https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 07 May 2026 06:02:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146685 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:00:29 +0000 anne 146685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for chiming in Isobel.</p> <p>I wanted to specifically thank Dawn for her detailed descriptions! One of my friends who cleaned for me for a brief period had also been a hotel housekeeper and boy she was awesome!</p> <p>Also realised that I forgot to mention that the house was actually cleaned for us by our relatives/landlords while we were away on holiday. They were coming anyway to paint the girl's bedrooms but did lots of other stuff as well. We were bowled away by how much better everything looked ( I think their comments about us needing to do more cleaning was because certain items too too long to get clean).<br /> From my perspective though, it means I already have the clean slate some of you mentioned.<br /> So today I set aside 3 hours while kids were at school/daycare and I pretty much finished the cleaning in 1 1/2 hours. I spent the rest of that time tidying/ decluttering which is the sort of thing I'd have to do before a cleaner came anyway.<br /> I am hoping that changing my habits throughout the week will mean that there will be less of that to do in the future but have decided to set aside those 3 hours on Thurs morning until I am happy with the house in general. After that I will just keep the 11/2 hours free and not make any plans til 11:30.</p> <p>If my weeks start getting really busy I will revisit the cleaner idea but I think I am happy with this for the moment. I felt so much better and calmer today!</p> <p>BTW the course I was doing last term was with a speech pathologist at our local health centre and was for teaching parents of kids with speech delays. My youngest had a slight speech delay at the beginning of the course but 2 days ago we had our final home visit from the SP for the course and she said DD# had caught up! So I am glad I put the time into that </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146566 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 01:11:53 +0000 Isabel 146566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>An old friend and I were just talking about this today. Where I live, MANY SAHM have not only cleaning services, but nannies. ( I have neither. ) But I am so crazy busy volunteering at my kids' school, helping my parents and my sister ( who is disabled ) and I have severe migraines, that I just don't clean often enough. Throw onto that that our home has 3 bathrooms and tons of wood and well, you get the picture........My husband has also been saying that we should hire someone but I felt like a terrible failure.</p> <p>We finally decided on a comprise that I feel comfortable with : We will hire someone to help me with a really thorough spring cleaning. Then we will have someone come in to clean every two weeks, then once a month, etc.</p> <p>I have also set up a system that makes it very easy for me to keep up. I keep a cloth and baking soda under each sink in the house. At night after brushing my teeth, I scrub down the sink and the counter. I use an after shower spray in the the tub . I bought a steam cleaner mop ( all with no chemicals ), so that I don't have to scrub as much, this makes it so much easier to maintain and makes the "big" cleaning easier......so figure out what will make it easier for you. </p> <p>I also am lucky that I can program my washing machine every night to start washing at 6:00 am , I get up and throw the clothes in the dryer and they are done by the time the kids are on the bus. </p> <p>I still don't know what to do about keeping up with all the dust !!!</p> <p>But seriously, don't be ashamed...you have a full time job too !</p> <p>Finally, when I did work, we had a cleaner. Sometimes I would come home and she and I would pitch in together and I enjoyed. We shared a lot that way - and I learned a ton about cleaning and doing it quickly !!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146543 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:34:09 +0000 Theresa 146543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That sounds like a great plan Anne - keep us posted on things that are working for you because I'd love to hear any/all suggestions for myself!</p> <p>I do exactly what you currently do - cook dinner, feed girls, get them to bed (yes often takes time here too), and then washing up is the last thing I feel like doing... let alone all the other stuff...</p> <p>Although I shocked myself and washed up our breakfast dishes as soon as we'd had breakfast this morning and I'm amazed at how calm I feel knowing my kitchen is clean.</p> <p>I think the key is baby steps and not being a perfectionist... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146455 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:06:54 +0000 anne 146455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wanted to give a longer reply here.</p> <p>Firstly thanks to all those who have encouraged me to not feel guilty about the possibility of getting a cleaner. Also to those who have understood why I have reservations about it! (Although there is more to it than I have expressed - some history with an unsympathetic instituional one being only one factor) </p> <p> I am still a bit undecided about whether to get one. Although I am not particularly good at it, I think I can do an adequate job and a few hours of cleaning without children is practically a holiday! So I'll keep up the 2 week trial plan for the moment, especially since I quizzed DH a bit more on what exactly was said and I can easily target those areas.</p> <p>Thanks for all those who recommended Flylady. I was actually aware of it and used to get the emails some years ago (didn't deliberately stop, just changed email providers or something similiar) I did find it helpful at the time, though my position then was almost laughably easier (This was pre-kids and we lived in a flat at a residential college, with all meals provided and a cleaner (though the one mentioned above with whom I had a few run ins!) While I am not up to getting her emails again I had a look at the flying lessons page and reminded myself of her basic principles. Some ideas I have taken from it were already ideas I had formulated while on holiday. </p> <p>I agree that whether or not I get a cleaner, some improvement in daily routine will be helpful. One thing I am working on changing is a a tendency to singlemindedly focus (not that any mother can really do that of course, on is continually interuppted) on one thing (eg making a meal on time) and leaving aside all dishwashing and tidying til after the girls go to bed. But then, if putting them to bed is an extended and emotionally draining experience as frequently is the case, I might chill out for a bit, then do the dishes (often the whole day's worth, to my shame) By the end of that it might be 9:30 and I don't feel like tidying! If I sort the washing I can watch TV at the same time.<br /> Anyway probably TMI but I am working at changing</p> <p>Thanks again for your help! BTW thanks to the Aussies for clarification about rental inspections! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146260 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 01:48:07 +0000 Theresa 146260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne I think you did a great thing by not making another cake last night!! That's a fabulous baby step!!</p> <p>Actually, I just wanted to come back and say thank you so much for posting this. Its been really good to read the replies and whilst I have no way of getting a house cleaner, I've decided to go back and get back into the Flylady routine - I did like it in the past, but at that point the girls were still in and out of hospital and life was so unpredictable that I was struggling with everything... now though, well its very predictable and I feel like I'm in the right headspace to do it this time.</p> <p>Kim, yes, every 3-4 months the real estate agents come through and do an inspection - they are primarily looking at maintenance issues of the property, but its also a way of checking up on the tenants. They have to give a specific amount of notice of their intention to enter, but its absolutely very legal here - and very stressful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146081 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:18:24 +0000 AJ 146081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also wanted to say that I too appreciate FlyLady's principles but I don't do well with consistency, so I don't follow her system as I should. But she always encourages everyone to adapt her system to fit one's specific needs. Plus, she has also approved of housekeepers if it's in one's budget. Even if you have cleaners, you still need to learn how to control clutter and that is where FlyLady's system really shines.</p> <p>I have been fairly successful with her concept of piggybacking. The idea is to get used to associating one thing with another. For example, I have been working on drinking more water. So everytime I need to go to the bathroom, I go to the one next to the kitchen and that will remind me to get a drink of water either before or after I go. </p> <p>I also got used to cleaning the bathroom next to the laundry room after I put in the first load of clothes for the day.</p> <p>When we get home from the grocery store on Fridays, I take five minutes to quickly wipe down the inside of the fridge while it's fairly empty and I know I got to get the food inside there. </p> <p>As soon as I get up in the morning, I make my bed as soon as I get out of it and usually I do it fast becasue I got to go to the bathroom! LOL!</p> <p>My 9 year old needs to read to me for 20 minutes every day to improve his reading skills, so I've set that as my ironing time. </p> <p>Instead of sitting down at breakfast, I eat standing up at the kitchen island and unload the clean dishes from the dishwasher while I eat. With the dishwasher empty, now I can get the kids to load in their dirty dishes after each meal instead of piling them into the sink. </p> <p>Each of my 3 kids has a book that I read a chapter to every night and as I'm reading they are tidying up the living room. </p> <p>I try to take a week or two to get myself used to each new piggyback activity. (That's another thing I appreciate about FlyLady. She emphasizes "slow and steady.") So these piggybacking activities have really provided me some peace and sanity. I'm still working on how I can piggyback other tasks to each other. This seems to work much better for me than setting out a time routine to my day.</p> <p>Another effective but temporarily stressful trick I use is to have a playdate or party. It seems silly that I do this when I feel the house is really getting in bad shape, but I'm a procrastinator and this forces me to get off my duff and get things presentable.</p> <p>Hope that helps! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146079 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:55:07 +0000 Sihaya 146079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne - I had similar feelings when I first hired a cleaner about what I "should" do and having an outsider in all corners of my home. It lasted only till the cleaner came for the first time. It's the best decision I made 16 years ago. I would *gasp* forego paying for a new pair of shoes or a cute outfit in favor of a housecleaning session - and I even had the housecleaner when I was on leave for 3 months withouut kids. It just makes me happier not to have to scrub the toilets. Don't get me wrong, I see nothing wrong in doing that and was a house cleaner myself when I had to pay for college expenses but at this point in my life, I would much rather offload that to someone as long as I can afford it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146071 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:34:41 +0000 Tansie 146071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Queenie, yes it is common practice. The agency you rent from will make an appointment with you, generally every three months, to come and inspect the flat or house. They are not really checking on your housekeeping (at least none I've ever dealt with) but the state of the property. If you are trashing it you can be evicted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-146021 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:35:11 +0000 Queen Mum 146021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with the others.. there is no shame in hiring out help where you need it. Go for it and enjoy coming home to a newly cleaned house once a week!</p> <p>but, I'm a bit stuck on your comment about rental inspections... Is this a common practice in Australia? I don't even think that would be legal here... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145977 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:18:26 +0000 anne 145977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am absolutely bowled over by the sympathy, kindness and practical suggestions you lovely ladies have offered me in this thread. My mood is lifting already!</p> <p>I will answer in more detail tomorrow as in the interests of time management I should go to bed!</p> <p>(I have just wasted an entire cake batch by making it with oil that had gone off because I had no butter or marg in the house. Was on the point of making another batch at 10pm (this is for morning tea at playgroup tomorrow) when I convinced myself that it wouldn't be the end of the world to just buy something. I think this was me being sensible! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145927 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:30:38 +0000 Dusty 145927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Anne, I'm right there with you (maybe even worse). If I had the money for a cleaning lady I'd be jumping on it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145926 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:27:25 +0000 Debora 145926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, when we lived abroad and my daughter was a toddler, I had a teenage girl who came in once a week to help out. It was such a wonderful help, and I loved having the extra time to go on walks with my daughter and explore our new surroundings. If the money is there, I say go for it! When your children are older, it's not your immaculate house that you'll remember, but the sweet memories of time spent with your children. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145924 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:16:55 +0000 Tansie 145924@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just read your post again. I really don't think you should be ashamed Anne. You have three kids, right? That is a job already! If you think your time management skills are lacking, work on them, but you could still get a cleaner to help you out. I don't have any help, but I would absolutely accept if it were offered. I have a number of friends in Australia who have a cleaner and/or send their kids off to daycare a few times a week even though they are SAHMs. You need to look after yourself too...(hug!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145922 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:10:31 +0000 Tansie 145922@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I understand the "guilt" associated with having a cleaner if you are a stay at home Mum. BUT you are a stay at home MUM, not neccessarily a cleaning lady. So I say if the money is there then get a cleaner - you have one load off your shoulders and someone gets to make a bit more money. Win-win I reckon! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145918 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:03:59 +0000 An 145918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, don't be hard on yourself about this. I say go with the cleaner. There's more important things to spend your time on Our children are small for such a short time and it is busy days with little ones so if there is one thing you can do to lighten your load (and guilt) go for it. Please don't be ashamed. I am also a bit of a FlyLady convert and establishing the routines has really helped me although I still find it hard to keep on top of everything all the time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145899 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:24:27 +0000 Theresa 145899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Dawn I'm going to print this out because that makes such perfect sense and really seems like it will be easy to implement in my household too.</p> <p>Thank you so much! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145897 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:12:18 +0000 Dawn 145897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I also forgot to add that some days when my apartment gets a bit cluttered, I will concentrate for fifteen minutes on one area of my apartment such as the coffee table or my wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145896 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:10:23 +0000 Dawn 145896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of my part-time jobs is cleaning in a hotel and I've worked as a housekeeper for three summers so I have a cleaning routine for my apartment down to a tee. I have clean freak tendencies though so ignore some of the more pedantic elements of my cleaning habits. </p> <p>Perhaps you should hire a cleaner to clean the place to a spotless level now and then try to maintain it.</p> <p>______</p> <p>This routine is for absolutely messy living spaces:</p> <p>The first thing you should do when cleaning is get the rubbish out- so get a rubbish bag, recycling bag and laundry bag, and start gathering everything up. Ignore the clutter for now and just concentrate on what shouldn't be there. This is much easier when you're cleaning a hotel room.</p> <p>Start moving clutter- clean clothes should be put beside wardrobes, newspapers by coffee table, glasses and plates by the sink and so on. I know this sound counter-productive but you are preventing yourself from getting distracted with tiny little tasks. So now you have four or five manageable tasks rather than one giant mess. </p> <p>List what the priorities are for you: tidying up the kids' toys, cleaning the bathroom, doing the dishes, cleaning the oven, sorting out your wardrobe, or so on. Start at the top of the priorities and work your way down. In hotels, we have a work routine which starts with the priority of dressing the bed and cleaning the bathroom and and it works its way down the priority list to dusting lampshades, polishing light switches, vacuuming under the furniture, etc. Once the top four or five tasks are finished, everything looks so much cleaner.</p> <p>_______</p> <p>Daily cleaning</p> <p>You need to decide what your level of daily cleaning is- do you vacuum everyday or are you happy with giving everything a quick once-over?</p> <p>Set routines such as loading the dishwasher after dinner or collecting all the dishes by the sink after each meal.</p> <p>Cleaning as you go has always worked well for me- while waiting for dinner to cook, I will clean my chopping board and wipe the counter down as well as tackling one other cleaning job such as washing out the plastic bottles for recycling. </p> <p>I try to clean my bathroom once a week before I take my shower. My logic is that I'm already in there and it only takes five minutes to clean the bathroom. </p> <p>I also try to identify the areas in which I need additional help. I tend to not sort my clothes when I take them off the clothes horse and line so I try to put them in a basket rather than in a pile on my floor. The only rule is that this basket needs to be empty by the next laundry load. </p> <p>Once a week, I try to do one major cleaning task such as the oven or fridge. I change my bedsheets every Friday night and only use my laundry basket to put red and white clothes into- I just put normal laundry into the washing machine straight away and just start the machine when it's full. </p> <p>I also have no problem using my dishwasher to wash pots and pans in- it has saved me so much time everyday. </p> <p>Have a small cleaning area in each room where you leave whatever specific cleaning product you need for that area, cleaning cloths and bin liners.<br /> ______</p> <p>My two favourite cleaning rules are: 'only touch something once' and put on one album of energetic music and clean for as long as it plays. </p> <p>Hope I helped in some way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145882 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:52:29 +0000 Louise 145882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd go for the cleaner and you get to spend more time with the kids and doing 'you' stuff I'm also totally not into cleaning I had to vaccum my room at the weekend and filled the cleaner there was that much dust!!!! Not proud of myself but I hate doing it and yes I know it only takes 5 minutes!!!!! x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145860 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 07:13:20 +0000 JuliaInGermany 145860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, I'm with you on this. My husband offered to pay for a cleaner, but I just can't stand the thought of someone else being in my home and cleaning. Not that I am keen on cleaning myself, though. Sigh.</p> <p>Have you checked out <a href="http://www.flylady.net" rel="nofollow">http://www.flylady.net</a> ? It's a great site with lots of tipps to get you started and built little routines that keep your home clean on a regular basis. Much easier than making an effort to clean everything in one go once in a while. There is also a lively forum that is very friendly. I hope this helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145829 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:50:16 +0000 Katiepea 145829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne, I have friends who get a cleaner in once a fortnight and they are both SAHM with three kids each. They find it very, very good! I bet a LOT of mum's have a cleaner (or would if they could!). :-)</p> <p>Personally, I don't have a cleaner. Yes, there are times where I have really wished for one! For me, a year ago I decided enough was enough and created a simple routine to get my house into order. I essentially cherry-picked some of the Flylady principles for use in my home. (Yes, I hate thinking of being a convert and being a "Flybaby", but she really does have some great ideas! If you don't know who I'm talking about, just google Flylady. Trust me, she'll be there!)</p> <p>I have found doing simple tiny things in little chunks of time, like a (literally 1 minute) quick wipe-down of the bathroom vanity/bath/shower screen in the morning, or doing a load of washing up as I prepare dinner (so less to do later) etc has really helped keep my home under control. I do this rather than waiting for "an hour" to "Do" the cleaning (which my children would destroy within 5 seconds and which never comes!). </p> <p>I also make my boys participate in cleaning. They are 3, 5, 7. The 5 and 7 year olds both do a really good job! I often will set the timer for 3 minutes or 5 minutes and we do a "power" clean. (Too long and they get frustrated or bored!) We all run around like chickens with our heads cut off - they LOVE it (so do I)!</p> <p>Also, they have got into the habit that in the mornings they must put away or throw out 20 items. This takes next to no time and means it is 60 less things for me to have to deal with! (Yes, it may be 20 pieces of lego back into the box or crayons into the pencil bucket, a pair of shoes back in the shoe box, or random bits of paper on the floor into the bin - it is amazing how quickly stuff gets left lying around in my home!) </p> <p>Finally, the best way that I have managed to cut down on household management is that I have just made a real effort to get rid of the junk! I have thrown out or donated bags and bags and bags of stuff in the past few months. It has helped no end to have space in cupboards and drawers for the stuff that I really do need and treasure. It is scary how much rubbish I had accumulated over the years. It feels so much better now.</p> <p>I hope I don't sound too 'preachy'. My house is nowhere near perfect (believe me!) - but I no longer fear the dreaded ring of the doorbell to announce an unexpected visitor! I'm doing what is right for me - you do what is right for you! Life is too short to be miserable or stressed. If you want a cleaner, GO FOR IT! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145824 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:09:21 +0000 Angie 145824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Bella said. I vote that life is too short. If you can afford it, have your house cleaned professionally and make more meaningful use of your time. I clean our bathroom and the kitchen each day but we have a fabulous crew that comes in every fortnight. I might add that we live in a tiny urban house and it's just the two of us and two small fur babies - so the cleaning service isn't too stressed. They are in and out in an hour. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145822 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:53:02 +0000 puffenstuff 145822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Anne I used to have a cleaner too - DH suggested it in the first place but I felt funny about someone else being in my house. When I came back fromwork on a Monday and had a crappy day it made me smile to see a clean kitchen and shower. </p> <p>If you can afford it I say go for it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145816 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:34:16 +0000 cciele 145816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do like AJ does; I have the cleaners (they're eco-friendly ) come in once a month and take care of the heavy-duty stuff. I do light cleaning otherwise, and lots of decluttering. I plan on having them come in regularly because they do a great job and I hate cleaning.</p> <p>Please do not feel ashamed for not wanting to clean house! To me, it's a matter of priorities. Is the money better spent having a clean house and you being less stressed out (and have more time to do other things that feed your soul)? Only you can decide. But again, it's totally ok to have someone come in and clean. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145814 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:28:21 +0000 bella 145814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No kids here. My thoughts are: you have a wonderful husband who has given you the opportunity to go ahead and hire someone to do the cleaning for you so you don't have to do it yourself. Go ahead and take the offer. You will be less stressed and have more quality time to spend with your kids. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145810 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:22:34 +0000 Anonymous 145810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another shout out for FlyLady.net. It's free, although you get lots of emails coming in, and it works if you just do it and don't think too much. She even has suggestions and testimonials on getting the kids involved in cleaning and decluttering. Just go to the site and read how to get started. You won't think that it could work but it does make a huge difference. Just reading the emails or even the titles can keep you going.<br /> You could have someone come in for a couple of weeks to take the pressure off while you work on getting a routine established so that you can continue more easily. I sympathize and wish you the best of luck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145806 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:16:33 +0000 taylor 145806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Goodness Anne, You are such a busy mummy and it sounds like you need help. Get someone in initially to get you started and motivated then perhaps you can keep up the momentum yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145802 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:10:52 +0000 Theresa 145802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>oh my goodness Anne - this is me to a T as well!</p> <p>Cleaning is always my very last priority - I despise it. But having said that, I do it when it needs to be done - I don't let the house become too much of a pig-sty. But I usually wait till it needs to be done and I'm cranky and agitated being surrounded by mess.</p> <p>I've got friends who have loved the Fly Lady regime - I've started it a couple of times, but to be honest, I find myself getting distracted far too easily (I wonder if I have ADD sometimes!). My psychiatrist told me she (Fly Lady) actually devised her regime whilst coming out from a very deep depression.</p> <p>Even now, I have 2 days a week where the girls are at school/kindy and I don't clean... I was planning to, but I usually end up doing other errands and working out outfit combos LOL.</p> <p>I feel guilty a lot of the time because I know a clean house keeps me happier and calmer, but yet I can't get the motivation to do it regularly...</p> <p>So I guess I can't really offer any advice at all, just lots and lots of hugs from a "comrade against cleaning"</p> <p>Maybe we need a Weekly Cleaning Support Thread here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145800 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:10:17 +0000 AJ 145800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I have a service come once a month. It used to be twice a month when I was dealing with pregnancy, babies and/or toddlers. Now that the kids are getting older and are more help, it's down to once a month. I hope to quit it altogether in the near future. </p> <p>I don't expect the cleaning gals to deal with clutter, just the surface disinfecting, dusting, mopping and vacuuming. So I have to say that the once a month, forces us to put away our clutter. : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-cleaning#post-145794 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 03:02:52 +0000 anne 145794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am feeling rather down at the moment</p> <p>Let me explain. We live in a house that is rented to us by private arrangement by relatives who are extremely kind about it, charging us less rent than they could get on the market and not subjecting us to the rental inspections that put many friends cleaning to the wee hours every three months. Many other kindnesses too.</p> <p>But they have just told us that the house needs to be kept cleaner and really this is a reasonable request because housework is not my strong suit and the house reflects that.</p> <p>My DH wants us to get a cleaner and we have actually been given some money for this purpose from another relative. However I was using it to send 2 kids (Now only 1) to day care for one day a week with the plan that I would use some of that time to clean myself. (Much cheaper) That worked for awhile but last term I actually went to a course most weeks and didn't really do that. Since the course is over I told DH I wanted to try again and he has given me 2 weeks to trial it.</p> <p>I am curiously resistant to having someone else do it although I have had people in the past when working, heavily pregnant and when dd#3 was a newborn. They were all friends who had a short term money need and were happy to do it for a little while. (cleaning is probably the most lucrative non professional work available where I live)</p> <p>I feel like I should be able to handle this myself. My time management is not great (including being too much on the internet!) i feel really ashamed.</p> <p>Any thoughts? Do any of you SAHM's have someone to help you? </p>