I'm disgusting

[blackheartdarksoul]

I'm posting here for traffic.

My house is a pit. Every single room is dirty, all my possessions are old and falling apart. I have a flea problem too.

I'm working so many hours to keep a roof over my families head that when I get home I just sleep.

I can't afford to buy anything, I have £3.40 in the bank to last me until the end of the week.

How can I be proud of my home again? My boyfriend who doesn't live with me has made a remark about my home and I died of embarrassment on the spot.

I don't let anyone in except him because it's that bad.

Why am I so gross?

With stuff like skirting boards, door frames and light switches etc, I do them when I’m on the phone to someone. Just a bowl of washing up liquid and a cloth.

Our furniture was old bit well made so I used chalk paint to freshen it up. It’s made the world of difference.

Oh ffs, get off your high horse ladykalila. The op has not asked anyone to sort her out, she sounds quite sorted if she's managing to cope as a single mum and go out to work each day.

Well done for the bathroom op. I'm sure the house will look much fresher once you've had a chance to tackle the main rooms.

Pintrest has helped me
It has some fantastic housekeeping pins

I think LadyKalila is a good example of Toxic Femininity.

MitziK, you should write a book/have your own tv programme. Fab post.

Other PPs have covered the bases with excellent advice about tackling your home in small chunks and stages, but I just wanted to congratulate you on raising children who have compassion for animals in need. I know it’s given you the current flea issue which is not helping at all, but the flip side of it is that there is a living creature who is receiving help because of your child and your kindness in doing something for it, and that’s pretty huge

Also Wilko is good for old cheap fashioned cleaning products like sodium bicarb (for cleaning fridges) etc.

Nothing to really add than good luck OP, it always feels overwhelming when it gets to that state, but you can do it! And absolute kudos to @MitziK because that post was great

Well done getting the loo done 👍 you’ve had some great advice here, I hope you manage to sort things out and start to feel better about it soon.

And yes, get the children involved with a few things keep stray cats out.

Good luck with it.

look at your local freecyle to get things for the house. Make the teenagers contribute towards cleaning. Wash the walls and doors. Might take a few weekends but can be done if everyone mucks in. Children should be house proud and not make things worse for you.

Hi my lovely, I'm a working single parent too. My house is easily in a worst state than yours. But I am managing to keep the downstairs toilet spotless, the washing is up together. My next task is to buy a new broom so I can sweep the bloody floors!!
I desperately need to replace furniture but it will have to wait.
We are all doing the best we can. Gentle hugs.x

and I make a cheap cleaner by using washing up liquid in water in a squirt/spray bottle. That too is an old cleaning spray bottle.

Well done 💐

It’s hard to find the motivation when it’s cold & dark!

Do you rent or own?

What did your ‘boyfriend’ say exactly?

Thank you!

I think I'd be too sweary.

I'm positively demure on here - I'd have chapter headings like

What The Fuck Is THAT?
(Hygienic Food Storage)

You Fucking Twat
(Dealing with spills, stains and breakages)

Now What's He Done? And Where The Fuck Is The Hamster?
(Cleaning With Pets)

For Fuck's Sake
(Children's Rooms)

More Fucking Drawers Than IKEA
(Clothes Management)

Well, I Didn't Fucking Leave It Like That
(Bathrooms)

Are You Fucking Kidding Me?
(Emergency cleaning for visitors)

I'm Not Fucking Doing It
(Teenagers)

I Don't Care, It's Not Coming In Here
(Master Bedroom)

Have You Seen The Size of the Fucking Cobwebs In There?
(Garden Shed Organisation)

One of the loveliest things my friend did to make her house feel cosy was drape a pretty silky scarf over a cheap lampshade (taking care it doesn’t touch the bulb obviously!) which cast a cosy glow. Well done so far OP, hope your house feels like a cosy home soon

I used flea foggers, on massive overkill level to sort out a flea problem

If you've got rid of the cat already then bombing the hell out of the house will give you a much more comfy existence

Next week Aldi are selling chalk paint for £4.99. Might help brighten some furniture up? You could see if you could get some bits off Freecycle and paint them to match.

Your house doesn't sound too bad at all. You work hard- no wonder you're exhausted. I've been you. Single parent with teens. Our place often was untidy and grotty.

@MitziK Your last post made me belly laugh. I would pay GOOD money for a book like that. And you have inspired me to go and clean out the fridge at 9.30 at night as it has green stuff swilling round the bottom of it and I have been meaning to get it sorted for two weeks now.

OP, I'm a single mum and I relate to how you feel. You got this. Don't worry.

mitzik think i love you
Op well done for doing the bathroom like others have said now its had a big blitz keeping on top of it hopefully wont take as long.
Little and often in the bathroom helps alot i agree with go to wilko and stock up there offers are fab I bought quite alot in there last week at a good price!
There lemon all purpose spray is lovely and £1 at mo.
Dont give up :) xx

Let us know your next little project OP. Well done for getting started, you've done the hardest bit already.

Hello op would scouring charity shops be an option? I've picked up some absolute bargains, furnished a home with next to no budget before. Little bits here and there can make a real difference. What about free cycle, schpock and cat boots? I'm not a clean person by nature, coupled with mental health issues it can be a real chore. I find writing lists makes the world of difference. Ticking each thing off gives me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment even if it was just doing dishes and cleaning the sink

Some great advice on here! @blackheartdarksoul breaking tasks down really is the way to do it. It's so easy for things to feel out of control! One step at a time and then a quick tidy round will help you stay on top of it.

@MitziK you are fabulous thank you so much for you posts, and everybody else's.

I'm housing association and I've not done anything with the house since I split with the kids dad 3 years ago. I've not had the money to do anything.

My boyfriend said he was surprised my house wasn't as well presented as I am. Via voice note might I add

@MitziK
I also love your post and I think I might love you. Can you move in please?