spiderowl Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Sorry for the boring topic but I'm not sure where to put this question. Due to a fatiguing illness, which means I don't have a lot of energy but can do normal things just in smaller doses, I struggle to keep on top of the housework. Clutter easily builds up and I'm not happy with this. I don't have any help and I do have a job as well. I'm wondering if any of you have any great tips for keeping on top of housework, things that make it easier. My home is old and I've had little money to spend on it to make things work better for me. I do have lots of other things going on, not least my job, so I'm not idle. I'd be interested to know about anything that will make life easier. I'm not rich so if your idea costs money it probably won't help. Looking forward to enlightenment here! Thanks in advance ... Link to post Share on other sites
denise_xo Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 This will cost a bit of money (don't know how much) but they have those vacuum cleaners now that walk around on their own. I haven't tested them but have a friend who speaks very highly of hers. The other thing is just putting things back where they belong before it turns into a pile of clutter. I'm not particularly good at it, but I've had a good phase now and it makes tidying less of a chore because you don't have to deal with these accumulated piles of stuff. Link to post Share on other sites
jens Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I try to spread the cleaning out over time so everything seems generally clean. I keep the relevant cleaners (i.e., 409, bleach, and wood cleaner) in each bathroom and the kitchen so I don't have to cart them from room to room making it seem like more of an ordeal to clean. Granted there are just two bathrooms but still makes it more casual to just quickly grab out what I need and put it back when on a whim I decide to clean. I also keep specific cleaning rags in each bathroom and the kitchen. When I clean the shower, I do it right before I take a shower. Makes it more convenient. I have an all-floor vacuum cleaner. It's the kind that vacuums wood floor and carpet. It's awesome. Makes me feel like I don't need to mop the wood floor as often which is a relief because mopping is a huge chore that I do not look forward to. lol Honestly, the wood doesn't get that dirty...it's mainly dust that's the problem. Since I wipe down counter surfaces in the kitchen everyday (and bathroom every week along with bleach in toilets), it makes me feel like I don't need to do a "deep" cleaning as often. I also pour a bit of bleach down each drain once every other week to make sure no mold or fruit flies are attracting. You will be amazed that the kitchen or bathrooms don't get that peculiar smell to them. I dust/wet wipe the main surfaces that I use everyday, at least once every week or so. Like the coffee table in the livingroom for example. Dusting down other areas that I don't really use and formal mopping job are saved either for a maid or I do once a month or so. I should probably mop more often, but I can't stand mopping! Those are my biggest tips that kinda keep things running smoothly here! Link to post Share on other sites
Eve Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 1. Adopt a minimalist look. Half the things we own are often not necessary. 2. Clean on a set day only. Thursday is a good choice as it is good to wake up on a Friday and know it's all done and the weekend is free. Take care, Eve x Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Dedicate 15 - 20 minutes a day to cleaning. No more, no less. But when you are cleaning, do as much as you can within the time limit. Link to post Share on other sites
Cee Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I suggest that when doing a regular duty such as the dishes, do a little extra something like sweeping or sponging the countertops. Dishes get done and kitchen is cleaner. I like to clean the bathroom right before a shower. I don't care about getting stuff on me & I can sponge the shower while taking one. As for clutter, regularly throw things out. I put stuff in a box I don't know whether to keep or not and then go through it sometimes. Also, I entertain every few months and that seems to be the only way I will truly clean. Link to post Share on other sites
Zolie Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I read a magazine article years ago about staying organized and I remember one tip very well - Have a place for everything and ALWAYS put each item back in its place after using. Key word there is always. I am a very busy woman and am not fond of housework. I adopted the trick mentioned above and find that it really works for me. I don't always follow it, though, and when I don't, my home gets cluttered faster than I can say "call Merry Maids". I also agree with the poster who said to adopt a minimalist look. Not necessarily a minimalist decorating look (I am a knick-knack queen) but a minimalist in gadgets, tools, clothes, objects, etc. Using the technique above if it doesn't have a storage place, then get rid of it. If it's something you absolutely use, then make sure it has a storage place and put it back every time. If it's something you only use occasionally, consider if it's worth it to keep, or if letting it go would be a better use of space for something you use all the time. One other tip I read in the article was to immediately place all junk mail in the trash can. Spend 10 minutes reviewing your mail every day, and immediately toss the obvious junk. For the items you must keep, use the above trick and create a place for each type of mail. Bills go in one box, semi-junk in another, etc. For the semi-junk, consider reading it right away to see if it can be tossed or not. That was one of my biggest problems - the credit card offers and other pieces of mail that had personal info inside that I didn't want to keep but didn't want to throw out, either, for fear of identity theft. So, I got a shredder. And those types of junk mail go in the shredder right away. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
Zolie Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Oh, and one word of caution about the 'place for everything' technique. Don't do what I did at first, which was to store things in those plastic storage bins, all stacked up on top of each other. Invariably, the one thing I needed was in the bottom bin, and I would have to unstack all of the bins to get to it. Then when it was time to put the item back, I would lay it down somewhere and say I would put it away "later". Of course, later never comes. Instead, invest in some of those plastic storage drawers. Really useful! Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 I keep a trashcan in the garage for junkmail. I go thru it on the way back from the mail box and make sure no junk mail gets into the house.. I also open all the mail right there by the trash can and remove the advertisements and throw out the envelopes. The only thing that makes it in the house is the bill itself.. I then open up the computer and pay the bill online (many of the bills are delivered online) then file the bill.. it gets thrown into the shredder when the next bill comes in.. This way... No Piles.. No bills to file and no junk to deal with... Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 This way... No Piles.. That's a good way to treat piles? Are you being serious? Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 That's a good way to treat piles? Are you being serious? Oh.. I forgot about the Tucks.. Link to post Share on other sites
Author spiderowl Posted May 29, 2011 Author Share Posted May 29, 2011 Wow, some brilliant suggestions here! I've realised I already do some of them. If I could invest in better furniture, that would help, but I'm not in a position to do so. Who mentioned leaving things for the maid? I wish I could! Sadly, I do not have a maid or I wouldn't need tips for making it easier for myself. Still interested in any other ideas. Link to post Share on other sites
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