I have a hard time staying out of CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome). Cleaning is not my thing, but I suppose it's not most people's thing. When I really clean, I tend to organize as I go, which means that it takes me forever. My husband on the other hand, speed cleans. Although, I usually find a lot of stuff out of place and having to move later.
I try to make a mental note of things that do not have a home, and make one, or get storage containers for them.
The only thing I tend to do on schedule is laundry on wednesdays.
My main trouble areas tend to be clutter, mail, loose ends on the kitchen counters. I do have a basket for mail, my new goal is to clean it out weekly. Junk by the front door, no real space there for storage or sitting, so things tend to pile up on the small bench. And, my own bedroom which has a lack of storage. It tends to be laundry leftover central.
I guess I am looking for ideas to help me get it together better. Or a routine suggestion.
Thanks All!
Mel,
One thing that helps me get caught up is knowing that the cleaning lady will be annoyed if our stuff is in her way. She comes every other Wednesday so that motivation costs about $30 per week. The other thing that motivates us is inviting guests over who notice dirt and clutter. Then we HAVE to do it. LOL
Happy Cleaning,
Natalie
There is a website http://flylady.net/ that is really great at helping you get organized. Another mamasource member recommended it to me and I love it. If you like email she emails you a gizillion times a day otherwise you can ask for a weekly email. I have ADD and I tend to jump from room to room without getting anything done ever!!! So I know your pain!
I have a friend that organizes for a living. She took her
Obsessive, Compulsive Disorder and made a business out of it.
I might be worth having someone who knows what they are doing, get you set up and then your job would be to keep it organized after that. I have a friend that lives in a one bedroom house the size of my garage with a 2 year old and she works from home besides. Jeannie came in and got her set up.
She said it was the best money she ever spent, and no matter when I walk in her house,( other than toys laying around) the house is fully organized and clean. She also said, that by having it organized, it takes much less time cleaning.
You'll have to spend some $$ on "stuff", but it will be good money spent and it will be one less battle around your house.
I'd have to find the organizer's number......IF you are interested, I'd be happy to look for it.
Hi Mel,
Gloria here I also have a problem with clutter. All the flat surfaces in my house collect everything and I complain and complain but can't get anyone to help me with the cleaning. If you get any great sugestions with you pass them on to me. A little about me. I am 42 years old with three children one boyfriend who has one daughter and 2 dogs. So as you can tell I have my hands full. Have a great day! Gloria
www.flylady.net - and an egg timer...
I wish I had some great advice but the fact is I'm in the same boat. I don't like my house a mess but yet can't seem to keep it clean. Time is my biggest obstacle and then when I do have time I'm too tired to care. I hope you get some great advice:)
Try checking out flylady.net. It's a program to get your house back in order using babysteps, and lots of positive encouragement. Sometimes a little cheezy, but works!
Try www.flylady.net
A Friend told me about it. Your personal on-line coach to help you gain control of clutter.
Search on the web for the flylady. Her tips really help.
It's AWESOME!
Mel H
When my children were the ages of yours I found Flylady.net. It was wonderful. There were a lot of emails but it helped me accomplish something each day. Made things more of a habit. Lots of baby steps along with the deep cleaning. The kids thought it was fun as well. Good luck.
Trish E
I dont know what the solution is but when you figure it out let me know, I've had this problem since my son was born...(he turned 1 last week). We bought a house 5 months ago twice the size of our apartment, the problem followed. I cringe and get very tense when someone pulls into the driveway. (Feel like I've been caught)It doesn't help my mother-in-law from out of state visits about once every 4-6 weeks. Thats when all the progress goes right out the door, or should I say gets stuffed in any spare closet. My husband and I made ourselves a chore list and alternated the duties, that way when his chore for the day is done but not up to my standard, it'll be my chore tomm. and I'll be able to fix it my way before it gets out of control. The hardest part is actually following the chore list daily!!! A movie and playtime always sounds like more fun! Good Luck!
I'm definitely checking out that site!
One thing that helped me was putting the recycle bin next to our mail basket, along with the shredder. Any junk advertisement (inserts, etc) were immediately put into the recycle bin. The credit card offers, or other mail that contained personal information went immediately into the shredder. So, the only thing left in the mail bin were things we needed (bills, invitations, letters, etc).
Can't help you on the other stuff. But the above definitely helped me keep the mail clutter down.
I also recommend Flylady. I started it and was doing great til I cancelled receiving the emails when I got pregnant with #2. I slowly got back into chaos, this is giving me the motivation to go back to Flylady!!
Wow, I was going to suggest flylady.net too. It really does work. Of course there are times when I have given up on it, but I always come back because it works.
Check out flylady.net - she really help me set up some great routines!!!
If you want to get less mail (i.e., clutter!), go to www.greendimes.com. You can sign up to stop receiving junk mail, like credit card offers and catalogs. You can also sign up your husband or friends, too. It also helps the environment! I love it, I don't get anymore of that stuff and it's less mail to go thru each day. I also would suggest that you go thru your mail everyday and immediatly throw the things you don't want into the recycle bin. Also, take out the bills, etc. that you need and put them in a letter holder/organizer-thingy. We do that and then put that next to the computer (where we pay all our bills). Just one less thing to look at.
try flylady.et it has a lot of great id4eas on how to get into the idea of doing a little each day. Good luck!
I have the same issues here. I just decided last night to sign back up to flylady but have my spam blocker weed out some of her emails so that I don't get as much stuff from her. In the past, the emails were overwhelming AND annoying. I put in one for the word testimonial, for instance and stopped all of those emails. I am also going to get my whole family involved this time. It's a lot to do myself(at least for me)