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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

Need help with cleaning and decluttering...

320 replies

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 17/02/2016 09:53

DH is unhappy in our relationship and wants to leaveand has cited my housekeeping/lack of ability to get rid of stuff as a factor. I'm overwhelmed. Don't know where to start.

Any tips?

OP posts:

ConkerTriumphant · 05/08/2016 00:43

Lovely update!

Grumpyoldblonde · 05/08/2016 14:17

Hey Sponge great to hear from you! Gosh your life has changed hasn't it? Sorry to hear you ex is being a knob. Hoping to hear a bit more about the mystery man now? C'mon we need more details about this fella!
Good to hear you are plodding on with the house, Rome wasn't built in a day and it is the summer hols, my house is a right old mess with kids in and out, but so what? It is hygienic and we are having fun.

Original poster

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 05/08/2016 14:32

Well, I met him via a dating site. I had huge reservations about all of that, because of how stuff like that used to be viewed 15-20 years ago when I was last single, but I gather it's normal now - and it sure beats nicking someone else's husband, doesn't it?

Also, it difficult to meet people like you used to - in pubs, clubs etc - because everyone your own age is in with their kids! So I gave it a go, and after some fairly uninspiring chats, this chap just popped up. I read his profile and he has very similar interests to mine (I never posted mine because I hate doing anything like that) so similar, so I messaged him. We chatted for a bit and then arranged to meet in a pub and play pool and drink beer. Haven't had so much fun in ages. Then chatting more and that's when he mentioned the Kondo book. I had to smile to myself and I made a mental note to get back and sort out my house. Apparently, he folds his clothes and socks as she instructs. But he doesn't seem overly obsessed or anything.

Like I said, it's very early days. It's so nice getting to know someone. It's nice to have someone look at you and be happy that you're there.

OP posts:

Grumpyoldblonde · 05/08/2016 15:11

That's lovely and I hope it all goes well. I am on a Kondo group in Facebook and there are a few men on there, I wonder if he is one of them, possible I guess.
Anyway, yes I reckon dating sites are just how people meet these days, no stigma like the old days. I have friends who have met and married via the internet.
I am pleased for you, I really am, and keep posting if you want to carry on the decluttering, although you may be too busy with your new boyfriend to think about your old housekeeping buddies

Original poster

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 05/08/2016 17:28

what's the facebook group called - I'll look and tell you!

I want to keep going. I don't want another relationship to end because of my lack of tidiness. Anyway, too early for it to be called a relationship or even for him to be called my boyfriend, but whatever it is, and whatever it ends up being, it's really nice now.

OP posts:

Grumpyoldblonde · 05/08/2016 17:56

It's the KonMari Uk group. Great source of support and ideas and also dangerous as people post up great finds and I must keep out of the shops!
This new friendship, as I suppose it is at the moment, must be giving you a boost after all the heartache. I guess you must have loads to sort out and organise with your ex, so what with that, work, the kids, you have a lot on your plate, so to have someone you can have a drink and some fun with can only be a good thing, whether it turns out to be a long term relationship or just a passing fancy, nice to have a reason for a squirt of perfume and a bit of lipstick hey?
I am going to go now, I need to put my feet up with a G & T, it's been a long day. Hope to see you back here soon, bin bags to the ready!

Original poster

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 06/08/2016 11:12

I have joined this morning Grumpy. What a lovely group it is, too. Almost as lovely as this thread.

So, I'm in my bedroom which looks like a bomb has gone off/something from one of those shoes about hoarders. I've got the windows open, Saturday Kitchen on, and bin bags at the ready. I'm going in...

OP posts:

Grumpyoldblonde · 06/08/2016 11:48

Good luck! I suspect I have posted welcoming words to you in the group, I know that a lot of the ladies in the group post on Mumsnet. I told you it's a big job but worthwhile if it is you
I am on free electric now on Saturdays so making the most of the weather to get mountains of washing done.
Hope you achieve what you want today.

CiderwithBuda · 06/08/2016 12:26

Lovely to see your update withasponge. I lost the thread but have wondered about you off an on.

I'm just back from a three week holiday and am in midst of chaos. Spent yesterday unpacking and washing. Today I need to put stuff away and finish the washing.

My house is cluttered and needs sorting big time. Garden is out of control too. It's huge and I find it overwhelming so tend to leave it to DH. We really need help with it. I've promised I'll help for a week to get it under control. So between that and the house I should be busy. Am very good at procrastinating though!

Will have a look at the FB group. Need all the help I can get!

Original poster

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 06/08/2016 13:34

I wondered if you had, Grumpy. I was trying to work out who you might be!

OP posts:

Grumpyoldblonde · 06/08/2016 14:46

Did you work it out? 4th message down

Original poster

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 06/08/2016 15:50

I thought that might be you - they way you wrote seemed familiar!

OP posts:

Original poster

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 16/08/2016 09:38

Ladies - you would not believe what I have been doing. I still have a long way to go, but I have bagged up about 15 black bags! And I have a drawer (was the drawer that I just binged stuff in) and now it contains only knives and cling film! I have a party drawer, a drawer for pans, ones for napkins and table cloths, stationery, art and crafts, and memories. Like I said, I have a long way to go, but it doesn't feel such an enormous journey now.

OP posts:

Sonnet · 16/08/2016 09:54

Lovely to hear from you - I was wondering how you were doing..

Well done!
Enjoy your tidy drawers and cupboards ( I kept opening mine to have a look )

Grumpyoldblonde · 16/08/2016 18:55

Wow Sponge that's great strides, I managed to sort all my drawers a while back and was very pleased with them - unfortunately my delightful other half seems hell bent on filling an empty space.
I really worked so hard to declutter and my family can destroy a space in moments, empty crisp packets lying around (stuffed down the back of sofas)I think I mentioned way back in the thread we had our bathroom refitted, beautiful, looked like a hotel bathroom but it seems I am the only one capable of using the small pedal bin to put loo roll inners in there or spent toothbrushes)
I think I will have to really gear myself up for a good screech at them and if they don't mend their ways declutter them.
Sorry this is turning into a bit of a rant, I do like a house to be a bit homely and lived in, but God, surely putting your rubbish in the bin rather than under the bed isn't that difficult?

Better stop now or I'll be here all night ranting, I think a G & T is in order.
Anyhow, really, really well done on those 15 bags, that is a lot of stuff to get rid off, you're doing great! (sorry for going off on one)

DailyMailPenisPieces · 18/08/2016 21:32

I'm glad you updated OP - it came up in active and hit me at a time I need to declutter. I used to be a great declutterer and very tidy and organised, but since the kids have got older, I have chilled and am very busy, and the house needs a good sorting.

Got my book from Amazon yesterday and hope to finish it tonight.

Glad to see your life is sorting itself out

Original poster

withaspongeandarustyspanner · 16/02/2017 14:14

Hey - all of you. Sponge is back. It's taken a year, but I'm pretty much back to my old pre-Ex self. I'd forgotten who I was because I was so caught up in being a Mum that I forgot and I got miserable and stopped caring about things. Anyway, the house isn't where I want it to be but it is MUCH improved.

Tidy man came and went (which is fine) but now there is a very lovely man (also very tidy and organised) in my life (who was always sort of there in the background). And things are really up and looking awesome.

I hope all of you are well X

OP posts:

kittytom · 16/02/2017 14:46

I have just found your thread today having googled 'mumsnet housekeeping overwhelmed' so really pleased to see your update today! Glad things are looking up for you and there is a lovely new man on the scene.

Meanwhile, I need some bin bags....

daisydalrymple · 17/02/2017 16:52

Oh how lovely to see your update sponge. I followed your thread last year and it's great to see things so much more improved all round for you.

GrumpyOldBlonde · 20/02/2017 16:59

Hey Sponge how lovely to see your update, I've wondered how you are doing now.
So good to hear that life is really looking up for you, what a contrast to last year.

I just popped into housekeeping to have a browse around towel recommendations (I am a thrill a minute kinda woman!) and saw this thread back on the page. I'm really happy for you

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