Weekly Flylady Thread 1 June 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 

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 - please bear in mind it was written some time ago.

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!
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 - and don't forget legs and rails!
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
Clean cruet, salt and pepper, wipe any sauce bottles that are used on the table
Water any plants/herb pots

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; update shopping list as appropriate, wash shelves etc and check running temperature 
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

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

Get those spreadsheets up to date - budget; meal planning etc

Tuesday - bathrooms etc

Level 1

Open window
Remove towels and fling in WM
Scrub Loo inside and out, slug some bleach or descaler down afterwards

Level 2

Clean out baths and/or showers
Clean shower heads and hoses
Clean handbasins and taps

Level 3

sweep and mop or vacuum floor as appropriate
clean windows
polish mirrors
dust and polish where necessary

Extras

check stocks - soap, loo rolls etc. Add necessities to shopping list
HHI
S&S kitchen

Wednesday Hump Day

Master bedroom

Level 1

Open windows
strip bed and set wm going
empty bin
water and wipe plants
clear chairdrobe etc

level 2

dust all round
wipe lotions and potions
clean hairbrushes
wipe electricals, sockets and switches

level 3

remake bed
vacuum/sweep/mop floor
clean windows

exras

clean out bedside cabinets
HHI
S&S kitchen
s&S bathroom

Thursday … make an entrance…Living Room, hall stars & landing

level 1

clear away rubbish - empty bins etc
deal with flowers and plants
bash doormats against a wall
remove any clutter

level 2

clean windows, mirrors, door glass
 sweep mop or vacuum floors
plump cushions
straighten coffee table

level 3
Open front door and clean frame, sills etc
total dusting including light fittings and skirtings
look up - if that’s a cobweb eradicate it

extras

HHI
s&s kitchen
S&S bathroom, cloaks

TFI FRIDAY'S List Kids room/spare room/guest room 

Level 1

Open window
strip bed
clear detritus from floor
occupant of room to assist if available
Empty bin

level 2

anything that needs to be homed -put away occupants of room to help
vacuum floor
If spare/guest room check all lighting fully functional

level 3

clean window
wipe sockets and switches
dust all around

extras

S&S bathroom
S&S kitchen
HHI
spend 5 minutes slathering on some body lotion/foot cream/hand cream after your bath or shower…summer’s here and that skin (well some of it) will be on show. Special attention to the feet - they work hard!

MinnieMousesMummy

Thank you for the new list. As I have been struggling to post my list in the morning due to being on clinical placement, I have decided to post it the evening before.

My list for Monday

• Feed the animals and walk the dog
• Open the windows for some fresh air
• Do paid stuff (covering in kennels, invoices, website admin)
• Attend uni meeting
• Laundry x 1 load
• Attend uni lecture
• Wash up, dry up and put away (or remove all pots to DW) 
• Spend an hour on uni work
• Attend doctors appointment
• Check over the car's water, oil and tyre pressure
• Wash the car
• Phone regarding rescheduling physio appointment
• Check banking and direct debits - update budget
• Water the plants
• HHI
• Feed the animals and walk the dog
• Take DD up to the stables so she can feed her pony
• Bring the bin in once it has been emptied
• Organise bag, lunch and clothes for tomorrow

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

ionafan

Thank you Valli for the new thread x

I am so glad the heatwave is over - it was just pleasantly warm here today. I went to MrAl and (among other things!) managed to get a tub of my preferred ice cream, which surprised me as it had been out of stock for over a week - but then I suppose half term is over for most schools, so the children won't be at home and raiding the fridge every half hour!

Today, as well as doing the food shop, I have delivered some paperwork to church, walked Rosie, FUPA clean washing, cooked a proper hot meal for the first time for a week, loaded and run the DW, had a long chat on the phone with one of the Old Wives, and put my feet up for an hour while DH was out playing war games.

I shall have to do some flying this coming week, but I shall pace myself 😉- watch this space.

xxx

roundtuit

Morning all xx

White rabbits 🐇 🐇 🐇

I'm up! That's always a good start 😊. This time next week I'll be on the ward preparing for my operation. Sobering thought - and breathe ...

Monday 1st June. Ahhh. I do like it when the 1st of the month is on a Monday. And it's cooler. Bliss.

To Do Today List

Brew 2 ✔

Get dressed ✔

Feed the birds ✔

Put out the recycling ✔

Wash towels and tea towels ✔

WUDUPA - WULTD

P & S calling for coffee ✔

Write a shopping list ❌ winged it

Visit Mr Al. ✔

Fresh seed & water for Sassy

Clean out Sassy

Find hospital bag

That'll do for starters! How do I make my list single spaced? 🤔

Hope everyone has a good day / week / month.

Rxx

roundtuit

My gardener arrived. That was an incentive to get dressed!

Rxx

MadamMim2013

Morning 👋🏼

@roundtuit… “Poke in the 👁️ for being so sly”.. 🤣🤣 Sorry couldn’t resist, it’s what we say in our house to the 1st person to say 🐇🐇🐇

Sounds odd but very much hoping for a little rain here.. water butts have been dry since Friday and although the forecast has said rain for 3 days running.. we’ve had nowt.. 🫣

Have been DIYing over the weekend for MiL 😌 a couple of projects completed and they look fab, she’s also very happy they’ve been done while she’s away for a few days, so no disruption/mess for her to worry about.. 😇

Have done the basics indoors and tried to keep on top of the washing while the weather lasts me dry it quick..

Thankooo @Valli for the new 🧵

Will get some of the list done in the next hour, just waiting for my body to agree with my brain that moving is not as painful today 😣 Need to book a Drs apt.. just really don’t want to.. 🫣

Cuppa and scrambled egg toastie munched.. now time to begin.. 💗

Fayolle

Morning all,

Thank you for the lists. Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits.
It’s been a flying morning so far in the Fayolle household. I am ridiculously proud of myself for Making An Effort 🤣.
You wouldn’t know it now that the coffee drinkers have whirled through again, but I have cleaned the kitchen and utility, including shining the sinks, cupboard fronts, worktops, even the dust from the radiators. Bins will be emptied later ready for bin day tomorrow. The dining room has been dusted, fridge has been sorted, wm x 3 is just about to finish, including all towels and cleaning cloths. All that is left is to vacuum through then those rooms will have a big tick beside them. For this week anyway.

Have a good day all

wendywitch

Afternoon,

It seems it's inset day or whatever it's called nowadays as next doors kids are bashing about in their driveway, metal on concrete and against the fence. The reason I normally keep the front room windows closed.

So far I've unloaded the DW and started reloading with odd and sods as I go.

I've made up some overnight porridge oats with some left over yogurt from a recipe.

I done a load of washing and put it on the airer and put away the previous load.

I've cleaned the hob, kitchen sides, tiles, window seals, cupboard and drawer fronts and started on any of the cupboard insides that need it. Just stopped for a coffee and something to eat.

Pollybear

Afternoon. I've dusted, polished and vacuumed all through the house (downstairs this morning and upstairs this afternoon) and washed the kitchen floor. One washload done, pegged out until I was going out and then draped on the airer. Just a pair of jeans to finish off now. Been to local shopping centre with DD2 and we had coffee then bought a few bits and pieces. Breakfast and lunch done and cleared away so just tea to go now, which will be baguette that I bought this morning.

Have to remember to put the recycling and food bin out tonight but waiting until after tea in case there's more to add.

Hope everyone's OK x

Honey_Bear

I have laundry draped everywhere as the rain arrived just before I surfaced this morning so it's all finishing off in the house. I need to move it up to my office so that the place looks presentable when the new-to-me theatre-type paying guest arrives this evening. Fortunately for me I'd done a lot to make her arrival easier before we went to Scotland so today is not as frantic as it's been sometimes in the past. Her bedroom is ready, with a functioning TV, the old chair has been removed and a two seater sofa has been installed as we were given a new-to-us Laura Ashley sofa for the sitting room and it looks really beautiful with a couple of cushion covers on it from the Burrell Collection shop. If anyone is in Glasgow and wants to spend a few hours in a really beautiful museum of sorts, I heartily recommend the Burrell Collection.

I'm tired of thinking the house should look perfect all the time but not actually doing enough to make it so, so I've decided that I need to change my thinking and just do something towards making it better every day, which is what I have been doing for the past few months. I gave myself a bit of a talking-to this morning about making A Mountain Out Of A Flying Molehill and I feel much better about things.

Belovéd did the vacuuming while I was out re-stocking the fridge and filling the car up with petrol (eek emoji) so I'm really grateful to him for that.

Scotland was fab, and I gave near Birmingham and near Sheffield a wave on our way up and on our way back. Don't know where other Flyladies might be, so I spent a bit of time waving a bit like the Queen out of the (train) carriage window.

Thank you to Natty and Valli for the lists.

Blackcats

finally organised a shelf in a kitchen cupboard that had been irritating me for weeks. It took about 5 minutes!

Washing done and put away but any ironing is in the pending queue.

Organised a return to the big river company and wrapped a vinted sale ready to post tomorrow.

Garden tidying.