house cleaning

[karzme]

I was wondering if any of you have any tips on keeping house/apartment cleaned more often? I live in a one bedroom apartment and find it hard to keep up with dishes, taking out garbage, and keeping place clean and in order. Any suggestions would be helpful. Am tired to much and tired of messy apartment, but don't know what to do differently. Should I designate a day to clean? Or do you find it easier to do as you go, So wont have mess? It's just me, so don't have someone to help me clean or cook. Thanks for advice.  Karina

[karzme]

Thanks for the advice. It's nice to know people care. It's also nice to hear from people with same probs. 3 teens sound like a handful, especially with trying to sell your house. Do your kids and husband help out with cleaning? Would make it easier for you.

[IUMOM]

I can really relate to the house cleaning problems. I'm the mom of three teens, and we've had our house for sale for over two years now. It's been very difficult to keep it neat for showings. But, I've learned a few things along the way.

I have very little clutter. I just don't save much. I wasn't always this way. I've evolved. LOL! I like Don Aslett's books for inspiration. Clutters Last Stand is a good one. Also, a good web source is something like organized home dot something. I know we can't say the website.

Since I have limited energy, along with a lot of pain, I try to just concentrate on a few rooms. The kitchen is my number one room for keeping neat. The living room is important too since that's the first room people see when they come over. I usually clean the bedrooms last. I love baskets for holding (and hiding) things.

I also like the idea of cleaning the shower when I'm in there. Of course, I give it a good scrubbing weekly, but when I'm in it I've found cheap shampoo and a washcloth work wonders on soap scum (better than some of the cleaning products I've spent big bucks for).

Good luck!

[karzme]

Thanks for the advice. Will give it a try. I too am a list maker and a clutter bug. So will have to work on my procrastination and NOT procrastinate. Will designate days to do stuff and see how it works out. Thanks again. Karina

[showdogs]

Wow Sally, you really ARE Super!  And after I read another post by Karina, I noticed she works full-time, so doing some of the bigger tasks during the week might not be realistic.  

I'm a fan of cleaning the shower as I'm showering too, and giving the basin a wipe when you use it.  It's the toilet and the floor that need a specific day/time to do them.  I like your suggestion to break things up.  Everything is more manageable in smaller pieces.

Karina, just one thing, one day at a time.  By taking care of the house you are taking care of yourself, too.  Even though it's work to do it, you'll feel better about everything when things are in order.  

I don't know much about MS, but I get the feeling you can't really control the disease, so when there's something you can control, like taking care of the house and making a nice place for yourself, grab that by the horns and take charge.  

Go get 'em girl.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

It's so difficult keeping things clean and orderly.  I can sympathise.

Dishes and garbage out should be daily and shouldn't take too long (plan for meals that don't require too many dishes).  Always put away things you're done with straight away so they don't gather and become overwhelming.

Find cleaning products that make things easier and reduce the scrubbing.  Make sure your brooms, cloths etc are user friendly.  I usually clean the shower when I'm having a shower.... nothing like soaping up me and the shower at the same time.  Can wipe bathroom basin quickly after use - then you'll only need to clean it properly infrequently.

For the rest,  I recommend listing down everything that needs to be done on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, less frequent basis.  Then divide it so that it's not more than about 30 minutes to 1 hr on any day. Plan the heaviest tasks after or immediately before a rest day (maybe you'll rest better when they're out of the way).   If you are a clutter person, try to declutter slowly (I just do a drawer a week) it will make things easier.  Give anything you don't need or use away.

When you feel good you can take an extra 30 mins to one hour to do the less frequent tasks.   It will be much easier broken down into manageable tasks and you'll get a sense of acheivement (I am a list person and I love ticking things off).  And you'll have something clear to do everyday rather than all at once, which should be mentally easier.

And like Showdogs said, if you miss something on one day, then you can just do it the next week... it will roll around soon enough.  

For the really big tasks, cleaning windows etc. maybe once every three months or so could you get someone in to help.... even a good friend in exchange for a meal or something.....  or agree to help eachother with those big distateful chores.

Best wishes.

Sally

[showdogs]

I would bet that's a problem for a lot of people.  I know it is for me.  I wouldn't designate a day to do it - too much all at once.  It's probably best to do dishes as you go, but as to the rest, when do you feel best?  If you feel best in the morning, do a little each morning, and maybe designate a place in the house for each day of the week.  

Maybe do the bathroom on Monday (cuz I'm gonna suggest you take Sundays off completely, so hit the bathroom after you've had a complete day of rest), Tuesdays you can just straighten up things around the whole apartment - but not dust or vaccum (do you have carpet, hardwood, tile, all of the above?) - then dust and vaccum on Wednesdays after everything is in its place.  Thursday, get groceries - not a crowded day at the store.  Friday do laundry.  Saturday can be garbage day, and any sort of catch up you need to do.  

Of course, I've missed things, and doing them on the days I suggested may not work for you, but don't feel like you have to fix it all at once.  You can try things, and take your time to see what works best for you.  And be sure to give yourself a break - physically, and emotionally.  Don't beat yourself up if you miss a day you were supposed to do something.  There will be another opportunity to do it when that day rolls around the next week - and it's amazing how fast the days come along.  

Above all, be good to yourself!  You mentioned it's just you, so if you're all you've got, you have to make taking care of yourself a priority.  You are worth it.  

Now, before you dig into those chores, take a deep breath, relax, pat yourself on the back for asking questions and reaching out, start by taking Sunday off (if you can), and then start with whatever you decide your plan is on Monday.

Good luck!