Rocks in My Dryer is hosting a BACKWARDS Works for me Wednesday. In this case, YOU get to help me solve a problem….something that DOESN’T or ISN’T working for me.
So, here’s my problem…I cannot find the right cleaning schedule.
I love a clean house more than anything. But unlike some, I just do not LOVE the actual task of cleaning.
I have tried many different approaches….Fly Lady included….and just cannot find a solution that works for me.
I have tried coming up with many different cleaning schedules, from taking on a different cleaning task each day to tackling a different room each day….and just haven’t found the right one.
I seem to think that if I can nail this one thing down…or hire a maid….my life would get much easier.
So, I’m all ears…what have you got for me? What works for you to get your house clean an keep it clean?
Cheryl says
Try this: http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/rachelanne/ It’s not a cleaning schedule, but it does give you one small thing to do each day to make your home a sanctuary. I do try to incorporate some of Flylady’s things – the 15 minutes at a time, swish/wipe the bathroom, but that’s about it for now.
Good luck ~~
Erin says
If you find one that works let me know…I am the worst at cleaning! Love it when it’s clean…can’t stand to actually clean!
Hey, I have started a new blog. If you want to check it out, its themomstop.blogspot.com
Mommaofmany says
Mine is not a quick fix, but my advice is to be teaching your twins to be helpers! When I had just little ones, like you, I was pretty much unable to keep the house more than ‘survival’ clean. I kept training them, though, and by the time my oldest was five or six, she was actually, really helpful! Now, with eight kids, 12 to 3, chores are really quick and the house is always about 10-minutes-from-company ready!
PERSEVERE!
Heidi says
I truly hate cleaning, so I’m right there with you. The one thing that does work for me is to focus on the tasks that have an obvious benefit. (Daily vacuuming is an example of something with no obvious benefit. So is making my bed.) So the dishes need to get washed because we can’t afford to use paper plates all the time, much less go out to eat. Laundry needs to be done because it’s actually easier than shopping for new clothes instead. In general, I clean stuff when I can actually tell that it’s dirty, rather than just because it’s a certain day of the week.
FlyLady didn’t work for me either. I can pile dishes in that sparkling clean sink, go to bed, and sleep like a baby.
The Happy Housewife says
Have you tried the Motivated Moms Planner. Fly lady does not work for me, but this sure did. It is much more manageable!
Toni
Stephanie says
I have a list and cross things off as I get them done. Seeing how much I have accomplished keeps me motivated most days. I also use the kid helpers that I live with. The bases of my floorlamps have never looked so good!
Happy Mama says
Home samctuary is great but her small things won’t make a difference if the bigger things aren’t done first! Trust me I know….I participate with her however what I really love is the side tracked home executive book and they give a detailed way to make a card file system that is fantastic and works well. You put each task that needs to be accomplished on an index card…there are a couple of different colors for daily weekly monthly/yearly and fun cards. they also show you which tasks only take five minutes…that is huge encouragement. It’s a great method for us side-tracked home executives!!! Not to mention the book is a riot and a very fun read!
delighted Mom says
I have been struggling with this lately too! I tried making a calendar and writing down when I would do each room, chore, etc. But I kept putting things off until the next day. I think next I’m going to try do pick one day a week as my cleaning day and one day a week as my laundry day. The rest of the days will just be pick up days. Maybe that way I can stick with it b/c I will know that on the other days I don’t have to do much! Anxious to see your other answers!
Gretchen says
I used to do the room a day as well. I have since done this cleaning schedule</a. What is amazing is that it actually works for me. I have stuck to it. I am not going to say my house is perfectly clean every week, but this plan fits with my life much better. I found the more simple my schedule was, the more likely I was to stick to it. Hope that helps!
Jane-Holly [baby steps] says
I don’t have anything fancy… I wrote a list. lol! My list includes a short section of daily chores that need to be done (kitty litter box emptied, water plants, dishes etc – all relatively easy), and then I wrote down two chores that are ‘bigger’ for every day of the week. So on Monday I menu plan and vacuum, Tuesday I vacuum bedrooms and do laundry.. etc. Its easier to tackle when its broken up like that.
I’m still working on doing it all – I’m a new SAHM and we have a small house and just one little baby. But I am in agreement with those that say get your kids in on it! As soon as mine can hold a dust rag its on! 😉
Carrie says
I hear what you’re saying. I love a clean house…I just don’t like to do the cleaning. Then it gets to a point where I lost my mind and have to spend a ton of time cleaning when I could have just been maintaining all along.
I like the idea of cleaning one or two rooms a day and keeping a schedule, but I need to stick with it. I think I’ll try to do this when my daughter goes to pre-school two morning a week starting next week. Until then, I will keep checking back here for more good ideas!
Jen @ JenuineJen says
Do lists work for you? If so, then one of the things mentioned above or the Holiday Grand Plan might work for you. I just posted on it today. Basically it splits the housework into 13 weeks and you can go through this cycle (minus the Christmas related stuff) 4 times each year.
Christmas (Planning) in September
Cindy says
I’ve never been able to find a ‘system’ that worked. Tried Fly-Lady – just clogged up my email. These days, since I now work outside the home, my kids are older, Saturday morning is my time. What gets done is what gets done.
I also have a wonderful hubby who helps.
Ambajam says
It must be challenging with 3 little ones, so maybe just pick 1-2 things that really matter to you on a daily basis. Like I clean my kitchen every morning while the coffee brews. It takes about 6 mins, but I get alot done in that time. Empty dishwasher, wipe down counters, spot clean the floor.
BTW-we are having a contest…stop by 🙂
http://blog.ambajam.com/five-baby-sleep-tips-and-free-giveaway/
Stonefox says
I’m sorry I don’t have a solution or even a word of good advice! But I AM happy to have found your blog! I have two little girls (12 months and 15 months) and a 6 year old. We live overseas and when I saw you on momdot, I just had to visit! I’ll be back again…