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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

A clean & tidy home for 2020 - accountability group needed

59 replies

DisasterHome · 15/12/2019 03:42

Hi, I am looking to start a Whatsapp accountability group for keeping the house clean and tidy - entry-level style! (i.e. for those of us that live in utter chaos and with a pretty dirty place).

Basically, my house and all the stuff in it are massive sources of stress and I just can’t take it anymore. But despite this, I’m usually quite happy to go to bed with all my dishes dirty, not having touched a bathroom cleaning product in a month, etc, etc). I recently joined a Whatsapp accountability group for something else (exercising from home) and it is working a treat. I’m hoping to replicate the same for this other area of my life where I just can’t seem to get my arse into gear.

So, I’m hoping for around 5-6 people max to be accountability buddies. That seems to be the magic number as otherwise you become anonymous and the accountability dissipates... I know this site is mostly used by UK parents, but just in case, I suggest UK (or GMT) only as otherwise the messages would come at times that don’t help each other get the job done. The plan that I’m hoping to follow is:

  • Daily ‘Shine your sink’ (based on the FlyLady) for week 1
  • After week 1, incorporate 10min cleaning/tidying/decluttering whatever is pestering you the most.

And that’s it. Nice and simple but I reckon this could have a massive effect. Specially the sink! So if you would like to join me for the above, just let me know by private message and we can start the group.

A word of warning, since this is for a Whatsapp group, please do not post your number on here as it will be visible to the whole of the internet. If you would like to join the group, just private message me., Similarly, anyone who joins the group and is found to be wanting to use the group for any malicious purposes will be blocked and reported to both Mumsnet and the police. Sorry to sound so harsh but I don’t want to compromise my

For a bit of background, I’ve never ever managed to keep my current house consistently clean on a daily basis. Over the last few years I have spent an awful lot of energy and focus on getting good habits for keeping my home tidy, organised & clean, but I always fail consistency-wise. So my head is a mumbo-jumbo of info from The Clutterbug, Marie Kondo, The Flylady, Diane from Denmark, A Slob Comes Clean, Taylor from Storage-solutions-101, and a number of youtubers. I’m hoping to keep it simple by just focusing on the sink and a short burst of whatever is needing the biggest attention and to make 2020 the year when everything changes in my house!

Hope someone will want to join me. Thanks!

OP posts:
SoleBizzz · 01/01/2020 23:33

Yeah @Today

NurseP · 02/01/2020 07:08

Who do we send out number to?

Sortinghatton · 02/01/2020 07:30

I know how to start a Watsapp group. If you want to send me a pm with your number I'd be happy to set up an overflow group for 5 to 6 people.

Sortinghatton · 02/01/2020 07:55

I've pmed Solebizz and Bitof to say that I know how to set up a Watsapp group and that I'm happy to set up an overflow group for 5 to 6 people. I'm awaiting their response. Smile

NurseP · 02/01/2020 08:20

Sortinghatton , I have messaged you my number to add to group please. X

Sortinghatton · 02/01/2020 09:08

Ok.So I've created an overflow group in Watsapp. NurseP and I are in it.

We've got room for 4 more people and then I'll close the door. If you want to join us, please send a pm to me in my in box with your details.

Sortinghatton · 02/01/2020 09:10

Just to reiterate Disaster's words

"A word of warning, since this is for a Whatsapp group, please do not post your number on here as it will be visible to the whole of the internet. If you would like to join the group, just private message me., Similarly, anyone who joins the group and is found to be wanting to use the group for any malicious purposes will be blocked and reported to both Mumsnet and the police."

Lllot5 · 02/01/2020 09:14

How about get off MN and WhatsApp and just tidy up 🤷‍♀️

katplva · 02/01/2020 09:40

Lllot5 - sometimes a virtual cheerleader/reminder can be helpful when one is struggling with getting started out, enthusiasm and willpower. PM sent if there is space for me in a overflow group Smile

Sortinghatton · 02/01/2020 11:48

Couldn't agree more katplva !

Lllot5 · 02/01/2020 12:00

Ok fair enough.
Got out of bed the wrong side this morning.
Good luck.

Sortinghatton · 02/01/2020 13:38

Hi Lllot5, thanks for wishing us good luck. Hope your day goes well too.

Sortinghatton · 02/01/2020 13:39

Solebizzz, I've sent you a pm.

Dorzaron · 02/01/2020 16:52

@Sortinghatton I've sent you a pm in case there's room for one more 😊

Sortinghatton · 02/01/2020 17:27

Dorzaron, I've sent you one back and am awaiting your response.

soapysudd · 02/01/2020 20:01

No idea how to pm on here but I'm definitely interested!! The lady in the op sounds like it was me 🤣 I need motivation!

marthastew · 02/01/2020 20:13

Can I also join the overflow group please? I took a day off work today to declutter my bedroom - the worst room in the house.

I removed

5 bin bags of rubbish
3 blue Ikea bags of baby clothes for the baby bank
1 big box of books
4 carriers of my clothes for the charity shop

The clutter had gradually built up over the last three years - but it was only seeing it all bagged up that made me realise how much there was. It's a big room so was still useable. It looks so much better. I can't believe I let it get this bad.

adhdme2019 · 02/01/2020 21:10

If there are any more overflow groups I’d be interested please :)

My house is absolutely disgusting.

Bearno2 · 03/01/2020 02:12

I'm also interested in an overflow group :)

soapysudd · 03/01/2020 06:55

Well I made a start last night! Cleaned the kitchen it's now spotless and clutter free. I tided the hall way, put away coats that No1 is wearing right now and took the tree down. I'm just having a cup of tea then going to start on the living room (which isn't too bad to be fair but I have lots of shelves which just collect random stuff)
This thread gave me the motivation to start though so hopefully I keep it up!!!

Sortinghatton · 03/01/2020 11:45

Hello,

Sorry not to have got back sooner to the people who've asked to join an overflow group. The group I set up has now reached 6 people and so I'm afraid that we've closed the doors now. However, there does seem to be enough people asking for a second overflow group. How about someone starting up another. 5-6 people seems to be a good number.

In the meantime, to everyone who's plodding on with their unruly houses, all the best to you all. And good luck with another overflow group too.

marthastew · 03/01/2020 20:22

Soapysud, ADHDme and Bearno, if you PM me your numbers I'll create a group for us.

Sortinghatton · 03/01/2020 20:42

Great marthastew ! All the best to you all. Smile

Bearno2 · 03/01/2020 20:59

I've pm'd you marthastew :)

soapysudd · 04/01/2020 09:58

Hi I don't know how to pm!? 😩

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