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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Are you a closet slob?!

19 replies

juleswill · 01/02/2011 19:36

I always struggle with my inner slob. I try really hard to keep on top of the housework, but I hate it! I tend to keep rooms clean and tidy that visitors will see - but I wouldn't answer the door to unexpected visitors most of the time as my place is usually a mess!

I have a 9 month old who makes it even more difficult to keep on top of stuff, but when I visit friends in the same situation, their homes are spotless! Are they all really clean and tidy all the time, and I am just a slovenly heathen? Or do people keep things clean to 'keep up appearances' and have an 'inner slob' that they battle with like me?

Not sure if the people reading this will all have immaculate homes seeing as this is the good housekeeping thread, but just want some reassurance that I am not alone really!

OP posts:
DrSeuss · 01/02/2011 21:08

I gave up battling my inner slob long ago and just let her reign supreme! As someone once said, I'd rather lie on a sofa and read a book than vacuum under it!

pinkhebe · 01/02/2011 21:10

I tidy when people are due round Blush

exexpat · 01/02/2011 21:16

Yes, visitors are my main motivator too. I really must invite people round more often. But I did vacuum the stairs today - first time this school year.

Original poster
juleswill · 01/02/2011 21:39

Oh good - I am not entirely alone then!

And do your friends know you are a slob deep down, or do they think you're really clean & tidy?

I know that my good friends are actually quite shocked when I let my guard down and they find out how I really am!Blush

OP posts:
exexpat · 01/02/2011 21:52

Well, I think the closest friends/family know since they are round here most often - but most of them aren't very tidy either...

My mother did offer to pay for her cleaner to come round the other day though Blush.

DrSeuss · 01/02/2011 22:13

Wish someone would buy me a cleaner!

maryz · 01/02/2011 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

exexpat · 01/02/2011 23:29

DrSeuss - the trouble is I would have to spend several days clearing papers, toys, books etc out of the way before she could actually clean anything...

DrSeuss · 02/02/2011 09:27

Same here. There are professional decluttering people. Maybe I could get one.

Carrotsandcelery · 02/02/2011 13:23

I am a closet slob. I battle with my slobbiness all the time. If I have visitors I clean the rooms they will be in but would hate for them to tour my house.

Sinkingfeeling · 02/02/2011 13:36

In my head, I have potential to be very house-proud, but in reality, when I do any tidying or cleaning my dds ask who's coming round.Confused

TitsalinaBumSquash · 02/02/2011 13:37

Gosh no, my family think I have OCD, I visably twitch when there is a wrapper on the floor or if a towel isn't folded on the rail..... Blush

Can I come and clean your houses? Wink

exexpat · 02/02/2011 13:38

My nightmare scenario is when the in-laws come to stay.

They are the cleanest, tidiest people possible - you can see them getting visibly on edge if a newspaper is left lying around in their house - and my house is never going to match up to their standards, but at least I have to make an effort. And since mine is the only double bed in the house, I have to give them my room when they stay, so I can't resort to the usual trick of dumping all the clutter in my room...

Still, they only come a couple of times a year, and I suppose that means the house gets a decent clean and tidy twice a year too Grin.

Original poster
juleswill · 02/02/2011 13:39

Carrotsandcelery I dread anyone accidentally heading into our dumping ground bedroom for fear they might think we have been burgled! If anyone needs the loo I always make sure I direct them, just in case they forget, even if they have been round countless times before!

OP posts:
ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 02/02/2011 13:40

Sinking - my friend does that too - it's all good and fine, but her DD is now 7 with no sense of tact and has recently started saying things like 'We tidied the house because you are coming? Do you like it like this? All our stuff is shoved in the other room so it looks nice Grin'

ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 02/02/2011 13:41

Oh and I hasten to add - it's never done for my benefit Grin I just shove the piles of crap important stuff to one side after putting the kettle on Grin It's amazing how well her place scrubs up though when a 'real' visitor is coming around!

Original poster
juleswill · 02/02/2011 13:47

TitsalinaBumSquash would you stop being friends with someone if you thought they were really a slob? Would you not go to their house? Or would you just start cleaning?? I guess it's this irrational fear that stops me being out and proud! (not that I believe any of my friends would do that, but I don't want them to think I am unclean!)

OP posts:
Carrotsandcelery · 02/02/2011 14:28

Chipping I always take that as the test of true friendship, the point when I can let someone in without feeling the need to tidy or being invited into theirs when it is "normal".
Jules I have also walked people to the bathroom or left the light on and the door open in the hopes that they can't miss it.
I have also redirected rampaging toddlers away from the stairs, "Oooh toots, best stay downstairs near Mummy, we have such a dangerous staircase..." Blush

hugebelly · 03/02/2011 16:29

I am a bit of a slob, which is why I've just got a cleaner (poor her!). I have two under three years, with nap times and different times of the day, so using a vaccum is nearly impossible and when they're awake, I want to play with them.

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