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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

My home is an utter fucking mess because I'm lazy

30 replies

hellooctober · 02/10/2013 10:59

Just that really. I don't remember the last time behind the oven was cleaned, I have a box room full of clothes mainly from my two DC's that realistically could be donated and cut by 50%, I have so many things and not enough storage etc. I feel filthy and cluttered in my mind as well as my home.

I was fired on Friday from my 9-5and I find myself with lots of time between 9:30am and 2:30pm bar some freelance work with a two year old for company. I know I should be doing a big autumnal clean but I don't know where to start for instant refreshment to spur me on.

What would you do in a big autumn clean and clear out? Tips and advice? Lists of things I will forget?

OP posts:
magimedi · 02/10/2013 11:02

Get rid of the clothes - that will be fairly easy.

Set a timer for 45minutes & stop when it pings. That way it won't seem endless.

Do the same every day for a week.

If you are really starting to enjoy it do it twice a day, with a gap in between.

Good Luck.

Hamwidgeandcheps · 02/10/2013 11:04

Sounds a bit overwhelming. Make a list of tasks.
Re the clothes get a load of shopping bags/bin liners/boxes whatever comes to hand. I separate things in to;keep/sell/donate. The donate bag can go straight in the car and off to the charity shop.
Re selling I find car booting much easier than eBay Grin

ErrolTheDragon · 02/10/2013 11:12

I feel filthy and cluttered in my mind as well as my home.

As well as decluttering - which can be very satisfying when you get down to it (and btw, some charities will collect if you've got a load of stuff at once) sounds like you need to do something for your mind as well. Exactly what depends on you - could be that just starting with a regular walk somewhere pleasant with your LO might blow those cobwebs away.

Original poster
hellooctober · 02/10/2013 11:13

I'm keeping my day free tomorrow to sort out the clothes. I'll turn it into a game for DD so she can help. I need that room back and right now it's a tip, you can't move in there at all.

I feel so ashamed. My family have very high standards and even when it's tidy it isn't to them and they tell me I should do more. It makes me feel like not doing anything at all.

OP posts:
MrsZimt · 02/10/2013 11:17

There was a really good "how to get organised" thread a while ago, I'll try and find it for you.

MrsZimt · 02/10/2013 11:18

here it is

Original poster
hellooctober · 02/10/2013 11:19

Thank you! Any help is greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
MrsZimt · 02/10/2013 11:21

It took me ages to read it, but it is worthwile, I picked and mixed what could work for me.

lubeybooby · 02/10/2013 11:27

this is brilliant www.unfuckyourhabitat.com/

lubeybooby · 02/10/2013 11:27

oops www.unfuckyourhabitat.com/

NoComet · 02/10/2013 11:31

I'm logging out now to sort stuff for charity shop. If anyone sees me here again until much later please tell me off.

buildingmycorestrength · 02/10/2013 11:31

I listened to some motivation/stop procrastinating self-hypnosis on you tube, and found a free hypnosis app by Joseph Clough with a track called 'Manifesting Goals' ...not at all New Agey and totally motivated me to get sorting!

It has basically reprogrammed my mind to stop me feeling overwhelmed. Weird but true. I've been working really hard for about three weeks now on sorting out the house and it is taking shape.

valiumredhead · 02/10/2013 11:59

I agree with doing short bursts of tasks. Once you've done a bit it should spur you on to do more. I feel so much better of everything I'd clean and tidy. Start with the easiest jobs first. Good luckThanks

YoniBottsBumgina · 02/10/2013 12:18

Break it up into sections to help it feel less of a big job - ideas:

Do one "job" at a time (clothes, recycling, books, kitchen stuff)

Do one room at a time, anything not belonging in that room gets put into the room it does go in (but not put away yet unless there is already a place for it) and anything to go, goes. You can also have boxes for the stuff that goes in other rooms. Make a place for everything, buy more storage if you need to, paint if you want to, get this room all nice before you even start on another room, make each one a project (you can use pinterest for inspiration too)

Or you can start at the front door and see what hits you first when you come in the front door and sort that out, then start again - walk in the front door until you see something that bothers you, and sort that. Methodical, not making decisions, just doing the next part because it's next.

Similar to the last one - start in the part of the house which bothers you the most, with the thing or area that bothers you the most. If it all bothers you equally then start with the place you spend the most time in.

OR do the opposite and start in the part of the house which looks the nicest and make it nicer which should hopefully inspire you to do some basics in other rooms - work up to the scariest/worst job.

teenagetantrums · 02/10/2013 12:28

Do you watch T.V, if so i recommend advert break cleaning, its amazing what you can do in a few mins. I'm so lazy, my house is a tip since i lost my job, when i was working with less time i was much more organised because it had to be done in a limited time. With all day to myself i find it hard to get motivated. I have only just had a bath and got dressed today, i need to do some shopping, pop to a friends and drop something off and wash up, but here i sit on the laptop again.

Itstartshere · 02/10/2013 12:29

Definitely one thing at a time. It's so satisfying I think once you get going you want to tackle the rest of it.
Only thing I'd say is do a room at a time. If you potter and do things here and there it's less noticeable. If you work on a room till it's done it feels like a huge achievement to go in and see it clean.
Also buy in help if needs be. Gets done so much quicker.

Original poster
hellooctober · 02/10/2013 13:33

Thank you all. I've just swept, shake 'n' vac'ed and straightened up the lounge. I'm going to get rid of the washing in here and tidy the shelves today too and leave the clothes for tomorrow. Feeling pretty proud of the initial burst due to the intense laziness of the past.

OP posts:
LamaDrama · 02/10/2013 13:38

Dont feel guilty, you have been busy working.

If you are free during those times, does that mean you do a school run? Because if so - maybe take 1 or 2 bags of clothes a day to drop off at charity shop. Then your getting rid as you go.

MissDD1971 · 02/10/2013 13:39

also you can do it in bursts - eg 15 minutes or more. with music helps. lists is quite good.

also once you have the bags don't keep them round the house like I did, do a charity shop or ebay asap. otherwise you then have bags of stuff accumulating.

valiumredhead · 02/10/2013 13:48

Well done youSmile I don't know how anyone works and keeps the house going with kids tbh, it's not laziness for me it's nigh on impossible. I couldn't do it when I worked.

buildingmycorestrength · 02/10/2013 13:51

Valium snap. Work OR a properly clean house, not both. Grin.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/10/2013 13:52

Well done OP! You've made a great start and know you feel better for it so you'll be motivated to carry on! Smile

ErrolTheDragon · 02/10/2013 13:53

Its certainly impossible to work and have kids and have a clean house/ironing done and do MN Grin

valiumredhead · 02/10/2013 13:58

Building -I managed it before ds but dear God throw a kid into the mix and it's a whole different ball gameGrin

Norem · 02/10/2013 14:05

Hi Op I have found putting the radio NOT the TV on makes such a difference.
It is too easy to sit down and do nothing when the tv is on, I dance and sing while cleaning and it is much more fun.
Second the advice to tackle one area at a time, I reorganised my dining room today and did a dump run after nursery drop off.
It's great when you manage to get one area looking nice.
Good Luck :)

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