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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Honestly, do you all have really tidy houses?

38 replies

electra · 25/07/2011 17:24

And is it possible with a 2 year old?

My main aim is to keep everything clean but we have the odd toy out and not everything has a home.........is it just me?

OP posts:
Paperplane · 29/07/2011 10:14

My house is fairly tidy now that my youngest is nearly 4.
I recently did a huge declutter and try to follow the flylady morning and evening routine. Its made a huge difference.

startail · 31/07/2011 00:45

No never have had never will have, life's to short and DH and the DD1 have no tidy genes either. DD2 does, but they are only ever expressed in her bedroom, she won't tidy communal areas, it might not be her messWink

Thumbwitch · 31/07/2011 00:52

No it's not. I have never lived in a really tidy home and wouldn't feel comfortable if I did, tbh. I like the lived-in look, and would be the despair of any of these TV house decorator "gurus". But I don't give a toss - I'm happy and that's all that matters.

I do keep it relatively clean but have an aversion to dusting - made easier by getting a dusting attachment for my vacuum cleaner - but then we also have an open fire so the ash forms a layer of "dust" near the fireplace as well.

I have one friend here who has OCD - she's the only one who has a tidy house - all the rest have houses similar to mine in state. It's good - means everyone feels at home when they come round! Wink

CHBitchy · 31/07/2011 01:47

err no. tis clean but very messy. Limited time and living with horders, plus crazy past year or so. Its needs dealin with but am at the point where knowing where to start is difficult. Clutter is the biggest problem followed by toys.

Teachermumof3 · 03/08/2011 08:53

I don't understand how people say their house is 'clean, but very messy' though!? If there's stuff everywhere, how do you clean it properly!?

I don't mean to be rude and attack your post, I'm genuinely interested. Do you pick all the clutter up, clean and then put it back or just try to clean around it?

CHBitchy · 03/08/2011 12:50

Both. Although mostly the important rooms are tidy and clean (kitchen/bathroom) but the lounge is under a mountain of toys although these do get put away for hoovering and come out again. However, i have mess in boxes in my so it really looks like a bomb has gone off but it is possible to put up hoover and put back.

DooinMeCleanin · 03/08/2011 12:51

My house is spotless. Honest.

Thumbwitch · 03/08/2011 12:56

Well it would be now, Dooin!! Grin You had to order new ones, didn't you - have you found the old ones yet? Wink

Yama · 03/08/2011 13:00

A friend once said to me that she wished she could relax while there were toys out or there was something needing tidied up. This was whilst sitting in my (I thought tidyish) living room.

I have decided not to feel pressure or judged on the state of our home just because I am female. I can easily relax in a messy room. I reckon the stress of caring too much about it can't be good for you. Wink

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 03/08/2011 13:01

I've always wondered that too, Teacher! Although I suppose that if it's me saying it, what I mean is that the surfaces have been cleaned within the last couple of days, floors are clean, laundry is done and toilets scrubbed, but that since then DH has left a pile of paperwork on the dining room table and DD has scattered markers and stickers all over the carpet. So I guess clean means you've done the weekly cleaning but not the daily tidying?

MordechaiVanunu · 03/08/2011 13:05

My house is pretty tidy because I don't like it messy, but it's a constant battle that I HATE. It feels like I'm battling against an incoming tide and I will never win, but I can't live with the mess so have to keep on battling.

However much I tidy and organise I can't maintain pace with the amount of stuff that comes and and happens eg. Post/letters/sports kits/comics/newspapers/'artwork'/awards/sports kits/picnic equipment/art mAterials/den building/bed changing and washing for constant guests/getting out putting away trundle beds/shopping/shopping bags/yoou know the rest the list is endless.

And YES all these things DO have a 'place' but they need putting there!!! Primarily by me as everyones else's method of 'putting away' consists of throwing it vaguely in the direction of the cupboard without looking!!!

I wonder how people seem to effortlessly keep their house tidy. Mines tidy but it takes loads if effort and I resent very minute of it cos it just gets messy again.

ARRRRRRHHHHH!!!!!!

DooinMeCleanin · 03/08/2011 13:08

The appointment to cancel the old ones and order the new ones is in an hour. They'll turn up in the morning

wordfactory · 03/08/2011 15:23

Mostly yes, but that's because we have lots of help and have made a deliberate effort to mkae it an easy house to keep tidy and uncluttered.

That said, I won't interupt things that mnake a mess if someone is enjoying themselves. We are a very creative lot and I won't make people put away art projects, photography, music making etc. Especially during the holidays. I really want them to use their school free time as imaginatively and creatively and artistically as possible.

The most untidy spaces are my study Grin and the family room.

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