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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!

962 replies

SingToTheSky · 30/07/2020 12:29

Hello and welcome to the (slightly early) August Fledgling Thread! Join us for housework chat and a ridiculous amount of non housework chat too.

We follow (supposedly) the FlyLady system, which helps you gradually build up a set of routines. This month I won’t be putting regular links on, but there will be regular references to whatever the current zone and daily focus is. Please ask if you need any further info!

Here are some links to get you started (but don’t sign up for the emails as you’ll get inundated!)

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/ - a set of little tasks to gradually add to your day - some are a bit twee so pick and choose what you want!

www.flylady.net/c/sp.php#missions - this updates weekly with a set of five specific tasks for the weekly zone - worth checking for ideas! I will try and remember to remind us what zone we are in. It changes on a Sunday and we will be starting with Zone 1, the entrance/porch/hallway, and dining room if you have one.

www.flylady.net/c/lp.php - this contains links for most other things so is a good place to check if you don’t know where to start

It looks like the focus of the month for August is LAUNDRY - getting into the habit of a full load washed, dried and away each day.

Also I was bored a while back so I put together a little glossary of the many weird and might-seem-a-bit-cliquey terms. We have been going a long time but we always love newbies - hopefully this list will help you settle in.
KCC - the Keep Calm Corner, invented by our lovely Fledgling SC back in March, where the OP posts nice diverting links, memes, questions etc to distract us from the pandemic.

Ta Da - instead of a to do list (which is of course welcome too) we often post our achievements, with accompanying jazz hands, in order to celebrate the positives, however small they seem! Sometimes if we want to share an embarrassed giggle/commiserations we also post a ta didn’t - the stuff we didn’t get done. Oops.

BRC - Bag/Box of Random Crap. These are usually formed when we are panic tidying and shove anything in “to sort later” which is also known as a stash and dash.

Power of Three or PO3 - the idea that if you’re feeling really unmotivated/overwhelmed by your to do list, you just choose three things to do, and then post when you’ve done them.

Cherry Waves - borne of a typo of “cheery waves” this is now - to the extent my autocorrect just changed it again - often how we sign off. You may also see it in emoji form! 🍒👋🙋🏻 (😷 for socially distanced waves!).

Haughty Corner - this is from a typo of the naughty corner - the virtual hangout spot where we hide from housework and eat virtual snacks.

Future Friend or FF - the idea (apparently coming from The Organised Mum Method) of doing something to make life easier for yourself in future. Includes things like choosing clothes for the next day, getting bags ready etc.

DLMS - didn’t lose my shit - in other words, somehow stayed relatively calm despite a stressful day!

SS/S&S - Swish and Swipe - this is one of the key parts of the morning routine, a quick once over of the bathroom.

And a few basics:
LOL - load of laundry
WM - washing machine
TD - tumble dryer
DW - dishwasher
HSL - hallway, stairs, landing

And finally, for any Fledglings old or new who are trying to lose weight in lockdown, here’s our new body clutter banishing thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/3975886-Body-Clutter-Be-Gone-The-Fledglings-Weightloss-Thread?pg=1

I’ll stop waffling there. Welcome one and all, a huge thank you to KTCluck for steering us through July while also working, and away we go for August! 🍒👋

OP posts:
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SingToTheSky · 18/08/2020 22:38

Right caught up now.

Mc I know what you mean about getting desensitised to phone calls! Was so nervous when I started working at the library in 2011 but it really got me used to making calls and even (my worst nightmare) leaving voicemails! So I’m mostly ok now, and actually really love chatting on the phone (most of my RL friends don’t sadly!) but the topic is making me a bit nervous as the last time I jobhunted was 2011! I’m planning to keep it very generic though and just ask for more info so no pressure to talk about myself or worry about saying the wrong thing (deadline is over a month away so I figure I have time to do this).

ta da continued
🧘🏻Logged on to try and book a tesco delivery, got confused by the full basket as DH was downstairs already doing it :o so I helped finish it.
🧘🏻15min exercise bike (I’m trying to do two active things a day even if only very short)

Quick to do list for tomorrow 😳
🎯town - need to get STs for DD1 as she struggles with adult size pads* and a few other things, will try and go early
🎯book and pay for the next few weeks of dance classes
🎯sort my/DD1’s meds
🎯maths with DD1
🎯finish current FL course (should take 1hr)
🎯discuss today’s session with DH
🎯reread all job descriptions and look at website before...
🎯phoning organisation re vacancy

*now going to look online to see if I can get them cheaper by buying in bulk

Anyway. Goodnight fledglings I really need to try and sleep

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 18/08/2020 23:28

Howl gorgeous labels

Stilllivinginazoo · 19/08/2020 06:12

Morning

Will pop tada up shortly

Stilllivinginazoo · 19/08/2020 07:33

Tada
Wash on
Fed cats
Water house plants that drooping
Harpic lav

Kitchen
Wipe all tiling
Wipe and sort sills
Scrub surface for new microwave to go on
Place said microwave in position
Clear surface with toaster on
Empty crumb tray
Wipe toaster
Clean kettle surface
Wipe kettle
Clean front oven
Clean hob
Wipe cupboard fronts
Sweep floor

Wash in drier
More in
Sweep living room floor
Poo pick litter trays
S+s

TheUpholder · 19/08/2020 07:41

Howl I love the ‘things to remember’ and your boys have lovely names

Tidy we’ll not even talk about garages. Ours is horrific Blush. Well done for plodding on with yours. I haven’t touched ours, although it’s DH that has filled it. It’ll have to be cleared as it needs knocked down for our extension in the next few years . Can you come and do it That? I’ll entertain the DC and provide Brew

Ooh exciting about the job Sing. Sorry DH has a stressful time with his appointment but at least the scan is done.

Aww Mc you’ve reminded me of my nesting phase with DD. Her room was also a dumping ground and I loved getting it all ready and washing all her clothes. It’s actually what set me off on my decluttering mission.

Top flying Bower and Zoo

KCC - my current planner is a legend planner from amazon and it’s lovely. Although the Christmas planner is now in my amazon basket as clearly I can’t get through another Christmas without it.

Yesterday’s ta Das:
✅ LOL
✅ work
✅ meter readings sent off to new energy supplier

Today’s plan:
Up, me and DD fed and dressed, LOL, DW, dust and hoover upstairs, deep clean of bathroom, sort bathroom cupboard, then beach or walk with DD

Bowerbird5 · 19/08/2020 09:41

Feeling a bit yuk.
DH has brought me a cup of tea in bed. Bless him.

Need to do

LOL x2
Breakfast dishes.
Start dining room declutter.
Clear rest of table and polish.
Clean inside window.
Remove old laundry basket, can hide one in shed as need to put towels in drier😀 one in DHs room once I have emptied it to wash. He brings it down but doesn’t take it back. It has been down in dining room for months😳 as I didn’t know what to do with DDs blanket. It is a loose weave. I thought it had to be dry cleaned but found an insy winsy tag on it that says hand wash. I had a light 💡 bulb moment this week to put it into a pillow case if it will fit and wash like that. It is a NT, thick roving woven with long fringe. If I mess it up I will have to buy another. They sell for about £80-100 she got it for £30. She might forget she owns it she has been away so long. It is time we spoke to her. Note to self.

🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒👋👋👋

SingToTheSky · 19/08/2020 10:26

Morning all. I’ve not done a single thing on my list yet! We are all slobbing about in our jammies but meh it is the holidays after all. I do actually need to go to town though and it’s raining 😑

☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️
It’s Wednesday which means anti procrastination. Damn.

KCC what have you done or said lately that would never have happened if not for the pandemic?

Mine is grumbling to my friend that DH lost my mask, and friend (also MNer) replied “LTB” :o

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

OP posts:
AlexTheLittleCat · 19/08/2020 12:18

I think we may need this thread?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3998313-if-you-re-one-of-those-magical-put-together-people

SingToTheSky · 19/08/2020 12:29

:o You’re not wrong there alex - I shall read it forthwith! :o

Do any of you use subscribe and save on amazon? I’m thinking of using it for a few things - not really for the money but as part of my “simplify, automate and delegate” plan. We don’t have prime but delivery is free with this anyway. Thinking certain vitamins, a few household bits, pads for DD1. I’m going to compare prices in the shops today. Any experiences?

I have done nothing else useful BTW. Have come to town to try and get myself moving and so far have had a quiet lunch and read more of wuthering heights :o

OP posts:
Mc3209 · 19/08/2020 18:38

Bower hope the blanket survived the wash!
Upholder how was the beach?

Ta Da for today:
🎉Living room dusted and surfaces cleaned with antibac.
🎉Small "piano room" dusted and surfaces cleaned with antibac.
🎉Bedroom dusted and surfaces quickly cleaned with antibac.
🎉Baby's room - cleaned the chest of drawers with antibac outside and inside ready for baby clothes to go into
🎉All baby clothes washed - I've lost the count of LOLs. Now I need to sort and fold... Also, I discovered that some bibs and muslins had 'do not tumble dry' on them. I find it's a bit crazy for pieces of baby gear that gets very musky very quickly not to be suitable for dryer. Well, it went through TD anyway and all survived.
🎉Hoovered downstairs
🎉S&S kitchen.

Now some sofa and telly time.
🍒👋 to everyone!

Mc3209 · 19/08/2020 18:40

Alex now that's a thread you found!
Sing quiet lunch and a book is good for the soul.

Stilllivinginazoo · 19/08/2020 19:03

Tada cont
Write email to b+m (was unimpressed by pathetic amount protection for staff at tills)
Clean wash machine drawer/seal
Clean tumble drier filter
2more coats on last bit wall unpainted
But undercoat done now furniture moved(stairwell step)
De furball dd2 duvet cover
4 loads Laundry done dry and put away
Write shop list
Take delivery from dd1
Wipe and put away
Cook lunch

howlathebees · 19/08/2020 19:07

Sorry it’s a late one. Have been packing for our holidays, and just been all round busy. Not much going on really. Weather is crap but oh well!

bower the Christmas planner has really helped me! We haven’t met another Levi! We’ve met a few Jude’s and Ezra’s though :)

Thank you zoo! Good luck to your DD tomorrow!

Thank you upholder ❤️

Sorry for such a lack of personals, I’m so tired and drained because of the weather!

Bowerbird5 · 19/08/2020 19:39

Mc I was going to put it in when DH came in. He thought we should leave it and put it in her room.

I am quite chuffed. I haven’t felt well the last two days but I cracked on slowly and I have done everything on my list. I changed the cloth on the table and polished the glass. I cleaned the lion feet.
I have two baskets left to sort. Tomorrow. The window is lovely and clean. I asked DH if we could change the long four way adapter for the phone and the printer so we did that and I have piled it into a basket so it doesn’t look so messy. Cleaned the printer as well.
Unfortunately the other bit is school bags x6 I need to get that back to school as soon as possible.

Hopefully I will finish it tomorrow. I did the other side of the room when it was the dining room week. It is small and narrow with a door to the kitchen and to the sitting room so it is a ‘ through room’ and houses a desk and a computer, oak bedding chest and a pine cupboard.
BF came to do my feet. She is a Foot care specialist on a Wednesday.

Chicken training is going well I had two out and into pen straight away. The third took a minute longer as she went to the right and stuck her head through the net to pinch the -bribe- bread. I got them back in quite easily.

Going to go to bed early. I’ve got stomach ache.

JigoloHarMegiddo · 19/08/2020 19:41

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for personal reasons.

Bowerbird5 · 19/08/2020 20:06

Crossed posts.

zoo fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Howl yes if only to not give people the same as last year🤣 I have been to get mine it isn’t LA might be Past Times. It has a Christmas Card list with space for addresses. Gift list with Year 20_ name space, budget, gift ideas, gift bought, store and receipt kept?
Gift receipts which has a plastic wallet. Then several lined pages for notes and plans. I have listed everything I bought last year for the meal. That way I can just take it to the butchers as I have the size of turkey, ham etc. Or make a list from it. I have room to comment if it didn’t work

It has five years and there are some notes and hints and tips. A countdown list of ideas too. It has been really useful as Christmas term is always so manic at school. It gets pretty stressful. I trawl the Internet for certain shops then my BF and I set aside an evening after work to do the bulk of it. She has more to do because she has seven grandchildren. She likes to run ideas past me and we stop for a hot chocolate and have a drink of something stronger afterwards. It has become one of our traditions.

Enjoy your hols whereabouts are you off to?

AlexTheLittleCat · 19/08/2020 20:35

I wish I was magically put together Grin, I can't even remember what I've actually done today!

xMummy2princes · 19/08/2020 20:57

Hey every1 it’s me. I logged out of my last account and 4got my password that’s y I name changed a lil. I have been getting sum counselling and am feeling so much better now. The boys r doing rly well and there isn’t as much worry about shielded ppl here anymore so we can actually go out a lil more. I have been 2 a shops. I took it gradually and my family have been wiv me but I started going 2 the small corner shops and have managed 2 build up 2 a big supermarket. I hope u don’t mind having me bacj?

Mc3209 · 19/08/2020 21:13

Mummy hello, lovely! So glad to see you are feeling better. Well done at getting out to a big supermarket, you are doing great 🥰

TheUpholder · 19/08/2020 21:32

It’s been quiet on here today. Hope that’s because everyone has been enjoying themselves.

Welcome back princes, glad to hear you’re doing a bit better.

Alex that thread has some very good tips. Turns out I’m probably not one of those put together people because I spend too much time on my bum Blush

Hope the stomach ache eases soon Bower

KCC - “ooh that’s the first time I’ve put my hand over to sneeze for ages” It was after work in a Friday having been in a mask most of the week suffering with hay fever. I’m not a fan of mask sneezes.

Today has been just the right mix of productive and enjoyable. Quite proud of my ta das, which were mostly done this morning while DM took DD for a walk to the park:

✅ usual morning routine - LOL, beds made etc
✅ DW emptied and breakfast things in
✅ upstairs tidied
✅ clean laundry away
✅ washing hung out
✅ upstairs dusted and hoovered
✅ shower screen scrubbed
✅ tiles wiped down
✅ bath, sink, taps and loo cleaned thoroughly
✅ bathroom window and sill cleaned
✅ bathroom decobwebbed
✅ tall boy decluttered and dusted, pulled out so floor and skirting boards could be dusted/wiped behind
✅ toothbrush pot scrubbed to get rid of the mank in the bottom Envy
✅ bathroom floor scrubbed on hands and knees
✅ bins emptied

DD returned at that point. We played with her dolls for a bit then had a few lovely hours in the garden with DSis and DN, with a barbecue lunch. We then went down to the beach mid afternoon which was glorious. The tide was quite far in when we got down there which usually puts DD off going in the sea as she’s scared of the waves, but she’s getting so brave and was racing in today.

I showered and washed her hair once we got in, and she chilled watching Disney while I washed the lunch things, hoovered up all the sand and gave downstairs a quick mop. I also wiped the utility bench and appliances down while I was in the cleaning zone.

DH cooked dinner and did bedtime, and I cleaned up the kitchen, nipped to the supermarket, put the shopping away, made overnight oats for the next few days, meal planned with DH and have now collapsed in a heap. I’m awarding myself a Star

EasilyDelighted · 19/08/2020 21:51

Just popping by to say hello, we've just got back from holiday but I am feeling so overwhelmed by exam stuff (my phone has been pinging non stop for a week and it doesn't end tomorrow as we learned this afternoon that BTEC grades won't come out tomorrow, only GCSE which is the final straw. So I'm having a social media break. Thinking of others getting results tomorrow.

SingToTheSky · 19/08/2020 21:51

Evening all. Lovely to see you princes and well done on your progress! 💕

I have had a really unproductive afternoon, not in the nice chilled way but the horrible guilty grumpy unmotivated way 😳 not sure why just felt very meh since getting home, everyone else was tired and meh too, DH did some housework though.

ta da
🐌brain training apps
🦥 downloaded my audible library to the iPad
🐌looked up bowling alley rules as DS wants to go on his birthday
🦥reading
🐌bought a few needed things in two different towns!
🦥took note of prices for usual items so we can figure out if Subscribe and Save is worth it
🐌caught up on supernanny and the Michael Moseley show
🦥exercise (bit of weights/stretching/cardio)
🐌bathed Cagletini

ta didn’t
❌pretty much everything on my to do list

DD1 has requested an episode of stranger things so going to settle down to that (CBA really but just happy she wants to spend time with me!) and then sleep

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 19/08/2020 21:52

ED 💐 take care x

Up LOL at mask sneezes 😂😳

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 19/08/2020 21:58

Oh and I forgot
🦥made a visual prompt for Cagletini (dinner tidy teeth bath) as she likes getting all the toys out on the landing (where the trofast units are) so now she has the incentive of a bath to put them away

OP posts:
EasilyDelighted · 19/08/2020 22:01

Thank you. You lot are great Flowers