Hi Moms,
I work full time and have a baby. I am also a terrible housekeeper. My husband definitely does his share but we're not very good. Our house generally looks a mess. I don't sweat it too much (life is too short) but I don't want to keep a filthy house, either. It's not that I'm lazy (ok, sometimes I am) but a lot of it is that I don't really know how to clean very well. I can do spot and maintenance cleaning, but deep cleaning I almost never do because I don't know how. I was thinking of ordering the book, The Cleaning Bible: Kim and Aggie's Complete Guide to Modern Household Management, for some guidance. Has anyone used this? What are your thoughts?
Thanks all! Great suggestions! I feel less stressed already!
I hate to be a bore, but I also recommend Flylady. The web site might drive you crazy, but the system is excellent for someone who just doesn't know what to do. Deep cleaning can be accomplished with a system. That site has a system. Go for it!
Check out flylady.net. She is really helpful.
You should check out the Fly Lady website for information on this. What you need to do and she will show you how, is to get on a schedule where each day you do a little bit so that it is never collectively too bad.
I love Kim and Aggie!! I don't have their book, but they are terrific!
My advice is to take some time and go through your stuff - toss what you don't need. Make sure everything you keep has a place and that you DO actually use it, like it, and want it displayed.
Do one room at a time. Start small - the bathroom.
Go through the cabinets - toss what you don't need. Clean the tub and shower top to bottom. Toss the empty shampoo containers...
Do the toilet, the mirrors, and the sink.
Wash the floor.
Then - every time you take a shower, wipe down the shower, swish the toilet, and wipe the sink -- easy peasy. Bathroom clean in less than 5 minutes. Wash the floor in there when you need to - once a week if need be.
This will give you the start you need...
Do little bits at a time -- do the linen closet next...
Then choose another small manageable place.
Even if you only do the kitchen junk drawer, you're moving in the right direction...
It's much easier to clean a decluttered house - it's much faster.
I do laundry almost every day -- it keeps the pile manageable.
I keep my kitchen counters clutter free -- it's a pain in the neck to have to put things away immediately, but it makes it so much easier...
YMMV
LBC
It's hard ; )
When i need help on how to do something I do a "Google" search on what I need. So I did a search on "How to keep a clean house" and came up with some sites:
http://factoidz.com/how-to-keep-a-clean-house-in-just-min...
This one tells you what to do on a daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal basis.
http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20412100,00.html
This one ranks the 10 germiest places in your home and gives solutions to them.
http://zenhabits.net/develop-clean-house-habits-one-at-time/
And this one gives tips to developing Clean House habits one at a time.
Fly Lady again...I really love her...you cannot clean clutter, she has helped me Banish Mt.Washmore...she has helped me defeat "CHAOS" ( Can't have anyone over syndrome) She breaks it down into do-able steps so you relearn Healthy habits...I cannot say enough good things about her...and it is free!
Hi, there is a website....www.flylady.net and they have tips on how to clean efficiently. They give monthly tips, etc.
I agree with MzKitty. Who wears lace-up shoes all the time? My inspiration is Hoarders, and How Clean is Your House. Just watch these every now and then, and it motivates you like nothing else!
Check out www.flylady.net. I'm a terrible housekeeper and with her advice I not only got my house picked up, but consistently 10 minutes from company ready. It's REALLY good stuff...
Good luck!
Fly Lady has all the answers
