How to stay on top of dishes and housework

[Habbs]

I live in a three bedroom house, and I feel like I spend my life doing housework. I'm just never on top of it. As soon as I get the entire house clean it seems the next day it's a mess again. It starts up with just dishes piling up and then just mess seems to appear from nowhere. I do at least one big house clean a week (not dirt as much, just stuff) and I'd say about 3 times a week I do a massive, massive load of washing up because it took over the whole kitchen which will take about an hour. I also do little washes throughout the week. I want to get to a point where I just do small top up cleans but I just never seem to get it to that point. Is there a trick I'm missing? I haven't got on top of the build up of laundry in months. I'm just at my wits end with it.

@MitziK do we share a DP? Mine will, say, open a letter, declare it's just junk mail for the recycling, screw it up and plonk the crumpled paper ball on the nearest surface. Then wander off to the kitchen, where the recycling box lives, without it. We live in a small flat so it's not like taking things to where they belong is a massive chore.

He drops his scarf and coat on the floor below the pegs. Puts rubbish next to the bin. Etc. Then it all builds up, particularly when cooking – he's been known to create such a mess and run out of room he'll do stuff like unplug the kettle & toaster and shove them outside on the patio to make space, instead of clearing up as he goes along.

I suspect either OP or her DH has the same affliction – letting the mess build rather than doing the thing (such as binning something) immediately.

In fairness, if there's only 2 of you there really isn't any excuse! And I'm not a very tidy person... Just clean up after you eat meals and don't keep stuff you don't need.

@JosephineHass has a great suggestion - I do this!

I set my alarm for 20mins and try get as much done as I can in that time. It's a cheeky competition with myself whilst the music plays.

I also do things whilst I wait for other things: for example whilst the kettle boils I wash the sides. Whilst the toaster is on I unload the dishwasher. The next cup of coffee I make i reload it.

I do a teeny bit each time in a room and before you know it the bulk is done and only the small stuff is left.

As soon as I reach a level of "if someone turns up right now I won't be mortified" i visibly relax 😂

You have to keep on top of it little by little. Both me and DH work 40 hours and commute. We do a proper clean at the weekend the during the week jusy small hits to stay on top of it. For example the kitchen was deep cleaned at the weekend and during the week i’ll keep surfaces tidy and wiped. Everything back in drawer and cupboards. Tidy kitchen cupboards once a month, chuck away out of date items to give you space.