Please help me sort my house out!

[elprup]

My house is an absolute mess. The kitchen sink is full of dirty pans, the cupboards have loads of sauces/tins etc that are years out of date, the surfaces are dirty, the oven is filthy and the fridge is in serious need of organisation.

The dining room and lounge are covered in dust and the floors are filthy. There are piles of crap everywhere (I even have Christmas wrapping paper from last year stuffed in a corner!) The bathroom fixtures are covered in limescale marks and the sink is dirty. The bedrooms have become the unofficial storage areas for all the junk that I don't know what to do with.

I have family coming round on Saturday and the house is a tip - I'm so embarrassed. I'm working during the week so no idea how I'm going to get it in a decent state before they arrive.

Of course, I've just finished work and am sitting on Mumsnet when I could be making a start. I'm just so tired.

A cleaner's not an option due to budget constraints unfortunately.

What can I do?!

Alternatively, read the "slattern" thread and then you won't actually care

I am the OP of the slattern thread

OP - your partner should be doing his share - you both live there, and you are both to become parents. He may work longer hours, but he needs to step up now.

Just get your gloves on and get started . Why is it on such a mess in the first place?
Put some music on and get down to it
It won't take as long as u think

Yes,when stuff has just built up around the house really badly, it just seems like a nightmare to have to deal with it all, and you feel like it's all too much to tackle.

i would start by going around with a big black bag thing,and throw away anything that you don't need anymore, most people have stuff that they don't use,or need anymore.

Then start on the kitchen jobs, and try and stick with it,as you now need to,with family coming round soon. Then try and do the bathroom if you have time. You will feel better if you make some progress somewhere,even if you don't manage everything else.

You may as well leave the Christmas wrapping paper where it is, as you will need it soon enough now ha ha.

I have years old Xmas wrapping paper under a piece of furniture in the upstairs hall. I call it my 'Vintage Collection'

I usually put my favourite tunes on and get stuck into one room at a time. You can get a lot done in 15-20 mins. Be ruthless and chuck out/charity bag anything you don’t use!

Invest in binliners and clear storage crates (or get banana boxes from the supermarket and label them clearly - you need the lid).

Put stuff either in the binliners and throw, or in the designated box and close the lid. Once a 'stuff' is in a box with the lid on, it can't cause a mess anywhere else, it can't get tangled or mixed up, it can't get lost.

Work on one space at a time eg a bedroom. But when you need a break, do twenty minutes in another room. Oh, you're up-duffed. Max ten minutes of anything. And lots of tea.

to maintain normality takes a minimum of 45 minutes each and every day after work

Oh, is that all? Well why the fuck aren't we all doing this then? No, fuck that.

You can do it OP!! Maybe take befor and after photos and report back!!

@elprup

1. don't panic

2. break the tasks down into manageable chunks. Perhaps write a little checklist and tick off as you go.

3. Keep telling yourself it will get done eventually. Do NOT let it overwhelm you. It WILL get done.

4. have a little 5 minute breather first. A little meditation with some deep breaths. Envisage how you want the house to look in your head.

5. put some motivational music on and get started

6. know you are not alone! Marie Kondo has some great techniques on efficient decluttering. You got this 👍

@LakieLady No but I would so help if I was! Maybe I need to start a business!

Get some laundry baskets / plastic trudge - one on each floor and chuck in there everything that needs to go up / downstairs... every time you go upstairs take the basket, empty it, refill as needed. Especially useful when you have a baby as you won’t have your hands free every time you go up / down!

to maintain normality takes a minimum of 45 minutes each and every day after work

Oh, is that all? Well why the fuck aren't we all doing this then?

it's a choice, but my life works better when my house is always "visitor ready". I don't waste time looking for things, I don't have to frantically go into a frenzy when someone comes over, and I like my house tidy.
It takes so much less time to maintain a house and keep it clean and tidy than it takes to have to tidy after letting everything pile up.

No right or wrong, I can't stand mess. What's 1 hour in the morning before work? It means the house is welcoming when I come home, and I don't have chores to do at the weekend. Only leaves diner and tidy the kitchen after in the evening.

I'm a total mess too normally. But putting the timer on 20 minutes and just doing one area at a time does work, plus it makes me faster. See if I can finish that area before the time runs out. Also as you move from room to room never go empty handed. So if you make a drink then scoop up something for the sink or the bin. Going upstairs? Take a pile of washing up. It does become habit if you do every time

Because you're time limited before your visitors arrive. I would dedicate a room/space that you won't be using and box up the mess so you can clean underneath it. Basically clearing things out quickly so you can get on top of the main parts of the house. Ikea sell moving boxes which are pretty sturdy, or look on eBay/Gumtree for used boxes.

Going forward, things that work for us:

• DH and I use an app called ToDoIst and I set up a shared list of chores. Most are done two weekly and it takes us about an hour on a Saturday morning to blitz it. You do need to find a time that works for you and DH to do it regularly, or get a cleaner (but you'll need the house to be reasonably tidy so the cleaner can clean).

• Use anti-bacterial cleaning wipes. Honestly it makes it so quick to wipe down surfaces. I get mine on Amazon Subscribe and Save so they come every month and I don't run out.

• Marie Kondo for decluttering.

• Use time wisely. I wipe around the bathroom when the kids are in the bath (keep wipes and polish for the mirror in the bathroom so it's all there).

• Oven Pride Complete Oven Cleaner... contains some decent cleaning chemicals and a bag to put your shelves in. No scrubbing, just leave to ferment. Not great if you have breathing difficulties though. Failing that get an oven cleaning company in once and then use the shop bought products going forward. Consider buying the liners if you can to reduce the need for cleaning.

My house isn't perfect. It slacked loads when the kids were small. But having less stuff does make it easier to keep on top of things. You can do it.

Easiest way to sort things when the house is a tip without overwhelming yourself:

1- get a laundry basket and put all the things on the floor/corners inside it. and while seated in the evening sort through them and decide where to put them. Hoover the floor.

2- empty all the counter tops of the kitchen and put all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Or the sink. Run hot soapy water on it and leave it to soak until you can attend to them by the evening. Wipe all the surfaces with disinfectant and the outer surfaces.

3- do the same clear out of surfaces to all the other rooms including the toilets and wipe. When you have clear surfaces and floors everything suddenly seems simple and less overwhelming.

4- of you have clothes lying everywhere obviously put all of those away either in wardrobe or laundry basket..

5- tackle your toilet with bleach and limescale remover to clear out any mould and scales. And mop the floor.

6- do a clear out and sorting of a section at a time. Remove everything inside the messy cupboard and sort through what you need and don’t need and wipe cupboard then place everything back. place a timer on it and each section should take you long. Since your counter tops and floors are empty you will have plenty of space to work.

You lot are brilliant - thank you so much for the tips, it has really helped motivate me!

So tonight I’ve started on the kitchen - I’ve washed all the dirty pans and put them away, cleaned the draining board, wiped down half the work surfaces and organised two of the food cupboards.

I’ve also topped up the dishwasher with rinse aid and salt (haven’t done that in ages!) and have run a cycle with one of those Flash dishwasher cleaner things. No idea why I bothered with the dishwasher as none of my guests are going to open it That’s part of the problem I think - I’m such an all or nothing person!

I’ve flopped back on the sofa again now but am hoping to organise two more kitchen cupboards, clean the hob and finish the kitchen surfaces tonight.

I would LOVE to have a house that’s visitor ready at all times - that would literally be the dream! I’m also determined to get the house in pristine condition before the baby arrives.

You really need to get on top of it before baby arrives as it’s only going to get worse then as you will have less time.

My house is often messy, I had a friend come round this morning that I had forgotten was coming and I was so embarrassed. But I’ve got a 2 year old and a 6 month old and so mess can be expected.

What I find difficult is keeping the kitchen tidy and clean. After every meal/snack it’s a ten minute clean up (babies are messy!) but both children usually want my attention so it can get left for longer than I would like.

*If you are local to me I would come and help! I love a good sort out.

Not in Sussex, are you, *@VincentVanGoughandhisear? I've got enough "sorting out" to keep you busy for a year!

Another one in Sussex if you want to make a weekend of it

I think you just need to have a day booked in your diary for simply doing your spring clean!!!
No excuses for it even when your tired you just get it done. I used to work 9-6 some nights even till 8. With a 2 teenagers and a baby st home. I used to clean the house top to bottom before I went to work and do the bathrooms when I got in after I had my tea an done the dishes. It's just getting into the routine of getting off your ass and doing it. You'll need the organisation an less dust etc when you have a new baby around....
people are different he's in the cleanliness because I can't relax until my house is clean but even still you should have some level of house pride even if it's just a tad

wake up in the mindset to have one hefty clear out !
Good luck x

I’m such an all or nothing person!

I used to be like that until I broke down house tasks into things that are easy to follow without overwhelming myself

1- clear surfaces- so countertops and floors to be empty before bed to not overwhelm my morning.
2- bacteria free living - food, bin and toilet to be clean or attended to so bacteria doesn’t grow overnight. So usually filling dishwasher before I sleep or pouring hot water if it’s a terrible day. And quick wipe of the bathroom. Counter tops usually wiped on the spot while cleaning and an overall wipe once they’re cleared before bedtime.
3- mould free living - dry out any water residues to avoid moulding and limescale. Usually the toilet or kitchen sink. So making sure sink is empty and cleaner and dried is a good way to ensure that.
4- clothing and fabrics- so making sure all clothes are back in place is part of my surfaces clear out but when it comes to the bedrooms there is the extra task of sorting whether they go in laundry or elsewhere. But until I can tend to them in the morning when I do the laundry I chuck them in a designated area/basket and sort through them when I’m handling laundry.

This actually doesn’t rake more then 30 mins per day or even 10 mins if you were staying on top throughout the day with keeping an eye out for any mess on floor and surfaces and anything that needs wiping and dishwasher emptied first thing in morning so things go straight in there and toilets wiped whenever you find the time in the day so on.

All the deeper tasks of organising and tidying are not daily necessities so I tend to them a section at a time but having the first three steps sorted ensures things don’t go out of control.

The rest of the tasks could be handled interruptedly and discreetly. 20 mins at a time. When you have that energy spike. So no need to feel pressured out of your last breath. And the surfaces help you spread things out and organise.

Where are you OP?

I'd help if you were near me, in in NW

There was a R4 programme on decluttering with Shappi Khorsandi tonight. Quite enlightening,

Well get off the internet!! Start in the kitchen wash all dishes and pains!!
Then start on the cupboards thow away every out of date and clean organise them then clean all kitchen work tops you should hopefully manage kitchen tonight and tomorrow night.

clean the living room Wednesday night, Thursday bathroom and Friday hall and clean kitchen again.
you can forget about the bedrooms just close the doors. None,of your guests need to look in them.

Be ruthless get rid of as much as you can.

There is not magic fairy going to come and do a magic spell to sort it. You are just going to have to bit the bullet and started!! Can you phone a best friend to help?

THR BEST WAY TO GET SOMETHING DONE IS TO START

How you doing op......where are you up to??

@Wynston see update above. Ok it’s not a huge amount but it’s a start!

I’m going to crack on with organising the rest of the kitchen cupboards tomorrow and cleaning the (quite frankly disgusting) kitchen floor.

I need to get some scented candles too - all my floors downstairs are wood/tiles but I’m sure it smells of wet cat. Cleaning the floors will obviously help this!

How is it possible to be so overwhelmed by a two bedroom terrace?!