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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBu in thinking that a house can never be really clean unless

93 replies

breathing · 01/05/2011 15:33

Everyone in the house pitches in? I believe that ultra clean houses must have some degree of cooperation from the family. Like, for example, not being lazy fuckers and leaving spat toothpaste in sinks, wee on seats and dishes and plates in rooms?

OP posts:
tigana · 01/05/2011 15:36

oh..I was expecting that to read "no one actually lives in it"....!

shushpenfold · 01/05/2011 15:36

Ah....the land of flying pigs....I would like to live there! Yes, if your family leave shite stuff about the place, it won't be clean unless they live in the shed. I feel your pain.

Original poster
breathing · 01/05/2011 15:37
OP posts:
xstitch · 01/05/2011 15:37

YANBU. We have a quite a few conversations in my house along the lines of. 'Mum you are always doing housework' me 'Well stop increasing my workload then Blush

PonceyMcPonce · 01/05/2011 15:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

foxinthewoods · 01/05/2011 15:41

I always feel that the house can never be clean if there is anyone else here but me! It's a nice feeling to know it's all done and then no-one is going to come in and demand to be fed or mess anything up, so no YABU.

Hatesponge · 01/05/2011 15:45

My ex's mum has no help from any of the family who live with her, and has the cleanest house I've ever been in - however she literally does not stop cleaning except for when she is asleep, or at work. In the 8 years I was with my Ex, I never once saw her sit down in her own house. If she isn't cleaning, she's cooking, or washing, or ironing.

I don't know anyone else who could live like that. I certainly can't which is why my house is a tip most of the time, as my DSs don't clear up after themselves, and I'm not prepared to do it constantly!

Original poster
breathing · 01/05/2011 15:47

She may not have "help" but i wonder if her family were trained to do certain things that you didnt notice? Like not leaving towels on the floor, automatically taking cups in to the kitchen after use etc...small things as part of a routine that didnt appear as help?

OP posts:
alemci · 01/05/2011 15:53

its soul destroying isn't it. I spent the morning clearin out my 17 year old's drawers and washing clothes. she thinks i have OCD but I could not bear the mess in her room any longer.

I seem to spend alot of time clearing, cleaning, washing etc but my house still doesn't look that great. I think i am the only one who cares.

doley · 01/05/2011 15:54

I agree with OP ,for us it is almost impossible to keep it that wonderful, with a teen, a 2 year old and an 8 year old and all those pesky hot wheel cars ... that I am continually hurting my feet on Grin

I guess I should have been stricter with jobs ? Oh I don't know ?

FabbyChic · 01/05/2011 15:55

I managed to keep a house spotless with two boys and working full time, it isn't hard.

Original poster
breathing · 01/05/2011 15:56

Do they pitch in? fabby
I have a husband who is home in and out in the day. If no-one was home in the day, im sure mine would be lovely too.

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 01/05/2011 15:56

YANBU

When I lived alone my place was wonderful, clean, tidy, quiet, peaceful, nothing damaged or broken...

I won't tell you what it's like now. And on top of 2 children under 5 I have a DH who hoards...

Original poster
breathing · 01/05/2011 15:59

fabby arent your children adults ?

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 01/05/2011 16:02

Gosh if I went out to work and left my two in the house by themselves I expect they'd destroy it!!!!

Oh - they were at school / in childcare while you worked fabby? Then there wasn't actually anyone there to make a mess, was there. My house is far tidier when we are all out all day. Obviously.

I think that gets a Hmm actually Grin

WhatsWrongWithYou · 01/05/2011 16:03

My house could be spotless if i was prepared to put in about twice as much work as I do now - which I maybe would if I thought anyone else would would endeavour to keep it that way.

As it is, shoes and school bags get left where they've been dumped, kitchen stuff is left out, jumpers discarded and hung over a chair, clean piles of ironing left in bedrooms un-put away, beds unmade.

Actually, I'm realising the solution - nag, nag and nag again! I'm clearly too fond of a peaceful life.

SardineQueen · 01/05/2011 16:04

Actually fabby, can I ask how your response relates to the OP? It doesn't seem to actually answer her question in any way?

travellingwilbury · 01/05/2011 16:04

Stables for boys sounds like a marvellous plan .

Original poster
breathing · 01/05/2011 16:04

By the way, my OP wasnt suggesting its not possible to keep a house clean...just that there needs to be a collective effort in order for this to happen. I would guess most people who have it "whipped" so to speak have their family doing incidental things as part of a routine. thats my point.

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 01/05/2011 16:07

I think you are right breathing.

The people I know who have immaculate homes do have everyone in the family doing their bit.

I always wonder what they do with their newspapers and things TBH. I think things get read immediately and then put in the recycling straight away? The whole thing about nothing ever being left out is the thing I would never be able to manage. I can do clean, not so hot on the tidy front (although about a million times better than DH and the children!)

SardineQueen · 01/05/2011 16:07

I am liking the word "thing" today Grin

theoldbrigade · 01/05/2011 16:08

As far as I'm concerned the kitchen is cleaned as I go - no horrible bacterial washes though!
Bathrooms similar.
Rest of the house has a clean through once a week .
When guests arriving throw stuff in cupboards and close the door !

Decided when son hit the terrible teens I would leave clean bed linen outside the door on a weekly basis and that was it. When he left was quite amazed we did not need to employ pest control - must have learned how to use a vacuum and a cloth at some point I suppose.

ZZZenAgain · 01/05/2011 16:08

.. it is empty!

We are too cluttered, that is one problem. Such a faff moving things in order to clean. In particular dd's room. It is improving a bit but she likes things out on display

LadyKaraStarbuckofThrace · 01/05/2011 16:09

Breathing, I agree. My mother is a clean freak and she did spend a lot of time cleaning and still does, but she had me and my brothers very well trained to tidy up after ourselves, help with washing up, never going in kitchen when floor was wet, hanging towels up, etc.

Original poster
breathing · 01/05/2011 16:10

I have constant traffic through my kitchen. I washup at least 10 times a day (and yes, i have a dishwasher)

I like it to be gleaming

OP posts: