Weekly Flylady Thread 8th December 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'
WUDUPA ~ washed up, dried up, put away
WUALTD ~ washed up and left to dry
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!

Monday - kitchen and dining room
Level one
Sweep and mop the floor
Remove all kitchen/dining room hotspots into an empty box
Level Two
Wipe the work surfaces
Wipe out the fridge and meal plan using up what’s in there
15 minutes wiping anything that is grubby
Level three
Clean the kitchen sink
Empty and clean out your bins
Polish the table

Extras

• DW/WM filters and drawers – do you have enough powder/salt etc to last over Christmas?
• Put away appliances not being used to make space for Christmas cooking
• Finalise those last minute presents you have to buy..
• Post any cards you need to post
• Wrap all the presents for family/friends
• Finalise shopping orders/lists for your Christmas food shop.. remember most shops are only closed for one day. Check supermarkets opening times though in case they are closed on Boxing Day too.

Tuesday - Living Room, Hall and Stairs, downstairs loo
Level 1
Vacuum through the living room, hall and stairs
Dust or wipe any surfaces you can
Level 2
HHI
Make sure all toys have a home, can any be put away for a while or sort a drawer
Clean the downstairs loo and basin
Level 3
Remove all hotspots into the box you started yesterday
Clean your dirtiest window
Can you recycle any newspapers/Christmas magazines etc - do you really need all those Christmas cooking magazines from last year?

Extras

• Sort out your bag and purse, put receipts away safely
• Spend 15 minutes with your feet up thinking about your New Year resolutions and how you are going to try to stick to them next year
• Stick all your cards up
• Christmas wrapping, try and get at least a few done
• Replace the batteries in your annoying singing things
• Make a receipts envelope for all the receipts from Christmas presents, just incase anything needs to go back
• Decorate tree, if not already done (this one is really for me as the tree is down, in three pieces on the floor, just not put together yet)

Wednesday – any downstairs area which is left especially if it’s a room of doom

Level 1
HH putting stuff away
Do a small job which you have been putting off
Level 2
Clear and Hoover floor
Wipe all dusty areas with a damp cloth
Deal with outstanding post, bills, emails
Level 3
Wipe computer keyboard and mouse, clean the screen
Change any pet bedding that needs it
If you have been putting all your hotspots into a box/pile now is the time to deal with them

Extras:

• Write a few more Christmas cards
• Update your address book
• Delete unwanted numbers from your mobile or house phone.
• Polish your silver/brass
• Make a timetable for christmas prepartions.. turkey in.. turkey out.. etc
• Spend 30 minutes just having time for yourself, whatever it is doing, because we probably won't have time next week
• Chase up any deliveries you are waiting for that have not arrived
• Update remaining present lists

Thursday – Bathroom and Landing
Level 1
Remove anything from these areas which doesn’t belong here
Is it time for a new toothbrush? Especially important if you have been unwell
Level 2
Clean baths, sinks and toilets
Clean the floors right into the corners
Level 3
Clean the shower screen or wash the curtain
Throw away anything old and yucky
Wipe window ledges and dusty areas

Extras

• Use vinegar to descale around taps and plugs
• Degunk the drains with soda crystals and hot water
• Check supplies of soap, shampoo etc to last over Christmas
• Clean the mirrors
• Bake pies and buns!
• Sort childrens presents into separate bags so they are easier for santa to sort
• Last check of the present list, have you got everything?
• Make a note of when the binmen are coming!!!

Friday/Weekend – Bedrooms – any or all your choose
Level 1
Change all the beds
Hoover the bedrooms
Level 2
Dust all fluffy surfaces
Kids to get those rooms totally tidy
Half Hour Ironing
Level 3
Clean any window your choose
Finish any outstanding jobs on your lists
Sort some socks, get rid of any threadbare ones

Extra mission:.

• Clean out any pets/wash pet bedding
• Post cards you need to post
• Wrap all the presents for family/friends/teachers etc
• Clean the pantry or airing cupboard or understairs cupboard or shed..
• Wipe out the freezer.. defrost if needed!!
• If you’ve got this far you deserve a well earned break! Do anything your heart desires 😉

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

The family have visited and headed South again, it has been absolutely wonderful.  Friday evening saw 8 squished around the kitchen table and 2 with plates balanced on their knees on the kitchen sofa enjoying homemade lasagne.  We have been to the coast for chips and done 2 long muddy dog walks, and on Saturday morning DB and I drank gallons of tea in our PJs and had a long catch up while everyone else slept in.  I am truly blessed.

So, all the good china and best glasses are washed and put away, recycling despatched to the correct bins, 3 loads of laundry done, the hoover has been out and the kitchen restored to something like normality.  Both spare beds need changing but give the weather I don't want to do too much washing at once.

I have no idea what the week brings except the car has to go in for service and MOT and we are trying a new garage, so I am dreading that.  I always used to get in a tizz about where to park at the old place.

It's the 8th of December tomorrow, I can't quite believe that! 

Jazee

Evening.  So pleased you had a lovely weekend YSL.

Thanks for the list.  I am up to date with the extras!  A busy week ahead but I will try to fly.

MinnieMousesMummy

Thanks for the new list.

I've enjoyed a relaxing weekend, and now I'm getting myself ready for a busy week, as I have university exams on the 15th and 17th, so I need to start revising.

My list for Monday
Make phone calls (dentist and vet) vet phoned but I still need to phone the dentist
Do paid stuff
HHI
Do uni work
Apply for a couple of jobs
Clean kitchen worktops
Clean the cupboard fronts
Empty the kitchen bin and clean it
Sweep and mop the kitchen floor
Take the dog for a long walk
Make a start on planning next month
Load the DW and switch on
Post back empty ink cartridges
Take DD up to the stables so she can feed and check on her pony
Sort the budget spreadsheet for 2026

I think that is everything that I need to tackle. I hope everyone has a lovely week.

Narc0lepsy

thanks for the lists even if I usually go off piste.
- Managed a lake swim yesterday, after being ill I was cautious and put on a wet suit plus didn't stay in too long (6.5degrees) but it was lovely to be back in.
- All cards written now bar about 6 which are for Mr N to do.  
- Went to church in drizzle, read the lesson, had a chat afterwards. All of us a bit sad after Wednesday's news about long-standing member who died although she was elderly and had been in care since just after lockdown; however lots of fantastic memories as she was a live wire teaching swimming, supporting an orphanage in Kenya, flower arranging, in local drama group, staunch church member, devoted to her dog....the list goes on, not to mention her 4 children and their children. 
- Continuing to knit the snowman which will be one of my gatepost toppers, assuming it works ok.
- Mr N and I got the tree and decs down from the loft. Decided that, although the lights work, the tree needs 2 sets which uses up 2 plug sockets so he will get one long new string tomorrow before we decorate.
- got up and did a flower arrangement at 1.45 am as I couldn't sleep.
- made a dessert (spiced clementine tarte tatin) to take to the friend we visit every few months for supper and a video.    I provide my own gf roll, the pudding, chocolates and - as it is Christmas - the flower arrangement. He provides soup, custard to go with dessert and the video (tonight it was ballet: Giselle).   A great evening. 
- booked a hotel for 27th Dec.

ionafan

Thank you for the new thread, Natty x
Well done to HB and Beloved - I'm glad the show was such a success xx
Your weekend sounds wonderful, YL x

I have managed to clear a number of small jobs this past week, but I've also enjoyed a phone call to each of my DC at some point, and been out for a walk with Rosie today.  My main achievement was to clean the house all through on Friday and Saturday, including changing bedlinen and doing all the washing.  I haven't written any cards yet, apart from the Flyladies', or put the tree up, but my credit card has taken a hit this evening with various presents ordered.  (Not a problem as I have been putting money away every month for Christmas and birthdays.)  I managed to find a brand new copy of a book  that is on DGS2's wish list, direct from the publisher with the price reduced from £45 to £13.50.  That's less than I would have to pay for a secondhand copy - very MSE!  And I didn't even have to pay postage as I ordered some wargames rule books for DH from the same publisher, which took me over the threshold into free delivery.

First thing tomorrow morning I will sit down and write myself a list for the week.  It promises to be another long one... (list not week!)

xxx

Fayolle

^^ all of those thanks and congratulations that Iona said - for some reason I can’t quote her x

Morning all,
Plasterer is back in. I am hoping that this is the last push for him - working up the stairs so I had to make a rapid choice, upstairs or downstairs for the morning or be a nuisance trying to get past. I have elected for upstairs and now remembered that I turned the wm on earlier! 

Whilst I never need an excuse, the kitchen list will have to wait until tomorrow. Today might have to be about the extras - wrapping some presents comes to mind. Yesterday I made 2 cards for DH and DD, just 2 more “special” ones to go, so I will intend to tick those off the list today as well. Mr M is booked for Thursday and I need to finalise that, an earlier slot that I am used to as we are out as my ex-work do in the evening. Lunch out with friends on Wednesday, DD off to northern parts for an interview tomorrow so I have flying extraordinaire pencilled in for then, assuming the plasterer won’t be here. All go, by my standards. 

Valli

Good morning all

Congrats on the show and costumes HB

Need to follow lists this week.  Not much got done last week.  

MadamMim2013

Morning everyone 👋🏼 
Thank you for the list Natty ☺️

Will attempt some of todays chores when we return from picking up odds n ends in town 😵‍💫 
A week off for everyone in the house, so it won’t be quiet or organised or as clean as I’d like!

Still struggling with unpleasant back and hip pain (period related) need to book back in with my nurse to discuss the not so fab effects of my HRT..🫤

Anyhoo town beckons.. 😩

eltee2

Morning all

We've all had rotten sore throats/ coughs/ sneeze-fests, left me knackered and might explain why BD was trying to sneak in - the cheeky 🤬.   

Unfortunately, the under the weather-ness meant I wasn't allowed to have my 2nd painkiller thingamy because of compromised immune system & infection.   New appt booked in January.

Anyhoo, house isn't too bad considering.  I'm feeling a little better so will tackle kitchen in 15 min chunks, and throw in some FUPA, PUPA doopety-doo if I've the energy.

🥱

Blackcats

We are back from a weekend away and it was so nice to come home to a tidy and relatively clean house.  We stopped on our way home to do some admin tasks in town.  Visited 2 banks and went to the watery bookshop to buy a book token for a Christmas present.  We did some more admin tasks at home too.
dishwasher is on, washing has been put away and I've done a quick swish round the bathroom.  Now it's time for some knitting and to catch up with Shetland.  Oh the giddy excitement of a drizzly December Monday evening 🥳