Anyone gone from slattern to domestic goddess?

[Cobwebsontheceiling]

Tell me how you did it (yes, I know I just need to actually do something rather than sit on the pc!)

I sporadically tidy but everything just descends into chaos.

Am I destined to always be like this? Or can I change properly so that my house is lovely?

sonnet the way you describe it makes it sound manageable. Need to crack it before I return to work in September (am on mat leave), preferably would have it sorted before the summer holidays when my other dc break up.

I need to make a plan... (am very good at writing lists!)

OP - in my dreams. Really, it is an ambition. But I'm trying to declutter first because as Flylady says - you can't clean clutter.

I did go through a phase of flying when we moved in to this house, but really i was doing nothing but tidy and clean all day long and soon got bored. Now I work PT and play more with the kids and the house is a bit of a tip. But...I know that I can get it ready for guests in 15 minutes. I love Flylady - love those 5 min room rescues and still do them most days - they make such a difference.

I was hoping for some wonderful domestic goddesses to come on here and tell us how it's done. Guess we're all human, although other people's houses do always seem cleaner and tidier than mine.

Yes, ruthless decluttering is key and getting rid of never worn clothes.
Better ot have small lovely collection than cupboards heaving with crap.

Fly lady in principle is very good, you just have to tone it down a bit and adapt it to suit you. Some of it I do some I don't. I work 5 days a week (30 hours) and have a DD (6.5), so I couldn't possibly fit it all in.

It's based on little and often, which is the key.

I try (don't always succeed but I try),

1. Morning routine - mainly, wipe bathroom sink, windowsill, around the bath etc after my shower. swish and swipe toilet, wipe kitchen surfaces after making breakfast. Put the washer on.
2. 30 mins of zone work before dinner (uaually while it's cooking) Tuesday - Thursday.
3. Weekly Home blessing Monday and Friday(beds on Friday).
4. Evening routine - similar to morning routine with added vaccuming for high traffic areas and some prep for morning.
5. On line shopping, always on Saturday, fridge gets sorted out and wiped on Friday.
6. I have an ironing lady to do my stuff and DH's (I do dd's), she collects on Sunday, so I get it ready by Saturday to avoid last minute panic.

Otherwise, I ended up spending hours on big clean ups, which I haven't got time for.

This sounds a lot but actually the weekly home blessing is about 30-40 mins, and the morning and evening stuff is probably 5-10 mins on top of the basics. I delegate what I can.

Decluttering is also vital, and if you can stop it getting into the house in the first place, for example once you've ready a magazine cut out any recipes or articles you want to keep and recycle the rest. My worst hotspot is the bottom of the stairs, but it's also a good place to filter what makes it into the house, if it's checked daily.

I'm no domestic goddess, it doesn't come naturally to me so I have to have a routine to make sure I do little and often to stop it building up.

You first need to get your house in order - declutter ruthlessly and ensure that you have proper storage for everything you own and that it is all organised properly.

Once you have a tidying system, a cleaning system/rota is pretty easy to put into place IMO. And you can always buy in a bit of help with the cleaning/ironing, either regularly or occasionally, if it gets a bit grubby.

I used to be terrible, my house was a pit. I felt really guilty when DS couldnt find what he needed for school etc. I have Bi polar and i used to blame it on that. DP got so mad working all hours and house was a mess when he got home. I needed to get my ass into gear so i did following

1. I got DP to clear my stuff and me his so we didnt keep anything we thought 'might come in handy' or 'i might use that again'. He was really bad and threw out 3 bags of shoes! But i havnt missed them to be honest so was worth it

2. We bought a box for letters and bills etc. We also bought a new laundry basket with two secotions light and dark. This made it easier as it didnt look like there was too much washing and therefore not as scary!

3. I make a list of jobs to be done each night on the fridge and allow for 10 min tea breaks. This gives me a visual list of stuff to do i can tick off.

4. I have set days for washing bedding, deep cleaning bathroom, changing curtains etc etc to get into routine.

5. Every sunday morning is cleaning morning for 8 year old DS and he has a list to tick off that i have written, this gets him into cleaning. I also have a one toy rule for DD, shes only allowed to get another toy out once the one shes just had is put away. Shes only 3 but does this by herself now without being told!

The last week has been a little more relaxed as im due with my third baby today but i keep in mind all visitors that will be coming soon when baby arrives, this motivates me to keep tydy too!!

Am intrigued by the mention of an e-book. I need "systems". Any idea what if was called...?

i had a big clear out on the basis of - if we were moving house would i take it with me? if there is still too much stuff change it to - would i pay shipping costs if we emigrated?
i gave loads of books to the library so i could borrow them back if i wanted. still a mess though!