Small things that make a difference/Golden rules

[ChickenVindaloo2]

I was just musing on how I've been managing to keep on top of things a bit better recently. It comes down to this I reckon:

1. Keep on top of filling and emptying the dishwasher. Keeping on top of the kitchen is the main battle. Similarly, no overflowing/smelly bins, they're really depressing too.
2. Carry laptop/tablet or similar from room to room with something decent to watch whilst doing chores. Repeats of The Big Bang Theory have helped me through!
3. Put laundry away immediately. (Except stuff needing ironed) It's just as quick as procrastinating and leaving it til tomorrow. And you feel so much better in the morning with a tidy room and not having to root around in baskets for clean clothes. More chance of being able to get away without ironing certain things too. I say in my head "just do it now".

I've realised that things like dusting don't actually need done every week in my house.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on small actions that make a big difference? And what things do you not bother with so much?

Never leave a room empty handed.
Never leave the table (you've been eating at) empty handed.
Never go upstairs empty handed.
Always do something whilst you are 'waiting' (even if it is only 90 seconds while the kettle boils.)
Wash out things as you empty them when you are cooking - most stuff comes off very easily when fresh, but becomes a much bigger job when food has dried on.
When serving up, put the empty saucepan straight into dishwasher.

Hang clothes up straight from the tumble direr, or, if not going into a tumble drier, put on a hanger to dry. Saves massively on ironing.

Put things where they need to go - don't let them stop off along the way.

Clean up as you cook

Before I leave the house every morning the beds are done, the dishwasher unloaded/loaded, the floor swept, the laundry in the basket. (I don't do all these things)

Before I go to bed at night the dishwasher is on, the kitchen cleaned and - most important - my coffee is ready to go for the morning.

My mantra is 'little and often'.

Tidy up before bed.

Have a dishwasher routine; ours goes on after the evening meal and is emptied before bed, so it's ready for the new day.

Do small jobs as you go, such as freshening up bathroom, wiping down kitchen sink and worktops, airing and making beds first thing.

Keep clutter to a minimum or at least try to have a place for everything.

Keep the hob and sink area clean, that's what others notice.

I get away with hoovering once a week (no kids at home, no pets).

A quick squirt of toilet cleaner and wiping the seat with an antibac or baby wipe daily keeps everything good until you do a more thorough weekly clean.

Squeegee the shower screen to avoid water marks. A little washing up liquid on an ecloth, wiped over bathroom mirrors and glass prevents them steaming up.

Everything has a place and everything in it's place.

Minimise your journeys - I always have something or several things in my hands to put away and try to do as few back and forths as possible.

I wash up as I go along and if I'm serving a very hot dish I'll quickly wash up the saucepans whilst waiting for it to cool down to eat.

I've finally got into a bed changing routine, so it's always on the same day and i don't have to try and remember when I last changed it.

Stay on top of washing clothes - I put a load in most mornings.

JFDI - Just Fucking Do It

wiping the seat with an antibac or baby wipe daily

For anyone who does this, please don’t flush them down the toilet. londonist.com/london/great-outdoors/mounds-of-wet-wipes-on-the-banks-of-the-thames

Love JFDI!

I find adverts are useful. If I can’t be bothered to do something or have been putting something off (need to adopt JFDI!), then I do it doing an ad break. Somehow, that five minute spurt of activity works me.

Also,,write a list of jobs to be done. Always do,the one you least want to do first, and get it over and done with.

This,probably,sounds sad, but sometimes I write myself a timetable,of jobs. Ie. 9-11am -ironing, 11-12.30pm-clean downstairs, etc.

Howeve, I shall be reading this thread with interest, as i’m Not the most organised when it comes to housework. I do it ‘cause I have to, not because I want to, and don’t see clutter/mess/cleaning jobs to,do like'other people do.

Clean the bathroom while you pee - spray first, let it work while you're on the loo and wipe/rinse off. Miles less effort and cleans better.

Clean kitchen while kettle boils - flick switch, spray, put things away, make cuppa, wipe down quickly while tea brews, drink cuppa feeling saintly. Again, less effort for a better result.

Put conditioner in hair, face mask on and hoover while waiting for bath to run, ditto.

I try to practise the Ohio principle - Only Handle It Once. So if a letter arrives and needs a reply, I try to do it immediately. Or if I’ve sorted a wardrobe, the charity bag goes to the charity shop as soon as possible.

Luna, yes I should have mentioned that, quite right.

Similar to other posters....
I have a dishwasher routine, goes on right before bed, emptied after kids leave for school and loaded with breakfast dishes.
I then cif the sink use a bit of bleach around the tap and plug (I probably cif the sink three times a day! I can't stand water marks....).
I hen tidy up downstairs, hoover, mop, dust and tidy!
I don't really have any golden rules, I just always put the dishwasher on before bed and cif the sink!

30 minutes after dinner > 3 hours during the day. I’ve no idea why. Probably something to do with the dc not having the opportunity to wreak havoc

Keep surfaces (counter tops and tables) clear. And buy flowers to draw the eye so you don’t notice the mess as much (lowering your glasses prescription helps too)

I try and do a wash each day from start to finish, including ironing. I leave my iron out all the time. I can easily do three or four items, but if I have to take out the iron I’ll wait until I have a pile that is actually visible from space.

Put the dishwasher on each evening. I put pots and all in and can always find a stray lunchbox or cup under someone’s bed to fill the gaps. I find it easier to start the day with clean dishes.

Start small and build momentum for the bigger jobs- I might only need to straighten a few cushions in one room so I’ll start there and mentally tick that off as a room done, then maybe do the hall or the small bathroom, before tackling the bombsite.

Before and after pics can be really helpful when you can’t finish an area completely. You have proof of progress on screen!

Don’t put it down; put it away Is a great rule, and decluttering until you have a place for everything that’s left helps. I don’t buy as much now because of the question “where will this live?”

I like to listen to podcasts while I’m working.

I try to practise the Ohio principle - Only Handle It Once.

I never heard this expression!! It is exactly how I run my life/house/admin stuff. Thank you @knittedfairies!

op your rules are pretty much exactly the same as what I’ve concluded over the past few months of overhauling my “systems”

I now say “there is a blockage in the system” eg dw needs emptying .. and I just mechanically get on and do it

If something takes less than 5mins to do - do it there and then, rather than put off til later.

I read the above tip on here a few years ago and it's completely transformed things in my house! I've had to lower it to 2 mins as I have small children - but it's really surprising what you can do in 2 min and what a difference it makes overall

Jfdi is my mantra too.

Also re paper clutter I take photos of all paper work such as letters from school / clubs / scouts etc and store them in my phone so I can chuck all the actual paper out.

I swear by lists too ~ I spend 5 mins before I go to bed listing everything that needs doing the following day. I find it helps me focus and sometimes a 5 minute job gets done there and then. I also clear clutter from the sitting room/dining room/kitchen otherwise it attracts more things. I try and deal with any paperwork and bills right away (doesn't always happen). My other big tip is absolutely everything ready the night before school stuff, uniform laid out (shoes shined, underwear etc) and my clothes out.