Weekly Flylady Thread 23rd June 2025

Natty68

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 Valli 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- thats 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!

You'll see I have done a whole week's worth all at once, please feel free to change days etc...

Mysterious Monday ~ Bathroom, Hall, Stairs and Study/PC Area
Level One...
DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS
Open windows to let in air
Wash and replace towels/flannels/bath mats with clean ones
Clean cobwebs
Level Two..
Clean bath/shower/sink and toilet - Don't forget to give those taps an extra shine!
Throw away any empty bottles
Straighten computer desk
Delete 50 emails - do you really need that sale email from Dotty P's?
Level Three...
Wash/vacuum floor
Clean window
Clean the windowsills
Clean medicine cabinet - throw away out of date medicines.
Put away any stray items in the hall and stairs - do you really need all that stuff cluttering up the stairs and hall/landing!!!
Extras..

• Wipe skirting boards up the stairs
• Check supplies of paper/printer cartridges/stamps and envelopes
• Throw away any pens that don't work
• Clean fingerprints off light switches and doors.

Twinkling Tuesday ~ Master bedroom and Landing
Level One..
Fling open windows to let air in especially as it's been hot and the room will be stuffy.
DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS
Clean Cobwebs
Check firealarms are working, change battery if necessary.
Remove and wash bed linen and duvet covers
Level Two..
Vacuum & turn mattress before replacing with fresh linen..
Clean under the bed
Polish furniture
Level Three...
Straighten/sort through make up
Throw away any empty/out of date bottles
Clean glass and mirrors - make them twinkle 
15 minutes floordrobe clearance
Clear a hotspot ~ or spend 15 minutes clearing one.
Add a personal touch - flowers in a vase on a dresser, pretty bowl etc..
Extras:

• 36 fling boogie, go on grab a bag and clear that clutter
• HHI
• Clean windows in these rooms
• Clean light switch of hand prints or smudges
• Clean main light and any lampshades
• Clear the top of a bedside cupboard/chest of drawers or shelf

Wacky Wednesday ~ Those frightening kids rooms and spare rooms
Level One..
Open windows to air room
DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS
Clean cobwebs
Clear away anything that isn't in it's place, clothes, toys, books etc
Straighten toy shelves
Level Two..
Polish furniture
Vacuum the floor
Dusting.. all those shelves and flat fluffy surfaces!! Don’t forget the light shade and curtain pole!!!
Strip beds, turn and vacuum mattresses!! and replace with fresh linen .. check if duvets need freshening up too!! Wash the curtains!
Level Three...
Sort out outgrown clothes and give to charity/neighbours/younger children.
Put away stray items
Clean fingerprints off light switches/doors/walls
Clean under the bed - I know it's scary but it does have to be done. You could even delegate to a little one if you don't fancy doing it yourself.
Extras

• Clean windows
• Clean/scrub bath toys
• Wipe the radiators, skirtings and window & door frames!
• HHI
• Rearrange videos/games/books

Tantalising Thursday ~ Dining Room and Entance/Porch
Level One..
Open windows and let air in
Clean cobwebs
Dust windowsills and front door
Throw away any newspapers/magazines that aren't needed.
Level Two..
Put plants in shower & give them a good rinse. Remember to put them back before everyone has a shower in the morning - it might be a bit unnerving having to shower with a plant!!!
Clean and dust shiny things/mirror and glass
Clean lightswitches of hand prints or smudges
Level Three...
Move furniture, if safe to do so, and hoover underdeath
Clean and straighten any drawer
Add a personal touch to the table - pretty tablecloth, vase of summer flowers!!
Clean TV, other electricals and cabinets
Clean under sofa/chair cushions - lets see if you can find any money or even anything that you have lost recently 
Wipe down light fixtures - make those bulbs shine at night!
Extras

• Refill bird feeders
• Throw away any dead plants
• HHI
• Binbag dance - Get a binbag... fill it and bin it!!
• Wash any cushions, throws etc that need it..

Flying Friday ~ Kitchen
Level One..
Open windows, let the air and blow those cobwebs away..
Wash knick-knacks/canisters
Mop/brush floor
Level Two..
Clean sink and draining board
Clean microwave inside and out
Empty fridge, clean shelves and doors and move any nearly out of date stuff to front to use up next.
Empty and clean rubbish bin
Level Three...
Clean under sink - throw away any manky looking bottles/rags etc..
Straighten drawers/cupboards
Clean fan/vent/hood filters
Clean pet dishes
Clean cupboard door fronts and fronts of appliances .. don't forget those kick boards..(only a few at a time!)
Extras

• Check the smoke alarm - when was the last time you replaced the battery?
• Clean the hob
• Wipe down any tiles and shine those taps - make them twinkle!!
• 29 fling boogie - GO!!
• Buy yourself some flowers from the shop.. your reward for making the kitchen shine!

Valli

given the state of the forum great dea to post a week…(mutter mumble lots of word beginning with f)..not been able to get in…

been out all afternoon…*hic*

mate is 60

there will be fluff all flying here as will be up the aged ps… usually exclaiming !!!!!! at the stuff I find, tbh..  Have resolved not to burden the grandchildren…

Bibles…. ?…nursing books 🤢 and general clutter which is beginning to keep me awake…

weenancyinAmerica

Going to try and do what it says this week. At least the first two levels. Will take my mind off what is happening in the world.

ionafan

Thanks Natty.  We’ll be home later this week.  Another day, another train!

xxx

roundtuit

Morning all xx 

Thank you Valli and Natty for the lists.

Not only me then Valli. I've been having the devil's own job accessing the thread. Though I do seem to have found a way round it. 🤞

I'm up, made my bed, taken my meds, turned over the calendars, completed Strands with several hints), completed Wordle in four,  only managed one line in Connections, and supped my first brew.

After reading weenancy's post I'm now wondering what's going on in the world. Maybe best I don't know. I'll just concentrate on my bubble and making it the best I can.

I'm going to put kettle on.  Anyone else want a brew?

Rxx

ETA: of course I looked at the news. Oh 💩 

MinnieMousesMummy

Morning all. It's going to be a busy week for me, and I need to adjust to a new schedule. I've agreed to take care of DD's horse in the morning so she can focus on getting to school on time. So far today, I have been to the stables to check on and feed DD's horse.

My list for today
Drink plenty of fluids
Empty the kitchen
Put the bins out for getting emptied
Delete 50 emails from my email inbox
Do paid stuff
Do the maths coursework that is in the diary for today
Do the English coursework that is in the diary for today
Look into insurance for DD's horse
Attend the school meeting
Order the required pet supplies
Empty the bathroom bin
Wipe down the kitchen work surfaces
Remind DD to take the dog for a walk
Do more work on the patio area, as we need to prep it for the artificial grass
Cobweb dust in the kitchen
Sweep the kitchen floor
Take DD over to the stables to check on and ride her horse

I think that is everything that I need to tackle today. I hope everyone has a lovely Monday/week, hugs to those who want/need them. 

Fayolle

Morning all,
Thank you, Natty, for the lists. I hope things are easing day by day x
I’ll have a brew, Round.  I never like to refuse the offer of a brew 😊
CoG - I usually make my own shortcrust and rough puff, but this…. https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/recipe/salad-onion-pea-goat-cheese-tart?srsltid=AfmBOoqXin4SSpyuY9FuN1gnd8hNB0vCXREeWGnRurBEn4gJCL8pNt8…. I made with ready rolled puff pastry. DD read Chemistry - not a subject that I can claim any affinity to whatsoever!
DH is off out for the day, picking up a Swedish click and collect order on his way. I am planning on getting to the allotment this morning now that it is fresher outside. Later, I really, really must tackle some admin. I’ll sup Round’s brew, then I had better get dressed and on it.
Have a good day all x

Valli

morning all

paid stuff, swimming and a trip into town today.

might iron if it’s cooler.

roundtuit

Fayolle said:

DH is off out for the day, picking up a Swedish click and collect order on his way. 

I read that as picking up a Swedish chick on his way. 😳. I thought you were being incredibly blasé about it 🤣

I'm showered,  dressed,  fed the birds, put out the recycling, eaten breakfast and supped my second brew. 

Thank you for joining me Fayolle 😘

Shopping List and pots next.

Rxx

Jazee

Morning all.  

I'm another one frustrated with this site.  Tried to post earlier.  Wordle in four, two lines on connections, strands with no hints.

I have been up since six and this is what I've done so far.  Thanks for the list by the way!

Got everything ready for DD and family arriving for day later.
In living room - dusted all round fireplace and hoovered.
In kitchen - wiped all tiles, work surfaces and small appliances on them and shined sink. Hoovered floor.
In bedroom- made bed and hoovered.
In downstairs loo - cleaned tiles, toile and sink. Hoovered.
In bathroom- cleaned tiles and s&sd. Hoovered.
Hoovered rest of house, put recycling and rubbish out, got washed and dressed.

Oh, they're here now.

eltee2

Morning all - still too hot & stuffy for me even though breezy & cooler than it was.   Had a few days at the coast - swam in the sea, wish I was still there 🏊‍♀️🥽

I'll be FUPA ing & aiming for at least level 1 kitchen, plus anything which takes my fancy (won't be much😬)

✔️2nd WM load done & triple-pegged, final load swishing
✔️Windows were opened wide earlier, now on latch to prevent belongings being blown about
✔️blinds & curtains to rear of house now closed/drawn to prevent rooms heating like a preassure cooker!
✔️'gallons' of water being consumed

Stay cool 🥵