My house is disgusting

[garlicagain]

I'm ankle-deep in filth & chaos. It probably has fleas, too (I'm not allergic so this is a logical deduction rather than evidence-based.) I can't cope with it, due to illness both physical & mental, and have been somewhat resigned to being the strange woman who never asks anybody in.

But two things have changed: Despite the above, I maintain a minimum level of hygiene; I'm far from confident about that with the warm weather lasting so well, and I'm going to have a bit of money in a month's time, which I think I should use to get the place sorted out prior to either moving (it's rented) or passing a calmer, more organised winter here.

Do you think I should buy more cleaning equipment, like a carpet washer and a steam cleaner? Or should I hire someone to help - and how on earth do you find anyone you can trust to do an offputting mixture of heavy cleaning, sorting out other people's piles of stuff, and DIY?

Help me organise my ideas, please!

Blimey, there are firms like that?? I'm not in North Yorkshire, no - I'm in the rural wastelands along the Welsh border.

Notafood - My fat, scuzzy-footed arse says Hi to yours

I was thinking a room at a time might work, coffee. If nowt else, I'd then have one room in which to accommodate the boxes for all the clutter from the other rooms!

My ceiling airer's still in its wrappings, as the porch thingy where I'd have to put it has a leaky roof & is full of clutter. Argh, I can't go thinking about everything that needs to be done, as that's what paralyses me!

You're all doing good - thanks!

Well done garlic.

By the way, don't think for one minute that the housekeeping board is only for domestic goddesses/gods. In my case that couldn't be further from the truth. I use this board for inspiration and motivation

Small steps!

Hahaha... my manky feet are still manky, but I did manage to get 4 loads of washing done today, and both of my children are still alive, so I'm pretty happy with that effort.

i am on the welsh border in monmouthshire and would come help if you are close if you wanted?

The flylady 15 minutes at a time is a tiptop method for getting something done however small in the scheme of things. I still have a long long way to go though. Should be doing some rather than be on here
Whatabout carrying on with the decluttering for now and if that money comes in then maybe you'd have enough to pay someone to come in and give it a deep clean for you? Then will be much easier to keep on top of.

I don't sort paperwork any more. Waste of time. There was a great tip on here to file it by month/year. If you need something it just takes a few minutes to hunt through - a lot less time than sorting it all. Good luck!

I'm in the welsh boarder area too. I fricking love a good clear out so if you really do want some he you're more than welcome to pm me and if you're close I'll be there like a shot!

Well done btw

OMG I'm knocked out by offers of real-life help!!! I can't quite cope with the thought atm

Today's been a washout on all fronts, including the weather, so far. Feeling wobbly earlier on (the prospect of housework really does do this to me,) I went out for a walk & got caught in a deluge, so was forced (haha) to take shelter in a pub for several hours. Still, I got a good distraction by reading the barmaid's Heat and chatting to a fellow smoker. I am going to do at least 2 x 15mins today, just so I've got something to post here. See how much good you're doing me?!

Nota - congrats on keeping your children alive

Four loads of washing????!!! Wow!

We managed to sort the corner of the living room out yesterday and got a big box for my twenty week old dds toys. It felt fab tonight whilst DH was bathing her to literally drop everything in its place and close the door.

I have to do stuff in 15 minute blocks. Dd only sleeps that long. :)

Glad you had a nice afternoon. 2x 15 mins a day is a great start, it shouldn't be too long before you start to see a difference if you can keep that up.

The offer of help is totally genuine btw. Although sadly I'm not one of the classier, boden-clad MN'ers. I'm more your last season's New Look with a smattering of food crumbs and a faint whiff of dog kind of gal. Still, I'm shit hot at cleaning and I've got a car so if you want me I'm all yours.

Oh Randall that's one if the best posts I've read in a long time!

If I lived closer I would welcome your New Look clad self into my slightly smelling of dog home

Just a mention about the fleas - we were plagued with them last summer and you can get a flea bomb for £50 from the council. So worth it! Xx

Offers of real-life help are wonderful, and am pleased there's a firm in N.Yorks who will help - my DB could use this, but I can't manage to get there due to disability. Apologies for using this thread, but would you please let me have name of this firm coffeewineandchocolate ?

I want to be Randall!

I've been struggling with similar issues, OP and I've recently got going on sorting out my house. So far I've chucked out masses of stuff and managed to reclaim 2 rooms from the general clutter and chaos that was making me ashamed to have anyone in the house.

When there's way too much to do, I sometimes find it helpful to tackle things in categories, rather than doing a whole room eg sort out all the books, or the clothes, or the paperwork. That way you can feel that you have 'finished' something, even if the room is still pretty messy! Good luck with your sort out..

Aim higher Slattern!

garlic, I was proud of myself, so I gave myself a reward of cake. Hmmmm. Ok, so that's another thing I need to work on. One thing at a time though.

Take up some of these offers of help if you can. Having someone to talk to makes it so much easier. You ladies are all so nice.

The ladies itching to get to grips with a shit tip are more than welcome my way !!

If you're anywhere near me Jess I will happily help!

Sometimes spending your 15 minutes on one shelf is wonderful - particularly one that you can see from wherever you sit in the evening.

Bless you Randall you're so sweet ! Unfortunately I'm in Berkshire ! But thanks tho !

Balls.

Fear not, Randall, your time will come! You'll have more crap to sort out than you could dream of (people dream of sorting out crap???!!!) I will pay you, though.

This has stirred a very messy porridge of psychological, financial and emotional issues. I'm finding it tricky to break down into bite-sized chunks. I have started ebaying things, though - well, only four things so far, it takes bloody ages! - and thrown out, umm, half a dustbin of stuff.

Little seeds [sigh]

I like the 'one shelf', Joan :) Instant result! Good plan!