Weekly Flylady Thread 16 June 2025

Valli

Welcome to the weekly Flylady Thread.

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.

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 content! (i.e. it should be on-topic)
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
AFr ~ Air Fryer NOTE NEW ABBREVIATION TO KEEP UP WITH THE CURRENT TREND
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 former Flylady 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 stopping, 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!
Frog (or other amphibian) ~ google 'eat that frog'
Spoons ~ google 'but you don't look sick' and/or 'The Spoon Theory'.

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

Marvellous Monday - Kitchen and Dining Room

Level 1
Open some windows for some fresh air.
Wash up, dry up and put away (or remove all pots to DW) 
Clear sides and wipe down - wipe small appliances and caddies etc.  Don't forget the splashbacks or tiles!
Replace what lives there, wiping as you go
Empty bin and clean it out too - put it outside to dry in the sunshine, if you can.
Clear and clean sink and accessories - don't forget those out-of-sight places - under plugs and under draining racks - and shine those taps - or clean them!
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!  Put out a new hand towel and a new tea towel too
Good slug of bleach down pluholes and in overflows
Clean cruet, salt and pepper, wipe any sauce bottles that are used on the table

Level 2

Wipe down all cupboard and drawer fronts inside and out, 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 (see extras); update shopping list as appropriate
Wash and wipe fridge shelves and baskets.
Dust dining area/room
Descale kettle if needed
Clean WM , TD and DW filters; remove WM detergent drawer and wash it out.
Wipe inside of washer drawer and DW door

Level 3

Pick a cupboard or a drawer; empty it, clean it out and put back its contents tidily
Sweep/mop/vacuum floor - and wipe any fascia boards!
Clean chairs (and highchairs) - don't forget under the seats where sticky fingers linger.
Clean windows in both rooms.


EXTRAS

HHI
S&S bathroom
Paperwork/admin up to date
Meal plan for the week. - and plan to cook a double sized meal and freeze one for a CBA day - fish pie, cottage pie...something complete!
Check winter boots and shoes - polish and put them away.  Are any repairs needed?

Terrific Tuesday

Bathrooms, cloak rooms and en suites

Level 1

Open window
Remove towels and fling in WM
Scrub Loo inside and out, slug some bleach or descaler down afterwards.  Pay special attention to under the rim.
Dust anywhere that needs dusting - wipe any 'on display' bottles down 

Level 2

Clean out baths and/or showers
Clean shower heads and hoses
Clean handbasins including taps - don't forget the out of sight bits!

Level 3
sweep and mop or vacuum floor as appropriate
clean windows
polish mirrors
dust and polish where necessary
Chuck any lurking potions that are not being used/are old
Clean light pull

Extras
Wash showercurtains (if any) and put outside to blow dry 
HHI
S&S kitchen
How is that TOOTS list looking?  Can we start chipping away at anything?

Wednesday - hump day
Living room, hall, stairs and landing

Level 1
Open lots of windows and let that fresh air in while beds are airing
Deal with cut flowers and pot plants - top up water/wipe leaves/remove drooping or dead blooms
Wash out vases
Empty bins/ashtrays
Clear gibble
Plump and straighten cushions
Wipe sofas with leather wipes or vacuum - look for all those dust-catching crevices.  Lift seat cushions if you can and vacuum underneath
Wipe/dust coffee tables and leave tidy
Sort newspapers/magazines

Level 2
Clean windows and mirrors 
Vacuum floors - and use an edging tool to get into all the nooks and crannies - and stairs!
Clean doormats

Level 3
Dust all round - don't forget sills, skirting boards, tops of curtain rails and/or battens and top and frame of door.
Wipe door handles, banisters, light switches and sockets - and the bits of the door where people hold to open/close it.
Check for cobwebs and eliminate!
Clean lightshades and lampshades; check all lighting is functioning as it should - vacuum fabric shades; wash glass shades 
Wipe lightbulbs (if cold)
Dust pictures/paintings on walls - and dust behind them too!
Stand in the doorway and look back into the room - is it clean?

Extras
S&s kitchen
s&s bathroom
HHI

Thursday Thrills - Master bedroom

Level 1 

Strip bed - and leave to air for as long as you can
Open windows
Clear floordrobe/chairdrobe
Empty Bin

Level 2

Dust/vacuum headboard and/or bedframe
Flip mattress if you are able to and if necessary
Remake bed

Level 3

Dust and wipe - all flat surfaces and sticky pots (lotions and potions)
Polish mirrors - while you're at it you may as well clean the windows
Vacuum/sweep/mop floor

Extras
S&S kitchen
S&S bathroom
Are your financial spreadsheets up to date?

Friday at last!

KIDS ROOM, GUEST ROOM, STUDY

level 1
open window
strip bed
remove rubbish

level 2
remake bed
clean window and sill

Level 3
dust everywhere
clean floor as appropriate 

DAILY EXTRAS

S & S kitchen and bathrooms
Find some time to do something for you - self care is important
and finally - don’t forget to check your boobs

Cloth_of_Gold

I've only skim read last week's posts so sorry if I've missed anything important. 

@Valli I'm delighted about your good news. You mentioned 'invite'. I assume you're talking about people saying 'invite' when they mean 'invitation'. If so, that gets my goat too.

I hope the funeral goes as well a it can tomorrow and you don't find it too upsetting.

@roundtuit I'm sorry to hear about your father - I hope the scan result is good.

Not much flying done this week - it's been too warm. Just washing up and taking rubbish down really and S&S in the kitchen and bathroom, and I did a couple of lots of washing and drying.

A has come off the new painkiller as it was causing him too many problems. I have a tooth with a temporary crown, which broke a while ago but I've put off doing anything about it. The the gum around the tooth has recently started to feel a bit tender and if I press the tooth it feels tender. I don't want an infection to take hold so tomorrow I'm going to make an appointment at the dentist and have the proper crown done. I'm trying not to think of the expense as I've had a lot of extra expenses recently, and this month and next I will have to dig into my savings a bit to pay off my credit card, which I do each month. I don't need to 'borrow' much from myself (so to speak) but it's not a habit I want to get into. I'm dreading the hot weather coming next week.

MinnieMousesMummy

Good morning, everyone. I'm having an early start as I've a lot to accomplish this week.

My list for today
Do 10 minutes on the exercise bike
Get a shower and get dressed
Check banking and update direct debits
Check if the refund is back from the oil company
Pay the credit card
HH looking for work
Paid stuff
Do the maths coursework that is scheduled for today
Do the English coursework that is planned for today
Start prep for uni interview on Wednesday and send over the required information (I've got a presentation to do as part of my interview)
Sweep the kitchen floor
HHI
Deweb downstairs of the house
Remind DD to take the dog for a walk
Attend maths tutor appointment
Look into patio furniture
Sort through and order pet supplies

I think that is everything that I need to get completed today. Hope everyone has a productive Monday and hugs to those who want/need them. 

Jazee

Morning.  Thanks for the list.

 I hope everything goes ok for you today Valli.

 I have my usual Monday with DD and her two so bottles are already sterilised and  I'm just having a cuppa.  I will walk Poppet and see what flying I can get done before they arrive but watering back garden is first.

Wordle in four.

Stay cool everyone.

Cloth_of_Gold

Morning everyone. it feels very warm already so not goiong to do much. I've just ordered two samples fromEtsy for the arm caps on the chair, which have worn out. Someone who restored a couple of dining chairs for us a couple of years ago has said his upholsterer will make them. I"m also going to the shops for a few bits and then hopefully take it easy and watch the tennis from Nottingham.

Hop0e everyone has a good day.

kazwookie

Thank you for the thread.

Valli and family my thoughts with you at this time x

Whole house is clean

3 x wm done out on whirly

Bins done

Hoovering done

Hard floors mopped

Food shop done, OH came with me, expensive mistake, but hey ho, OH put it all away.

Mirrors polished

To do

Walking

Sawing up fence panels 

ionafan

Thinking of you and your family today, Valli.  I know you will honour your lovely mum in the very best possible way, with tears and laughter xxx

Rosie has gone off with L without a backwards glance.  She missed L last week and will be very happy staying with her and being spoilt.

I’ve done WMx2small this morning and hung it in the utility and bathroom.  I’ve nearly finished cleaning and packing - mustn’t forget to water all the pots.  We shall eat up all the leftovers for lunch, then we’ll be off too.  

Good luck for the interview, MMM x

Valli

grrr...

now getting messages from people saying they 'can't make it'... for various reasons.  

Been and had my hair done

CoG re invite - you've got it!

thanks for all your good wishes

roundtuit

Good afternoon 

My thoughts are with Valli and family today xx

Pops has been moved onto a ward and is now waiting for an endoscopy. Babs is visiting this afternoon and I'm going tonight.

I cancelled my meet up with L arranged for this morning and we'll rearrange when Pops is home. 

Poppy cat is fed and watered and has had an extra visit to check that she's OK after I accidentally stepped on her earlier. She is a little s@d for being under your feet. Anyhoo she's forgiven me and she's fine. Thank goodness. 

Flying? I've stripped my bed, washed the bedding and pegged it out. 🤔 Fed the birds and put out the recycling. Put away my prescription. 

Picked up some bits from Pops' house that he asked for...note to self: don't forget them!

Twot out there for Round!

Rxx

Honey_Bear

I hope today goes smoothly Valli.

I've decluttered Belovéd to the staion to go to London for the last time for this project.  He's staying with his best friend as he has all the way through this project who is very unhappy and has been showing signs of dementia for quite some times, and who not accepting any support or suggestions from anyone.  He lives on his own.  He has an exceptionally good neighbour who keeps an eye on him, but so far no-one has been able to come up with a plan that will help him navigate this.  It really is a terrible, terrible illness. 

I've been busy for the past few days and have progressed a lot of things I'm working on but I have to be honest - no a lot of Flying as such.  Bit of vacuuming when the carpets need it, laundry now the sun's out and so on.  I'm hoping that sitting down at my desk a lot more will help my right knee heal, and it seems to be working, but it's taking a bit longer than I hoped to sort itself out.  

YORKSHIRELASS

Thinking about Valli x

Good day at the paid stuff, couple of meetings that went well.  Realised I had forgotten to do something, got in a flap, then gave myself a talking to.  It didn't matter that much.  Late finish but I can use the hours later in the week so that's OK.

I have done the LR today, dusted and hoovered and washed dog blankets.  Put clean washing away and two loads out. 

Ready for bed now.