Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel so much better when the house is tidy

78 replies

alwaystired7 · 26/10/2022 20:40

I’ve somehow managed to fit in a proper clean and tidy of my house, to the point where every room is practically spotless (except the bathroom, which is still manky - it’s the one room I haven’t got round to yet).

Since this has happened, my mind feels so much clearer, calmer and more positive. I love feeling organised and like I know where everything is. I also love being surrounded by calm and orderly spaces, as opposed to clutter, crumbs and dust everywhere like it was before.

Does anyone else feel similar and also, how can I make sure I maintain it this time? I don’t want to let it slide again.

OP posts:
Ludo19 · 26/10/2022 20:42

I have ocd, I love a tidy house, if I were you just tidy up as you go. It's easier to clean if it's tidy imo.

AnonyMouseToday · 26/10/2022 20:43

Yes me! I love a clean and tidy house (would loooove a cleaner!!)

FindingMeno · 26/10/2022 20:43

Oh I completely agree, as do all my family.
It's so difficult to maintain though in a busy household!

FlakeySalt · 26/10/2022 20:44

The money I spend on a cleaner each week is literally the best investment I make in my mental health.

Inasec24 · 26/10/2022 20:44

I love it too. Its so good for my wellbeing. I feel like it's easier to keep on top of once I've done a deep clean as I get protective over it and tidy as I go!
I've been meaning to try TOMM ...

alwaystired7 · 26/10/2022 20:45

I’ve done this before but always let it slide back into chaos again. This time I’m absolutely determined not to!

OP posts:
LadyWithLapdog · 26/10/2022 20:45

Yes! Sad thing is that I spend 75% of the weekend getting the house clean so I can relax and enjoy it, then I’m too tired to do anything. It’s also an ideal way of procrastinating. I have mountains of paperwork to sort out.

mycatisannoying · 26/10/2022 20:46

I totally agree with you, OP. My flat is clean and tidy, but I'd live with a bit of dirt before I lived with clutter and mess. Clutter and mess make me all funny in my head!

scramblesontoast · 26/10/2022 20:46

I feel exactly the same as you and it truly does have a huge effect on my mental state, personally. I find it easier to stay on top of if I allocate one big task per day (on top of normal household stuff). This week is the following:

Monday: Clean all the bathrooms
Tuesday: Deep clean the kitchen
Wednesday: Hoover everywhere
Thursday: Clean all skirting boards/door handles/windowsills etc.

threegoodthings · 26/10/2022 20:47

Doesn't everybody feel better when the house is clean and tidy? I doubt anybody actively enjoys living in a chaotic shit tip

SpookyMcGhoul · 26/10/2022 20:48

Definitely agree!! Can't even deal with a messy house (some relatives have horrible houses and it stresses my just knowing that's happening a village or two over 😂).

It's absolute peace and calm of mind, so therapeutic to do it too!

Soproudoflionesses · 26/10/2022 20:49

Yes just wish dd felt the same about her room!

alwaystired7 · 26/10/2022 20:49

My next task is to go through every room and ruthlessly declutter, so I can free up more space. Oh, and sort the garden. No idea when I’ll get round to that though!

OP posts:
mycatisannoying · 26/10/2022 20:53

Soproudoflionesses · 26/10/2022 20:49

Yes just wish dd felt the same about her room!

Tell me about it!

Aquamarine1029 · 26/10/2022 20:54

Of course you feel better. Your mind is a reflection of your environment. If you live in chaos and clutter, your mental health reflects that.

My home is always clean and tidy, I just can't live any other way. It's really not hard to achieve. One of my most favorite things in the world is coming home from work to my clean house.

Adhdsucks · 26/10/2022 20:55

Can confirm my house is an absolute shit tip of a hell hole and I am in a constant state of stress, anxiety and guilt because of it.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 26/10/2022 21:05

Yes! When DD was small I had so much crap it drove me nuts. Then we moved across the country and anything that wouldn't fit in a van and two car loads went. I had a charity van pick up that much stuff it covered my hallway. Since then we've always kept things relatively tidy and i love it.

GGGD · 26/10/2022 21:17

Yes, I feel exactly the same. I’ve just spent two months massively decluttering, reducing ornaments, putting items into organised cupboards and drawers, so rooms are easily cleaned. A damp dust and hoover followed by closing a door when I’m done in that room leads to a calm me. Wonderful.
Oh, wait. Who piled up mountains of books and magazines? Who dumped excess unallocated stuff in one room? Could it be me? Me? Yes. Its a work in progress.

Kabbalah · 26/10/2022 21:19

House is too big with lots of it's original Victorian features and I just don't have the time or patience so we have a cleaner three days a week. The original owner had a staff of seven domestic servants. It still takes a lot of elbow grease to keep clean.

Aquamarine1029 · 26/10/2022 21:21

Adhdsucks · 26/10/2022 20:55

Can confirm my house is an absolute shit tip of a hell hole and I am in a constant state of stress, anxiety and guilt because of it.

What if you start with one room to help get you started?

I recommend the kitchen as it's the "heart" of the home. Get rid of anything you don't need, clean out the cupboards, and never go to bed without it being absolutely clean. Keep this up for a few weeks before you move on to another room.

TheHouseonHauntedHill · 26/10/2022 21:22

Yes op!.

I've managed to tackle some long term neglected spots in the house and i feel soooo much better for it.

Unfortunately I realise that it will go to pot soon!

But I feel as though I've done a great job and the clutter is largely gone

nonono1 · 26/10/2022 21:22

@Kabbalah where do you live to get a house like that if you don’t mind me asking? Sounds amazing!

I also love a tidy house but find it so hard to keep on top of everything. The only way is to clean and tidy up almost constantly I find, which takes a lot of discipline.

NippyWoowoo · 26/10/2022 21:23

I like a clean environment but I don't like cleaning, how about that

TheHouseonHauntedHill · 26/10/2022 21:25

I find return to target one small area at a time, having everything right to hand helps, eg bag for rubbish, bag for chairty shop, cleaning wipes...
And just doing small bits.

Don't over whelm yourself..

MaryQueenOfSwots · 26/10/2022 21:26

Yes it makes a big difference to me, really cheers me up to have things tidy. I think it’s a reaction to living in such an untidy house when I was a kid with borderline hoarders for parents.

My only tip for keeping it nice is to ruthlessly keep moving things back to the place they belong. And keep
get rid of tat.

Swipe left for the next trending thread