To ask where do I start.

[McNewPants2013]

My house is like a dump.

Kitchen, got the cleaning to do after a roast dinner and 3 loads of washing.

Living room, toys everywhere needs a good vacuum and polish.

Bathroom needs a deep clean

DC bedrooms are trashed, going to prod the DC into doing them.

My bedroom loads if washing to be put away

The only thing tidy is the stairs.

Got the HA around tomorrow from 9:00 onwards to do a repair so it needs to be done.

I know step one is to turn off MN

www.flylady.net/

Yes it's very American - but it hasn't have sorted my house out!

x

Don't do the washing just yet, cos the place will look messier during the washing!

Tidy clutter first, doesn't have to all be in the right places - just make clear spaces as large as you can.

Then get the vacuum out and do all the places the HA is likely to see, while prodding DC to tidy their rooms (offer an incentive if needs be)

Last step is putting on the washing while doing the bathroom/polishing up.

Sounds like my place after the kids have been around ... and I'm talking grandkids! Take a deep DEEP breath ... kitchen clearing and washing up first. That makes everything seem loads better. Remember: cupboards were invented by God to hid junk (toys, unironed clothes, etc. etc.) away.

What's a 'HA' when it's at (your) home?

Housing association

Get off Mumsnet. But if you're still on, my advice is tackle one room at a time. Stick at each room until its done. No more than 30 mins per room. Kids bedrooms first and then they are into bed.

What is the repair that's getting done?

It's the boiler which is upstairs, but you have to go through the kitchen, living room to get upstairs.
The bathroom got to done incase he/she needs to use the toilets.

No sure if they will bleed the radiators after so that means the whole house needs doing.

Oh we'll let's crack on but at least the upstairs are done and DC are in bed

I really wouldn't worry about it too much, unless you are talking 'life of grime' - which it doesn't sound like! I'm sure the plumber will have seen much worse!

By the way, it's doubtful that the plumber will use your toilet, they are advised against using facilities in a customer's house. But if need be, squirt some bleach down the loo, wipe the seat and the sink over, but that'll be enough.

Livingroom, pile all toys into their tubs/boxes, or black bags if need be, quick vacuum... done.

Kitchen, wash up dinner mess, wipe over worktops, that's enough!

Honestly, they won't be expecting a show home! Relax!

I was going to post this tonight....and then I realised it was just another distraction....a way to stop myself from actually DOING something! So I have started with the kitchen....which if that isn't clean acts as a barrier to sorting other rooms! With a clean sink etc, you can manage rubbish and cleaning other things.

I have thrown out 5 bags of clutter yesterday from my bedroom...and from kitchen, I have taken anything which does not get used on a daily basis OFF the counters.

This has had an amazing effect. I threw things away which I've been hanging onto.

Washing up first. Clean anything that will smell if left as your starting point

It makes me laugh at myself I am a professional cleaner, I can reopen wards in a matter of a week after its been closed.

But can I keep on top of my own house, hell no.

I have worked as a cleaner for 10 years, so should have an immaculate house.

There is a difference between dirty and untidy, your house sounds untidy and normal with kids. its impossible to keep a tidy house all the time!

So, dc bedrooms first as almost bedtime presumably, a quick tidy/hiding junk in drawers and wardrobes.
Any necessary vacuuming next.
Bathroom and kitchen need to be clean and hygienic so best to be tackled after that. (I know someone who always judges a person depending on the state of their bathroom) Do the necessary washing up, wiping counter tops etc, the rest can be done tomorrow while you wait for repair person/while they do the job. Put away washed clothes that you can tonight, the rest black bag them and hide away.

Your last post says it all my Dp is a builder - my house is practically falling down!!

Saying that, do get off Mnet - i had to be very strict with myself and not allow myself online during the daytime now DD back at school becuase it just sucks up so much time. My mental health was suffering and i feel better for it.

Its all done now (apart from vaccuming and washing) don't think the neighbours will be too happy for that noise.

LEM, i bet that irritates you.

I am lucky as my DH never moans about the housework < last time he did i pointed out the cleaning cupboard> I prefer to do the housework alone.

I am in no way a clean freak or perfectionist, but I feel myself getting irritable if I use the bathroom and its a mess, so end up going in for a quick wee but come out stinking of bleach.

My kitchen is very overlooked by the houses opposite (especially you strange man who smokes out of your bedroom window staring into my kitchen mess). so that is my motivation really, dont want the neighbours seeing my kitchen looking like a shit tip.