhere
Level 3
Sweep, mop, vacuum floors
Clean mats
Check outdoor/security lighting is fully functional
Check smoke alarms and CO monitors
Kitchen/dining room
Level 1
Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances
Replace what lives there, wiping as you go
Empty bin and clean it out too
Wipe sill, sockets, door handles and switches
Clear and clean sink and accessories - don't forget those out-of-sight places - under plugs and under draining racks
Clean/polish table - wipe mats/change cloth
Check fruit and wash bowl
Throw away your manky dish cloth or sponge and replace with a new one!
Level 2
Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts, not forgetting handles and tops and bottom as well as fronts!
Clean hob
Clean microwave
Sort fridge and wipe seals; weave stuff that needs using up into your meal plan
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clear WM , TD and DW filters
Level 3
Pick a cupboard or a drawer; empty it, clean it out and put back its contents tidily
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Clean windows
Master Bedroom
Level 1
Open windows w-i-d-e unless it's persisting it down/freezing
Strip bed
Allow to air
Remake bed
Level 2
Clear floordrobe and chairdrobe
Clean windows
Vacuum, sweep or mop floor
Empty bin
Put as much stuff as you can away - clear the clutter
Level 3
Dust all sides and shelves
With a just damp cloth wipe all your lotion and potion bottles, hairdryers (especially if you use product while blow drying) etc. and put all perfumes away in a drawer. The sun/heat will damage the contents.
Rinse the cloth and wipe sockets and switches
Polish mirrors
Vacuum/dust light fittings and lamps
Living room
Level 1
Open windows
Empty out any rubbish
Clear and clean coffee table/side tables
Recycle old newspapers and magazines
Rehome anything which is out of place
Wipe coasters
Deal with any flowers/water & wipe plants
Level 2
Dust and polish any wooden furniture or just dust
Check corners for cobwebs/spiders and remove
Dust skirting boards
Wipe handles/sockets/switches
Dust electricals
Level 3
Lift chair/sofa cushions and vacuum under them
Wipe leather furniture/vacuum sofas
Dust lightfittings - and bulbs!
Dust skirting boards/dado rails etc
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor
Kids room/spare room/guest room
Level one
Open widows
Strip bed (if needed)
Remove rubbish
Deal with flowers
Remake aired bed
Level 2
Clean window
Dust level surfaces
Check lighting functional
Level 3
Dust skirtings
Wipe mirrors
Vacuum floor
Daily little tasks that keep the whole house running smoothly
S&S kitchen (unless it's kitchen day)
S&S bathroom(s) (unless.. you get the idea)
HHI
Other key tasks
Pick and choose if/as necessary
When you're meal planning double up on at least one meal and freeze for busy days
Check all car lights are fully functional; top up oil and screenwash as required. Make sure you have de-icer to hand. Check tyre pressures.
Lots of lurgies are lurking - wipe switches and handles with antiseptic wipes/disinfectant.
Clean all machine filters - TD, DW and WM and run WM on a hot wash to clear gunge.
Plan in some me-time - visit to a salon, long bubbly bath, snuggle down with a good book, time for crafting - whatever makes you feel relaxed and less frazzled
Don't put it DOWN; put it AWAY
"I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness" Emily Dickinson
Janice 1964-2016
Thank you Honey Bear
Janice 1964-2016Thank you Honey Bear
12
Comments
-
Thank you for the lists, I'm in again.Breast Cancer Now 100 miles October 2022 100 / 100miles
D- Day 80km June 2024 80/80km (10.06.24 all done)
Diabetic UK 1 million steps July 2024 to complete by end Sept 2024. 1,001,066/ 1,000,000 (20.09.24 all done)
Breast Cancer Now 100 miles 1st May 2025 (18.05.2025 all done)
Diabetic UK 1 million steps July 2025 to complete by end Sept 2025. 1,006,489 / 1,000,000 (10.09.25 all done)
Breast Cancer Now 100 miles 1st October 2025 36/100Sun, Sea12 -
Thanks for the list as ever. I'm in because I need this thread to keep me smiling and on track.Spend less now, work less later.11
-
Thank you for the lists. I'm in.IT ONLY TAKES SMALL DAILY ACTIONSFOR MAGIC TO HAPPENRosemary Ikpeme
12 -
Thank you Valli for starting off this week's new thread, and Natty for last week's. Like Jazee, I need the lists to keep me moving on.
I am sooooo looking forward to the Flylady minibus trip!
(((Hugs))) to YL and anyone else in need - I hope the WAC regulars get a better night's sleep tonight xx12 -
I am in, and cannot wait for this bus trip! If someone wouldn’t mind teaching me some knitting basics en route I’d be so grateful! I’ve already ordered the vodka for Piggers, the cider for Round (drink choices dragged from the depths of my memory so I’m sorry if they’re wrong), and a 12 case of mixed colour wine.
Can I bring the dog too?! She’s so loving, doesn’t shed hair and adores people xx
11 -
TY for Fred.
ASB.. can't have dogs at mine.. Squeak is terrified of them.. however cute, daft and fluffy. Do I have a reputation for Vodka?? LOL...
Hopefully I can summon energy to do SOMETHING!
LB moment 10/06 Debt Free date 6/6/14Hope to be debt free until the day I dieMortgage-free Wannabee (05/08/30)6/6/14 £72,454.65 (5.65% int.)08/12/2023 £33602.00 (4.81% int.)9 -
Evening all
thanks for the lists, I’m in again, can you route the 🚌 to Oxfordshire as well please?
dailies were done this morning then we had a trip out to meet SIL and niece, good long walk and a catch up, very enjoyable, this evening we ate one my batch cooked meals so that was tasty and easy.
a full week of paid stuff beckons and I suspect it’s going to be crazy busy, I will fly as much as I can in between. Mission slinky is continuing here, only a small loss last week but anything is ok for me, hoping for a better one on Tuesday.
GWS wishes to the poorlies, coping vibes to those in need, hugs to all x10 -
I'll book you in after Fayolle, BadCat - that makes sense. Final itinerary will be announced when all interested parties have made themselves known. 🙂
asb - yes please, cider for me. Now I'm thinking that after the party at yours you and your dog can hop on board the bus for the trip to drop everyone back off at home. Only provision being that if we call in at piggers for a cuppa and a comfort stop your woofer will have to stay on the bus at that stop.
We can do a reverse run to drop everyone off, end up back at mine. Then iona can drive the bus back and I'll run you home., when you're ready. A couple of nights in the Flylady retreat for you. Fish finger sandwiches OK?
Sorted 😁
Rxx
IT ONLY TAKES SMALL DAILY ACTIONSFOR MAGIC TO HAPPENRosemary Ikpeme10 -
Evening I will be doing dailies and essentials, Mr DM will be helping.Bus trip, I won’t accrue any holidays for a while so I will have to weekends only 😃 I’m in the middle not far from Valli.
Ironing done, towels washed, DG’s house checked, care home visited to hand stuff over but not allowed in due to their being in lockdown yet again.
Packed lunch made, clothes ready and bag packed, here goes week 2.
Have a good week x11 -
dancemum - your seat is reserved. You'll be picked up just before or just after Valli, depending on geography.
RxxIT ONLY TAKES SMALL DAILY ACTIONSFOR MAGIC TO HAPPENRosemary Ikpeme10
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