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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Is anyone doing the January cure?

284 replies

larryphilanddave · 22/12/2014 19:07

I first discovered it (thanks to MN!) for Jan 2014 but didn't do it - ended up having to move so wasn't really up for the tasks of 'wash floors, buy flowers' etc as had too much else to do.

However just got the email for Jan 2015 and I'm thinking, maybe I'll give it a go. Anyone else in?

OP posts:
holmessweetholmes · 05/01/2015 20:28

Have nearly finished my list. I'm presuming it's supposed to be a list of proper 'projects' rather than things you need to do on a fairly regular basis.

We only moved into the house in October, so have got quite a few things that we want to do. Replacing all the carpets is the biggest job, but that will have to wait until the puppy is a bit older and more reliable Grin.

Karbea · 05/01/2015 20:31

I should add buying some of those dehumidifier tray things for our room and ensuite which gets lots of condensation to my list.

IDidNotKnowThat · 05/01/2015 22:09

41 things on my list, but haven't prioritised yet. I've been reasonably circumspect and not bothered counting major jobs like...uh...replacement windows, finishing building walls, plastering, or re-flooring!!

Found it a bit discouraging tbh realising how much needs doing given it'll still look like a building site, but trying to think of it as making the best of a bad situation.

Teeth gritted, better get the highlighter out! Well done everybody - it's helpful to read how you're all getting on Smile

Karbea · 05/01/2015 22:25

Mine are all "projects" although some of them are very small ie replace broken bulb.

nicknamenonsense · 06/01/2015 08:49

Holmes I have gone with projects and things that I don't think will feature in any of the other daily tasks set so I didn't include 'Clear out, clean and organise cupboards' as one on my kitchen list as I think that is tomorrow's task anyway.

My edited list has 22 things on it but I haven't put anything for the bathroom as we are planning on doing a complete refit over the next couple of months and DH doesn't think it is worth re-siliconing now when it will all be ripped out soon anyway. I agree to a certain degree except in its current state it does look horrible. Oh well, I suppose there will be enough other things to keep me busy this month and if by the middle of Feb the bathroom refit isn't looking imminent then we can discuss it again!

nicknamenonsense · 06/01/2015 14:51

How many things have people put it their outbox so far? I've been trying to reduce the amount of stuff in our house all over Christmas, not easy when more stuff is received as gifts!! A gift from my BIL & SIL may have to go too. DH thinks we should just get rid of it straight away as we don't want / like it but that just feels wrong to me as we have only just been given it!!
What do you all think?

IDidNotKnowThat · 06/01/2015 15:23

Hmmm, I have't decided on one yet - house is so full of crap as it is, I'm wondering whether it's wise to add another area! Maybe I could get a large box or something to put in one of the rooms-in-progress...

nickname if you don't like it and it's not useful, put it in!!

PeoniesforMissAnnersley · 06/01/2015 15:41

In my outbox (corner of spare room) - my wedding dress and a childhood dollhouse. Can't seem to easily get rid of either despite major decluttering in past few years which has seen me halve my possessions. More will join them this week as I clear my wardrobe and bookshelves!

RunningKatie · 06/01/2015 15:50

I have an outbox for the kids toys Grin put things in there and wait to see if they ask where "x" is.

So far though, I've not moved any of the toys out of the house and I very obviously need to do my stuff too.

Think Outbox will go in spare room once Christmas decorations go back in the loft.

I am finding it hard to not just focus on my projects list now. I've not counted how many jobs are highlighted.

UnrelatedToElephants · 06/01/2015 15:52

I did a pre-christmas clear out and charity shop run, so I'm struggling for my outbox items. I got rid of 2 black bags of my clothes and around 20 handbags/rucksacks so that's good, but might have scuppered the challenge.

Think it will end up being on top of the Freezer, as that's a newly cleared area that'll fill up again if it doesn't have a purpose!

holmessweetholmes · 06/01/2015 16:04

Outbox sounds like a good idea, but I haven't really got anything to put in one at the moment, as I did a massive declutter before we moved in October.

maleenteringfemalefacilities · 06/01/2015 16:10

Joining in - I'm a little behind but if I post what I've done/have to do, it will motivate me...

I borrowed my parent's steam cleaner for the floors yesterday, but DD was ill so haven't used it yet. I'm at work and she's sleeping through the sore throat (I hope) - also she's 18 - I haven't left a toddler at home alone! So hoping to do the floors tonight.

I did the project list about 2 years ago (just randomly, not for the Cure) and had about 100 items on it, so I'm dreading doing it again. Hopefully the 3-5 items per room will make it feel a bit more manageable.

Karbea · 06/01/2015 16:59

I think I'm going to make my outbox our spare bed, but I need to sort of the stuff that's on it first oh the irony
I might try and get some floors finished tonight too, just got in from work and having tea first!

IDidNotKnowThat · 06/01/2015 17:16

I have got so much stuff that I mean to eBay but never get round to - and baby things like travel cot, clothes etc just taking up space. I MUST get rid of it, but other than cracking and taking it to the tip recycle centre I don't know what to do with it all. Some stuff is too big to post easily. I wonder about donating to a refuge - does anyone know if they would be interested in kiddy stuff? Furniture? If so, how would one go about doing so? I've googled in the past but for obvious reasons they're not easy to find...

IDidNotKnowThat · 06/01/2015 17:17

Honestly, I've got an out house, never mind an outbox and it's making me Angry

nicknamenonsense · 06/01/2015 18:01

Idid we have a charity near us that takes furniture for homeless people who are just getting their first place, try looking at that for furniture.
I'm obviously the only one who got presents that are neither useful or beautiful!!

Karbea · 06/01/2015 20:49

Ok I've sorted the outbox (bed in the spare room), I cleared it and changed the bedding (it's been unmade for months).
I still haven't finished the floors but figured it was best to keep up and just be behind on one task. Anyone any ideas what tmrs task is? As I'm out all day.

IDidNotKnowThat · 06/01/2015 21:47

Well done Karbea. No idea about tomorrow's task, but I failed miserably on today's (didn't even bother tbh!) so hopefully will do better tmrw!

Gabriola · 07/01/2015 06:42

IDidNot are you in Greater Manchester? Wood Street Mission will collect baby things in good condition.

If not, they may know of a similar charity in your area. Alternatively ring round the charities near to you. Smaller charities like this are often well know by larger ones, but don't have a publicity/marketing budget so wont have much web-presence.

I have stalled with the tasks due to having had an operation on my foot. Making lots of lists though for when I am back on my feet.

Mitchdafish · 07/01/2015 09:11

Hi, just joining. I was ill during the floors weekend, had done the kitchen, bathroom and one bedroom already so... well that will do for now, will work on the rest as and when, the thought of cleaning under things! Ick.
Loved making the list, it mostly involves sorting stuff that is on the floors that I can't face cleaning. 18 tasks in all, mostly sorting and tidying - esp under beds- as I don't have the money to decorate or replace dodgy furniture/storage yet. Plus I know that really the problem is too much stuff.
I included patio and lean-to.
I have an oveflowing outbox, it has been full since Spring.
I appreciate some of the tasks being quite small.
Also appreciating your feedbac on how it's going! Great way to constructively procrastinateWink

juneybean · 07/01/2015 09:26

Only just found this thread but am intrigued so have signed up for an email!

CMP69 · 07/01/2015 10:00

I'm in, but haven't had a chance to post yet.

Floors done, stairs rather superficially.

Bought some pretty tea roses, which made me smile as the house looked a bit drab with all the Christmas colour gone Smile
Gave the kitchen a really good clean post Christmas so hopefully that will keep it under control for a while. The bathrooms are another story completely!
Love the idea of an out box, I do this with ds' beloved possessions junk fairly regularly but dh might not be so receptive. i currently have 3 bags to go to the next charity collector who puts a bag through the door!
I have a list of "To Do's" in my head, but most of them have been there for a long time. Writing it down scares me hugely, but I'm going to bite the bullet on my Friday afternoon off, before the school run.
I'm going to try to post regularly as it might shame me into keeping it up. I walked in from work yesterday and my living room looked lovely (before the Skylanders hit it lol)

inconceivableme · 07/01/2015 11:02

British Heart Foundation have some household shops that will collect furniture and larger items too, as do some more local / regional charities in my area.

IDidNotKnowThat · 07/01/2015 11:05

Thanks Gabriola and Inconceivableme for the ideas - I think I need to make getting rid of this stuff my number one mission for January! I will follow up your suggestions Smile.

RunningKatie · 07/01/2015 12:34

ididnotknowthat - i tried donating to a refuge but they had no storage so couldn't take it.

However we have a fab organisation here called Baby Basics that takes all manner of things for families that have nothing. Not sure if they are UK wide though, a nearby NCT branch also does a similar collection.

I'm aiming to do one job off my hit list a day, even if that's not what I should be doing, just because it's keeping me motivated.