Cleaning and sorting a mess of a house

[Rainydayzandmondays13]

I'm dying of embarrassment right now. The house is a total tip. A mess of a house. I wish I could say it was organised mess. If only i could use my 17 month old and pregnancy as an excuse. Landlady had sent out a house surveyor - who's just been and gone - and I had no idea (my fiance forgot to tell me) and each room is in no fit state for a visitor. And I am sick of it. Does anyone have any hints/tips or in the same boat. I'm a woman on a mission

[CashelGirl]

No advise but you have my sympathy. I am not someone who gets any pleasure or sense of satisfaction from household duties (though I would dearly love a tidy house). One room at a time, bin bag, throw out the crap?

[Daringdaschund]

I've been in that situation before and nearly died of embarrassment too.

My saviour has been www.flylady.net/ (Ignore the twee language - the underlying system is sound.) The best tip is "you can"t clean clutter" so start decluttering bit by bit and work through the house. Try and do it consistently, 15 mins or 30 mins every day; and I wouldn't sign up to e-mails as suggested as they send out loads.

Once decluttered, you can start on the cleaning.

Basically every household cleaning system is based on the same principle though: break down in to small chunks, and then even smaller (hopefully manageable) ones.

Whether you choose to do a room per week, or floors/surfaces/laundry/cooking, just break it down so that it isn't overwhelming.

Good luck!

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

Declutter
Declutter
Declutter.

Cleaning becomes so much easier when there's not crap in the way.

Best tip for decluttering - if you're doing a drawer or a cupboard or an entire room.
Don't try and choose what to throw out.
Start with the assumption that EVERYTHING is going out, then decide what to keep

[Glittermakeseverythingbetter]

Err, who said you couldn't use your 17 month old and pregnancy as an excuse? Lol.