Weekly Flylady Thread 11th May 2026

Natty68

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 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 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
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

Here goes this Week.

Manic Monday ~ Kitchen and Dining Room
Level One
Declutter and mop/vacuum floor
Clear and wipe work surfacesGet that radio on super-blast...
Open the windows and let in the summer!
Level Two
Clean the gacky filters and drawers from DW's, WM's etc
Wipe the cupboard fronts, all the appliances and all those manky corners!!
Level Three
Wipe the table, replace the cloth if needed and dust and deweb!
Clean doorseals, filters and detergent drawers
Oven and hob to be scrubbed -you know you want to do it really!!!
Pick a cupboard and empty and clean it out and replace only what you wish to keep!
Extras

• Binbag dance!
• HHI ..
• Clean windows and sills
• Clean the oven shelves.. soak them in wash powder.. that works!IF YOU ARE ABLE!.. pull out a large appliance and clean behind and under it!
• Clean out the fridge thoroughly.. and check the drain at the back! Does anything need to be used up?
• Wash the windows!
• Make soup from those manky bits of vegetables that you found while cleaning out the fridge 
• Empty and wash out bins!
• Wipe over the woodwork
• Clean lightshades/fittings

Mad Tuesday - Living room, Hallway, Stairs
Level One
Remove clutter from floors, chairs and fireplace
Open the windows and let in some fresh air
Level Two
Vacuum floors and sofas
Wipe and water neglected plants
Dust those flat fluffy surfaces
Level Three
Vacuum under the furniture you can move
Clean windows, pictures, mirrors etc.
Sort out the shoes and boots and fling the dead ones and the out grown ones
Vacuum hall, landing and stairs.. all the way up to the top!!!!!
Extras

• Wipe woodwork in the hall and stairs & wipe front door.. inside and out!
• Wash any nets/curtains that need cleaning.. put up fresh ones!
• Wash those winter coats and put them away/fling the manky old ones.. including the one you have worn for about 10 years!! It is dead.. get rid!
• 15 minutes filing

Wacky Wednesday - Study or other reception room & bathrooms
Level One
Clear the clutter from all these rooms!!
Ring someone you love just to tell them so.. we never do this enough!
Wash any curtains/blinds/mats etc that need doing
Level Two
Vacuum the floors
Clean bath, toilets, shower and sinks
Wipe down the tiles and defragment the pc while doing this.
Level Three
Declutter and dust the pc desk
Wipe away cup rings and sticky things, wipe the keyboard, mouse, cables and sockets and suchlike.
Clean the windows.
Extras

• HHI..
• Clear a hotspot
• Degunge around the bottoms of the taps!
• Wipe cupboards and polish mirrors!

Thrilling Thursday - Master bedroom & landing
Level 1
Check fire alarms are working
Remove and wash bed linen and duvet covers.
Fling open the window and let in the spring!
Level 2
Dust surfaces & make sure no cobwebs..
Vacuum & turn mattress before replacing with fresh linen..
Clean lightshade. And remove dead insects
15 minutes floordrobe clearance
Level 3
Put away some of the winter clothes you hopefully will not need for a few months!!..
Clean boots/winter coats first!
Vacuum floors in bedroom and on landing
Sort 10 things from your wardrobe (or someone elses) that you can get rid of.. you WILL have nothing left lol!!
Clear a hotspot.. or spend 15 minutes clearing one.
Extras

• 37 fling boogie time, go on grab a bag and clear that clutter
• Clean windows in these rooms
• Clear a box of clutter from the landing
• Make any necessary phone calls

Freaky Friday - Childrens/Spare rooms
Level One
Clear the floor
Spend at least half an hour doing something just for yourself.. a nice bath, a manicure.. just your time!
Make that appointment to have your hair done!!
Level Two
Strip the beds and wash those sheets.. and any duvets that need doing
Drag the stuff from under the beds and place it in it's proper homes!
Level Three
Vacuum the floor
Deweb and fluff the room
Clean the windows
Extras

• Wash any curtains/throws/cushions etc that need it
• Wipe sticky marks from walls and doors
• Clean any tv's, pc's playstations in the room
• 15 minutes filing!

ionafan

Thank you for the new thread, Natty xx I shall try to do some flying during the coming week This evening I've baked cakes for the Old Wives' meeting tomorrow, and WULTD. Now I'm shattered and, for a change, my wrists are aching.

DD phoned earlier to say that she will be in the big city on Wednesday and would I/we like to meet her for a meal? I don't think DH will be up to doing that, but I shall certainly go. I missed out on several opportunities to socialise while DH was in hospital, and I think I need to begin to make up for it now. I do miss sensible conversation.

I hope you have a good week of annual leave, round xx Those dates will be here sooner than you think.

xxx

Valli

Well I have finally updated my diary - the Birmingham trip has been reinstated so I'm hoping to see the pre Raphaelite collection, and it looks like we will also see the Staffordshire hoard and the Ozzy exhibition before dining at The Ivy. We are also doing a coach trip to Lancaster and Morecambe so back to the homeland for me!

I've also updated my bank spreadsheet and tidied up emails - I need to read a few but they are safely in appropriate folders.

I also need to make some appointments.

Round - hope you enjoy your week of AL. Hope your new budgie S???? is settling in and keeping you entertained.

Got lots of washing - not all mine line dried.

Narc0lepsy

thanks for the lists. Fortunately the house has stayed reasonably ok after (mainly Mr N's ministrations) the tidying for visitors. This week brings an eclectic mix of the usual gym classes, dentist, church spring clean (think I'll opt for weed-pulling rather than dusting), visit to Mum and general preparation for our hols on 21st. So far Mr N has piled a lot of clothes on the spare bed; I've dug out my snorkel………..

Car-wise, I have been brave and done my first test drive of an electric car!!

I've been catching up with my admin to-do list so I've just finished a webinar, written up a student's lesson and have printed off 2 of the just-emerging P60s I need to complete my tax return.

Knitting-wise I'm half way up the front of the baby hoodie.

I have a feeling the next 10 days are going to disappear very quickly.

roundtuit

Morning all xx

Thank you iona and Valli. I'm meeting up with friends this afternoon, Wednesday afternoon, and Thursday morning. I have my preassessment on Thursday afternoon.

The rest of the week is mine and I'm hoping going (yayyy I finally worked out how to do it. Maybe I can bold iona and Valli now. Hang on a minute. Oh yes. 😁 It's the little things in life that make it worthwhile 😉). Now where was I? Oh yes, I'm going (how do I make it stop? Oh, I see) to fly. This house has gone seriously downhill over the past few months. And even if my life is going to continue to be a soap opera I'd like to play it out in a clean house. So. Sparkly line.

Oh no, not another sparkly line 🤦‍♀️. My first job should be to vacuum up all that historical glitter. I have enough sparkly lines to ..... what happened to GoodIntentions? She disappeared. Easily distracted? Me? 🤭 What makes you think that?

Sassy is telling me off. She says I need to get dressed and go to feed DB's cats pronto. She's bossy for a little bird 😍

I'll be back.

Rxx

roundtuit

I'm dressed and DB's cats have been fussed, fed and watered.

I've made my bed, opened windows upstairs (🥶 cold north wind here, defo not summer yet!), put out the recycling., completed Strands with no hints, completed Wordle in four, completed Connections with one life lost, and supped a brew.

Time for a second brew and breakfast while the pots soak.

That's a start. Somewhat overwhelmed- back to eating an elephant.

Rxx

ionafan

»That's a start. Somewhat overwhelmed- back to eating an elephant.

Remember the rule, round - one bite at a time. Start with the most visible or most irritating room, choose one small area (eg mantlepiece), get rid of the rubbish and put away anything that's not in its proper place. Then move on to the next small area (eg coffee table). By the time you've joined up all the dots, you will have a tidy room 😀

I have just S&S'd and hoovered the kitchen, and while the hoover was out I also attacked the LR and hallway where Rosie has been generous with her cast-off fur coat. I have cleaned my big 40yo saucepan with all the burnt-on milk and rice from Friday evening's rice pudding. I tried a couple of different cleaning methods but the best one is my usual go-to: a dollop of bicarbonate of soda in enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, boiled up and left to soak overnight. The mess lifted off very easily 😁 and I now have a beautiful shiny pan., as good as new (except for the slightly wobbly handle, which I must tighten next time I've got the screwdriver out for another job).

The author (a friend from my church) who was coming to talk to the Old Wives this evening has unfortunately had to pull out at the last minute as his mum is seriously ill, so I am going to talk about my rags-to-riches ancestor instead. The preparation will take priority this morning. Somebody else has offered to serve the refreshments at the meeting. They have got lemon drizzle and ginger cakes, both GF - yummy! 😍

No windows open here because it's raining and the temperature dropped by about 7deg.

xxx

roundtuit

Thank you iona 😘

I've WULTD as P & S arrived for coffee before I could DUPA. We had a catch up and they left with a carrier bag of books to return to P's sister. Every little helps. 😊

I've closed the windows now. That's quite fresh enough. Thank you. 🥶

I'm going to H's for coffee and a catch up at 1pm.

I'll feed the birds before I go. If DB is home I'll drop his key off on my home from H's.

Rxx

MinnieMousesMummy

Good afternoon,

My list for today

• Feed the animals and walk the dog
• Get the kids to school (they are going back after 2 weeks off due to me and DH separating)
• Do paid stuff (kennel cover, dog walk)
• Construct a new finance spreadsheet for the next 12 months
• Check banking and check d/ds
• Sort out work stuff for tomorrow as I start placement tomorrow
• Bring the bin in once its emptied
• Take DD up to the stables so she can feed and check on her ponies
• Feed the animals and walk the dog
• Sort lunches and bags for tomorrow

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

Pollybear

Evening all. One washload done, partly dried outside but I had to go out so finished off indoors. Just two things that are almost there. Walked DD2's dog and gave him lunch after going shopping with DD1. Haircut this afternoon, rearranged from tomorrow morning by my hairdresser but that's fine. Better than a cancellation. Picked up DH's prescription while I was out and about. Tired now. Nothing new there.

Hope everyone's OK x

Natty68

Evening everyone, hope you are all happily flying away :D Unfortunately I'm not doing that much at the moment..

I have done some flying today - I tackled a few bits of ironing earlier today, and DH put the bits away. I also decluttered a pkt of creme caramel that I had in the cupboard from late last year. It's cooling in the fridge at the moment - smells gorgeous and definitely reminds me of my nan.. :D

Well at long last it looks like I am finally beating this lung infection,after 3 months of hell, and things are getting back to normal again. Just need to built up my energy levels now, so will be going for short walks around the block every day (when it isn't raining..lol) and hoping that builds my energy up again.

I did have some sad news on Friday - unfortunately my nephews girlfriend lost their baby at 12 weeks. Haven't seen her since hearing the news, but my nephew is doing as well as can be expected. Although he has been talking to me a lot since he told me, probably because I lost my babies and can guide them through it. Weirdly I had a feeling there was a reason I wasn't crocheting their baby blanket straightaway..and now I know. Odd!!!

Tomorrow I want to sort out my tupperware crate, that has been in the kitchen untouched since we moved here 2½ years ago. Hopefully I will be able to match the lids in the cupboard to the bottoms in the crate… So that's my job while DH is at Mens Shed for the afternoon. At least I can do it on sofa while watching Duchess of Duke Street :D

Hope everyone has a good Tuesday tomorrow, night night xxx