Best house cleaning system when working full time?

[mum2jakie]

Both of us work full time and I'm finding it difficult to get a decent routine and keep up with household jobs. Cleaner is not an option!!

What is the best system for full time workers? Happy to do tasks at the weekends as we are both shattered by the evenings and mornings are chaotic enough. Systems that involve 45 mins of cleaning every day aren't really practical. Any recommendations?

Have a quick put away of the clutter/daily 'stuff' that ends up on the sides/sofa. Make sure you wash up and wash down work surfaces at the end of the day etc. Put a wash load on while you cook dinner.
Both hands on deck first thing on Saturday morning? Dust, hoover, clean bathrooms etc?

Do the bare minimum in the week and clean like a crazy person at the weekend and get cross due to lack of time off.

Collapse on a Sunday night and say “never again. I’ll be more on top of it next week”

Sorry to say but the only way I’ve found is getting up earlier or doing stuff in the evenings. I do a load of washing each day. I do the basics every day as well and add in a rubbish job like washing a shower or mopping the floors. Everyone has to pull their weight and I have lowered my standards a bit too. Really big jobs have to wait for holidays.

Thanks for the responses.

I do a wash every day as there are five of us and try and clean as we go/hoover daily. My standards are already very low by Mumsnet standards!

Spend time decluttering first - be ruthless and weigh it up against an easier day to day life.

Less toys is more play for most children!

Sufficient storage for remaining things - this helps keep tops and floors clear for quick wiping

Children taking ownership for the things they can manage.

Take something with you when you leave a room and put it away

Places for coats shoes bags and put away when you first come home

Wipe the bathroom down when you're in bathing the kids

Kitchen tops when waiting for things to cook

Robot Hoover if all else fails - but you still need tidy floors

Slow cooker for meals - put on in the morning and ready for when you get home

Cook double meals and freeze

Don't have too many clothes - the temptation is not to put them away as you have more to fall on

Good tips @ChishandFips33

The problem I find is that I haven't got the time/energy/inclination to do everything that needs doing at the weekends. Thank God for the bank holiday weekend - I've managed to mow the lawn today and made a start on decluttering the kids' and our wardrobes. I have also rediscovered a pair of summer shoes so have saved myself some cash too! I think I need a four day weekend every week though to keep on top of everything!

It's great start and remember every thing you declutter etc us a step closer to what you want

I think 4 day weekends should be compulsory!

Have a look at Team TOMM on Facebook. It's The Organised Mum Method. I find it helpful.

Where is he in all this what’s he doing

@PrincessButtockUp - I found TOMM worked okay when I was part time but doesn't really work full time as there are some days when I don't have the opportunity to do anything at all.

@Palaver1 - OH does his fair share during the week as he has a shorter commute than me. He does all the pick ups and sorts tea for everyone each weeknight and straightens up/wipes up etc. It's the bigger jobs that we struggle with and my OH resents doing tasks at the weekends as he sees it as 'a waste'.

Lets be honest there is no magic bullet.
What might be a good idea is if you both wake up a little earlier before the children wake up and just get on with it an hour should be plenty of time .just dont over think the tasks