Help me be better at cleaning please!

[LexCake]

Ok - basic facts: three bed 1930s semi, full time job, 3 year old. Feel like the house is never very clean and it’s getting worse, but I’m not really sure how to use my limited time to best effect. Would love to hear tips on: checklists for the jobs you do regularly, cleaning materials kit, keeping on top of all the small cleaning jobs so they don’t become big grim ones! Thank you!

Have you had a look at The Organised Mum Method? I’ve found it really helpful.

Thanks so much - just been taking a look. I think that might really help me.

I would love to read a guide by house cleaners instructing me how and what to clean room by room!

How cluttered is your house? It's much easier to clean if everything has a place.

I do room by room. Kitchen first, then toilet bathroom, bedrooms then downstairs.

This, it really works for me. Takes a few cycles to get each room tidy and clean but after that, it's much easier to stay on top of. I added "declutter one drawer / cupboard" to each Friday Focus (on the app) and I spend 5 minutes on that, just getting rid of obvious crap. After a year, it's getting easier to put stuff away which means surfaces are clearer = easier to clean.

Also try her clean-a-longs - there's some free ones but if you decide to pay it's charged from the 1st of the month so wait a few days!
www.patreon.com/rockthehousework

After you've gotten each room neat tidy and clean, take a picture on your phone.

When you need to attack it, look at the pic to remind yourself what it looks like when sorted. Focus on 1 or 2 areas in the room and get busy such as throwing things away, hoovering; or straightening up and dusting.

Always carry things back to their room of origin, even if you don't put them away immediately.

Get your partner on board, and your 3 year old can help in small ways too

I do FlyLady, which is basically just that. It seems confusing at first but once you start it all falls into place.

Thanks everyone - really appreciate the comments. @WhatsitWiggle that struck a chord with me - if we could get to a point in twelve months time when things feel easier that would be a triumph.

@Joopy you’re right - I do need to declutter first. I also realised that I first need to declutter and organise my cleaning materials themselves!

@Goldieshock photos is a good tip. And about just picking small areas. Yep - 3 year old loves to “help” so I should channel that 😂

Echo pps, TOMM is great but I can’t always do the 45 minutes required per day but try to do level 1s without fail and then most of level 2.

so each day, swish and swipe one loo/basin/shower do something different each day so over week whole bathroom is done.

rubbish out.

dishwasher unloaded in morning and reloaded during day with dirty dishes

wipe down kitchen sides

hoover hta

5 minute tidy

if have energy, 15 -30 minutes in one room

one load of laundry if needed, (every other day in our house), fold and put away previous load.

If house feels overwhelming in many areas and untidy, 5 x 5 is great. Pick five spaces and spend five minutes just tidying in each. Wipe surfaces if have time. With timer, you can make a big difference. Very powerful mindset shift too.