HOW do you keep your house clean?

mlc92404

We are home all day, every day (except of course for play dates or running errands) and I just cant keep up with all the house work.  DH is at clients all day most days so in the evening its catch up time on emails, phone calls and other work.  I try to clean up as I go so there's not so much to do but I just cant keep up with everything.  It doesnt help we have 2 dogs and hair everywhere all the time or that our house really isnt big enough and most of DS's toys are in the living room because there just isnt enough room in his room (and this is even after putting a lot of stuff away!)  He's good about putting toys away when I ask and if I'm right there to make sure he puts it away but he's not old enough yet to understand that one thing should be put away before taking another out.

KKMMex

We have a cleaning service every other week.  They do all the big cleaning.  I keep the house picked up and make sure all the laundry's done.  When the girls are at home for extended periods in the afternoons and on weekends, there's definitely a lot more to pick up.  On days when they're at school I can tidy the house, run errands and cook. 

I'm definitely a reluctant stay at home mom.  I think if I hadn't been able to get help with the housekeeping and couldn't afford MDO and preschool, I probably would have gone back to work after our second child was born.  I love my girls but I'm definitely a better mother when I have breaks from taking care of them.

DarcyLongfellow

I'm not really much to talk.  I'm sitting here nesting during nap time instead of cleaning my house like I should be!!

DH got me a Roomba for Christmas, and that thing is a lifesaver.  We have all tile and hardwood, which is so hard to keep clean because if there are crumbs or dirt on it, you really notice it.  I try to run the Roomba in at least one room every day.

I also try to run a load of laundry every day, make the bed, tidy up the master bathroom and bedroom, and do one bathroom cleaning task (I rotate).

My new thing is that I really want to start off the day clean, so I'm forcing myself to pick up toys and get the kitchen totally clean before I let myself go to bed at night.

As far as other cleaning, I just sort of do it when I notice it.  If I see dust on a table, I'll decide to dust (LOVE the swiffer duster).  If I notice the windows are dirty, I'll clean them.  Forcing myself to do it when I notice it makes a huge difference!

nsees

Ditto PP, I have a cleaning person that helps every other week and I just force myself to do little tasks every day to stay on top of it but some days are definitely better than others.  DH helps out with picking up toys at night and doing dishes so thats a big help.  I also try do do extra things like windows when I see the need.

HarrietNJMommy

We have a cleaning service every other week. DH does all the vacuuming and the dusting and I take care of the bathrooms and the kitchen in between.

All toys are in our playroom. Every night, all 3 kids help clean up. And we do clean up as we go along all day.

We have no pets though, so we don't have that added level that you have.

Laundry gets done Mon-Fri. I do NOT do laundry on weekends, except for cloth diapers (I do a load every other day)........I put it away when it's done otherwise it piles up.

I need to follow a system, otherwise it's chaos in my house. 

HarrietNJMommy

Also, my oldest is in preschool 5 half days and my middle one is in 3 half days. DS does music, a mommy and me class and Greek class during the week. We aren't home all the time.

It was MUCH harder to keep the house clean when we were home all day long. 

JCM

We have a housekeeper that comes every other Thursday too.  She does all the big stuff except laundry.  It is really hard for me to keep the house tidy when we are home all the time & I just feel like I am constantly picking things up and the house never looks tidy.  It drives me nuts!  Lately I have forced myself to finish one task before moving on to the next one. I was really bad about that.  I'm also going to try & put all the odds & ends that need to be put away on our breakfast table so it saves me numerous trips the to same room.  Good luck, I can relate to your frustration.

babypuplove

I don't.  I try, but it doesn't work, especially in the winter with a toddler and baby.  We have a cleaning lady every other week, so at least my house isn't dirty.  But it is cluttered, and no matter how hard I work, I have accepted the fact that it will be this way until the kids are older.  

mrsfirefly

A chore schedule.  I use google calendars and I list every chore.  I do them while DD is otherwise occupied here and there.  For example, today I vacuumed the stairs and banisters while she was in her high chair.  The other day, I wiped down the baseboards and windowsills while she napped.  Yesterday, I dusted and vacuumed the living room while she played on the floor. I also make it entertaining for her.  She sings with me as I vacuum (if you call it singing at this age).  I sing songs with hand motions while I wear pink rubber gloves and load and unload the dishwasher.  I still remember my mother "chasing" me with the vacuum and broom (though my DD isn't old enough for this yet -- I loved it!  This morning, I put a bunch of toys in her crib and vacuumed her room and my room and then I dusted her room while she played.  I also put monthly and even semiannual chores on my calendar so everything gets done.  If I miss a chore, I don't do it the next day unless I really must because I know I'll get to again the next week (or in two weeks or whatever).  I always clean the kitchen from meals while she naps and I do one load of laundry every day (wash and dry during the day and fold at night and put away at night).  I work on our dinner during naps as well.  Maybe for your living room you just need a couple of big toy boxes.  I wouldn't worry about organizing toys though if and when your LO is old enough to handle it that could be his chore.  For now I'd just throw all the toys in one big bin.

twh2006

I clean all the time. Not all day, I break the rooms down and work on it throughout the week. I also keep the kitchen and living room pretty spotless. I'm really weird about crap being all over so it's always picked up at night and througout the day. The bathrooms are once a week and so is the mudroom. I've found once it's all clean I just need to generally pick up and dust and mop once a week.

BritClen

I break things up...work room by room...if DD is eating I will work on the kitchen, than if she is in her play room I do laundry and color with her...I also do power hours where I put on a show for DD and get one level done of cleaning...it usually is a whole week progress of getting everything wiped down and clean.