Wibu to ask how you keep your homes clean and tidy?

[LoopyLou1981]

Mine just seems to be in a constant state of disarray. We’re not talking ‘Call the Cleaners’ level (piles of clothes/paperwork everywhere, bath is a bit soap scummy, layer of dust on most things) but it’s starting to get to me.
I’ve got 2 little children (2 years and 8 months) who either want to ‘help’ (the 2 year old) or climb up my legs/sit on my feet (the 8 month old) so doing much while they’re awake is out and, by the time they’re in bed, I’m pooped!
How do others do it? The whole lot once a week? Smaller jobs each day/evening?
My friends houses always look so clean and tidy so I know it must be possible!x

Say to yourself in your head "just do it now".
So instead of putting down the dried clothes in the bedroom and thinking "I must put those away later" say "just do it now" and then do it quickly, before you can even think of an excuse as to why you're too busy.

It will get better as the kids get older. If you can afford it get a cordless dyson.

What works for me is making the kitchen a priority - I go to bed on a kitchen with empty surfaces smelling of zoflora every night. Second is the dining table it must be clear and disinfected by bed time.

Second is the bathroom I keep a sponge and a tub of washing powder on top of the cupboard it’s bloody amazing to clean the bath and sink with. Bathroom gets done about twice a week - clean the bath sink etc but always always have a rim block thing in the loo. Keep kitchen roll in the bathroom to use with glass cleaner and to mop of everything after the kids get out of the bathroom I got this off here once I promise you it helps loads.

Baby wipes can be used to clean everything!!

This thread in housekeeping might help:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3074789-Lost-the-plot-with-clutter-Want-sparkle-r-s-in-your-sink-Come-Fly-with-flare-on-the-November-Fledgling-thread

Decluttering is the best place to start. Declutter everything. And make sure there's s proper place for everything.

Big trugs in key rooms to quickly fire children mess into before sitting down in the evening to relax in nice tidy TV room.

Do the little jobs as you see them and as you go. It becomes unconscious wiping a spill or sticky bit, or putting a used tissue in the bin or wiping down the microwave spill.

If you can, get a cleaner once a week to ensure essential jobs are always done. Toilets and floors.

Ban all children, pets and mess makers !! Other wise just give in gracefully !

A few years back I made a list of all the jobs that need doing and allocated them to a day, then printed the document out and stuck it in the back of my diary. This breaks it down into smaller and more manageable jobs, and if I don't do one day's job, I can catch up with it the next day without feeling overwhelmed.
I'm also big on decluttering and being tidy. I think this makes a big difference.

2 year olds love dusting!

And hoovering!

While they are dusting and hoovering so do you!

I have two small DC and have been struggling to keep the house clean lately. DP puts the Roomba on most days and I do a lot of small jobs whenever I can, but I haven't done a deep clean for ages and you just need that every now and then. So I've finally decided to get a cleaner once a fortnight to help me out.
I'd really recommend the Roomba though if you can afford it, I hardly ever hoover now.

Did Kon Marie.

Don't have children.

Be out of the house Mon-Fri day time.

Have a cleaner.

Consequence - house is lush all the time (apart from the cat hair but I love the cat so much I don't mind about pet hair)

My problem is that DS is still sleeping in with us most nights and won't go to sleep on his own, so that takes maybe an hour out of the evening and while the place being tidier would be nice I also need to do some stuff for me to preserve my sanity - literally, my anxiety starts to go through the roof if I don't make that time.

Clutter is an issue, unfortunately DH and I have hobbies that involve lots of stuff and DS is into Lego now so there are bits everywhere, even though I try and tidy his toys away.

What I really want is DH to have a weekend off, my DPs to have DS and have a massive decluttering session. Doing little bits ain't working, we need to set aside a chunk of time to do it then do something nice in the evening - cinema, go out for dinner. Also two nights uninterrupted sleep would be heaven.

I don't keep my house clean or tidy.

Saves a lot of time....boosts the immune system too....or at least it would appear so given the cast iron constitution of all who live here.

If you see something that needs doing, do it. Don't put it off till later.

Once a month my husband took the kids for a "boys day out" and I spent the day deep cleaning everything, had a long soak in the bath and we had a takeaway.

I grew up in a dirty, messy house and I find mess and untidiness stressful, so I just kept on top of things.

Lower your standards lol. I have the same age gap but mine are now almost 3 and 16 months. Honestly my house is a tip, very slightly better than it was when the little one was under a year old but not much! Give yourself a break mama!

Ok practical tips:

1. Keep flash wipes in the bathroom, when your DC actually leave you alone long enough to have your morning wash/luxury 30 second shower, wipe the loo and around the sink and bath with a wipe or 2. Later at bath time with the DC you can use wipes on the floor if need be (I do)
2. When you're leaving the house in the morning to toddler group/park/work/walk for sanity etc. Leave them strapped in the buggy in the front garden (or the hall if you don't have one) and pop back in a quickly hoover the living areas, under table etc. Then when you come home it looks nice! No little helpers either!
3. You know that bit of time between afternoon nap and dinner (If not just do this in naptime) get the DC's clothes ready for the morning (yours too if you're being really organised) and get pyjamas and nappies out and leave in the DC's bedroom for later.
4. Get a carpet sweeper for in between hoover quick cleans (think biscuit crumbs)
5. Use baby wipes to clean things (sticky TV units etc)
6. Buy helpful frozen things like frozen veg and good quality chicken burgers etc (saves on washing up)
7. Use a feather duster on the ceiling and give your toddler a clean one to play with, they love them! they're good on blinds too.
8. If you can afford it get a weekly cleaner for the tricky jobs!

Ignore the rest and spout some bollocks about the children making memories if you ever feel judged.

Enjoy your babies and stop stressing