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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Since the lockdown, what's the state of your home?

137 replies

Times10 · 11/04/2020 14:58

We're 3 weeks into lockdown and I was hoping our house would be tidier and cleaner, but that hasn't happened so far, although we have done some tiny jobs that needed to be done for a while.

Is your home a) better b)the same c) worse since lockdown ? Us it's b mostly (but our b = untidy and not lovely) with a bit of c some days, so the opposite to what I hoped would happen!

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 11/04/2020 15:00

Probably the same. I'm making a conscious effort to keep things tidy (I'm not a tidy person by nature) but I don't think we're as good at cleaning as our cleaner is!

Original poster
Times10 · 11/04/2020 15:10

I'm thinking of hiring a cleaner for a one off after lockdown to get the house sparkling. I'll definitely be getting an oven cleaning company in too, as I was planning on contacting one just before the lockdown was announced.

OP posts:
OuterMongolia · 11/04/2020 15:15

Worse. We usually have a cleaner (who's not coming at the moment obviously), and also there's a lot more mess from everyone being at home all day rather than school / work.

DH and I are both working from home and helping the kids home school so we don't have much extra spare time compared to normal (although a bit, from no commute etc).

Thighmageddon · 11/04/2020 15:18

Mine's in desperate need of some tlc.

We usually have a cleaner too.

Kitchen seems to be in a perpetual state of disarray with four people going in and out all day long and the bloody dog

Northernsoullover · 11/04/2020 15:18

Pretty shit. I thought I'd get loads done but I'm still struggling with uni assignments. Then there is the 'tomorrow' element of it. I achieved much more when I was pushed for time. I think I'll have a big push when restrictions are lifted.

Thesuzle · 11/04/2020 15:19

A). happily, cleaner certainly, but i do have more jobs still on the list, and a longer one for husband. HaHa

Chiyo666 · 11/04/2020 15:20

It’s a palace. I actually have time to clean!

meow1989 · 11/04/2020 15:21

My washing in the basket is steadily decreasing! Our house is about the same - toddler toys everywhere downstairs in the day and tidied at night but the be honest our beds are still unmade upstairs - bu the time toddler goes to bed DH and I chill downstairs and dont prioritise tidying!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 11/04/2020 15:21

Certain things are better:-
*dishes done quicker
*laundry done quicker
*vacuum more

But we are also creating more dishes/laundry/debris. We are also playing more with toys, Lego etc which just seems to linger for days in corners.

Lunafortheloveogod · 11/04/2020 15:21

Cleaner at night.. like the Gaza Strip by lunch time.

So really it’s completely variable how awake the tiny humans are. Probably semi normal, we just aren’t messing anyone else’s house or play groups.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 11/04/2020 15:22

Until yesterday it was a midden. I kept telling myself “I’ll do it tomorrow. But I spent 5 hours doing a top to bottom on it yesterday and it’s pretty spotless today. Going to hoover and mop daily as I’ve realised that if the floors get dirty it puts me off doing anything else. No idea why. So that’s the plan.

3littlemonkeys82 · 11/04/2020 15:27

Worse. Much worse. 2 NHS staff in the house working more hours than usual, 2 small children and 1 teen at home.
I actually had a day off yesterday but just couldn't find the energy to do much about it.

mondaynoon · 11/04/2020 15:31

Mine is looking very lived in. Working from home, DCs here all day, no takeaways/ eating out and no cleaner. The nice weather isn't helping either as I'm trying to get out in the garden to make the most of it. Teen DCs won't leave the house though.

Flymetothetoon · 11/04/2020 15:34

Thanks to DH being at home much more it's better because he has finally installed a brand new bathroom and over all more clean but he has a fair few of his tools lying around the house!

Flymetothetoon · 11/04/2020 15:36

Oh the garden is looking great thanks to lots of new plants and he's built a new summerhouse at the top.

MrsLindor · 11/04/2020 15:40

I'm working from home so no commute, I can't go anywhere or see DP, and I've had a couple of days annual leave, so spring cleaning is in full swing, the rooms I've done so far are sparkling, the washing is up to date, the kitchen is tidy, the pantry has been reorganised. I'm driving the DC and pets mad but it'll be great when it's done.

DropZoneOne · 11/04/2020 15:44

C) Worse

3 of us at home all the time, and no cleaner. DH and I both working full time, so i don't have extra time, and 12 year old DD is being a typical teenager and wreaking a trail of distruction wherever she goes. At least the cat has stopped moulting!

Muchtoomuchtodo · 11/04/2020 15:45

About the same.
The hob had a very thorough clean in week 1, and the shower cubicles in week 2 but other than that it’s about normal. More cleaning time is needed to keep the status quo on account of 3 males being at home all day everyday!
I think we’re doing ok.

Needtheadvice · 11/04/2020 15:51

careful scan over shoulder c) Far worse! I tend to be the only one who tidies, still do, though OH is doing the job which is my pet peeve to give me a break. The mess follows my cleaning path so when I turn around I wonder why I bothered. It's amazing how one child can magic up this level of mess from the ether in seconds. Happy child, happy life?! Guess it is worth it.

PeytonManning · 11/04/2020 15:53

I can tell how bored I am by the fact our house looks like a show home for the first time! DH is working from home and the kids are all self sufficiently doing their schoolwork and there’s only so many times a day I can walk the poor dogs!

duckme · 11/04/2020 15:54

A right F**king state!

user1493413286 · 11/04/2020 15:56

Worse; I tidy one thing and the kids and DH mess up the next thing and I’m slightly losing the will to keep on top of it

happytoday73 · 11/04/2020 15:56

Worse generally... As normally we are all out 5 days a week with activities at weekend and evenings... So little time to mess up...
However some bigger jobs that have been put off for months or years are done!

Krisskrosskiss · 11/04/2020 15:58

Been up and down... been frantically cleaning some days then others I havent even had the energy to wash up a single cup...

rjebgf · 11/04/2020 16:03

Mine is better

I never had any time, so many demands placed on me constantly. At the moment, people can't make so many demands. So I have made progress sorting out my house and garden. I still have a shit tonne to do in the house but I am happy with my progress so far. The kitchen is a bit of a war zone because people were getting school lunch/sandwich shop lunch etc before covid and also grabbing breakfast/dinner on the hop. Now we have some serious catering to do.

We all have work to do at home though so can't progress super quickly. When I went out yesterday for a walk, I saw some gardens that looked like they had been manicured for the whole of lockdown, they were so perfect with nothing out of place. I think some people literally have no work to do now so their homes are looking amazing.