Do you think 'one a day' can help keep my house clean?

[Prusik]

Two boys, 5m and 17m so obviously life is busy. For various reasons i'm pretty much running ship on my own with the boys and the house dh does stack dishwasher at the end of the day and do a final kitchen tidy down before bed

My dailies are - one load of laundry washed, dry laundry put away, dishwasher emptied and stacked, wipe kitchen worktops, sweep/wipe toddler meal related mess in kitchen, sort meals for toddler. DH often does evening meal and if I get chance, I prep it during the day. This is plenty at the moment but doesn't really clean anything.

My idea is to try a 'one a day' approach. I'll clean something that needs it the most. So this morning I wiped the bottom of the oven and screen door. Yesterday I cleaned one shelf in a cupboard that had stuff spilt, the day before was the downstairs floors mopped.

Do you think this is enough to keep on top of things? Any suggestions? Anyone fancy joining me? I'm finding it quite enjoyable as it feels manageable with my hectic days. I can always find a couple of minutes to so something and I'm hoping that way stuff doesn't build up. No way can I begin to think about cleaning a whole room.

For full disclosure, we're pretty on top of things at the moment as DH did a deep clean a couple of weeks ago of the whole house. I just want to try to keep it there in a manageable way.

Anyone else in?

[CMH123]

I'm definitely up for joining in. Had very serious depression for 3 years where I hoarded and today neglected the house. It's only now I'm out of it that I can see how unpleasant the house is. It still feels overwhelming, but this sounds a really good way to start tackling it.

[Prusik]

@CMH123 sounds like a great way to get started. What are your minimum dailies? I try to keep my daily tasks as light and essential as possible

[catinboots9]

I keep banging on about The Organised Mum method to everyone on here. It has literally changed my life (MH issues too)

Look at the fb page or there's a website if you're not on fb

[Prusik]

That's awesome, thanks. I've just taken a look and it looks really good. Might be something for when the boys are in preschool. At the moment I'm just prioritising the one worst thing. I know I won't be able to manage 30 minutes at the moment as even getting my dailies done proves to be a massive challenge some days sometimes days I don't even manage to get me or the boys dressed

I'll definitely keep that method on the back burner for when I'm ready, thankyou

[catinboots9]

I'm going to try and do the one thing a day as well. Or on the days I can't do TOMM. Even if it's just one kitchen cupboard or do the microwave. It's a good idea. I'll keep you posted!!!

[catinboots9]

@Prusik I've just seen how small your boys are

You are doing brilliantly doing what you do all ready.

I've had whole weeks in the past when I haven't done a thing (even showered or brushed my hair) and my boys are much bigger than yours

X

[abitoflight]

What worked for me when DC small was the 'down with superwoman' thing of setting a timer for 20 minutes and doing wherever you could in that time to keep on top of stuff - it kept me focussed and amazing what can be done in that time

[abitoflight]

I would add start any cleaning in a different room each time? First is more thorough but I was losing the will to live by the last room and only did very minimum
Sounds like you would have difficulty carving out a 20 minutes though...
It is hard

[AgedTawnyPort]

I think it is hard with little ones. I do things like wipe the sink while I am cleaning my teeth, I clean the shower every other day while I am in it so our bathrooms never actually need any time spent cleaning them.

We keep one reception clean and tidy - an oasis from the world at the end of the day.

Vacuum downstairs daily, kitchen cleaned as we use it, floor rarely mopped, once a week at the very most but it looks fine, dusting twice a month.

Not sure there is much left tbh. Laundry as we go, rest of house vacuumed weekly, bed sheets when I remember but probably no more than every ten days - two weeks max.

I rarely spend a whole morning cleaning because I sort of keep on top of it, perhaps my standards are not that high!

[Prusik]

I feel I'm doing pretty well. DH has come home to a trashed living room but it's only toys. I didn't manage to empty the dishwasher today but that can be sorted in ten minutes. I resorted to slinging the baby this afternoon.

I did manage my 'one extra' today. In fact, I did two as I gave the kitchen window a quick wipe too. I didn't spend ages scrubbing the oven but it had a quick five minute wipe. I definitely can't do a twenty minute blitz because the five month old (five months today!!) still sleeps on me 24/7 so I can't even do it before bed.

It does feel like the place is cleaner than when I started the week though. DH home from work now so going to tidy toys and chill if I can get baby off me

I feel I'm pretty happy not focusing on one particular room, just the dirtiest object in the house! it'll take me two weeks to sort one room otherwise while the rest goes to shit!

My standards aren't high luckily. I don't need perfect, just don't want to live in complete squalor

[Prusik]

Quick wipe of the hob today. My life rocks!

[londonloves]

I think you're doing an amazing job with two small ones!
I have an 8 month old and I'm home 3 days a week plus weekends. Every day I do:
As much laundry as poss, at least 1 load
Dishwasher
Wash cat's stuff
Wipe down in kitchen and after Baby meals including high chair and floor...
empty nappy bins (meant to be dp job but that's another thread...)
Empty recycling and kitchen bin if needed (as above)

Weekly:
Proper kitchen and bathroom clean - not deep deep but more than wipe down
Change bedding and towels
Hoover
Mop floors
Dusting (cat sheds everywhere)
Dettol bins and changing mats

Should hoover and mop more often.

I like the idea of one thing a day though as I don't always get the weekly stuff done and if I did smaller bits it would make an impact. The wiping sink while brushing teeth is a great idea! (Of the glamour!)

[Prusik]

I literally get no deep cleansing or big jobs done, ever, these days. Although I was able to hoover and wipe bathroom yesterday as an extra so I'm on top of things for today.

Extra for today is a quick wipe of cupboard outsides.
Best dash, big one is up