I want to be a domestic goddess....but I'm lazy

[GoldenSnitch]

I want to be a domestic goddess....but I'm lazy and I have a just 3 year old DS who isn't at pre-school yet and a 15 week old DD who .

I don't have time to thoroughly/properly clean everything between feeding and changing and toddler group!!

So I need your shortcuts please

I saw someone a while ago saying they cleaned their fridge shelves in the dishwasher (great but I have a slimline dishwasher and they don't fit ), I'm sure I've seen someone saying they cleaned out the yukky washing machine powder drawer in the dishwasher too (doesn't it make your dishes taste soapy?) and I already steam the microwave with a bowl of water with lemon and bicarb in it to make it easier to clean.

Any more shortcut tips out there?

Not at all a Domestic Goddess (I wish!) but my big lifesaver is to use a bigger bin liner than the size of the kitchen bin (mine is 30 litre but I use a 50 litre bin bag) then as I empty the bin its really easy to chuck all the extra bits of rubbish that collect on the worktops/empty other bins into it.

Any help? Oh and I do put the washing machine drawer in the dishwasher - it doesn't make anything taste soapy but I need to use mould cleaner too cos it doesn't get rid of all of it.

I'm not a Domestic Goddess by any means, but I learned a while ago that the key to keeping clear of clutter and mess is good storage. I have cheap storage (lidded crates, pretty storage boxes, baskets etc) everywhere.

I also keep a lidded wicker basket or box in every room as an emergency 'chuck any crap in when people are coming over/can't be arsed to clear up and want the room to feel tidy' measure.

I guess you have to do a washing machine drawer wash then a pots wash though leeloo? What temperature?

I like the 'can't be arsed to clear up' box idea BillieJackson.

I have two boxes, one at the top of the stairs and one at the bottom- I call them my 'up box' and 'down box' (original huh?) and they make keeping tidy so much easier as anything to go up or down just gets dropped in and I never go up or downstairs empty handed, just grab one or two things from the box and take it with me

Good tips - keep them coming!

My DH gets so annoyed with me piling things on the stairs. Maybe a box would help keep it all out if the way. Thanks DreamTeamGirl

Timers. I love Flylady's 5 minute room rescue. You set the timer for five minutes and then tidy like crazy for five minutes. The room looks incredible afterwards - it's amazing how much you can do in five minutes. the living room has gone from tip to always looking presentable in just five mins a day.

I tried Flylady but couldn't keep it up. May try the 5 minute room rescue again though.

No problems goldensnitch
These are what I have from Wilkos and they are ideal

I agree about timers- mine is a godsend as it focusses my mind. I set it for 15 mins and like you say you just blast through

That might help because I often feel guilty for not spending enough time with the children because i'm cleaning. 15 minutes is do-able though

I once read a good tip on here about cleaning: the lady said she just bought floor wipes, and used them for pretty much everything as they're thicker and stronger. I think she said she would run in the bathroom, quickly wipe the sink, bath, shower, then wipe round the loo and chuck the wipe away. I guess you can do the same with the kitchen, then spot-clean any marks on the lino to save mopping more often than you need to.

And yes, lots of storage, big old boxes you can throw toys in, chuck a lid on. Then you've only got to worry about cleaning and hoovering etc

Yes James is right about the wipes I also use them for 'damp dusting' . our house is old and dusty and they work well on all surfaces that show the dust.

another brill 'do it all' is white vinegar which can be used for almost all household jobs; it cuts grease on cookers, ovens, etc. You can use it to soak any smelly clothes or cloths with really hot water before washing in machine, it acts as a softener in the machine as well also removes mould!

Laundry balls are fab too they save money and wash really well without softener You don't need to buy any more detergent or colour preservers.

I've found vinegar works well on the limescale on the bathroom taps.

Sock some cotton wool in the vinegar, wrap around the taps and leave overnight. It wipes off easily in the morning

yay you're there! Also in the toilet for limescale.

If you want it to appear that you've cleaned more than you really have, clean the taps (you notice them more than the sink) and spray polish on the radiators (the warmth will make the smell more noticeable and people will think you've been dusting/polishing!) I shouldn't really admit to this

Clean the bathroom while your children are in the bath.

My ds is 18, and he won't let me! Apparently if you flush the toilet and squirt something down it, polish your taps and plump your cushions you are ready for MIL!

@ mumdebump

Not sure that would work for my MIL stleger (guessing you might be from Doncaster??), she has a house full of immaculate cream carpets and colour matched toiletries! She would spot a mucky sink at 50 paces!!