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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Spring cleaning for sloths

241 replies

Maitri108 · 24/02/2025 16:40

I need to deep clean my place if anyone wants to join me. The thread will just consist of people saying what they intend to do and letting us know when it's done at a leisurely pace.

OP posts:
Stuffocation · 25/02/2025 19:55

Maitri108 · 25/02/2025 18:14

I've just finished decluttering. I threw out seven bags of rubbish. I like it once it's done.

I'm giddy with excitement as I've cleaned some bathroom shelves and part of the fridge. I'm going to order something for the oven racks.

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7 bags gone, that must have felt good! Am going to watch Sort your life out in a minute for more inspiration. We have definitely made progress today so let's hope we can keep it going tomorrow.
I did read a book recently called How to keep house while you are drowning and the author talks about seeing chores as a form of self care which helps I think. Although I'd rather be doing something more interesting! Like reading a book about decluttering and cleaning rather than actually doing it! Am the queen of procrastination

Original poster
Maitri108 · 25/02/2025 19:59

Stuffocation · 25/02/2025 19:55

7 bags gone, that must have felt good! Am going to watch Sort your life out in a minute for more inspiration. We have definitely made progress today so let's hope we can keep it going tomorrow.
I did read a book recently called How to keep house while you are drowning and the author talks about seeing chores as a form of self care which helps I think. Although I'd rather be doing something more interesting! Like reading a book about decluttering and cleaning rather than actually doing it! Am the queen of procrastination

Show quote history

It felt amazing. I also donated 6 bin bags to charity.

I've been watching YouTube videos on minimalism. I don't want to go mad but it's good not to have too much stuff.

I bought some Oven Pride, so will be cleaning the oven soon.

OP posts:
myslippersarepink · 25/02/2025 20:04

I thought you meant to clean the sloths away! I was like, wear are you that there are sloths lying around that need sweeping up!!!!

Original poster
Maitri108 · 25/02/2025 20:06

myslippersarepink · 25/02/2025 20:04

I thought you meant to clean the sloths away! I was like, wear are you that there are sloths lying around that need sweeping up!!!!

It wouldn't surprise me if I found some sloths.

OP posts:
Stuffocation · 26/02/2025 10:46

OK. Plan for today.
Meeting at daughter's school, then go for a swim. Then hoping to
Hoover and dust my bedroom and finish sorting charity bag of clothes
Wipe cupboard fronts in kitchen
Another kitchen job if time.
Wishing you all a nice day!

hideawayforever · 26/02/2025 17:00

well I've cleaned the kitchen, bathroom, hall and living room, but only because my friend is visiting tomorrow so I've done the rooms she might see, but its a nice feeling now it's done

Stuffocation · 26/02/2025 19:11

hideawayforever · 26/02/2025 17:00

well I've cleaned the kitchen, bathroom, hall and living room, but only because my friend is visiting tomorrow so I've done the rooms she might see, but its a nice feeling now it's done

That's great, you've done loads! I, on the other hand, have done bare minimum, ended up out most of the afternoon so just cleaned up kitchen, 2 loads of laundry. The other jobs are as usual not done. Sigh. Am working rest of week so my list of jobs have to wait again.

hideawayforever · 26/02/2025 20:04

Stuffocation · 26/02/2025 19:11

That's great, you've done loads! I, on the other hand, have done bare minimum, ended up out most of the afternoon so just cleaned up kitchen, 2 loads of laundry. The other jobs are as usual not done. Sigh. Am working rest of week so my list of jobs have to wait again.

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I know I'm so pleased with myself but just hope she doesn't need to going any other rooms, I'll try and get round to them sometime soon

Original poster
Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 10:55

Everyone is doing great. I cleaned the oven! My mission next is to finish the fridge.

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 27/02/2025 11:08

Oh ugh. Do I NEED this!
Since my DD left for uni I have definitely slacked off, paired with a newish but a bit messy hobby and the house is suffering. I always start with good intentions but I never quite finish the job. Doesn't help my dishwasher is currently broken!
I find setting a timer for X minutes helps, even just for ten minutes blocks. I also might invite someone over for a visit - that's always motivates!
You guys mentioning skirting boards - I am so beyond that - only skirting boards I ever clean are in the bathroom!

Lentilweaver · 27/02/2025 11:10

I need to clean and declutter everything! But I would so much rather go for a walk in the sun.
My kitchen cupboards are top priority but I never get round to them.

Original poster
Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 11:20

@Lentilweaver @mondaytosunday Welcome sloths. Start small and chip away at it.

I remember my sister telling me a story about how her son went away and she decided to tackle his room.

She stood there feeling overwhelmed and then she thought, I'll just start in this corner. So she cleared a small corner and bit by bit got it clean.

Don't see the whole house, just one small section. A shelf, the sink, a windowsill - you'll get there.

OP posts:
Lentilweaver · 27/02/2025 11:22

Ok I am going to put away all the dishes in the dishrack. Thats actually top priority. then go for my lunchtime walk.

Original poster
Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 11:23

Lentilweaver · 27/02/2025 11:22

Ok I am going to put away all the dishes in the dishrack. Thats actually top priority. then go for my lunchtime walk.

Sounds perfect. Enjoy your walk.

OP posts:
Original poster
Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 11:47

I've just put a load of soda crystals in the washing machine and put it on a drum wash. Will get rid off limescale and do the drawer as well. I might also put a load of soda crystals down the plug holes.

OP posts:
viques · 27/02/2025 11:52

Mine too. I had my wifi upgraded the other day, I thought they were going to put it on one side of the sitting room so I moved everything there and cleaned (yuch) but he said it would be better on the other side. Where of course I hadn’t moved anything, or cleaned…….

so that’s on my list along with

windows

kitchen cupboards

the cellar ( I am scheduling that for 2027)

Original poster
Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 11:54

viques · 27/02/2025 11:52

Mine too. I had my wifi upgraded the other day, I thought they were going to put it on one side of the sitting room so I moved everything there and cleaned (yuch) but he said it would be better on the other side. Where of course I hadn’t moved anything, or cleaned…….

so that’s on my list along with

windows

kitchen cupboards

the cellar ( I am scheduling that for 2027)

Welcome.

OP posts:
viques · 27/02/2025 11:55

Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 10:55

Everyone is doing great. I cleaned the oven! My mission next is to finish the fridge.

Is actually cleaning the oven in the spirit of this thread? Congratulations btw, but please could you try not to make the rest of us feel bad?

Original poster
Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 11:59

viques · 27/02/2025 11:55

Is actually cleaning the oven in the spirit of this thread? Congratulations btw, but please could you try not to make the rest of us feel bad?

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Oh it was most sloth like. I stuck the racks in a bag and put in some liquid. Left it overnight and rinsed in the bath. I haven't yet wiped the cleaner off the oven. Don't worry.

OP posts:
babystep · 27/02/2025 12:01

Maitri108 · 25/02/2025 17:34

Any recommendations for cleaning the oven racks?

Years ago best friend gave me tip of leaving them to soak in bath (or large sink I guess) filled with water and bio washing powder. Leave em overnight, and then the any dirt which hasn't dissolved generally just wipes off. Does make bath a bit manky if I recall, but then you clean that and have ticked off an awful lot of jobs for a sloth.

Love this thread and idea. tendency here to get over-focused on one large job, make progress then get overwhelmed and leave things worse than began, plus create guilt and stress.
Decided this morning to aim for slow and steady instead, and then found this thread :)

List for next few days
sort middle child's clothes/wardrobe
clear and clean pantry (spices, dried goods etc)
FINALLY put away last box of Christmas decs which is sitting forlornly waiting to be taken to attic

viques · 27/02/2025 12:01

Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 11:59

Oh it was most sloth like. I stuck the racks in a bag and put in some liquid. Left it overnight and rinsed in the bath. I haven't yet wiped the cleaner off the oven. Don't worry.

Show quote history

Phew, I was worried for a moment, but that sounds like my sort of oven cleaning. 😍

Original poster
Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 12:28

@babystep You're making great strides.

OP posts:
TheCatterall · 27/02/2025 12:58

I have found my people!!

Ive got some decluttering to do so I can get to areas to deep clean. And a million decorating and diy jobs to finish…

I made some progress yesterday by going through the ‘I’ll put that on vinted pile’ that’s grown astronomically the last 5 years. I’ve bagged up 3 giant laundry bags to go to various charity shops. I’ve even put them into the car. sod it. I’ll go and put ‘outdoors peopling’ clothes on and actually get rid of them today (normally they sit in my car for 6 months until I need the space and I bring it all back into the house again - rinse and repeat).

thank you @Maitri108 your thread has helped already!

Original poster
Maitri108 · 27/02/2025 13:50

TheCatterall · 27/02/2025 12:58

I have found my people!!

Ive got some decluttering to do so I can get to areas to deep clean. And a million decorating and diy jobs to finish…

I made some progress yesterday by going through the ‘I’ll put that on vinted pile’ that’s grown astronomically the last 5 years. I’ve bagged up 3 giant laundry bags to go to various charity shops. I’ve even put them into the car. sod it. I’ll go and put ‘outdoors peopling’ clothes on and actually get rid of them today (normally they sit in my car for 6 months until I need the space and I bring it all back into the house again - rinse and repeat).

thank you @Maitri108 your thread has helped already!

@TheCatterall You're most welcome. Glad to see things are coming together.

I've been like a whirling dervish today, I don't recognise myself.

I put soda crystals down the plug holes, cleaned the washing machine (put Viakal on the limescale) and attempted to wipe off the oven cleaner.

The oven cleaner has seeped in between the glass on the door. I'm now going to have to remove the glass to clean it. It's very annoying.

OP posts:
Stuffocation · 27/02/2025 23:04

Wish I had some progress to report but I have been full sloth this evening after work. Just tired standing all day. Kitchen is a tip again.
Am very impressed though by all your achievements! Work again tomorrow but aim is decluttering of clothes and bedroom sort out on Saturday.
Am sure alot of people that this stuff comes naturally to would find this thread ridiculous, but it is a comfort in a way that I am not alone in struggling and stressing over this stuff.