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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

I have a massive problem and I need to tackle it

22 replies

AspikyOne · 23/02/2018 17:52

My house is a total and utter tip. I can’t jeep on top of the housework and washing and I need to get it sorted out.
I have booked a cleaner to do a deep clean and then to come once a week for a while and I’ve booked a de cluttering service.
Today I started on the washing, Ive done 4 loads and estimate there are about another 12-15 loads to do.
This weekend I’m going to get 2 bin bags for each room and spend 30 mins in each room just throwing stuff or putting in charity shop bag. So that I’ve started on it before the lady comes to help as it’s that bad.

Dh has said he will take the rubbish to the tip so it’s gone and I don’t have a limit once bins are full.

I feel motivated for once as this house I’ve realised is depressing me

Any hints or tips? I’m naturally v disorganised and could do with as much help as possible thanks

OP posts:

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 23/02/2018 18:00

How many of you are there?
15 loads of washing in my house would be 4 x bedlinen, 3 x towels, 3 x darks, 3x lights, 1 woollens, I delicates.
That's nearly all the stuff in the house!

Seriously, if you're bad at keeping on top of laundry, the "obvious" thing to do is buy more stuff so that you don't need to put a wash on so often, but that actually exacerbates the problem.
I had a mass clear out of clothes and actually find it easier to keep on top of the laundry now, cos I wash when I'm running out of clothes, missing more often.

Original poster

AspikyOne · 23/02/2018 18:04

Yes that’s what we had been doing, buying more as couldn’t keep on top of the laundry. Had a bad run of everyone being ill over 6-8 weeks with an evil flu type virus and the washing has built up. There’s 7 of us

OP posts:

jelliebelly · 23/02/2018 18:12

You need a routine that works for you and stick to it! There’s only four of us but for example all laundry gets washed and dried on Saturday - sorted and put away on Sunday. Downstairs tidied every evening before bed with stuff that belongs upstairs being taken upstairs. Have storage so stuff can be put away - shoes/coats in coat cupboard, toys in toy box, kids stuff in kids rooms etc etc

spagbol11 · 23/02/2018 18:12

Hi op, I don’t have much advice as I’m a bit OTT with my housework, but I think you have made the first step.
I find having a routine is the best way forward. For example as soon as I get up I set washer off - I always tidy round as I go and wash up/fill dishwasher once we have eaten then no plates lying about. My eldest helps do chores for pocket money, like walking dog, keeping his room tidy and little things like helping me sort washing out. I always tidy before going to bed, then when I get up in the morning I don’t have mess to contend with. Don’t get me wrong I have 2 dcs and we do messy play,muddy boots,and toys out and dens, but I think the key is to tidy as you go to avoid the buildup of mess.

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 23/02/2018 18:15

Spiky I'm just coming out the other side of the same problem. There are 6 of us in a small 3 bed and although we didn't have a lot of stuff for the number of people it was too much stuff for the space we have. I've taken at least 2 bin bags to the charity shop every week since Christmas.
Something that really helped was buying everyone a cheap washing basket for their room (99p from eBay!) which means the bathroom basket isn't constantly spilling onto the floor!
I'd also had a huge and unorganised jumbled mess box of things to sell. It was never going to happen. I've had a lot of joy from giving things away on the local free site and to friends. I feel so much less anxious the clearer the house gets.
Still a way to go but I see progress! Good luck to you!

kinorsam · 23/02/2018 18:18

The minute a bag is full for the charity shop or to go to the dump, get it out of the house. Even if it only gets as far as the car. That's helped me a lot.

Akire · 23/02/2018 18:22

Keep at it. Ive done 12 bags rubbish this week and I’m disappointed it’s not looking much better.

Think it would been better start one area rather than all over then least I’d have one seriously tidy area to gloat over.

yamadori · 23/02/2018 18:23

How about taking absolutely all of the washing to a launderette and get them to do a service wash, dry and iron? (Or alternatively a sympathetic relative/friend).
While it is all out of the way for a couple of days, you will be able to see the wood for the trees a bit better. It might cost a few quid, but you'll then be able to go through all the wardrobes, drawers and the airing cupboard and get them neat and tidy before it all comes back. It can then all be put away properly.

Original poster

AspikyOne · 23/02/2018 18:26

I just realised I’m constantly cleaning and tidying and getting nowhere because of the sheer amount of clutter
I just need it all gone

OP posts:

Todayissunny · 23/02/2018 18:27

I think you need to get the other 6 people in the house to take some of the responsibility for doing jobs as well. They each make 1/7 of the mess and should do their bit.

TellsEveryoneRealFacts · 23/02/2018 18:29

What about all the other people in the house? You are not their slave.

Original poster

AspikyOne · 23/02/2018 18:37

Dh will help/has been trying to help but I was hoping he would take some of dc out.
Eldest two have been helping they have their usual jobs to do (looking after pets, homework etc and eldest has started to help sort out cupboards when not studying)
Younger ones are at the moment more help to me if they are out or watching tv and not making anymore mess! Littlest is newborn so he can’t help and I think he’s responsible for a lot of the washing 😂

OP posts:

Original poster

AspikyOne · 23/02/2018 18:38

I think I realised how bad things are because I want to enjoy the baby and I’ve been so busy so the motivation to get it sorted ASAP is there

OP posts:

Todayissunny · 23/02/2018 20:48

It is so easy to build up clutter. . Good luck with getting it sorted out.

PenelopeFlintstone · 24/02/2018 09:07

There's a decluttering thread on here. One item every day. Some people are doing one bag a day.

Allthepinkunicorns · 24/02/2018 09:33

Just keep decluttering you will eventually start to see results once all the junk has been removed. I try and do 1-2 loads of washing every day otherwise the washing just piles up and I can't keep on top of it. I try and put all toys away with the help of my ds before he goes to bed. I also hoover 1-2 Times a week and dust. Try and keep clutter of the sides as well.

PenelopeFlintstone · 24/02/2018 10:29

I only do about 5 or 6 loads a week. Family of four.

onlyonaTuesday · 24/02/2018 17:12

Put a wash load a day on, once you have cleared it.
Use colour catchers so you can chuck everything in together. Then dry it and put it away or sort into piles and get everyone to put their own away.

Good look with getting everything sorted op.
You will be so relaxed when it's all done.

Maybeicanhelp · 26/02/2018 10:50

I reckon decluttering is key. The more useless stuff you can get rid of, then the less you will need to tidy / clean / wash / dry etc.

Do you have a tumble dryer? That will help to keep on top of laundry. Ditto a dishwasher if you have room.

Make sure the rest of the household pull their weight. I lowered my standards when mine were teenagers; if it wasn't put to dirty, it wasn't washed. I shut the doors on their bedrooms and left them to it, with the threat of going through all their personal stuff if I couldn't see the floor or cupboard surfaces for their filth.

Good luck, we've all been there .

helpmum2003 · 26/02/2018 20:46

I agree declutter ing is the key to reducing housework - if everything has a place to be put away it's easier to keep clean. I've spent 2 years slowly declutter ing and it's made such a difference.
Do you have a large capacity washing machine? Having a 10kg one really helps.

Good luck - if I had 5 kids including a newborn I would not have a tidy house!!

Namethecat · 26/02/2018 20:52

Is your house really a mess of something you've got into your head that it is ? If we asked you to take a photo of your front room would we be in agreement with you or does it just need a tidy up ? I say this because I have a friend who is always moaning about her place but tbh it's ok.

Maybeicanhelp · 27/02/2018 10:29

I second the large capacity washing machine.

And try to keep the sink and hob areas clear, it somehow works .

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