Need to turn over a new leaf! Advice please!

[Arabella36]

How can I become more organized and keep on top of managing the house CONSISTENTLY?

I allow things to build up over a few weeks and eventually have to have a time-consuming blitz. then I always think "I'll keep on top of it this time" but the same thing happens again!

Would love to have paperwork in order, office and various bookcases uncluttered, and not always have some laundry on clothes-horse!

I have one child under 1, but I only work part-time.

How do YOU do it? Please tell me!

I have a cleaner. I'm too embarrassed to let it get messy because she knows she left it looking nice! Honestly, it's a huge incentive!

Hi Daisy, and thanks for replying. The thing is I have a cleaner once a week to do a basic clean. The problem is me trying to keep on top of paperwork, opening letters, laundry, cluttered bookshelves and cupboards and general mess!

Often have to tidy madly the night before she comes! Sometimes things end up piled on a bed so she can clean the floor!

Am ashamed!

I think you just have to find a routine that works for you. With letters I open them all as soon as I get home, anything that's junk/I don't need gets put in the bin straight away. Statements/bills etc get filed while I'm cooking dinner and anything which we need to deal with gets put in my/dh's in-tray.

I always put a load of laundry on before I go to bed and then hang it out the following evening and fold the dry stuff up.

Storage is key - if something doesn't have a home then it clutters other places up.

Do you have a dh? What does he contribute? We split tasks - I deal with washing, dh does bins etc etc.

At weekends we also write a list of tasks that we need to acheive - eg, sort out kitchen cupboards Saturday morning, put up shelves Sat pm etc etc then 'de-brief' on a Sunday evening about what we haven't done and why. Sounds boring and anal, but helps us use our time effectively rather than aimlessly doing bits and pieces.

PS I'm not perfect but these things have helped me restore at least a bit of order!

Mmm, you are right, I don't have a routine as such. I often leave letters unopened in a pile for a week unless it looks like a bill. My mum would never do that!

I do have a DH and he does manage the bins and lawn/hedges but he wouldn't think of doing the things on our DIY list and I can't ask more than once for fear of turning into a nag! I wonder what to do about that. (should mention he is a v good husband otherwise!)

My storage units are over-full and in the bookcases for example there is no longer enough room for all the books and files even though I did recycle many books last year!

I suspect need to have a routine like yours