How and where do you start on getting your house clean/tidy ?

[BlackCatinChaos]

Feeling a little overwhelmed with the state of my house and with Christmas creeping ever closer the pressure to "get it all done" is starting to feel too much.

Please tell me how you would make a start and keep the momentum going till Christmas.

It wasn't intended to be hardcore - it's a list of what to do, in which order, which if done in that order (with no getting sidetracked!) will get you a sparkly clean home and a dent made in the laundry pile. A good start!

I come from a home of 2 hoarders so when I set up home with now DH I had no idea about housekeeping...or where to start.

That routine works for me, the OP asked where to start, I offered what I do. She is free to ignore me or just do bits of it if she thinks it's hardcore!

It helps if you start with a fairly tidy house! If it isn't already tidy, do this first.
Here's what I do:
Washing up and wipe down kitchen surfaces.
Put the rubbish and recycling out.
Quick clean of the bathrooms: loo seat, cistern and bowl (cleaning wipes and toilet cleaner); sink and bath/shower (bathroom spray) only.
If you have time, damp dust all horizontal surfaces. If you have a bit more time, also do door handles and light switches.
Vacuum. Preferably the whole house, but downstairs only, if pushed for time.
Clean mirrors and screens, with a bit of glass cleaner and kitchen roll.
If you have time, mop hard floors.

It takes me in or around two hours to do all of the above to my satisfaction.

Go into any room with a laundry basket or box and literally say to yourself "what doesn't belong here?" Put whatever it is in the box then straighten the rest, have a quick hoover and go and rehouse the stuff in the basket/box. Move onto the next room and it should all be neat in no time.

Don't even attempt to clean a room until it's straightened or you'll end up exasperated.

Every item in your house must have a home. Every item must be put away after use.

Paperwork - buy files to keep papers in and shred every 6 months.

Cleaning - have a rota

Tidying - encourage dc to pack their toys away after use

Washing - do at least one load a day

Ironing - do this while watching a good film