Need to get in a routine for new hosue, advice please

[notasize10yetbutoneday]

Hi all

3 months ago we moved from a small house to a bigger house. During the last 3 months we moved in we have been having work done to the house with all manner of tradesmen coming and going, so its been a case of damage limitation and cleaning up as I go along to control the mess.

The decorating has now finished and Im feeling very overwhelmed by the thought of cleaning a whole house, if that doesn't sound too pathetic. In our last house I would have the whole house done in a few hours if I was in on my own, and that was throughly. I can';t imagine how long it would take in the new house and to be honest I don't know where to start- except i know I need to start this weekend!

Can anyone offer any advice about getting into a routine?

For example, if there are rooms you don't go in very often (spare bedroom), do you still clean it every week? Do you do, say, upstairs well one week and downstairs quick go then vice versa the following week?

In our last house I was rubbish never a domestic goddess and would do very little houswork for a few weeks then blitz it, but I really want to be in a routine this time or I know it will get on top of me.

Any advice appreciated.

Argh, typo in the title!

I think it really depends on how much of a perfectionist you are, I'm not at all but do like the idea that if visitors turned up unexpectedly then it wouldn't be a nightmare.

Pre DC's I would blitz on my days off but that doesn't work anymore so I know where you're coming from. I think the first thing is to make sure that everything has a place, easier said than done I know but worth working on. Once you've done that then tidying is much easier and doesn't get In the way of cleaning.

I have decided that kitchens and bathrooms need something everyday, kitchen has all washing up done, surfaces wiped and sink cleaned everyday, floor swept if needs it. IN the bathroom I pick one thing to clean each day, e.g. Bath, floor, sink, shelf etc and rotate so always cleaned every few days. All the other rooms get cleaned on rotation each week and i don't do it all at once, just 15 mins at a time. The spare room gets added to another room as usually doesn't need much and I clean it really well before anyone comes to stay.

That sounds a lot but usually I manage it whilst DD is in the bath (bathroom), whilst she is napping for about 15 mins (the room to be cleaned that week) and kitchen gets done In the breaks of the tv I am watching in the evening.

I do a simple routine which reminds me to do the odd jobs. Its typed up inside the cupboard - so oneone can laugh!

Ahhh, wish I had a spare room!!! My home is a mess, its busy, dusty, its also a business hub too.

I aim to do most washing Sunday & Monday - aiming to iron Thurs evening.

Vacuum the floors everyother day (plus my cleaner comes in on Thurs - Godsend). Even so the place is back to a mess within 2 days.

I clean the bathroom when my children are in the bath - this works well.

I aim to tidy and clean the kitchen after evening dinner and make sure the dishwasher is packed up before bed.

My husband is really messy and disorganised which doesnt help. As long as the place is sort of organised, clean and the washing/ironing is done I'm pretty happy.

I find that doing too much in the evenings was stopping me from relaxing and hence causing me not to fall asleep - causing me to feel knackered. Works better to get up an hour earlier on the odd mornings to get those few chores done.

I have a rota for every day. I need to my DH is a lazy messy one.

Monday- beds changed
Tuesday -bathrooms
Wednesday hallway
Thursday- living room and dining room
Friday- evening off
Saturday- washing catch up. I always have loads.
Sunday- ironing
Everyday-do a load of washing in the morning, clean kitchen after dinner and hoover downstair carpets. wipe round kids toilet (always messy)

One day a month washing wood work, windows and sorting cupboards

It seems loads but only takes a wee bit of time and helps me to relax