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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

I don't know where to start?

21 replies

EllieM103 · 16/12/2022 15:23

Straight to the point here...my house is a complete disaster and I'm struggling to settle pr sleep because of it.
I have 3 dogs, a 4 months old who arrive early so I'd only just finished work, and I've just started a business wfh which means there's boxes and boxes of stock everywhere.
Family will be visiting next week to drop presents off etc and I can't let them in.
Please help, I don't know where to begin! Should I have some coffee and try and do it all through the night ?

OP posts:
mauvish · 16/12/2022 15:29

If you were my daughter or sister, and I was visiting next week to drop off presents, I'd be only too happy to come in and help a bit!

You've got a lot on your plate. I don't think you should be trying to do the impossible. Concentrate on having the place clean enough not to be dangerous, (dust doesn't count!), on having food in the house, and your stock accessible so that you can do what bits of your business need to be done.

The rest can wait. and people who like you won't care if your home isn't tidy!

Goodywhoshoes · 16/12/2022 15:29

Family won’t care if things are a bit messy, they want to see you, they won’t be worrying about a bit of dog hair on the carpets.

Clettercletterthatsbetter · 16/12/2022 16:23

You have a tiny baby! You need to get all the sleep you can; don’t even think about staying up late to get all the housework done.
I’m sure your family and friends with understand - as long as it’s not unsafe or unsanitary.
Do you have anyone who can give you a hand to get on top of things? I live in hope that one day one of my friends will ask me to help them sort things out - I love doing it!

Original poster
EllieM103 · 16/12/2022 16:32

@Clettercletterthatsbetter I live in hope that one of my friends will offer 😂

My Mum has offered but I don't let her as she looks after my Dad as he is poorly. I'm also a little too embarrassed 😳

OP posts:
redastherose · 16/12/2022 16:59

It is easy to say leave it but I know I would feel like you and wouldn't be able to relax and sleep well.

If it's playing on your mind then when the baby is asleep Set yourself one task at a time that will make you feel you be made a start. Say take all of the stock boxes and stack them where they will be accessible but out off the way.

If you have dishes to wash and a dishwasher collect them all up stack and set it off. If no dishwasher fill the sink with hot soapy water and dunk as much as you can in and then leave them to soak.

Collect up all dirty clothes and put them in colour sorted bin bags. Take bin bags to washing machine and put the first load on.

Get bleach/toilet cleaner and cleaning spray. Dump bleach/ cleaner down the toilet and spray sink bath etc and leave to work.

Go back to sink and wash first sink full and leave to drain, refill sink and dunk in next load or dishes and leave to soak.

Go back to the bathroom, clean toilet and flush, wipe down all surfaces and fold towels etc. that room should be done.

If you have lots of miscellaneous stuff out around the house go around with a bag or basket for each room and collect up everything lying around that needs to be returned to another room. Everything in the lounge from the bedroom, put it in the bag and when the bag is full take it to the room the stuff belongs in.

Go back to the washing machine and unload and put to dry and put another load in.

Go back to the kitchen and wash the next load of dishes.

This sounds like a lot but once you get going it won't actually take long and you will see good results quickly. Once you've done that you should be able to relax a bit knowing you've made a huge inroad into sorting things out.

Bien22 · 16/12/2022 23:33

Try looking at unf*ck my habitat website. Very no nonsense, clear advice. Best of luck. Could you fit in 15 - 30 mins before we day?

NaturalBae · 16/12/2022 23:45

Write a quick To-Do List for tomorrow and then go to bed.

Be realistic re. what you actually think you’ll get done in a day. Anything that doesn’t get done will just have to move over to the next day.

You have a small baby, so be kind to yourself. You may only be able to do the bare minimum most days. Sleeping, eating and getting a bit of laundry done is more than enough to fill your day at this stage.

Ask your family and friends for help.

TalkToTheHand123 · 17/12/2022 22:05

Do you have a partner to help @EllieM103 ?

Maybe just try do the essentials and do bits as you go.

TabithaTittlemouse · 19/12/2022 16:29

I used the organised mum method boot camp when mine got a bit much. I like ticklists so works well for me.

Brandybucks · 19/12/2022 16:36

The two things that have helped me most get my house under control are The Minimal Mom on YouTube and A Slob Comes Clean podcast which I listen to whilst sorting the house out! A Slob Comes Clean even has a step by step process you can follow for getting your home ready for guests. I think one of her suggestions is following the visibility rule, so spending the most time on the areas where the guests will spend the most time. How are you getting on @EllieM103 ?

Original poster
EllieM103 · 19/12/2022 21:36

@redastherose this is brilliant!! I did this the day after and got on top of all the pots, washing and cleaned the bathroom!

Today I've started to relocate my stock but its quite a big Job so I'll be doing some more tomorrow.

I've screenshoted this so I can always go back to it if I get overwhelmed.

Thank you xx

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieM103 · 19/12/2022 21:38

@Brandybucks ooh I'll take a look at those thank you!

I've made a good start passed few days, and think I'm making progress. Off to the tip tomorrow to get rid of some bags of rubbish then nipping to get some storage baskets. X

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieM103 · 19/12/2022 21:39

@TabithaTittlemouse I'm really into working to a system and lists so I'll definitely take a look at that, thank you x

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieM103 · 19/12/2022 21:40

@TalkToTheHand123 unfortunately he's not very hands on in the home, he's great at the outside Jobs though x

OP posts:
BrutusMcDogface · 19/12/2022 22:28

redastherose · 16/12/2022 16:59

It is easy to say leave it but I know I would feel like you and wouldn't be able to relax and sleep well.

If it's playing on your mind then when the baby is asleep Set yourself one task at a time that will make you feel you be made a start. Say take all of the stock boxes and stack them where they will be accessible but out off the way.

If you have dishes to wash and a dishwasher collect them all up stack and set it off. If no dishwasher fill the sink with hot soapy water and dunk as much as you can in and then leave them to soak.

Collect up all dirty clothes and put them in colour sorted bin bags. Take bin bags to washing machine and put the first load on.

Get bleach/toilet cleaner and cleaning spray. Dump bleach/ cleaner down the toilet and spray sink bath etc and leave to work.

Go back to sink and wash first sink full and leave to drain, refill sink and dunk in next load or dishes and leave to soak.

Go back to the bathroom, clean toilet and flush, wipe down all surfaces and fold towels etc. that room should be done.

If you have lots of miscellaneous stuff out around the house go around with a bag or basket for each room and collect up everything lying around that needs to be returned to another room. Everything in the lounge from the bedroom, put it in the bag and when the bag is full take it to the room the stuff belongs in.

Go back to the washing machine and unload and put to dry and put another load in.

Go back to the kitchen and wash the next load of dishes.

This sounds like a lot but once you get going it won't actually take long and you will see good results quickly. Once you've done that you should be able to relax a bit knowing you've made a huge inroad into sorting things out.

I love you! 😁

MrsMoastyToasty · 19/12/2022 22:38

Could you move your stock to a storage unit?

Icanflyhigh · 19/12/2022 23:00

redastherose · 16/12/2022 16:59

It is easy to say leave it but I know I would feel like you and wouldn't be able to relax and sleep well.

If it's playing on your mind then when the baby is asleep Set yourself one task at a time that will make you feel you be made a start. Say take all of the stock boxes and stack them where they will be accessible but out off the way.

If you have dishes to wash and a dishwasher collect them all up stack and set it off. If no dishwasher fill the sink with hot soapy water and dunk as much as you can in and then leave them to soak.

Collect up all dirty clothes and put them in colour sorted bin bags. Take bin bags to washing machine and put the first load on.

Get bleach/toilet cleaner and cleaning spray. Dump bleach/ cleaner down the toilet and spray sink bath etc and leave to work.

Go back to sink and wash first sink full and leave to drain, refill sink and dunk in next load or dishes and leave to soak.

Go back to the bathroom, clean toilet and flush, wipe down all surfaces and fold towels etc. that room should be done.

If you have lots of miscellaneous stuff out around the house go around with a bag or basket for each room and collect up everything lying around that needs to be returned to another room. Everything in the lounge from the bedroom, put it in the bag and when the bag is full take it to the room the stuff belongs in.

Go back to the washing machine and unload and put to dry and put another load in.

Go back to the kitchen and wash the next load of dishes.

This sounds like a lot but once you get going it won't actually take long and you will see good results quickly. Once you've done that you should be able to relax a bit knowing you've made a huge inroad into sorting things out.

This is simply brilliant. I'm actually reading bed thinking I want to get up and do this!!!

Theoldwoman · 21/12/2022 14:13

Good luck OP, remember you have a lot going on and really family are coming to see you and should not be judging.

America12 · 21/12/2022 14:24

@redastherose brilliant post. I've screenshot it. No dogs or small children here but great to have a list like this.

Original poster
EllieM103 · 26/04/2023 12:33

Hi all!

I'm back where I started but a little worse! Little one is crawling now so dearnt take my eyes off her. Due to be working from home some when I return to work so I really need to get sorted but it just seems to be getting worse 😪

OP posts:
stayathomer · 26/04/2023 12:41

Op take a deep breath, we are all with you-I have been cleaning for five hours today because everyone keeps getting sick and the place looks like a bomb hit it. The other day my son was on a call and he wouldn't put up the screen because he said 'oh god no, you don't want to see how messy my house is!) and it really got me. This morning I started crying because it all felt so hopeless but after attacking three rooms (and getting all clutter off all of the rwindowsills so I could clean the windows) I feel so much better. Make a list of what drives you the most nuts and remember to ask for help from anyone you can (before the kids went to school I asked them all to start helping. and it honestly made such. huge difference) and remember nobody has their houses as clean as you think they are and you have a lot on your plate x

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