The Organised Mum Method thread 2

[Xiaoxiong]

Since we were all so chatty and supportive on the last thread, let's keep it going. We're not all mums, not all organised, but we're getting there!

For new joiners: check out www.theorganisedmum.blog for the basics of Level 1 and Level 2 jobs and then come and chat about it!

A filter jug like a Brita? I don't have one anymore, but I used to take it apart and hand-wash with Fairy whenever I noticed fingerprints on the jug or that the handle was no longer clean. Probably once a week maybe.

(I stopped using a Brita when I discovered that I could get a massively detailed report on the quality and contents of our tap water just by putting our postcode into the Ofwat or the Thames Water site. Literally the only thing in the water in our area is a metric fuckton of calcium carbonate, no chlorine at all. And since activated charcoal doesn't remove carbonates there was no point in spending all the money on Brita filters.)

Yeah it's a Brita type thing, j don't really know how it works but I think my husband got it to stop the kettle getting limed up - not sure it's worked... it gets a sort of lime scale build up in it which I think probably defeats the purpose of using it! Cleaned it this morning and it was a bit of a faff to be honest and I don't feel like I've really got it clean, wondering about putting it in the dishwasher.

Yep, we thought the same that a Brita filter would soften the water from the tap. It doesn't because the filter is activated charcoal which doesn't remove carbonates (the stuff that deposits as limescale). It does remove chlorine smells and other stuff, but at least around here the water isn't chlorinated and the tests show there's nothing else in our water thanks to treatment at the pumping stations so there's no point really!

I want to do this but I don't think I can do 30 minutes on my work days (14 hrs with commute 3 or 4 days a week, varies which days). I have an 11 month old in cloth nappies so wash nappies every 2-3 days. Has anyone tweaked it when working long shifts? Had a massive KonMarie declutter pre baby too but it feels like we're back to square one!

Littlechoc don't you work long shifts?

The whole idea to the method is that little and often is better than a massive blitz, so I think you should still do what you can from level 1 every day (10-15 min max and you have to stop when the timer goes off and pick up tomorrow where you left off). I used to do it when I was travelling 3 days a week, often 5 mins of floor cleaning while waiting for the kettle to boil in the morning and a wipe down of toilets or another part of the bathroom while the kids were in the bath at night. over the week the whole bathroom would get cleaned, just never sparkling clean all at the same time!

@Xiaoxiong Yep, that’s me. I usually stop at 30 mins and miss the job completely if working that day and do it next time if off but the bedroom had been ignored for months. It was nice to go to bed in a slightly cleaner room. Still loads to do in there but that will wait until next time.

Guys I have to share this with you as I know you will understand...
Finally did my tax return yesterday (extended deadline due to HMRC admin fuck up) and I'm getting a rebate! Quite a big one... will be able to treat myself to a hand held cordless hoover!!!!!! Yaaaaay!!!!! (And a holiday haha but I'm more excited about the Hoover right now!)

Hooray for new hoover! Honestly it makes such a difference having a good one. I was so excited when I got mine and two months later I still like using it

I've got a great cordless one for the floors but have been hankering after one for the stairs and sofa and cat litter mess xxx

Gah sorry for the naff kisses, was simultaneously texting husband!

I've been sticking with it still. Our cleaner was sick this week, so did the full 30 mins. The house looks amazing.

Isntit I work long days plus commute. We do have a cleaner once a week, so I've usually been doing just 15 mins. I think the value in it is little and often. Do what you can from level one and maybe one task from level 2? Or set for a shorter time? I think you can make it work.

I had to switch around a couple of Friday focuses to fit in with my shifts (I don't like leaving my toddler alone in the flat in the morning to do the close and stairs on outside week, so it suits me better to do it a week me and my OH are home by tea time)

Anyway, this week for me is outside and it's just taken me 1.5 hours to do that and my inside hall because there was so much muck generated from fitting the bathroom. Normally I stop at the bottom of the stairs and my downstairs neighbours do the ground floor, but seeing as it was all our mess I did that as well. On the plus side my hoover reaches the front door downstairs while plugged in to the hallway!

Bathroom is nearly done, just need a new door fitted and a couple of wee bits finished so that's happening Tuesday, I hope it's less messy afterwards.

I will be doing some catch up tomorrow, as my mum has been visiting and it always screws up my routine (partly as she thinks dusting is a waste of time!) I think I need to plan ahead better and switch the days around according to what days she is visiting!
What do people do on the miscellaneous room Friday focus if you don't have another room?

So far I've done cupboards on the miscellaneous Friday. I've got a huge one in my living room which holds the boiler, two sets of plastic drawers and three massive shelves. So it's packed with stuff. There's also one in the kitchen which I assume would have been a pantry but I can't call it that because it's full of recycling boxes, tools, carrier bags and decorating stuff. I don't necessarily clean them but do a clear out and tidy up.

I do the living room and under-stairs. That seems to be the room that attracts the most mess and dirt so benefits from two Friday focuses.

Without being flamed but I'm on the fb page for TOMM and find the tips helpful etc. Have to say I did the boot camp and that was great and I follow this loosely, I still clean on a Saturday morning but I find that work for me so I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

However it really does concern me that i see women driving themselves crazy over really non important things. Huge debates over loo brushes?? Why?? Are we now meant to be displaying loo brushes by our front doors to be judged on and I missed that memo???
I understand we want clean and tidy houses, it's nicer, makes us feel calmer etc but I worry some ladies are literally going nuts thinking that Gemma has some Nazi police patrol that are going to turn up on their doorstep and judge them!!
There's posts about getting up at 5am to CLEAN!!! WTF???? Gemma has clearly stated she doesn't clean at this time of day, it's for her own time.
I'm guess what I'm trying to say is chill out and stop worrying so much!! I wish women would go easier on themselves sometimes. We have a hard enough time some days without further berating ourselves etc for things we think we should be seen to be doing.

I haven't spent any time reading the Facebook group but to be honest the same could be said for Mumsnet regarding loo brushes and how often you change your sheets.
I'm not berating myself or getting up at 5am to clean, I am just finding this model to be a Useful structure, but I'm not following it religiously. Cos I'm a sensible grown up.

Also I don't give a shit about what other people think of my house (although I feel smug that my house is cleaner than my mother in law's). I do this for me and my family because I like us to have a clean, tidy, organised house and I want to get into good habits for when three people becomes four and an incontinent old cat and football kit and scooters and all the rest of it.

And that is great to hear London. Exactly the purpose of the group, just wish other ladies would calm down and not add to their woes!
And we all feel smug about having a cleaner house than our MIL

I leave the house at 7 am two days per week and get home after 9pm. I don’t do anything these days but try to do an hour cleaning the day before or after to catch up....probably less than an hour actually as I don’t wish to be a slave to my house. I always find the 15 mins is a huge underestimate. Especially re laundry...washing ,drying ironing/folding, putting away and emptying the hot press.Plus. Have 2 little dogs so I clean my kitchen floor every other day.
On a whole it does work for me as I know what I need to be doing but it does take longer that Gemma says,for me a least.

Yes 15 minutes is adequate to do something like clean the toilet and put a washing in the machine. It's at least another ten minutes to hang it up and ten minutes to fold and put away (I save tons of time by skipping ironing altogether )

How's everyone getting on today?

Level one and two done.
How about you London?

I won’t be able to do the bedroom tomorrow because I’ll be asleep (good excuse ).

Did level 1 and 2 this morning except didn't clean the windows In living room or wash throws as did them last week. Plus my usual extras - wipe down high chair and kitchen surfaces, unload dishwasher etc. Was feeling very smug this morning! Helped that the toddler has been chilled and helpful (I think I need to get him his own dust pan and brush!)
Also did a "stocktake" of freezer and meal plan for the week this morning.
Will prob do two days worth of jobs tomorrow as my mum is here and taking the toddler out for the afternoon - also no housework day on Weds as going into central London for an appointment.

I did level 2 this morning and I've just finished tomorrow's level 2 as we will be out all day to allow for the bathroom being finished off.

Kitchen didn't get a proper level 2 last week so it'll need doing thoroughly this week, is it just me that finds they get through the list easier in the morning rather than the afternoon?

Monday and Tuesday's stuff gets done straight after breakfast around 8.30 and seems really easy. Wednesday's only takes ten minutes for me so that's easy no matter when. I always work on a Thursday, either 9-2, 9-4 or 9-6 and doing the kitchen after that always seems such a slog. Likewise focus Fridays that fall before a late shift seem easier than the ones done after I finish at 2.