How do you create a workable housekeeping routine?

[Arabella36]

Having learned from a previous post that I need to create a routine to take control of housekeeping, I'd like to ask how do you make a routine which you can actually STICK TO?

Can anyone share an example of a weekly routine/timetable that works for them, to give me an idea? Or even what to consider when planning a routine?

I know this must seem very basic but whilst I'm good at doing periodic tidying/organising blitzes, I never seem to do things regularly enough to prevent build-up of paperwork piles and clutter.

I do have a cleaner who does a basic clean once a week.

Am grateful (in advance!) for any advice offered

Being realistic - my list is very basic. Most of the items on my list are do-able.

But then thursdays I am supposed to iron in the evening but shattered after a rough night and the thought of snarie making now and cleaning the kitchen isnt appealing.

Its not just me that gets this pile then? I have a box of bits and god knows what I am supposed to do this some of the papers. Some are blessed by perfectly organised partners and some of us not - they just add to the hastle and asking them to help is nagging in their opinion.

Having a good menu planner helps enormously so planning meals and buying the ingredients on Mondays helps my week. Monday - all washing on. Tuesday & wed drying, thurs ironing, fri put massive pile away. Fri also wash all uniform which drys overnight and put away saturday. Inbetween I do the odds and sods.

You really have to be realistic as after the school run, making beds, dishwasher emptied, tidy up & basic clean, etc half the morning has gone! Having a 19month child that wants to distruct everything in site and empty all cupbds, fridge takes so much of my time.

Little and often works for me.

1. Put a load of washing on every day, dry it and put it away.
2. When you're on a roll, don't stop! I HATE ironing, but will do 3 hours worth once I start.
3. Get everyone in the household to tidy their own stuff away.
4. Use cleaning wipes to go over toilets, taps, sinks etc. 10 seconds with a Flash wipe and the bathroom is presentable in an emergency!
5. Storage is essential so everything can be put away tidily.
6. Put music on and clean/tidy for the duration of 5 songs. I always put off changing the beds, but if I do it to music it only takes the time for one song to finish so psychologically it's not a big chore anymore!

great tips celiafate thanks !!

Thank you very much everyone!

Maryz - i was like you when I was at school, I used to love creating beautiful revision timetables and then failed to follow them! I am new to this, who is flylady? Have noticed threads with " flying" in the title.

Bacon - good idea re meal planning. That would save on emergency takeaway cost . I do always cook from scratch for baby but not for DH and I! Am glad you have paperwork piles too, makes me feel less bad.

Celiafate - I want to be you!

Hello. I am not sure u qualify to be helping others, but for the last ten days I have had a schedule so I thought it might help if I share it..

MONDAY
Hoover and sweep floors
change our bed
Tidy and general clean downstairs

TUESDAY
Admin
Clean kitchen
Clean bathrooms

WEDNESDAY
change Childrens beds
Meal planning

THURSDAY
nothing scheduled

FRIDAY
Hoover/sweep floors
Tidy and general clean upstairs
Admin
Food shop if needed (try to use ocado)
garden/ongoing projects (sorting drawers, Xmas stuff etc)

SUNDAY
more meal planning
Get stuff ready for school
Iron school shirts

EVERY DAY
1 x wash and dry/put away clothes

This seems to be keeping us on top of stuff. It's not absolutely set and of course I do lots of as I go along tidying etc.

I use a tumble dryer for lots of stuff but I do find the putting away much less of a pain if it's one lot a day rather than 4 lots in one go.

So glad I found this corner of MN - I need help with getting on top of day to day housework so that I can tackle bigger ;incremental' jobs like clearing our office. There are boxes everywhere! I'm going to write up a schedule and see if I ca nuse it. You should see my ironing tower...

Thanks for putting on your schedule Armadillo, I'm perusing it in detail for inspiration!