Useless at housework

[Bumbolina]

Right. I'm useless at this housework stuff - we just about keep on top of the stuff that is needed (washing/dishwasher etc) but where I stumble is the basic cleaning around the house and how often. Soooo - tell me, to have a nice standard of dust free/shiny house what do I need to aim to do every day/week? If you are good at this stuff what is your routine?

You'll laugh but go to Martha Stewarts website and print out her weekly cleaning checklist.

I laminated mine and its stuck up in the kitchen. I tick off what I have done so everyone can see what still needs to be done

And I can just say "check Martha and do something" when I need help.

I am no domestic goddess and terribly forgetful, so a checklist works for me

She also has daily/seasonal checklists not all of the things are appropriate for UK residents but you can just cross those things off

Oooo thanks - sounds like a very good place to start!

I think how often things need doing depends on who lives in your house - kids, pets, etc - and how messy it gets. I have a list which lists each floor plus the toilet bath and wash basin and I mark them off when I've cleaned/hovered/washed them. I also have a note on the form of when towels and sheets are changed. The kitchen surfaces and sink get cleaned as part of washing up so they're not listed. Dusting when I notice it and windows occasionally. I aim to do a wash load as soon as there's space on the airer for more. If you have dc who are old enough, you could make them responsible for their own bedrooms. Bins get emptied when they need it, a few times a week.