To think I can de-clutter and clean and tidy my very messy house in 3 hours?

[ilovedarthmaul]

I desperately need to do this - we are thinking of putting it up for sale & it needs doing anyway. I have 3 hours off work before I have to get the DC's (Ive allowed myseld 15 minutes internet time for mumsnet researching how to de-clutter fast).

Can I do it? Any tips on where to start?

Darth x

Bin bag. Ruthless chucking.

Laundry basket for things upstairs up and downstairs down.

Tell me when you've done that. :o

big cupboard....put everything in there except pc,coffee/wine and children (dc make too much noise if they get hungry....spray some air freshener plump the cushions and then you have a further 2.5 hours to mumsnet research.

seriously ? you cant do it in 3 hours either do a bit in each room or focus on 1 and tidy the others.

Be realistic about whether you will want the stuff in your new house.

One room at a time - 15mins on cooker timer, do as much as you can. When timer goes off move to another room and do 15 mins in there. After 3 x 15 mins have 15min break then start again.
Works wonders for keeping you focused and you should be amazed at how much you get done in 15mins. Just need to take my own advice

I second bin liners. Carry a roll with you room to room and a box for stuff the "doesn't belong here but should be somewhere else" and if you want to another for donating/recycling.

As you fill a bin liner throw it out of the front door so you don't have to look at it while you carry on (I find a pile of full bin liners depressing, plus if husband or kids see them they want to root through to rescue crap precious things) and do a mass tip/bin run at the end.

Am liking the big cupboard idea - pity they are all full of crap already. Also the airfreshner & plumping cushions. I think I know it cant be done really - i am going to set the timer for the 15 minute thing - i like a challenge .

thanks!
x

I used to hide things ont he beds under the duvets when potential buyers were brought round at a moment's notice.

Yep, I reckon its possible... you can do a lot in a couple of hours

Write a list of 9 areas or break it into smaller jobs and spend fifteen minutes on each job or area. Do three lots then relax for 15.

hmmmm last time I had to tidy in a hurry I shoved a load of stuff under the sofa....its still there

You can get a lot more than you'd think done in 3 hours, so it's a good starter plan. But it takes more than a day to do it properly, it needs regular work each day over time (ask me how I know ) The best framework for this is still IMOP the Flylady one of 15 mins a day, a focus on each room in turn and so on.

Here's the Flylady Crisis Cleaning plan(it's basically what feetheart outlined above)

Crisis Cleaning 101
This is surface cleaning; your guests are not going to be looking in your closets. If they do, then tell them you are taking BabySteps and your home did not get dirty in a day and it is not going to get clean overnight. This will get the main areas of your home presentable. We are not looking for perfection; just progress.

1. Get out your timer; it is the key to not crashing and burning.
2. Set your timer for 15 minutes and go to the kitchen; start putting away dishes, washing a few and throwing out the trash. When your timer goes off; Stop working in the kitchen. I know it is not finished but this is important.
3. Set your timer again for 15 minutes; this time we are spending those 15 minutes in the living room. Start with your Hot Spots; clean off coffee tables, pick up the stuff on the floor, and throw away the trash. When the timer goes off; Stop!
4. Set your timer for another 15 minutes; we are concentrating on the main

bathroom that guests use. I want you to do the same thing in this little room; throw out the trash, put things away in the cabinets and place the dirty clothes and towels in the laundry room. When the timer goes off; you know the routine; STOP!

1. Now here is the most important 15 minutes session of our Crisis Cleaning 101: Sit down, get a cup of water or your favorite beverage and rest for 15 minutes. Yes you heard me right. Resting will keep you from crashing and burning. After you sit for these few minutes; you can start in the kitchen again. Only do 15 minutes at a time in each room.

Please take care of yourself; follow these directions so you will not Crash and Burn.