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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Getting nothing done? Procrastinators, pottering here.

997 replies

Alibabaandthe80nappies · 19/04/2011 13:16

Welcome to the new thread ladies :)

OP posts:
mazbourne · 31/07/2011 19:02

Hello! I'm new to MN but since finding it have developed a rather large obsession! I'm a sahm with 2 children- DS (3 1/2) and DD (22 mnths) and procrastination is my middle name! Well it has been since finding MN! Blush I need a bit of a kick up the bum to get back into a housework routine and I'm hoping you all may be able to give me the motivation I need :)

Haudyerwheesht · 31/07/2011 21:11

Hi again.

Haven't been on to 'tick' things off as phone knackered up!

So for tomorrow my list is as follows:

Evryone up
" Dressed
" Breakfasted
Dd bottle
Dd nap
Meet with ds friend and mum
Lunch for all
Dd bottle
Dd nap
Supermarket shop inc healthy things
Buy school socks
Take stuff to charity shop
Post parcels
Hoover
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Dinner
Baths
Beds
Sort mantelpiece
Sort stuff on stairs

Haudyerwheesht · 31/07/2011 21:13

God that's daunting

JustKeepSwimming · 31/07/2011 21:29

Hi Maz & welcome :)

Haudy - that may be tough, but then we used to have a rule that you weren't allowed to finish your list as that wasn't slatternly enough Grin

(new) Week ahead:

  • as much gardening as poss
  • maybe jetwash the patio if poss
  • parents anniversary presents; Started
  • pack up paid for eBay items (PO tomorrow)
  • unsold stuff to charity shop
  • wrap parents present/see what else to get
  • finish assembling new toys/recycle packaging mountain DONE
  • packing for week away at parents
  • tidy house as much as poss
  • start TQs from DS1 (only 9 to do as some done back in May)
  • other stuff...

Ongoing:

  • Find new dentist that is taking on NHS nervous patients for me/investigate private; DH thinks his will take me on too
  • order blind for kitchen side door
  • pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
  • see if any toys can go/be put away
  • watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
  • clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
  • bathroom needs a blitz; Shower head descaled
  • check length/take down/shorten front door curtains & store in vacuum bag until winter
  • finish hand & foot casts of DD; sand rough edges; leave to dry out; paint; dry; glue in frame
DedalusDigglesPocketWatch · 01/08/2011 08:06

Morning Smile

Yesterday went very smoothly, considering we had so much to do. Feeling quite optimistic atm.

DONE
Breakfast
Get dressed
Hang washing out
Put another washload on
Put away one basket of clean washing

TO DO
Make beds
Clear up breakfast stuff
Get dcs dressed
Empty dishy
Go to horses (3 to do today)
Drinks and snacks
Sort some washing out (fold/put away)
Make lunch
DS nap
5mins declutter in dining room (hopeful)
Sweep out front porch (fly mission)
DD paddling pool?
Dinner
Tidy up
DCs bed
Shine my sink Grin
Dishy on
Washload on
Feed cat
Shower
Bed

Haudyerwheesht · 01/08/2011 10:28

Evryone up - done
" Dressed - done
" Breakfasted- done
Dd bottle- done
Dd nap- done
Meet with ds friend and mum - cancelled
Lunch for all
Dd bottle
Dd nap
Supermarket shop inc healthy things
Buy school socks
Take stuff to charity shop
Post parcels
Hoover
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Dinner
Baths
Beds
Sort mantelpiece
Sort stuff on stair

My plans have gone a bit awry because ds has woken with a fever and sore tummy. I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open! Dd is at least happily bum shuffling around today instead of the usual clinginess :)

JustKeepSwimming · 01/08/2011 12:27

Dedalus/Alice (not got used to your new name yet!) - i'll forgive your flying if you pass on some easy tips, going the whole way looks too scary for me just yet!

Week ahead:

  • as much gardening as poss
  • maybe jetwash the patio if poss
  • parents anniversary presents; Started
  • pack up paid for eBay items DONE
  • guinea pigs food & clean out done
  • PO
  • unsold stuff to charity shop
  • wrap parents presents/see what else to get
  • packing for week away at parents
  • tidy house as much as poss
  • start TQs from DS1 (only 9 to do as some done back in May)
  • dry laundry in & sorted
  • more laundry on
  • ironing (not today too hot)
  • other stuff...

Ongoing:

  • Find new dentist that is taking on NHS nervous patients for me/investigate private; DH thinks his will take me on too
  • order blind for kitchen side door
  • pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
  • see if any toys can go/be put away
  • watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
  • clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
  • bathroom needs a blitz; Shower head descaled
  • check length/take down/shorten front door curtains & store in vacuum bag until winter
  • finish hand & foot casts of DD; sand rough edges; leave to dry out; paint; dry; glue in frame
mazbourne · 01/08/2011 14:25

Afternoon all :)

Not doing too bad so far today

-everyone up, showered and dresses done
-everyone breakfast done
-clean up after breakfast, wipe down surfaces etc done
-general tidy up and make beds done
-empty and re-fill dishwasher done
-put a wash load on done
-make lunch for picnic at friends done
-lunch at friends done
-DD nap done
-hoover and mop floors
-ironing
-wipe over bathroom
-make dinner
-DS and DD bath and bed
-dishwasher on (again!)

DedalusDigglesPocketWatch · 01/08/2011 14:33

Grin JKS

Basically, the good thing i find is that you are encouraged to just do something, that may be just cleaning your sink, but once you are up and doing that small thing, everything else just follows iyswim?
A few small tips (well, things that have really helped me) are: the timer for decluttering, and using a 'dirty' (one about to go in the wash) towel to clean the bathroom floor, just damp it in the kids bathwater, then run it round the floor, Voila, bathroom floor is clean, without needing to bring up the mop, bucket, broom etc. Also the swish and swipe - after brushing your teeth, run a cloth round the sink, rinse and dry, takes 1 min, sink is always clean, same principle after a bath.

I found i was writing more and more complex lists, trying to motivate myself, but now i just look to see what the Fat Fairy has told me to do and do it Grin

DONE
Breakfast
Get dressed
Hang washing out
Put another washload on
Put away one basket of clean washing
Make beds
Clear up breakfast stuff
Get dcs dressed
Empty dishy
Go to horses (3 to do today)
Drinks and snacks
Sort some washing out (fold/put away)
Make lunch
Go to toyshop to look at sandpits
DS nap

TO DO
Clear up lunch
5mins declutter in dining room (hopeful)
Sweep out front porch (fly mission)
Pick up sandpit from Toyshop and then park car closer to home
Patio man coming to give quote 6pm
Dinner
Tidy up
DCs bed
Shine my sink
Dishy on
Washload on
Feed cat
Shower
Bed

JustKeepSwimming · 01/08/2011 16:01

I like the bathroom floor one, think I already do the sink one - esp as DH shaves at the sink & uses this oil stuff that makes everything stick to the side, i have told him to rinse the sink a few hundred times!
I like the missions too but know i won't get round to doing them just yet, maybe when dd is more predictable with naps...

Week ahead:

  • as much gardening as poss
  • maybe jetwash the patio if poss
  • parents anniversary presents; Started
  • PO DONE
  • unsold stuff to charity shop
  • wrap parents presents/see what else to get
  • packing for week away at parents
  • tidy house as much as poss
  • start TQs from DS1 (only 9 to do as some done back in May)
  • dry laundry in DONE & sorted
  • more laundry on DONE & HUNG OUT
  • HV (2pm) DONE
  • ironing (not today too hot)
  • ds2 tea, then maybe beach to see dh & ds1
  • dd & ds2 to bed
  • other stuff...

Ongoing:

  • Find new dentist that is taking on NHS nervous patients for me/investigate private; DH thinks his will take me on too
  • order blind for kitchen side door
  • pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
  • see if any toys can go/be put away
  • watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
  • clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
  • bathroom needs a blitz; Shower head descaled
  • check length/take down/shorten front door curtains & store in vacuum bag until winter
  • finish hand & foot casts of DD; sand rough edges; leave to dry out; paint; dry; glue in frame
mazbourne · 01/08/2011 18:53

Not doing too bad so far today

-everyone up, showered and dresses done
-everyone breakfast done
-clean up after breakfast, wipe down surfaces etc done
-general tidy up and make beds done
-empty and re-fill dishwasher *done
-put a wash load on *done
-make lunch for picnic at friends done
-lunch at friends done
-DD nap done
-hoover and mop floors
-ironing
-wipe over bathroom done
-make dinner done
-DS and DD bath and bed done
-dishwasher on (again!) started
-hang out clean washing

Dedalus- the idea for the bathroom floor's a really good one, think I might adopt that one!

JustKeepSwimming · 01/08/2011 20:27

Well done Maz :)

This week:

  • as much gardening as poss
  • maybe jetwash the patio if poss
  • parents anniversary presents; Started
  • unsold stuff to charity shop
  • wrap parents presents/see what else to get
  • packing for week away at parents
  • tidy house as much as poss
  • start TQs from DS1 (only 9 to do as some done back in May)
  • more dry laundry in & sorted
  • ironing (not today too hot)
  • ds2 tea, then maybe beach to see dh & ds1 DONE
  • dd & ds2 to bed DONE
  • BF group (Tues am + give back borrowed CD)
  • strip beds/clean bedding
  • fresh bathmats & towels
  • other stuff...

Ongoing:

  • Find new dentist that is taking on NHS nervous patients for me/investigate private; DH thinks his will take me on too
  • order blind for kitchen side door
  • pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
  • see if any toys can go/be put away
  • watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
  • clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
  • bathroom needs a blitz; Shower head descaled; kids step washed & stored (don't need it atm)
  • check length/take down/shorten front door curtains & store in vacuum bag until winter
  • finish hand & foot casts of DD; sand rough edges; leave to dry out; paint; dry; glue in frame
Alibabaandthe80nappies · 01/08/2011 21:49

Evening all. I am being rubbish with lists atm. Today I have mainly BF'd DS2 who has been too hot and therefore really thirsty all day, and cleared up wee from DS1. Ho hum. Oh and I did some cooking.
DH is happy after his first day in the new job :)

Tomorrow we are going to a friend's for lunch but I need a small list.

TOMORROW
Take meat out of the freezer
All dressed and out of the house by 10.15 Hmm
Collect DS2's prescription
Sainsbury's for script items and potatoes
Drive to friend's
Home some time in the pm
Dinner

OP posts:
PlumBumMum · 01/08/2011 22:45

Hi al I'm not doing too bad either but keep getting frozen out of the thread when on the computer and its too much hassle to wrangle the lap top off dcs during the day

have cakes to bake tomorrow

SilverSky · 01/08/2011 23:03

Thanks for the advice and encouragement everyone! :o Going to use those tips!

Yesterday was fantastic as HI had DS for the morning which meant I did the following:

Cleaned venetian blinds in all upstairs rooms / Cleaned windows (inside)
Dusted all rooms
Hoovered all rooms (well HI did)
Two loads of washing - hung and dried and sat staring at me in the lounge
Put away a Sit Me up thingy for DS which he is too big for now - well washed it
Washed bed linen and dried and put back on as DS burped and vommed over me in bed
Bathed and groomed el mutto
Dusted TV cabinet
Wiped over sofas
Cleaned bathroom and HI washed the floor

Still have an amazing amount to do:

Send off passport
Put away laundry
Tackle self multiplying laundry mountain
Clean downstairs blinds and windows
Clean tack and riding boots

I've been out all day today and not done anything domestic today. Aside from parenting the baby of course!

DedalusDigglesPocketWatch · 02/08/2011 08:47

Morning Smile

Self multiplying laundry? Of course, that is how it happens! It is a conspiracy Wink

Still cant quite shake this grotty cold, i don't feel too bad, but it is lingering and making things just that bit more difficult than they need to be.

DONE
Breakfast
Get dressed
Hang washing out
Put another washload on
Make beds
Clear up breakfast stuff
Get dcs dressed
Empty dishy
Fold up dry washing
DS upstairs for nap (he was up at 5.30 and 6.30am)

TO DO
Have a coffee
Friends dcs over 9.30am
Drinks and snacks
Sort some washing out (fold/put away)
Make lunch
Phone patio people (they didn't turn up yesterday)
DS nap/Go to horses
Go to Homebase?
Search for hotspots around current fly zone
Dinner
Tidy up
DCs bed
Shine my sink
Dishy on
Start organising bedroom to decorate
Washload on
Feed cat
Shower
Bed

mazbourne · 02/08/2011 09:52

Morning :)

Woken up with a stinking cold this morning (how does that happen in the middle of summer?! Hmm) so I do feel that it's going to be a LONG day!

-everyone up, showered and dresses done
-everyone breakfast done
-clean up after breakfast, wipe down surfaces etc done
-general tidy up and make beds done
-empty and re-fill dishwasher done
-put a wash load on done
-fold up dry washing started
-coffee at DC's friends house
-home and make lunch
-DD nap
-hoover and mop floors
-ironing
-wipe over bathroom done
-make dinner
-DS and DD bath and bed
-dishwasher on (again!)

Ongoing:
-clean windows inside and outside
-clean oven (it's disgusting Blush!)
-get some euros for holiday
-make a list of things to take on holiday!
-take dresses x2 to dry cleaners

anonymousbird · 02/08/2011 11:38

Hello peeps, and welcome to new faces. Not getting here very regularly Blush. I blame the government. Wink

Anyway, here goes:

Tuesday

  • Up, showered and dressed DONE
  • General tidy, make beds etc DONE
  • Fill/Run/Empty DW
  • Washing
  • Hoovering
  • Ironing
  • On line banking and check credit card - IMPORTANT
  • Clear kitchen table
  • Repack spare bedding for loft
  • Organise boat insurance
  • Playroom
  • Maths/phonics workbooks and cards
  • Chickens
  • Dog
  • To friends for afternoon
  • August budget itemise everything DOING
  • Make dinner

One off things this week/soon:

  • Plan to meet DH on his cycle trip??
  • Some uniform/trainers and school shoes for DC
  • Back up photos
  • Choose photos for the wall
  • Work out parental controls on Mac and Sky
  • Life insurance to finalise
  • List eBay
  • Set up weather station
  • Travel insurance and Euros
  • Register with Anthony Nolan Trust
DedalusDigglesPocketWatch · 02/08/2011 12:57

Hey Anon? How is your new house?

DONE
Breakfast
Get dressed
Hang washing out
Put another washload on
Make beds
Clear up breakfast stuff
Get dcs dressed
Empty dishy
Fold up dry washing
DS upstairs for nap (he was up at 5.30 and 6.30am)
Have a coffee
Check weather
Friends dcs over 9.30am
Drinks and snacks
Make cakes
Make lunch
Phone patio people (they didn't turn up yesterday)

TO DO
Sort some washing out (fold/put away)
DS nap/Go to horses
Go to Homebase?
Search for hotspots around current fly zone
Dinner
Tidy up
DCs bed
Shine my sink
Dishy on
Start organising bedroom to decorate
Washload on
Feed cat
Shower
Bed

Could do with a nap

JustKeepSwimming · 02/08/2011 13:48

Still too hot to do much today, am Envy of DH & DS1 down at the beach/in the sea. nothing planned this afternoon, will see if DD lets me do anything...

This week:

  • as much gardening as poss
  • maybe jetwash the patio if poss
  • parents anniversary presents; Started
  • unsold stuff to charity shop
  • wrap parents presents/see what else to get; Ruby rose plant & ruby grapefruit
  • packing for week away at parents
  • tidy house as much as poss
  • start TQs from DS1 (only 9 to do as some done back in May)
  • more dry laundry in & sorted
  • ironing (not today too hot)
  • BF group (Tues am + give back borrowed CD) DONE
  • strip beds/clean bedding DONE
  • fresh bathmats & towels
  • other stuff...

Ongoing:

  • Find new dentist that is taking on NHS nervous patients for me/investigate private; DH thinks his will take me on too
  • order blind for kitchen side door
  • pictures to label 'animals' & 'people' & 'cars' boxes
  • see if any toys can go/be put away
  • watch Prison Break DVDs & give back to PIL; Started; Done more
  • clean oven; Bought Oven Pride
  • bathroom needs a blitz; Shower head descaled; kids step washed & stored (don't need it atm)
  • check length/take down/shorten front door curtains & store in vacuum bag until winter
  • finish hand & foot casts of DD; sand rough edges; leave to dry out; paint; dry; glue in frame
anonymousbird · 02/08/2011 14:25

JKS - your DH and DS are at the seaside???? Just for the day? boo hoo. My DDog has buggered off to the seaside too... not quite the same, as I am never too sad to see the back of her (in the nicest possible way - walking her etc whilst DC on school hols never easy....)

Anyone got a "self cleaning oven"? My "new" oven is looking a bit battered (nearly 4 weeks of serious use!) so wondering whether "self cleaning" is a gimmick, or actually useful? Or am I back to good old Oven Pride?!? It's a Siemens, in case that makes any difference as to effectiveness!

Daily

  • Up, showered and dressed DONE
  • General tidy, make beds etc DONE
  • Fill/Run/Empty DW Emptied
  • Washing End of the day
  • Hoovering DONE downstairs
  • Ironing
  • On line banking and check credit card - IMPORTANT
  • Clear kitchen table DONE
  • Repack spare bedding for loft
  • Clean oven
  • Send back appliance guarantee forms
  • Bottle bank/cardboard recycling
  • Organise boat insurance DONE
  • Playroom DONE
  • Maths/phonics workbooks and cards
  • Chickens
  • Dog
  • To friends for afternoon
  • August budget itemise everything DOING
  • Make dinner

One off things this week/soon:

  • Plan to meet DH on his cycle trip??
  • Some uniform/trainers and school shoes for DC
  • Back up photos
  • Choose photos for the wall
  • Work out parental controls on Mac and Sky
  • Life insurance to finalise
  • List eBay
  • Set up weather station
  • Travel insurance and Euros
  • Register with Anthony Nolan Trust
DedalusDigglesPocketWatch · 02/08/2011 14:28

Anon apparently they need to be used at full temp to clean themselves (according to my friend)

JustKeepSwimming · 02/08/2011 14:29

Not just today, all week, they are doing Cadet Week with the sailing club, well DS1 is, Dh is helping. Means no dh time at home even though he's not at work, and they are both knackered. Sure it's worth it...
DS2 may be able to join in a couple of years time, but for now he's liability on the beach as he runs off, esp to the road with all those exciting noisy moving things on it!
And of course DD is permanently attached so i can't easily chase him = easier to stay at home.

went upstairs to find an emery board to sand DD's casts, ended up moving stuff about, unearthed 2 breast pumps, 2 sterilisers, various bottles + accessories! will try and donate some of it and use the rest.

Alibabaandthe80nappies · 02/08/2011 18:41

Hello all Smile We have just about survived today. So flipping hot!!

Tomorrow i need to sort the house out, it is a tip. Not too grubby yet, but it will be if I don't tackle it tomorrow.

OP posts:
anonymousbird · 02/08/2011 18:53

Dedalus - yes, I think that could be right. Mine has a special setting (might help if I read the instructions properly!) and I am sure the kitchen guy said it just gets unbelievably hot..... can but try I suppose. Mind you, I'll do it AFTER i've done my chicken and spare ribs!

JKS - A-ha, does sound easier to stay at home!

Daily

  • Up, showered and dressed DONE
  • General tidy, make beds etc DONE
  • Fill/Run/Empty DW Emptied
  • Washing End of the day
  • Hoovering DONE downstairs
  • Ironing
  • On line banking and check credit card - IMPORTANT
  • Clear kitchen table DONE
  • Repack spare bedding for loft
  • Clean oven
  • Send back appliance guarantee forms
  • Bottle bank/cardboard recycling
  • Organise boat insurance DONE
  • Playroom DONE
  • Maths/phonics workbooks and cards
  • Chickens DONE
  • Dog
  • To friends for afternoon DONE
  • August budget itemise everything DOING
  • Make dinner

One off things this week/soon:

  • Plan to meet DH on his cycle trip??
  • Some uniform/trainers and school shoes for DC
  • Back up photos
  • Choose photos for the wall
  • Work out parental controls on Mac and Sky
  • Life insurance to finalise
  • List eBay
  • Set up weather station
  • Travel insurance and Euros
  • Register with Anthony Nolan Trust