Flyladies keeping on top of the household in August, it’s going to be a hot one.

[ExtremeDecluttering]

Well, at the start of July it was hot, at the end of July it was still hot (for most of us anyway) and here we are in August with no change in sight, but hopefully we are acclimatising a bit. And now we have holidays, children at home, all the changes of routine.

Whether you're starting to build a new routine, stuck in a rut, or been around for years, join us on the Flylady thread. I'll try to keep us on track for the month, with baby steps, daily missions and weekly zones.
This is a long running thread, but we are a friendly bunch and all are welcome to join in.
Do NOT sign up for the Flylady emails - it's an excessive amount sent every day. I have taken one for the team but use a junk email address I will check them periodically and report anything interesting / useful
There are Baby Steps for starting out: add one thing at a time to start good habits and routines.
There are 5 zones that we will rotate through:
☀️Entryway, porch and dining room
☀️Bathroom & one other room
☀️Kitchen
☀️Master bedroom & master bathroom
☀️Living room
Don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!
Daily focus: each day of the week has a different focus.
Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
Tuesday: plan & play
Wednesday: anti-procrastination
Thursday: errand day
Friday: clean car & purse out day. It's also date night (with your significant other, or friends, or yourself!)
Saturday: family fun day
Sunday: renew your spirit
Common acronyms we use:
LOL: load of laundry (washing is certainly NOT funny!)
DW: dishwasher, we are not rotating wives by any means, although an extra pair of hands could come in handy sometimes 😆
S&S: Swish & Swipe (wipe the bathroom sink & toilet)
LMS: lose/lost my shit
DNLMS: did not lose my shit
There are more, feel free to ask us to explain something. I'll try to update links every day, it's a new website! Although if you can, it's worth downloading the app, you can even have it send you notifications (although I only have it for when the zones change). You can also modify the tick lists to suit your home & lifestyle. There is a paid version and a free version. I use the free version. The missions haven't been updating on the app.
Links are below 👇
Daily missions (for the zone we are in):
https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission
Baby steps (on a different website, since the link isn't working on the new site yet): https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/
Feel free to ask any questions you may have, some of us have been doing Flylady for a very long time, as well as others just starting out. We may have other things to add that we have found works for us that could help you too!

Most of this is copied and pasted from previous months but is all correct, I do get the emails and do use the free version of the app, plus the new look but somewhat sparse website. There may be odd days I don’t post but the links do update overnight so click back to the previous ones.

@Frumpyunicorn flylady recommends and cheap liquid soap, eg a bubblebath you don't like for down the toilet and even the action of swishing it will water sometimes stops grime from growing. Double up decluttering your bathroom cupboard of unused shower gels etc. Like you I do bleach maybe weekly. I think I water down bleech too.

I've had a f* this for a game of soldiers epiphany this afternoon.
I've bagged up all my riding clothes that I've outgrown 🙃 and I'm taking them to my local horse charity for their 2nd hand riding gear shop.
I'm on yet another wardrobe cull, I've got about 30 empty hangers. I've whittled down my piles of too small clothes, just three boxes of things that would be expensive to replace left now.
I'm feeling ruthless 😅 but currently flopped on my bed with the fan keeping me cool.
I'm still quite overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that's all over the house.
Won't be back on it until Monday because I'm busy for the next three days.
Toilets lol. After using it in the morning I use Domestos zero limescale. I can't have air freshener in the house because it triggers my asthma and the domestos leaves it smelling nice.
If the limescale does build up I use HG limescale remover. I use quite a few of the HG products.

Hi everyone, I have occasionally read this thread at times over the past few years, but never really done much about following the ideas. I have jumped in this week and done the kitchen missions each day! I’ve found it immensely soothing that someone else has taken the thinking out of it. I’ve read you all reassuring newbies over the years that you’re never behind, and also that each zone will roll around again. This changed my perspective while cleaning the cupboard doors today. Rather than doing it resentfully thinking it’s pointless and will look crap again in a few days, I’ve done it with the view that I can pretty much forget about it until flylady prompts us to do it again.

I know myself, and I’m pretty sure that the freedom to forget about it actually means that if there is an obvious spillage down a cupboard in the meantime, I’m now much more likely to clean it the same day, rather than leaving it because the whole door is minging. (But if I don’t, it doesn’t matter, because I’ll do it next time it comes around!)

Honestly I’m feeling a real shift in my mindset about my approach to cleaning. Thanks to those who’ve kept this thread going for everyone!

@Frumpyunicorn I’m obsessed with having a pristine toilet. I just use on alternate days Harpic limescale remover and Tesco thick bleach (the smaller size is easier to squirt under the rim) The rest I clean with flash wipes after using toilet paper to wipe off any dust and debris.

@Frumpyunicorn bleach isn't really that good for vitreous glazed sanitaryware, over time it erodes the surface which is why you often get brown stained limescale that's hard to get off. That said, I often chuck a Steradent down (which contains a bleaching agent); mostly I use washing up liquid, or hand soap, but yesterday despite wanting to cut down the amount of bottles of cleaning stuff, I picked up a bottle of Astonish lemon gel toilet cleaner in Aldi, which at least smells nice :) Seems to do a good job too.

I’ve had the same white toilet for 19 years and it’s as good as new. Bleach and limescale cleaners etc haven’t affected the glaze at all. Still a perfect shiny white no limescale nothing. I’ve never actually had an issue with limescale.

Should have said, we're in a very hard water area here, limescale is a nuisance. Currently battling with a crusty tap!

Thanks everyone. I might try a limes ale cleaner on other days first.

Welcome @mixedpeel 👋
I'm so glad to read that you have found some motivation from the thread and from flylady! It really is just about doing a little bit every day, it can get overwhelming otherwise. Soon enough the baby steps will become habit and routines will stick, even if it's just part of them, they all help!

Cherry well done on being ruthless!

I'm sorry for not mentioning everybody, I read along earlier today and no longer have the energy to fully reply, I'm sorry!

It's been a busy week at work, and I had a meeting tonight to take minutes at, so it was a long day for me. I had enough earlier today though and asked for Monday off. I already have Tuesday's off and Wednesday next week. I told my boss I'm getting burnt out and need a break. I'm looking forward to it.
I just have to make it through one more day..

Sorry, I’m getting later and later with posting. Forecast 34 again here so I got up early, went swtimming aat the lido and then to water the allotment before it gets too hot.

Friday is Date Night, it is also the day to clear out your handbag and car.

Our mission today is to sweep and mop the kitchen floor, get right into the corners, we too use a spray mop most of the time but it doesn’t get right into the edges.

Welcome @mixedpeel it’s lovely when someone has been lurking a bit and then comes and joins us. These threads have been going a very long time now and have helped many, many people, me included so it’s lovely to hear how it’s helped you. I agree totally about it being low pressure, it doesn’t matter if you miss something, but everything you do manage, makes a difference. Flylady was one of the original online housework gurus and there are many others now, but she has stood the test of time for me, even if some of her posts seem a bit dated now.

I haven’t really adhered to the missions this week (kitchen has barely dropped below 30 degrees and CBA) but it still looks considerably better than it did last weekend just because I have done hotspots, the taps, wiped a few marks of appliances and cupboard doors etc. I did do the stovetop today.

I must apologise for not keeping up with the babysteps, it has been a busy week in terms of time spent out of the house, I have been going lido swimming most mornings, then work, then taking DS out for driving practice (test soon eeek), it will be similar next week, but the week after I have a week off so I am making a list of longer term jobs to do, like getting rid of the old Apple Mac that someone else was trying to do on here too.

Hopefully you are all getting your routines established or keeping them going. At least the hot weather makes it easy to keep on top of the laundry.

Saturday is Family Fun Day. My DCs are both working, I am volunteering at Parkrun then DH and I are going to visit my parents in the afternoon.

Our new washing machine arrived and it's lovely. I could just sit and watch it when I need some downtime these days. As a child my mum had a friend round with an autistic teenager and he spent the whole time watching the washing machine. I couldn't understand it then, but since because a mum, and getting a higher level of exhaustion and overwhelm I get it now. 🤣 What are you going to do @HazelNotHungryLC with your extra days off after the weekend, hopefully something more fun.

It doesn't help me get housework done though. I don't do daily laundry yet, but we are on top of it, and now we have a bigger machine we can do less washes..we tend to do it twice a week, sometimes a few loads. I have been doing the first few baby steps daily, the kitchen sink, my version of dressed to shoes, which is, get dressed then wash and moisturise my face before anything. Sometimes I do 3 minute hotspots and or swish and swipe but will work on getting those down daily.

Morning everyone. Lovely and cool here thank goodness.
I have finally cleared my bedroom of all.the piles of stuff, and vacuumed the floor.
There's still room for improvement, but it's little 10 minute bite sized tasks.
Next job is the dining room AKA the dumping zone.
Last job will be the kitchen, there's plenty of storage space in there but for two people there's so much stuff.
Won't be long before I can actually start cleaning 😳😁
How is Dobby now @HazelNotHungryLC ?

I had an emergency dentist appointment yesterday and then an unexpected wisdom tooth extracted . It’s my excuse today for not doing much in the way of being a Flylady. Plus it hurts and my pain killers make me drowsy.

I am doing LOL and I was much hungrier than normal this morning than usual having had to curb my intake last night. Swishing and swiping.

ED good luck to DS for his driving test!

Always ooooh a new washing machine, how exciting! 😍
I have no plans for Monday, and that's exactly what I need! I told DH I'm not going to plan on anything and I'm not going to do anything he asks of me. He joked around that he'll come up with something for me to do 🤣 I told him NO!
Tuesday I have to take the dogs to the groomer, no other plans.
Wednesday will be busy. DS and the band are going to be in a parade, and depending on if they still need help, I may sit in the back of the truck handing out water! I do have visions of me trying to get out of the truck and landing on all fours though, or my face! Then later in the afternoon I've signed up for a shift in the food booth (fundraiser for the band). It's only 4 hours though.

Cherry yay for getting the bedroom done!
Dobby is on the mend, until he does too much and hurts again! He is doing a lot better, but we're still not letting him go up and down steps etc. I'm so over the baby gate on the top of the stairs!

Peony I hope your mouth feels better soon! A coworker needed a tooth pulled this week too!

@HazelNotHungryLC I'm glad Dobby's on the mend.

Dining room tidied ✅️

Kitchen starts on Monday, tbc on Thursday!

Ta das:
☀️ watered outside flowers
☀️ showered, dressed, makeup on, hair done
☀️ vacuumed with the stick vacuum
☀️ mopped
☀️ S&S both bathrooms
☀️ Coco vet appt for her monthly injection
☀️ meeting for fair booth jobs
☀️ grocery shopping
☀️ dinner at ours
☀️ rotated DW

It was a pretty productive day today. DH also set up my 2 pots in the front with automatic sprinklers, so I won't have to worry about them anymore.

Morning all, well we did everything on the list yesterday, Parkrun, visiting parents etc, all good. Then DH decided to go out for a cycle ride and fell off and broke his arm. So Saturday night date night in A&E for us (fortunately a clean break and seen quickly). But that means he is going to be largely out of action for a while, it’s his shoulder so he can barely move the arm at all.

@Alwaysgrowing that thing with watching the washing machine was one of the first signs of DS being autistic when he was about 2 or 3, my neighbour at the time had an older autistic son and had told me he was obsessed with spinning things so we were alert to what it could mean. We had some little plastic chairs for the DCs on the patio and DS used to bring his in to sit and watch the washing machine. Made a change from CBeebies. Also when the pushchair was folded up he would sit for ages spinning the wheels. I’d forgotten about that.

Sunday is Renew Your Spirit day, where you are meant to do something just for yourself. It is cooler here this morning (cloudy) so I’m doing some gardening.

ED oh no! I hope DHs arm heals fast!

That reminds me of when DD was small (maybe 7?), we went riding throughout the day, she was on her dirt bike, fell over a few times but everything was fine. Went to a BBQ at a friend's house that night, she went down the slide that they put water on, and fractured her finger when she landed!

We are going to be busy today.
We will be helping SIL pick up the treadmill from ILs to take to her house.
Then we need to go to the next big town, go bulk shopping at Costco, get some things from the hot tub shop, go to the hardware store and probably have to eat something there too!

@ExtremeDecluttering oh no re DH broken arm

Doing bare minimum of swishing and swiping, LOL, swept kitchen floor and making bread in bread machine.

@ExtremeDecluttering oh crumbs, hope it heals quickly!
We've had a nice day out at a steam fair, then stopped at a bikers cafe for a bite to eat and nosey at the bikes.
Currently waiting for our Indian takeaway to arrive. My favourite food!

Thanks all. my googling says 6-12 weeks, DH think's he'll be driving by the end of the week, we'll see. Could be quite trying as he doesn't WFH and his workplace is miles from mine and in the middle of nowhere, he will have a few days off for now then we'll see.

Tomorrow we are moving into Zone 3 the bathroom and one other room. Monday is also Home Blessing day.

@ExtremeDecluttering I'd be very careful with DH driving against medical advice as it can make insurance invalid. I'm a radiographer and fracture recovery is like a peice of string, lots of factors involved. But the tricky thing about a shoulder is they can't cast it like a wrist. Make sure he doesn't overuse it before his follow up. Saying that, blood flow is good for it, keeping his wrist and hand moving.

Thank you @Alwaysgrowing , yes my googling says it is important to use the hand and wrist as much as you can (he has it in a high sling but is using the hand where he can, he cannot move the rest of the arm at all except by leaning forward a bit with it in the sling). It’s more with him that he doesn’t worry about things till they happen so I’m saying “I’ll have to drive you to work” and he’s cross with me for getting too far ahead as he is very much an each day as they come person whereas I’m a planner. The hospital said the fracture clinic will be in touch in the next day or so and they will refer him to physio. Just hoping physio is at our local centre (5 mins walk, there is a physio service there) not at the main hospital, which if you drew a triangle 10 miles round our house has our workplaces and the hospital at the three points. My friend’s DS is in his first year as a radiographer and loving it BTW.