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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Fledglings bolt into Spring! Fresh air, fresh flowers, fresh sheets – No fledgling left behind…

708 replies

BeanAnTae · 30/01/2022 16:20

Thread starts on 1 February, but you are welcome to land and say hello until then
Thank you to Hills who has given us a tour-de-force thread for the deepest, darkest days of January when we were all flagging. We all know you are really busy and appreciate the time you took to go in depth with the baby steps.
Welcome to Flylady if you are a newbie or a regular fledgling– it is a zone based cleaning system, spread out over 4-6 weeks (depending on how the month falls.) The zones cover different areas of the home so we concentrate on a particular zone in a given week. But there is also a weekly hour of cleaning (can be split into 10 min segments) to make sure the bins are emptied, main areas hoovered, sheets changed – you get the drift…
And each day of the week has a focus – Thursday is errand day for example.

So , today is Tuesday 1 February – the first day of Spring if you are joining us in the North Hemisphere or Happy Autumn to those in the South. This thread brings you right up to Pancake Tuesday which is 1 March 2022.
Flylady site
This week we are in 2 Zones:
Zone 5: The Living Room
Zone 1: The Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room
February Habit: Decluttering for 15 Minutes a Day

Monday – Weekly Home Blessing
Tuesday – Plan and Play
Wednesday – Anti-Procrastination Day
Thursday – Errand Day
Friday – Clean-out your Purse and Car Day
Saturday – Family Fun Day
Sunday – Renew your Spirit Day

It is plan and play day on Tuesdays – I usually plan menus and things to do on Tuesdays but the system is customisable to what works for you and your life.
Feel free to jump onto the thread and post your To Do list of household and family stuff achieved and, if you like, post your Ta Da list when you’ve got stuff done. We all encourage each other along and we all have different lives, pressures etc and we are not at all precious about the system – it can be used as you see fit. For example I don’t clean my dining room in zone 1 as it’s part of my living area so I do it in zone 5.
There is a general mantra of ‘No fledgling left behind’ which basically means you can’t fall behind in the system – you just start up again. So there’s no need for a massive Spring Clean – you just jump in.
Some jargon has evolved over the years, for example – cherry waves was an autocorrect of cheery waves, the pointy stick ---> is sometimes requested if you are having particular problems with procrastination and the naughty corner which is where we collapse to take a break.
As well as ‘To Do’, I’m going to try ‘To Be’ because I’m a Human Being not just a Human Doing. So my aim is to be more present (on the thread and in my head!) and more positive. I live far north in the UK so it is pretty dark here at the moment and I am SO looking forward to more daylight. And a shiny sink!

[Exit stage left pursued by a child]

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
frankiefirstyear · 27/02/2022 21:20

Stillup my shark is high maintenance and it got really boring, really quick! In my old Henry's days I don't think I deep cleaned him once and was great apart from being a bulky trip hazard nightmare to heave up and down the stairs!

Dc rooms done today with masses of help from little darlings 🥰
Baselined
Vacuum throughout too
In bed now as exhausted after more terrorising from ex and I've involved the police now too because I was frightened by it today 😞 just remembered though, I've left dc wellies outside due to dog poo (not ours!!) after dog walk today 🤬 not going back down now though, hopefully it won't rain tonight!

Soooo tired! Night all

BeanAnTae · 27/02/2022 21:23

Oh Frankie I'm sorry you are going through that with an Ex 😡. Good on you for calling the Police. No-one should put up with abuse.

OP posts:
HazelNuttyElf · 27/02/2022 21:24

Oh Frankie that's awful to hear about your ex. I really hope you were able to get somewhere with the police. That's no way to live 💐

BeanAnTae · 27/02/2022 21:24

I have planned meals for the week and I read somewhere that it's a good idea to plan workouts. I've scheduled a walk after work tomorrow as a start.

OP posts:
HazelNuttyElf · 27/02/2022 21:31

Bean that's something I should do too. I have the Samsung health app on my phone, there are workouts on there. I need to schedule them. Plus it's supposed to be warmer starting this week so I need to get back to walking on my breaks at work.

SingToTheSky · 27/02/2022 23:02

Getting the police involved sounds like the right choice frankie 💐

I have stalled this afternoon/evening, just so sleepy. So I didn’t manage the task of clearing random crap from kitchen surfaces. Still pleased I got a bit of sorting done earlier anyway.

I feel simultaneously well prepared for the new half term, and not remotely prepared.

Ladyrattles · 28/02/2022 00:02

Frankie ThanksYou've got a lot on your plate. Virtual hug x

Tada
Star we took a load of rubbish to the dump
Starit's solo cooking day, so I made myself Mediterranean roasted vegetables and had them with pasta & red pesto.

Starresearched and bought an outbuilding freezer for the garage. Our integrated fridge freezer is so small it's causing arguments between the kids over who ate what.
Starsent an email to British Gas. They set our account up with the wrong house address 😡

Redsquirrel5 · 28/02/2022 01:17

MC great to have you back I can’t believe it is 5 months since you went back to work.
The fat fairy doesn’t get everything right. For a start she doesn’t have a baby/ toddler or an opinionated 3 year old!

Well I have done anything other than make my bed. I did a second LOL last night because I won’t wash on Sundays...the clothes not me!🤧
Shower
Made bed
Went to Mass
Went to coffee but enough helpers so I had chance to check in some families and older friends. Offer of help moving and food for house blessing sorted. A gift of a piano from one of my friends to a young family has been completed both sets pleased.
Lunch DH had buttered two slices of bread for me and boiled an egg which was in a bowl in the fridge. Effort 👎
Station pick up
Choir four songs and some note bashing. I think I managed the 1st Sops lines. The person near me may not agree! Lost concentration as I was worrying about my BIL as he has had to fly over for his mum’s funeral and I sang the bases bit. Felt like a right idiot. Masks still on but our row will have heard. BIL ‘s mum was a real character and well known in her area. During her later years in her 70’s, I would think ,she began a new career when most had or were retiring. She appeared on the programme coast and then taking a liking of being filmed she did a bit in another documentary. Several of her grandchildren went into production and whatever you call someone that finds good places to film so she enthusiastically threw herself into it and landed a part in a soap. So don’t say you can’t have another career. The family have nick names, her new one was ‘the film star’ she has been ill and bedridden but will be sorely missed. Her previous job was bringing up a large family including twins and helping with the grandchildren not sure how many of those as I lost count after 12.
DH had tea ready when I came in. I had a couple of drinks in the pub as he was supposed to meet me there and I caught the penalty shoot out and very pleased that Liverpool won as DS3 was lucky enough to get seats and two friends so they were at the match. They rarely win when he gets a chance to go so they will have had a good evening just hope he is safely home now.

Question
Last night I put away the other basket of washing.
I decide to tidy my underwear drawer. It is all very neat and everything fits in because I have been ruthless and 1. taken out any knickers with holes x3 Sloggies - they were bought at the same times so little holes appearing at the seams. I have had them about ten years.
2.Knickers like new but annoy me because they ride down and a pair I don’t like the material. So what do you do with them? I don’t want to throw them in the bin because landfill. You can’t take them to charity shops and I wouldn’t want someone else’s knickers. There isn’t enough for cash for clothes. I don’t fancy dropping them there anyway. Can I put them in a charity clothes bin in a bag and label them as rags?
Anyway I can recommend sorting them and seeing how nice your drawer looks without so you aren’t tempted to just stick them back in for emergency pairs. Socks and tights are next. Then tops then trousers. Having less means easy to put away washing and I am thinking I might buy some more expensive but fewer in future I had to have quite a bit for work and after a new pair of trousers getting ruined by a child stuck to sale and supermarket stuff.

Hope everyone has a good week. Home bleugh tomorrow ahh today.

Redsquirrel5 · 28/02/2022 01:27

Frankie so sorry he has done that again. Glad you got the police. He’s on their radar now if he wasn’t before. My sister had to do that with hers he put a pan through her kitchen window because she wouldn’t let him in. They’ve been divorced for years now.He doesn’t bother her anymore.I don’t think any of the kids bother with him now. Do something nice for yourself tomorrow bunch of daffs/ chocolate bar.

ExtremelyDelighted · 28/02/2022 06:48

Red - yes, I bag up all the holey socks, stained clothes etc and write "rags" on the bag in sharpie pen, charity shops do take them.

SingToTheSky · 28/02/2022 07:48

Don’t know about other charities but British Heart Foundation get money per kilo for recycling rags (also books that can’t be sold)

YesTaDa in no particular order
🦣shower/hair
🦣reading
🦣made myself lunch
🦣towel LOL
🦣put clean laundry away
🦣filled weekly planner board/diary check
🦣tidied home ed shelf and thought about plan for the week
🦣bit of BRC sorting
🦣got box for sawdust sorted
🦣redid tesco order
🦣ordered cleaning stuff
🦣cleared and scrubbed table
🦣packed nursery bag

SingToTheSky · 28/02/2022 08:06

Quite a productive weekend really. Can’t believe it’s back to term time now, and March tomorrow!

Feeling like time is passing a bit too quickly.

SingToTheSky · 28/02/2022 08:22

po3.1
❗️Breakfast
❗️Change litter tray
❗️Check how much escitalopram I have left as I can’t find any 😬😑🧐

BeanAnTae · 28/02/2022 09:03

Taking notes here on rags for charity shops. Morning all. I work at 3.30 and struggled to get back to sleep. I think I over did it on the computer and am overstimulated. World events also weighing on my mind. That walk after work will be very important for clearing my head.

OP posts:
HillsBesideTheSea · 28/02/2022 09:33

i have woken up with cough no voice guess that means i wont be getting my booster sorted this week then. Hmm

SingToTheSky · 28/02/2022 10:01

Oh no hills 😭

Hope you’re not too anxious/tired bean

Feeling slow today but at least DD1 got up and out to school on time. Luckily I found another sheet of meds so don’t need to order yet. I have showered and DH has read DS’ book to him to start the term. Onto SPaG now and then he needs to clear up paints from last night Hmm

po3.2
❗️Yesterday’s missed task of filling a box with random stuff from the kitchen, find lids and stack filled BRCs in our room for now
❗️Come up with brief, gentle daily workout to get me started back on exercising, and do it!
❗️Log on to work

SingToTheSky · 28/02/2022 12:14

Nothing to really do at work, want to get a couple of bits done before I head out to read my uni book

po3.3
❗️Clean the kitchen windowsill and top of microwave
❗️Clean out an emptied plastic box in the bath, and while I’m there clean the windowsill and little shelf
❗️Get DS to start a new maths book

SingToTheSky · 28/02/2022 12:53

Slowly slowly the house gets a bit less gross.

po3.4
❗️Make a couple of volunteer calls to arrange to speak to them properly
❗️Change top, brush hair, gather uni stuff
❗️Walk in the park for a bit before going to the pub to read my book

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 28/02/2022 13:05

Oh hills that's awfully tedious. Hope you don't feel too grim.

Slow and steady, Sing.

Ta da:
💖 morning routine incl. updating diary and menu list
🧡 dog walk
💛 LOL put into dryer and second LOL put on
💚 Business stuff - finance update, project planning, online training? memberships
💙 Help DS2 with tax question
💜 Make lunch for DS3
💖 Email school so DD can come to lovely friend's funeral on Monday
🧡 Clear inbox (ish. All read, at least)
💛 Book time in DH's diary to go through this week's plan and see who does what. He's late.

Still to do:
☔ Planning with DH
☔ Plan Real History for me and read a bit
☔ Swap LOL again
☔ Walk into town for errands
☔ Collect DD at 3.30
☔ Clear green bookshelf in the study
☔ Write to friend who sent me a card on Saturday
☔ Self care stuff - something creative, recreational reading, time with DH, handcare.
☔ Start March thread!

BlueSummerBaby · 28/02/2022 15:19

Oh that's such bad timing Hills. Sending you "get well soon" vibes

Thanks for the new thread Wassail

I need to start exercising too Sing

Woke up this morning and smiled at my lovely clean tidy organized bedroom. Thanks to these housekeeping threads I've been reading. It's been a long time since it didn't look like a tip.

Home blessings done. Going to make the second curtain for my small window this afternoon.

BeanAnTae · 28/02/2022 15:55

Name change there, Blue? 😀

Hills - oh no! Hopefully a light dose if C19.

I'm hanging in there Sing - plodding through to do list at work.

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 28/02/2022 16:36

Well done peoples, Monday shall not defeat us!!! And if it does, well, no Fledgling left behind, so we shall scoop you up and tuck blankets round you in the naughty corner until you’re ready.

I am now on my own with Cagletini while the others are at taekwondo, she’s happily watching TV for a bit so I’m relaxing. Short walk in the park tired me out, and I did plenty of work before coming home.

po3.5
❗️Phone specialist dentist who left a message re DD1
❗️Finish DS’ home ed book
❗️Do some kind of activity with Cagletini

WildPoinsettia · 28/02/2022 16:39

Oh sorry people! Yes I'm BlueSummerBaby I forgot to change back for this thread, I was distracted mid-post and just hit "post" when I returned.

SingToTheSky · 28/02/2022 17:11

S’ok wild use whichever name you want! 😀💐

I feel like doing something useful. But I also feel like doing nothing.

IWasWillingToGoWassailing · 28/02/2022 17:59

oof, afternoon has vanished in endless homework supervision, sixteenth century handwriting and running errands. Hey ho.

Stopping work now as history after 6pm means my head gets too busy and I end up like Bean, with my brain all fizzy in the middle of the night.

I thought it was you Wild, talking about curtains! But be who you like here.

Definitely off to draft the new month now. Back here to post link in a bit.