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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Need to organise the chaos - is Flylady the only way?

35 replies

Ceolas · 12/05/2007 21:13

I am a crap housekeeper. Really I am. The place is a disaster. It sounds pathertic, but I must get organised before baby number 4 arrives in August.

Flylady seems so complicated. I signed up for the emails but couldn't keep track.

Can I have some simple tips to help me organise the chaos, please?

OP posts:
purpleturtle · 12/05/2007 21:15

I've been doing the babysteps for 10 days. I am addicted.

I've done it because I hope to be moving from this rented house in August, and I would like to be able to leave it clean, without having to blitz it within an inch of its life, only in order to leave, IYSWIM. I want to benefit from my labours.

10 days in, I don't even have to open most of the e-mails, either because I've slotted that thing into my routine, or because there's no way I'm going to do it. I just hit delete.

Flamesparrow · 12/05/2007 21:16

Did you sign up for US emails or UK ones? There are lots less UK ones.

FLYlady is the only way that has worked for me

Original poster
Ceolas · 12/05/2007 21:17

US I think.

Are you FLying then, Flame?

OP posts:
purpleturtle · 12/05/2007 21:17

If you don't want to get into all that, you could take one or two of the principles: always clear your kitchen sink before bed, and do little bits often. I think those would be the biggest things for me.

Flamesparrow · 12/05/2007 21:18

I was, then stopped, and am trying to get started again (lasted a whoel 3 days last week )

Once I get going properly then it is amazing.

clutteredup · 12/05/2007 21:21

tell me more - i'm drowning in disorganisation ( not me name - says it all) who is this flylady and does she come round and do it all for you ?

gothicmama · 12/05/2007 21:23

baby steps from fly lady is a good way to start as is 15 min blocks of cleaning a few times a day and finishing a job before you go on to something else are good starting points.

Original poster
Ceolas · 12/05/2007 21:23

I wish she came round!

flylady

If you can wade through the website you're doing well

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 12/05/2007 21:24

Flylady

There are oodles of FLYers on good housekeeping threads during the week.

She helps you get a routine, clear the clutter and just get on top of it all really.

It sounds so obviously simple when you read what to do, but when you are a messy person - you just don't do it without a kick!

clutteredup · 12/05/2007 21:25

thanks ceolas I'll have a look and I'll be watching this one for more ideas too.

purpleturtle · 12/05/2007 21:25

The website could do with flylady taking a good hard look at it. It's one of the most cluttered sites ever made!

We've got a little support thread going for the babysteps - we're already into week2. Perhaps you might like to start one of your own?

clutteredup · 12/05/2007 21:26

oh, so that's what the fly things all about, i thought it was those black insect things d'oh!

Flamesparrow · 12/05/2007 21:26

I forgot to start when you did so was a few days behind you!

How about a new babysteps thread starting Monday?

Original poster
Ceolas · 12/05/2007 21:27

I like the idea of a simple weekly routine, but think I'd need to tackle the piles of clutter first

OP posts:
funnypeculiar · 12/05/2007 21:27

There was a new beginners babyflysteps thread around ... norma started it - but it seems to have gone quiet - I did well for about 5 days but need a thread to help me keep going - may have to join the main thread ... even if they are all going to have frequent flyer points

Flamesparrow · 12/05/2007 21:27

You declutter as you get the routine up and running - I got rid of loads of stuff when I started.

sorkycake · 12/05/2007 21:28

Don't do it!....RUN....Run as fast as you can....save yourself, it's the DARK side I tell you!

But if you do join FLYlady Norma's babysteps in Good Housekeeping is only one week running, I'm over there

Original poster
Ceolas · 12/05/2007 21:28

SO I can just jump in and get on with it? No preparation required?

OP posts:
funnypeculiar · 12/05/2007 21:29

Ah, it seems I've been avoiding norma's threads rather than it disappearing then

clutteredup · 12/05/2007 21:34

i'm on for monday, just visited the site, I can do day 1 - i think- but sustaining it might be hard- although dh a bit anal so will probably actually help with that one - morally that is.

Original poster
Ceolas · 12/05/2007 21:35

MY DH is as crap as me Kids are bad to but probably all my fault!

OP posts:
Surfermum · 12/05/2007 21:40

It honestly transformed my house and I didn't get the emails, and I never shone my sink . But I did pick lots of bits out of it and did the daily task for quite a while.

I stopped FLYing before Christmas as too many other things took over, and really must get back to it, but there are some things that have stayed with me and are great - like getting clothes for the next day ready the night before, a daily load of washing and swish and swipe in the bathroom.

Original poster
Ceolas · 12/05/2007 21:42

Did you pick and choose from the website, surfer? Or sign up for emails?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ceolas · 12/05/2007 21:42

just saw you didn't get the emails.

Not having a good day

OP posts:
clutteredup · 12/05/2007 21:44

hey i'm already flying without knowing, already put dc clothes and pack dc lunch and lay dc braeakfast night before - thus messy sink i guess- can't get dc to school , pre school and baby fed otherwise.

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