Home never feels clean

[Whattheheckhappenedthissummer]

Maybe it’s the type of house we live in; it’s a very old cottage and quite dark in places and dust gathers somehow but it never really feels clean.

I’ve attached a floor plan of downstairs from my shark robot. It’s mostly wooden floor downstairs but the office has a carpet (and is clock full of, well, shit!) and the kitchen and downstairs loo is tiled.

Upstairs are four bedrooms, a bathroom and an en suite. One bedroom is really small and the others are a good size.

It never feels clean somehow, even when just cleaned, it feels a bit tired and dusty and grubby. We have too much stuff for sure and things like shoes and bags are the bane of my existence.

I guess I’m wondering if anyone else has had this and can help. I want to feel like I’m in a properly clean house!

I have now/ attached a floor plan haha

Organised a thorough deep clean. You’ll pay a fortune.. but it’ll help you mentally know that it’s clean clean.

Come and stay with me for a week. When you go home your house will feel spotless.

Can you describe how it looks unclean? Is it constant dust? Would an air purifier help and regular wet dusting? Is it clutter? Maybe you just need more enclosed storage space.

How long since it was decorated op? You can clean grubby scuffed paintwork as much as you like but there comes a point when it just looks tired. I've just repainted a couple of rooms in my house and it's amazing the difference.

1. use a handheld crevice in the rooms corners where robots don’t always reach
2. reduce visible clutter- all surfaces and floors clear
3. decoration that is tired, chipped skirting etc needs reviewing

I really want to but DH is being difficult! I think I might have to override him though. But I am worried as I have organised cleaners before who took the piss and if I’m paying a fortune …

I do 100% need to do some painting, would really brighten everywhere up.

I’ve got a little handheld vacuum. I love it; my new mate 🤣

I organised a cleaner to come who foes end of tenancy cleans too. She does an amazing job for an hourly rate. I asked her to reorganise my kitchen and omg. The difference.
Decluttering definitely helps
As does a fresh coat of paint on main walls and skirting boards.

Thing is, I do clean pretty thoroughly myself. I dust, I pull furniture out to clean underneath. But the kids toys is a battle, as are shoes (SHOES are the bane of my existence, they really are!)

You really have to declutter, organise storage for things, especially shoes. Do a proper deep clean and keep it that way.
Doesn’t help if the family are messy.

Cleaning can only do so much.

If clutter is your issue (you mention shoes a lot), you need a sort out and better storage options. Do you have space for a shoe cupboard by the front door?

If the issue is scuffed surfaces and things that won't come clean, no matter how hard you try to scrub them, then you need to either freshen up, or accept that it's the age of the fittings. And they won't look like brand new, no matter how clean they are.

Declitter, paint and stop buying shoes, dont deep it.

I haven’t bought shoes for ages but I have two children … trainers and wellies and crocs and school shoes and so on! I have had a clear out this afternoon but I know it’s an ongoing struggle because obviously they have to wear shoes to go out then what to do with the damned things!

Put them in a cabinet!

The kids can wear 1 pair of shoes during this weather. The only thing thing that made a difference for me is cutting down on shoppjng.

@ForPinkDuck i know but it’s still four pairs of shoes … i do need proper storage. One of the problems is that creating space involves so much clearing out that it feels almost insurmountable! I have tried; I’ve been inspired by your suggestions and have cleared out the office (honestly that was quite something!) and chucked out loads from my DS’s wardrobe, which has freed up space elsewhere!

Gr8. These old uk homes have sod all storage. People used to have alot less stuff clothing used to be very expensive.

Storage is definitely an issue as are toys … I’ve relocated a load to the garage but it’s like that Greek monster that grows another head when you cut one off!

Soft furnishings can trap a lot of stink.

Wash curtains and cushions in the washing machine, hire a carpet cleaner for the carpet and sofa

Most cordless vacuums are a bit pants and you don’t realise how much dirt they’re missing until you go back to a corded one.

Wash the walls

Dehumidifier (although not necessary atm).

Wooden floors and wallpaper in bathrooms give me the ick and feel dirty.

We have a Henry, it vacuums everything and is powerful. I have found that if a vacuum cleaner is light it is only for vacuuming lightly! I have never used a Shark though.

Why do wooden floors make you feel dirty @CraftyNavySeal ? Just wondering!

I might get someone to professionally clean the sofas … god knows they need it!

We chuck all shoes in a kallax box each, one for each of us. Holds trainers, wellies, school
Shoes and school bag (primary age). Usually a coat as well unless it’s wet and needs hanging

This is going to sound argumentative but then where does the box go?

Agree!

My guess would be in a kallax unit?

Must look into getting one. We do have some kappas boxes but they are for toys. I’m not totally sure where the kallax unit would go, though!