Cleaning House

[Audrey]

How often do you clean house? Do you choose one day and do it all, or do you do a little bit each day?

I do dishes every day. I straighten up every day. I then have someone who comes in twice a month and does the bathrooms and major cleaning.

What's your routine?

[judilynn]

With 3 kids at home, 2 cats and a dog, I have to do something everyday. But Sat and Sun I do the majority, like floors, bathrooms and such.

[Ravish30]

I clean something every day....I like everything clean and in its place! It's just the hubby and I so its easy for us to keep on top of things.

[smbwallace]

I have three kids and a not-so-neat husband so I have to clean up every day. Right now the house is for sale so I have to keep it neat and clean. I do the floors every few days but everything else pretty much has to be done every day. The floors NEED doing every day but I'd rather spend time with my kids than clean up after them constantly.

[Audrey]

ug, having a house for sale and being show is tough. I've been there and done that a few times and I have dogs.

[judilynn]

well my house is getting cleaner. I have less than 4 months to get packed and moved out of here. Starting to feel the stress!

[Lori]

If I can keep up with the kitchen and laundry during the week I'm doing good.

The weekend I cram the major cleaning in -- but usually the weekend is busy too.

Sometimes I get on a flylady (http://www.flylady.net) kick... but not always!

[usbornelynsey]

I clean everyday. I am a stay at home mom with two young kids. I do laundry M W F, and vacuum T Th and Sat. I also wash floors at least once a week, usually Tuesdays. I like having tasks scheduled, so I can remember when I need to do them again. Otherwise, I am trying to dress my kids for bed and realize all four sets of pajamas are in the hamper.

For me, life is all about scheduling, most of which goes out the window with kids. It is good to have goals though.

[justinsmom]

With a new baby it's hard. I try and tidy up alittle every day but I do the laundry on Friday night and most of the hard cleaning on the weekend. This way my husband is home and we take turns with the baby.

[WAHMSpace]

I clean daily,seems like I cant keep up sometimes.I have a list of what I need to do each day so it makes it easier!Diane congrats on the little one!

[Audrey]

I'm pretty pleased with myself this week. I cleaned the entire refrigerator and I cleaned out the entire pantry including washing down the shelves. Feels good.

[Lori]

OOOOOhhhh.... the fridge! Yikes.

Lucky you have a pantry! I feel great whenever I clean the two lazy susans that serve as my pantry. They can get pretty gross.

I've got a ton of cleaning I'm procrastinating today...

I've taken on a new system - it's okay to let a chore go --- but NOT 2 days in a row.

It seems to be working alright :)

[judilynn]

today on my to do list is cleaning the fridge. It has been way to long. After the superbowl snacks it really needs it!

[MunnyMaker]

Sometimes I just don't clean at all!! I have been cleaning up after everyone for years and it is time for the rest of them to do some for a while!!! My husband knows he better pitch in or no ?%#@@!!!

[mhobbs25]

I'll do little bits of cleaning everyday like the dishes, but I do big stuff and Laundry on Monday's. If I want to do major cleaning or re-arranging I'll do it on the weekend my husband is at drill. I get what I want done and don't have to worry about him being in the way...

[oursuccessnow]

:D Hi Everyone,

There are some things you have to do daily - dishes, sweeping/mopping, straightening up, clearing clutter and weekly like laundry.

I sometimes use a schedule which is to clean one room a week thoroughly - windows, dusting, polishing, mirrors etc., whatever the room calls for.

For example, the "Kitchen" week would be the oven, refrigerator, drawers, food cabinets - really thorough.

That way your house stays much cleaner.

Some weeks I take a break lol - then it's just the usual daily cleaning.

Claire

[Lori]

Wow Claire! It sounds like you've got a good system going! I want to be more like you :)

[Joeysmom]

I generally clean everyday, between our two dogs, my husband myself and our son there is always something to pick up or put away.

[Ravish30]

The Fridge...something I am very very picky about and it gets cleaned every week. I don't want any germs in there!

[Lori]

The Fridge...something I am very very picky about and it gets cleaned every week. I don't want any germs in there!

Wow. I am REALLY impressed. You clean your fridge weekly? Shelly - I swear to god, you have definitley inspired me to tackle my fridge this week!

:D

[jessecody]

I usually clean the house during weekends when I have time then go out with the kids after.. Its not that hard though Its like a hobby to me seeing my house is soo clean..

[Kerry S.]

I do not have a cleaning routine. Wish I did...Lori I am glad to see someone else that is a hit and miss with the flylady!

I love her and she helps get the basics done.

But what about spring cleaning? I had read somewhere that it is better to wit until after the pollen season and after you close the windows for the summer to clean. Any thoughts?

Kerry

[andrea910]

Ok, I'll be honest. I need to clean everyday, but I have a lot of trouble finding the time and really, the energy. With a husband in the landscape industry and a 2 year old boy I do laundry almost daily. My floors could use a vacuum daily, but are lucky to get cleaned every few days. Having a pro come in once or twice a month would be a dream, but I've always thought it would be too pricey. Are there affordable housekeeping pros out there?

[Audrey]

Andrea,

Prices vary. Check your local newspaper and also Craigslist. See what folks in your area are charging.

You can also be very specific. For example one of my friends doesn't wish to clean her 3 bathrooms. She hated it. She hired someone to come in and just do that. She of course pays less than someone having a whole house cleaned.

Another gal I know wants bed stripped, sheets washed etc. So she pays a bit more than someone not asking for those things.

You'll never know the price if you don't make a few calls :)

[Kerry S.]

Andrea,

I was going to suggest the same thing. My husband and I used to be in the cleaning business in a resort area.

You should be able to get a quote for just the areas you really don't want to bother with. Of course the price does depend on where you live too. Another thing to consider is that most people (that clean) will not come and clean for under a certain amount. Around here the minimum price would be about $30.

So just to make myself clear, if I hired someone, they would porbably not find it worth their time to come to my house for less than that. Hope that makes sense.

[Ravish30]

I got alot accomplished this weekend. My hubby and I got our patio and yard cleaned up (thanks to it being a mess from numerous winter ice storms), I decluttered 1 walk in closet, hauled some stuff up to the attic and got my bathroom tile sparkling clean again.

[andrea910]

I'm getting some great advice from these forums...yeah!

Thanks ladies, I'm going to start making some calls today.

[Kirsty]

I'm not sure there is ever so much point until the children have grown up and left home...

[Lori]

I do not have a cleaning routine. Wish I did...Lori I am glad to see someone else that is a hit and miss with the flylady!

I love her and she helps get the basics done.

But what about spring cleaning? I had read somewhere that it is better to wit until after the pollen season and after you close the windows for the summer to clean. Any thoughts?

Kerry

Yay! Another Flybaby :)

I just bought a new timer. The only thing I go through quicker than timers is computers!

Don't ask :)

[Lori]

For me -- the biggest obstacle to hiring help is having to have the house clean for them to come!

ROFL...

It's a vicious circle.

[Ravish30]

We got alot of spring cleaning done this past weekend. All of my windows are sparkling again :)

Sam got my birdbaths and bird feeders all cleaned out and looking great again and our patio furniture got a scrub down!

[Lori]

I found the perfect solution to my housekeeping problems...

ipod!

Boy does it make chores fun :)

[kisys33]

Definately, have to listen to music when cleaning. I do most of my house work on Monday. No matter what you do they always make it dirty again. So I only clean once a week. With touch ups occasionaly. Now laundry is another story, that never ends. Lol

:wav:

[ericajones80]

I found the perfect solution to my housekeeping problems...

ipod!

Boy does it make chores fun :)

I totally agree. Nothing like cleaning up the place while listening to some music and then having a nice cup of tea and sitting to relax afterwards