Five days to overhaul my shit tip. Support greatfully recieved.

[CaptainTightpantsforPM]

My house has descended into a shit tip due to a great many factors and I need to sort it. To be honest it is entirely unhygenic. I am off work at the moment (in the 3rd week of a chest infection but getting there). DH is also going down with it as well. But I now need to get on top of it as a matter of urgency as we have visitors flying out over the festive period.

So first things first I need some good music to set up on You Tube to work to.

So come one come all and give me some great playlists to get me motivated.

Then I'm going to start on the kitchen. This will most likely take the day. I have still not put things away in cupboards yet from when we moved in (I was over in the UK when we got the house and my DH and the DC just moved in.) The house wasn't clean when we moved in which hasn't helped. On top of that we have also bought things for the kitchen with no thought on where they are going. The food cupboards need sorting as everything was just shoved in willy nilly. The fridge is stinky, as is the washing machine and sink and oven. The floor is a mess of sand and spilled stuff. The sides are covered in 101 different things.

I've managed to fairly much kill the washing pile that was covering the floor over the last couple of days, just a couple of loads left to do, though that has obviously created the ironing mountain of doom.

How would you start in the kitchen? What would be your first job?

Really will need support to get this done tomorrow.

[Bubbletree4]

Get an oven man. He will sort your oven in a morning or less and it will look as good as new.

[Bubbletree4]

Sort the floor out as a priority in the kitchen. Take the head off th vacuum (so it doesn't get dirty and matted) and use just the pole to suck up all the sand and assorted crap. One the floor is clear of debris, I find antibacterial wipes cut through grease/shite quite effectively.

[CaptainTightpantsforPM]

No money this close to Christmas and where we live that sort of service is very expensive.

[Ginslinger]

I would start with putting everything away so that you have surfaces then clean all the surfaces, sink and finally floor - once it's clean it's easier to do a cupboard at a time in proper sorting. I would also suggest you set the timer on your phone for 30 mins - do work for that time then ave a 10 minute break (time it) and keep doing that - or else 20 mins work and 10 min break if 30 mins feels too much

Goid luck

[BaBaBaBoomBoom]

If you have just thrown things in cupboards and hoped for the best, I think organsiation is key!

Pull everything out of cupboard and find them homes. All tins in one place, saucepans in a good cupboard etc. keep going until your work tops are clear, being brutal to bin or charity shop what you don't need as you go.

Then scrub, I would 100% recommend getting an oven man! Scrub the sides, and floors, chuck a load of soda crystals into the sink plugs and into the washing machine. Put the machine on a 90 wash, and pour boiling hot water down the drains to clear the crystals. Once your on top of it it will be easy, but make sure you recruit dp to help!

[CMOTDibbler]

Stuff the playlist, you'll just use it for prevarication. If things are unhygenic, then thats your priority - food cupboards, unpacking etc can wait. Start with the bathrooms and loos and clean them properly. Then kitchen sides, floor, sink etc. Then other floors.

Once its clean, get stuff away.

[Buttercup27]

I would start with a dustbin sack and put all of the rubbish I could see in it.
Then do all washing up/fill dishwasher. Clear the work tops (even if it means stacking everything in a pile on the table).
Once the units are clear I would then empty all of the cupboards, give them a wipe and then put everything away in a logical place. Once everything has a 'home' it will make everything so much easier to put away.
Also do you have to do the ironing all in one go? When the washing got on top of me (think 12 baskets) I ended up with putting all clean stuff away without ironing, tada no more mess from clothes in 10 min. I then ironed a weeks worth of outfits each on a Sunday night for everyone.
to help keep the energy levels up!

[BaBaBaBoomBoom]

If oven man isn't possible turn your oven up as high as possible for as long as possible, it tends to burn some of the crud off < technical term

[CaptainTightpantsforPM]

Okay Bubbletree that's number 1 then.

1. Pick up anything on floor and put it away.
   
   2)Sweep floor
   
   3)Hoover floor

[CaptainTightpantsforPM]

Wow! you lot are fast. Thank you.

[CaptainTightpantsforPM]

1. Pick up anything on floor and put it away.
   
   2)Sweep floor
   
   3)Hoover floor
   
   4)Clean the sink
   
   5)Tidy the sides either side of the sink
   
   
2. Tidy the surface beside the oven.
   
   These tidy sides can then be used as staging posts for the stuff on the long side and the other short side so I clean them Does that make sense.

[Pobspits]

Absolutely DO NOT iron - it will descend into chaos. Put it away and iron as needed.

Clean the floor then empty all bottom cupboards out and reorganise. Then do top cupboards. Then worktops. Clean worktops and agree re soda crystals and hot water for sink / washing machine.

[CaptainTightpantsforPM]

I think that's how I will start tomorrow and then add to the list as I go.

Does that sound do able?

20 minute bursts with 10 minute breaks sound like the way to go.

Baba that sounds like a plan.

[Artandco]

Do the rubbish bag thing now so you can start actually cleaning in the morning

[Ginslinger]

I agree that you don't iron - just put it away and sort when required

[nilbyname]

Clear down the sides. Throw away as much as you can.

Clear floor and stick a load of washing on.

Antibac sides and cupboard fronts. Boil a kettle, stick a load of soda crystals down and pour boiling water down.

Clear out fridge- take out all food throw away anything. Remove all shelves etc and throughly clean. Put back. Use hot water and bleach.

That should be your kitchen done. Now you can tackle the contents of the cupboards.
Remove one cupboard at a time
Wipe cupboard out
Replace items- but leave on the side if it shouldn't go there.
Repeat for each cupboard
You should have a small selection of homeless items- rehome them.

Open all the windows
Get an empty laundry basket and take everything that doesn't belong in the room. Then straighten that room-
Take sofa cushions off- vacuum, plump cushions. Dust and polish surfaces. Light a couple of candles. Vacuum floor.
Next room- remove everything that doesn't belong. Make beds, put clothes away. Dust polish sides, vacuum.

Rehome or bin everything that has been removed.

Stick another wash on.

Start ironing.

Have some rules-
you get it out- you put it away.
Everything has a place and everything in its place
Leave your sitting room and kitchen spotless before you head to bed.
Clear down sides and wash up after every meal/snack.

[CaptainTightpantsforPM]

It's 11pm at night here now so need to go to bed so I can try and get a start in the morning. I've just ironed the uniform and done the lunch boxes so as soon as everyone is away off to school I try and get on with it rather than going back to bed like I have been doing.

[CaptainTightpantsforPM]

Wow! nilby thanks.

Ok folks I am off to bed but I will read and respond in the morning. Thank you so much for caring and supporting.

[Seeyounearertime]

See now I always do the washing up, wipe the sides, dry and put away and then do the floor. I find if I donthe floor first there's always crumbs and stuff on the sides that ends up on the floor.

Personally.
1: load of clothes on and started
2: wash up
3: wipe the sides and cupboard doors down
4: dry and pit away washing
5: sweep and hoover the floor
6: mop floor
7: coffee until clothes are done

[Tillysmum99]

You have just inspired me, things have been getting the better of me too. Time for a clear house - clear mind policy, off to put a load of washing on now

[nilbyname]

How are you getting on op? Is it all lovely and clean?