House getting me down

[alexsmum]

Bit embarrassed to post this as am having to admit to being a slovenly woman with very poor housekeeping skills.
my bedroom is an absolute disgrace and it has got to the point where it is so bad i don't know where to start with making it better. There is just stuff everywhere.i can never find anything, i practically have to jump from the door to get to bed,it's so horrible. I feel like i need kim and aggie to come and sort me out, but i would too ashamed for anyone to see it!
really depressed about it tonight- have just filled a binbag with old magazines, letters,etc and you wouldn't know i had removed anything.
any advice where do i go from here?

when are you moving sparkly? is it you who has the terrible neighbours? if so- i'll bet you can't wait!

we have no moving date yet, but no we can't wait.

Message withdrawn

ok feeling good. have already emptied a very large box and put on new shelves. the contents of said box used to be crammed onto old shelves-it was a mess,a nd difficult to get out . new shelves-it all fits on two and is hidden by a cuboard door! i love them!

Brilliant thread, just what I need!
Query about stuff for charity shops - does it need to be ironed first? Because that would be a major no-no..

oh good god-ironed??????
i was struggling with the thought of having to wash it!!!

Alexsmum - I don't iron ANYTHING at all - like you, hardly find time to wash it. Also, have not yet started the baby book (scan pictures, first this and that etc) for my 4th child, and she was 1 last month! I get overwhelmed by clutter too. My house also needs renovating, and that is really depressing - can't see us ever doing it now! I think it's having little children - you just don't get time to think let alone do things properly. But hey, it seems to be normal!

Message withdrawn

My tip to get your washing sorted:

1. Make your bed (strip first if necessary)

2. Round up everything in the house that needs to be washed - throw on bed

3. Divide into washing piles - not just coloured, dark, light etc, but piles that will fit into the machine.

4. Put each pile in a bin bag, and put them all next to the machine.

5. As machine finishes, empty into basket, and immediately load again.

6. Hang up wet washing.

If I'm having a day of this, I tumble as much as possible - usually put everything in the drier that can be tumbled, and if it's not full enough, wait until the washing machine has finished with the next load. Everything that will go on a hanger dries on a hanger (I don't iron, so it goes straight away after drying). A hanging rail (like shop rails) is great for storing hung stuff as it dries. Put the heating on full and put as much stuff on the radiators as possible, it's usually dry before the washing machine finishes.

This way I can clear about 8 loads of washing in a day, and most of it will be dry the next day. I tend to do this on a Saturday, and then have a mass putting away session on a Sunday (in a bedroom that was tidied on the Saturday evening). Feels fab! Always finish the job too, so there's no Christmas 2004 napkins left! (I always leave things that might run, or that need handwashing!)

Just about to tackle my bombsite of a lounge - wish me luck!

My tip to get your washing sorted:

1. Make your bed (strip first if necessary)

2. Round up everything in the house that needs to be washed - throw on bed

3. Divide into washing piles - not just coloured, dark, light etc, but piles that will fit into the machine.

4. Put each pile in a bin bag, and put them all next to the machine.

5. As machine finishes, empty into basket, and immediately load again.

6. Hang up wet washing.

If I'm having a day of this, I tumble as much as possible - usually put everything in the drier that can be tumbled, and if it's not full enough, wait until the washing machine has finished with the next load. Everything that will go on a hanger dries on a hanger (I don't iron, so it goes straight away after drying). A hanging rail (like shop rails) is great for storing hung stuff as it dries. Put the heating on full and put as much stuff on the radiators as possible, it's usually dry before the washing machine finishes.

This way I can clear about 8 loads of washing in a day, and most of it will be dry the next day. I tend to do this on a Saturday, and then have a mass putting away session on a Sunday (in a bedroom that was tidied on the Saturday evening). Feels fab! Always finish the job too, so there's no Christmas 2004 napkins left! (I always leave things that might run, or that need handwashing!)

Just about to tackle my bombsite of a lounge - wish me luck!