Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Team TOMM will it work for me and also my house is a total tip so need general advice

47 replies

milkncoffee · 10/11/2020 14:24

As above really
Messy cluttered house and a big family so extremely busy.
Love the idea of TOMM and have started on Friday last week but it’s just a total mess after how many weeks do I see a difference as honestly I want to cry

OP posts:
milkncoffee · 14/11/2020 12:15

I used to have a cleaner once a week but it was making the older dc lazier as they knew what day she came and then the house was actually worse now they have some set jobs it’s slightly better

This weekend we are deep cleaning another bedroom already I have 3 binbags of clutter to go which feels amazing

OP posts:
AcornAutumn · 14/11/2020 12:19

Well done OP

Actually looking at the place it’s okay

But I ve spent the morning on keyboard practice instead of doing any chores...I do tend to delay them!

Clettercletterthatsbetter · 16/11/2020 14:24

How are you getting on, OP?

I downloaded the app last week but have only started properly today. It takes a lot longer than the 30 minutes it alleges! It took me 30 mins this morning to do the daily tasks, then I spent 30 mins just folding the laundry mountain in the living room. Haven’t even started the proper living room tasks yet! They’ll have to wait until after the school run - I’ll just have to clean around the kids!

AcornAutumn · 16/11/2020 22:34

@Clettercletterthatsbetter

How are you getting on, OP?

I downloaded the app last week but have only started properly today. It takes a lot longer than the 30 minutes it alleges! It took me 30 mins this morning to do the daily tasks, then I spent 30 mins just folding the laundry mountain in the living room. Haven’t even started the proper living room tasks yet! They’ll have to wait until after the school run - I’ll just have to clean around the kids!

That’s interesting

I’m at mum’s as she’s had some hospital stuff today and last week, so meant to start tomorrow in a big way.

But generally I have not found 30 mins as productive as TOMM seems to suggest.

Mother2princess · 20/11/2020 23:40

Don't need a poxy app to tell you to clean ive got 4 kids i do basics daily hoovering kitchen tidy when kids are in bed weekends house gets a full 3 hour blitz thats everything from skirting boards to bathrooms etc
Washing is daily 4-5 loads a day

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 21/11/2020 10:26

You’re doing so well! When I declutter I have 4 bags or boxes. One black bag for rubbish, one for recycling and a cardboard box for stuff for charity shop and another for stuff that needs putting away. I get rid of it as quickly as possible so it doesn’t get forgotten. Smile

AcornAutumn · 22/11/2020 22:27

@Mother2princess

Don't need a poxy app to tell you to clean ive got 4 kids i do basics daily hoovering kitchen tidy when kids are in bed weekends house gets a full 3 hour blitz thats everything from skirting boards to bathrooms etc Washing is daily 4-5 loads a day
How much time do you take for housework every day please? I’d include cooking and washing up.
YorkshireParentalPerson · 24/11/2020 20:32

I love the tomm way of doing things, yes I know how to clean, however we have busy lives working and running around on a daily basis and I don't like cleaning on a weekend, so this method really works for me.
You do have to be tidy with it, your 15 minutes daily tasks and 30 minutes level 2 do not include tidying, it is literally just the tasks on the list.

I would say that when you first start it does probably take a bit longer than the 30 minutes, but you are not looking for perfection here, set your clock and stop when you're 30 minutes is up. It doesn't matter if you don't get it all done this week because you are hitting that room next week so pick up where you left off last week and it's job done. As you get more used to things you get faster at it.

You can always customise the list, so I don't clean my Windows every week, they just don't need it, they get done every month.

When you do your level one jobs, beds even small kids can fold their duvet in half, bathrooms I wipe the loo and sink every day, load of washing in the morning, tumble dryer after work fold and put away whilst tea is cooking. I don't always Hoover everyday, I use an old fashioned carpet sweeper and they honestly don't take longer than 15 minutes.

You do get faster with time and before you know it your house is suddenly clean and tidy most of the time. Doesn't matter if it all goes to hell during school holidays, just pick it back up once kids are back at school, but you do need to be tidy before you start!

Parbor · 31/12/2020 07:16

Hi Op how are you getting on?
I follow a similar routine of doing one room/area a day plus daily basics. I’ve nicked the TOMM Friday focus pattern as we were ending up with a lot of cluttered areas/things that I didn’t get around to cleaning. Honestly I’d say I had to follow the Friday focus pattern for about three cycles (so 6 months?) before I was like wow yes this works. The first Friday focus I was totally overwhelmed, the second I cried because I couldn’t see how I was ever going to get to a point where I was able to use that time for anything other than sorting shit out, the third I was vacuuming under beds and cleaning windows and actually feeling like the room was clean and organised.

Because I already had my own cleaning routine I didn’t really start TOMM the right way though and probably should have done the clutter buster and boot camp first which may have helped it take less time.

I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit in December so need to get back on to following the Friday focus.

chloechloe · 31/12/2020 09:01

This thread is so supportive! I’m in a lucky position of having a cleaner every 2 weeks, but still feel overwhelmed by the constant tidying up and daily cleaning that needs doing (3 DC 5 and under) There are also a couple of rooms which are in constant chaos which I’d like to sort out.

Does the app cover the boot camp and clutter buster? I think I need to think about doing something like that.

Battenburg1978 · 31/12/2020 09:07

OP (and others following the method) - would love to hear how you are getting on and if things are falling into place more now you’ve been following it for longer? Also, are there any products/cleaning items you’ve found particularly useful for the daily 30mins/level 1 jobs? I usually avoid disposable wipes but have bought some to keep in the bathroom so I could wipe down while DD is in her bath to avoid spraying cleaner. We have a wooden floor in the living room and I shed more hair than you can imagine. Reading here a rubber broom might help?

I have downloaded the app and planning to get started in an effort to get to a place where we could stop having a weekly cleaner and save that money for home improvements instead. Obviously easier to contemplate while working from home and. It losing the commute time daily. I do think I need to do a declutter / boot camp though. Have seriously decluttered over the past few years but it just builds back up - especially with kids clothes/toys etc!!!

Thank you 🙏

Battenburg1978 · 31/12/2020 09:09

ChloeChloe, yes I just checked and there is a boot camp section in the app with tick lists so you can check off the task as you go. I’ve not really used it yet but the app seems pretty good/well thought out.

Harpydragon · 31/12/2020 09:53

@Battenburg1978 I keep some washable cloths in my bathroom cupboard to have a wipe round the bathroom as I hate the waste of wipes. I use method bathroom cleaner, if you spray it onto your cloth it doesn't diffuse round the bathroom as much. You could also use a cream cleaner if you really don't like the spray, although that's a bit more faffing to rinse clean!

chloechloe · 31/12/2020 10:45

Thanks for the reply battenburg I might give it a try.

bettbattenburg · 31/12/2020 10:57

Tell me more please, I normally only use free apps.

lazylinguist · 31/12/2020 11:26

I didn't get on with TOMM for some reason. I prefer the Fly Lady method, but I don't actually use her website. I found a free app loosely based on it (called LadyFly!), which is totally customisable. You don't need an app of course, but I like the satisfying feeling of ticking off the tasks!

Swashbuckled · 03/01/2021 12:21

Hi everyone. I had a look at TOMM after reading this thread and have a question. If I buy it, can it be linked to/accessed by others in the family, or does every family member have to purchase it separately? Thanks 😊

Thatwentbadly · 03/01/2021 12:41

@Swashbuckled you can’t just print it out for free from her blog and put it on the fridge.

Swashbuckled · 03/01/2021 12:58

[quote Thatwentbadly]@Swashbuckled you can’t just print it out for free from her blog and put it on the fridge.[/quote]
Thank you.
No printer unfortunately. However, I also think a shared app would be much better for us.

Is it possible to share it...?

grumpypug · 03/01/2021 15:01

@Swashbuckled

Hi everyone. I had a look at TOMM after reading this thread and have a question. If I buy it, can it be linked to/accessed by others in the family, or does every family member have to purchase it separately? Thanks 😊
Yes, you can have up to 6 family members share the app once it's downloaded.
Swashbuckled · 03/01/2021 16:15

That’s brilliant!

Thank you 😊

Swashbuckled · 03/01/2021 16:18

That was to grumpypug; failed in my attempt to quote...

New posts on this thread. Refresh page