Best domestic cheats, please share.

[farmersdaugther]

Basically I need some tips on how to make me look like I'm an utter domestic goddess but without all the faffing about!

Don't get me wrong I'm fully capable of making my home lovely (clean and tidy etc) cooking and baking but I struggle with having a young family.

So what are your best domestic cheats?

I've started with a bread maker and a slow cooker.

Essential Reading

fab ideas, wish it wasnt so late I've bags, boxes, cloths to buy.

Austerity Housekeeping eBook is free again tomorrow on Amazon, if anyone wants to download a copy.

Marking place

Marking place

Still showing as £2.99 on my Amazon?

What a great thread!

DH and I love superscrimpers!!

Can we get back to the domestic cheats?

Sorry, yes, that was not meant to be a Boffin hijack.
Big wicker basket in each room to throw the general detritus into is always a good strategy.

Empty all the drawers of units into a big basket and sit and sort through.

anything unclaimed will be chucked out!

Thanks for the tip upthread about cotton balls and lavender in the Hoover. My rooms smell lovely now.

Dilly the book is free today. I've just got it.

If it's not been said before then zones work for us.

I have x4 DS 3-7ys and am very strict on where things go: toys in the playroom or bedroom if not they get thrown away (they don't actually but they disappear for a while), School uniform in 'getting dressed/undressed zone', All shoes in boxes in hall etc. etc.

It creates an illusion of order where there would otherwise be complete chaos and on days when it is just too much to sort it out I just chuck toys/shoes/uniform etc. into their respective zones and the kids know where to find them and what to do. When feeling strong I spend time sorting individual zones out and occasionally incentivise (sweets, sweets, sweets) kids to have a big sort out.

I read somewhere that (boys in particular) respond well to boundaries and have taken this to heart. It means that even though life is constant chaos people comment on how 'on top of things' we all are fools

Thanks to this thread and another website I have just discovered my house is the cleanest and tidiest its been since BC (before children)

I used to use Flylady but found I just ignored her. My new favourite is Clean Mama I follow on FB as then every time I check FB I can see that I'm meant to be hoovering or whatever.

Thank You Boffin!

Shameless bump...

Anymore tips?

kateecass that cleanmama site looks interesting. I might give it a go. On fb will be handy too.

I think I got this tip of Pinterest I think. Lots of cheats on there too.

Use one of those sponges that you fill the handle with washing up liquid with for washing up, but fill it with washing up liquid and white vinegar and use it to clean the bath, sink and especially the shower screen. Quick rinse and it comes up all shiny. :)

Stop press for all those MNetters who might be interested, ... If you want to see da Boff in da flesh, I am apparently on SuperScrimpers on Channel 4, Monday, 8.30pm.

And they've asked me back to do some more filming later in March.

I use a damp j cloth rinsed in hot water and wipe and dry with kitchen roll instead of polish and it keeps dust away for much longer.

Just came across this tip on keeping your blender clean really easily which means using it a whole lot more!!

www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/27/clean-blender-chow-video_n_3818921.html?ir=Parents