Weekly Flylady Thread 18 May 2026

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

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 (not just in the kitchen!) for some fresh air 

Check fruit bowl - add to washing up if necessary!  Remove anything 'going over' smoothy anyone?

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!  

Empty toaster crumb tray and wipe down

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!

Glug some bleach down the plugholes.

Clean/polish table - wipe mats/change cloth - don't forget the legs and places where sticky fingers can reach.

Clean chairs/stools/high chairs - and don't forget under the seat (touch point), legs and rails!

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

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 - inside and out!

Sort fridge and wipe seals; weave stuff that needs using up into your meal plan; update shopping list as appropriate, wash shelves etc and check running temperature  If you have a drain hole make sure it's not blocked

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 paying particular attention to manky crevices - wipe out the slot where the drawer sits!

Level 3

Choose a drawer, shelf or cupboard for special attention.  Empty, clean out, replace what is needed or useful and fling what is unused and/or out of date

Sweep/mop/vacuum floor

Clean chairs (and highchairs) - don't forget under the seats where sticky fingers linger.

Clean windows in both rooms.  

EXTRAS

HHI

S&S bathroom 

Half term is coming - make some plans - play dates and me time!

make sure you know when Sports days etc are scheduled for

Tuesady - Bathrooms, cloaks and en suites

Level 1

Open window

Remove towels etc 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 - use an old toothbrush to remove gunge around bases - or treat with lemon juice or vinegar to dissolve scale

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 - empty, rinse and recycle

Clean light pull

Extras

Wash showercurtains (if any) and put outside to blow dry 

wash loobrushes and holders and put outside to bleach dry in the sun - if possible!

HHI

S&S kitchen

sit in a well-lit corner and attack your mending pile 

Wednesday Woes - Living room, hall, stairs and porch

Level One

Declutter ALL the floors!!

Clear the mantle of junk

Fling any rubbish

Straighten cushions, curtains and throws

Tidy coffee/side tables

Empty bin

Empty ashtrays

Attend to plants and flowers

Level Two

Vacuum/sweep all the floors.. stairs too!

Vacuum/sweep under furniture you can safely move!

Vacuum sofas

Clean mirrors

Level Three

Clean the window and door frames 

Dust and polish furniture and ornaments

Clean doormats

Extras

Dust all the electricals.. carefully.. don't want any frazzled flybodies

Binbag dance around the house

HHI

S&S kitchen

S&S bathroom

Thursday Thrills  - Kids Room(s)/Spare Room/Guest room

level 1

open windows
strip bed
clear floordrobe and chairdrobe
empty bin

level 2
make bed with fresh bedding
clean bedside tables
vacuum/sweep/mop floor

level 3
clean windows
dust all round

extras
S&S bathroom
S&S kitchen

take advantage of the hot weather which is forecast - any throws/curtains/coats need washing?

Friday Finale Master bedroom

Level 1 

Open windows
Strip bed and leave to air
Clear floordrobe/ihairdrobe - hang anything worn once for re-wearing
Empty Bin

Level 2

Dust/vacuum headboard and/or bedframe
Flip mattress if you are able to and if necessary - and this is an opportuniy to vacuum under the bed if you're able to shift the base.
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 and bathroom

Valli

well! (rolls up sleeves) this is it - the nest is empty so now I can get on with cleaning everything, making sure I have a welcoming guest bedroom and clearing the office too so I can actually see the single bed.

Unfortunately I am fully booked Monday and Tuesday so it will be more dot-to-dotting until I have a block of time to focus.

But I have made a start with the bathroom cabinet - everything in there is mine; there is now much less stuff in there and it has been wiped out and stuff put back tidily. I have also moved everything out of a wardrobe in the back room; I plan to put packing boxes in there.

For now DW is locked and loaded after today's Sunday dinner. I have my lunch planned for tomorrow (Greek salad).

I need to find a good cause to which I can donate a full, unopened bottle of Malibu

ionafan

Thank you Valli for the new thread x

I need to do some proper flying this week. I can see dust on the tiled bathroom window sill and on the TV stand in the LR, so there must be more 🤔. DH's books and magazines are spreading everywhere again. It took me five days this past week to prep all the crafts for the young families' group, during which time I only left the house to give Rosie a short walk or to source free cardboard from MrL (on the plus side, in the same trip I delivered a bagful of children's books to the nearby CS). I'm feeling grumpy about everything and that must stop!

xxx

MinnieMousesMummy

I’m posting my list for Monday before I head to bed as I’ve got a busy day tomorrow. Thank you for the new list and for the positive vibes that everyone sent me regarding my current situation.

My list for Monday

• Feed the animals and walk the dog
• Paid stuff (covering in kennels, do some work on website)
• Attend uni meetings
• Attend uni lecture
• Sort placement paperwork from last week
• Wipe down the kitchen work surfaces
• Empty the DW and put dishes away
• Empty the TD and put laundry away
• Wipe the inside and outside of the microwave
• Check banking, dds and cc payments
• Sweep the kitchen floor
• Take DD to the stables so she can feed her ponies and bring them in as they have the farrier on Tuesday
• Feed the animals and walk the dog
• Sort lunches, bags and clothes for Tuesday

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

Valli

we've got you, MMM.

reach out if you've got questions or if you need a boost. Some of us have trod that path.

WUALTD

Fayolle

Morning all,

Thank you for the lists, much appreciated. Like Iona, I really need to do some proper flying this week. So let the excuses begin, starting with a trip to the big town shortly to get my eyes tested, then a friend coming for a catch up after lunch. By way of compensation, I have put a load of towels in the wm and have a second load queuing. DH has decided that today is the day that he starts to prep the LR for decorating. Given that we don’t have either a quote or start date from the builder as yet, you might think that he was being a tad enthusiastic and ahead of himself… I hve been reading on another thread here about that person’s garden progress, and can clearly see just how behind I am. Weather permitting towards the end of the week (should the forecast ever be accurate as we have blus sky and sunshine and not the forecast rain atm) I hope to make some progress although it will never completely catch up.

Have a good day all. Hugs and sticks available as needed.

roundtuit

Morning all xx

Thankyou for the list and for your encouragement Valli. 😘

Back to the paid stuff tomorrow. Op scheduled three weeks today. Nine more pay days til I can claim my State Pension. I think I may be too focused on the future! Let's enjoy today.

I'm up, made my bed, taken my meds, turned over the calendars, completed Strands with no hints, completed Wordle in four, completed Connections with three lives lost, and I'm supping a brew.

Every horizontal surface downstairs is piled with 'stuff'. I walked into the kitchen this morning and 😱. When did that happen? 😳

So. I'm going to have another brew and eat breakfast, get dressed, roll up my sleeves (copying Valli 😉), and clear the kitchen table.

Let's do this!

Rxx

Sorry to hear that you are grumpy iona. Could you take some time out and simply be for a little while. Too much doing is not good for the soul. ❤

Jazee

Morning all. Thanks for the list.

Just waiting for grand kiddies to arrive for the day so flying will be just essentials today. I didn't cut the grass at the weekend. All I did was hoovering and catching up on sleep. Didn't even meet with friends on Saturday as planned.

Hugs where needed. Remember to rest as well as doing…

Have a great day everyone. Ooh just remembered it's our 41st anniversary today.

roundtuit

Happy Anniversary Mr and Mrs Jazee ❤

Slight delay in proceedings here as Sassy decided that she wanted to come out of her cage! She thinks she's the boss! (She probably is 🤣)

I'll clear the coffee table instead.

Rxx

kiss_me_now9

It’s my first day of maternity leave today and I’m determined to keep up with Flying this time round (at least until baby arrives)! We’ve got a swimming lesson at 10:30 and I’ve got a quick appointment and need to nip to the shops afterwards but will tackle the task list this afternoon when I’m back.

Feeling a tad grumpy myself as had already had an argument with OH before 9am as he wants a microwave (we used to have an inbuilt one in our old house and when we moved last year decided we would see if we could get away with not having one - it’s been fine for the last 10 months but with baby 2 on the way he feels we need one again) and has determined he will just go out and purchase this with no interaction at all… Well I have wanted a chest freezer for years and he’s always said no as it’s a waste of money and space. Had a bit of a hormonal cry, and now he’s stomped off to the office and called to say that he’s found one he’ll order with the microwave to save delivery cost. Not the one I wanted, doesn’t have the features I want and above all it’s something I want not him so not his job to pick! [I’m very aware this is quite hormone driven but he does this all the time - decides he’s putting his foot down about something I want, we argue about it and then he sulks off, looks into it and decides he’s sorting out himself. Does my head in.]

ionafan

Happy Anniversary to Jazee and MrJ 💐xx

I am trying to rest: I slept for 2 hours yesterday afternoon but woke at 5.45 this morning, so not much gained there. What I really want is a clean and tidy house and a proper holiday!

So far this morning I have

• checked my finances
• removed more photos from 7 (!) albums and written who/what/when on the back of them
• S&S'd the kitchen (the floor will need hoovering and mopping later)
• sorted and put away approx 12 empty jam jars that were cluttering up the worktop
• sent Rosie off for her walk with L
• thrown the 7 (!) empty albums in the black bin [fer-ling!!!]
• taken a phonecall to book my laser eye treatment pre-op
• started writing a MrAl shopping list
• updated my weekly calendar and to-do list.

Can I keep this momentum going for another hour or two? I hope so.

xxx