Household tips that aren't shit.

[EIsbethTascioni]

I've been getting hugely into decluttering and keeping tidy since the new year. I've been looking on websites and in magazines for tips advice and most of it is unmitigated tripe that makes life harder rather than easier.

So I'm turning to you vipers for your non-crap tips for keeping on top of shit.

I've got three to start us off.

Clean the shower while you're in it. Gamechanger. Saves masses of time.

Storing duvet sets inside their pillow case. I was sceptical about this one but with four beds in the house it has a)made my linen cupboard tidier and b)means no more rummaging.

Using the big IKEA bags as laundry bags. They are just the right size for a load of washing in a standard machine and you can fold them up and put them away tidily instead of having plastic baskets hanging around.

Aibu to think you lot will have loads more?

I used to have Unfuck your habitat, love it, on my old phone but couldn't find it when I looked recently. Do you know if it's still available Twooter?

Is it 'unfilth your habitat' on the Apple App Store?

Yes, that's what I had before. It converts to unfuck once downloaded. I'll have to look again.

rixera glad. It helped. They are fab things, I don't think I've ever used them for food

Clippy peg thingys from poundstretcher or poundland
Use to dry underwear, socks, bibs, leggings and pyjamas by the ankle, hang it off clothes airer in a room where there is a radiator. I rarely use my dryer now and if you put similar items together, and dry pairs of socks with each other, it's quicker to put away.
I probably sound really anal but I have one for my underwear and socks, one for DHs underwear and socks, one for DS's etc.

I like my bed airing all day with open windows-seriously helps keep it feeling fresh-these sheets are 8 days old & still feel nice! Definitely due to much airing.

I think Saracen meant skids that have been left for ages and have set hard to the bowl (say from younger DCs - hopefully adults /older DCs deal with their skids immediately - before they have time to dry...) and you need to really scrub at them ...with a loo brush.

Roll pastry/biscuit dough between sheets of clingfilm to prevent sticking to rolling pin and worktop

The bear tip I got on here was to peg socks in pairs by the toe, then you can roll them in pairs before even unpegging!

Best tip... no bear tips yet.

So this thread has been poached for a daily mail article now too followed by 900 comments mostly bitching about us.

We're vipers we don't care about the bitches.

Stainless steel pans that have blue discolouration can be shined up with HobBrite.

These are amazing tips! Just need to read all 19 pages

Those silicone lids you can buy to stop pans boiling over are brilliant. Mine have saved me an awful lot of clearing up.

Watch the Cleanmyspace videos on YouTube. Loads of tips like these and they always motivate me to get up and clean something.

Twinkle if you put a wooden spoon in the pot or resting on the pot it won't boil over

Just downloaded unfuck your habitat app

Wow really EZA? Thanks will give that a go!

Ive tried EZAs tip. Unfortunately it doesn't work unless the pan is only very slightly at risk of boiling over. It works by popping the bubbles but if the liquid is boiling rapidly then it doesn't work.

I am only half way through this thread, but things I have learnt so far.

1. baskets with everyone name on at the bottom of the stairs ready to take up. I seem to be the only one who takes shit upstairs!
2. 30 day declutter challenge. I am so on that now!
3. wardrobe hanger thing.

We also have a cleaner, but really makes us tidy up the night before and everything back in its place. We are really cluttered and funny I am really good and keeping on top of the kids stuff but not the adults. We have draws of crap.

My tips are

Dishwasher on at night. Empty in the morning. Stack as you go so no dirty cups and plates lieing around.
Washing daily.
Outsource! Sorry not always ideal but we have a cleaner who also does ironing.

Question: what do people do with the kids stuff that they have made for you? Eg mother's day cards and pictures from nursery. They seem to be gathering dust on a shelf somewhere of shoved in a draw. I don't want to throw it out, but any efficient ideas on how to store?

Mikethenight2good kids homemade stuff etc: I only keep the really special stuff and currently I have bags for life full of various stuff (3 kids worth....) I also keep days out and holiday moments memorabilia; ticket stubs etc, info leaflets' and the like. The plan is to have 4 forever boxes; one for my husband and me and one each for the kids each containing special things from/to each person. It's one of those always on my TO DO list things.....

Mikethenight - how about a big scrap book or folder? Will be a nice keepsake for the kids as well to look at when they're older.

Mike large folders with clear plastic pockets would work well.