I cannot keep up with my house.

Jaylea · December 2008

For the last month I've been saying "I need to wash my floors". A couple of weeks ago I managed to do the upstairs, but the first floor still needs to be done (We have wood, it would be the entire downstairs). I have all these things I'd like to do - but can't ever seem to get it done, and with the holidays coming I don't know how I'll fit it in.

I did get some swiffer wet pads so at least I can zip over the floors with that - but seriously, HOW can I stay on top of things? I feel like I am weighing which chores are more valuable each weekend - if I want to clean bathrooms, keep the kitchen clean and do all the laundry, I simply can't fit in the floors too.

Anyone else in the same boat? Any tips/ideas on how to get it under control, aside from hiring someone else to do it?! Indifferent

luvmagoldn · December 2008

Well, aside from hiring someone you just have to prioritize. I think using the swiffer pads is fine! You could also try a rotating schedule. My neighbor uses The Fly Lady but you could create your own.

https://www.flylady.net/

For example, on Mondays you do laundry, Tuesdays clean the bathrooms, Wednesdays vaccuum downstairs, etc. That way you aren't trying to do it all at once.

FinnishPrincess · December 2008

I don't have any other advise besides seeig if you can get a cleaning lady...could you cut out any other expenses?

Bella427 · December 2008

I'm the same. We have granite floors and I don't mop them nearly often enough. DD's socks are usually filthy from walking around on our floors, how sad is that? I do use the swiffer wet jet when I have a couple of minutes. No real ideas for you, sorry.

lisaNov3 · December 2008

ha, i barely have time to clean and basically i try not to care too much about it or else i'd go nuts.. i tidy up but that's about it for now.

kickenb · December 2008

What about hubby helping out? My DH is a firefighter so fortunate enough that he is home some days during the week. He will clean the bathrooms for me so then I only have to do the floors or vice versa. I'm still working on him helping with the laundry. But without him, I would have to hire someone.

tosababy · December 2008

Flylady is a good recommendation. Other than that, though, hiring someone or getting your DH to help are my best suggestions.

SoulChild · December 2008

I am in the same boat. I feel like I could have written this myself.

I am also prioritizing cleaning tasks. For me its almost impossible to clean on week nights as we get home too late. So weekends we tackle the most important tasks. Usuallly, kitchen and bathrooms. Floors are on the low priority list.

Just hang in there. The only other option would be to get DH to step up on the chores as well (if he hasnt already).

Just know that you are not the only one going through this.

Jaylea · December 2008

H does help - either by keeping DD out of my hair while I'm cleaning, or doing some cleaning himself.

We still can't get on top of it. Well, at least I am not alone!

duchess0727 · December 2008

You aren't alone - even with a cleaning person, it's very hard to keep on top of it all. We try to do a little each night so it doesn't all build up for the weekends. But sometimes you just have to be ok with a dirty house!

tmp-19077625001186 · December 2008

I make a list and post it to the fridge and DH helps me tackle it.

To help with being overwhelmed by EVERYTHING, I make sure to do atleast 1 thing each night...

For example, last night I mopped (I have a steam shark) the floors.

Tonight I will vacuum. Wednesday I plan to sanitize the bathrooms.

I also do a load of clothes every day so it doesn't pile up.

JLSBWG · December 2008

Well, up until a couple of months ago, I had a cleaning lady coming twice a month, which was awesome. I would just maintain the house in the in between weeks. At the end of October, my boss asked me to reduce my hours to 32 per week effective November 3, so I don't work on Friday's. DH asked me to cut down the cleaning lady to once a month...begrudingly, I said okay. However, I am hoping to get her back twice a month in January. I honestly feel like I clean my house all the time. I'm exhausted. Oh, and I do laundry just about every day because it piles up quick. Mama needs a break! As you can see, I don't have really any good advice for you. Split the chores with your DH and do a little each day.

Mrs.DToBe · December 2008

I didn't think I could afford a cleaning person either, but I asked around and found a great deal on two ladies that come in only once a month. So, they deep clean once a month and DH and I can keep up with the mess a little better this way. Good luck and try to get creative.

sara1104 · December 2008

we had a cleaning lady when I first went back to work, but had to cut it out... as of today! I made a chart, which says - Monday - dust Tues - mop WEd - X, Thurs - Y.....ect. that way I plan to get a little done at a time. there are about 3-4 small things to do a night. Because right now, I just look at the huge mess and think...who has time to clean that!! and I am making DH do 1/2 the list.

shouldbeworkin · December 2008

My DH does the floors. Wink

I clean the upstairs one week and the downstairs the next week, with the exception of the floors which get done every week (but only the kitchen every weeks on off week and the entire floor e/o week). I have everything I need to clean up and downstairs. So, whenever I notice that something needs to be done I can just get out what I need and do it.

Now that I'm home (lay offs) I'm cleaning a bit more, but that's b/c it's messier b/c we're home. Still just as hard to keep up.

lnbohac · December 2008

Welcome to my world! I'm not even off mat. leave yet and I have to set up date with my mom to have Adam go stay with her so I can clean the house. DH is hopeless at cleaning and I have my own way of getting things done (I have it down to about 3 hours now). I wonder what will happen when I go back to work? I would say, if you can afford to have someone come and clean your house even just every other week, it would be worth it.

jlw2505 · December 2008

Let go the thought of having a spotless house and do what you can. Make your DH is helping. If you can, hire someone to come in and clean. I have someone come in once a month and it really helps. Also try doing one thing a day rather than saving stuff for the weekend. After your baby goes to sleep, do the bathroom, or the floor in a room or two. If you do something small every day or even every few days, it helps.My house is only spotless the day the cleaning person comes and I've learned to live with it. We do pick up everything every night, toys are away, counters are cleaned. Dust can stay on the shelves for a while - time with my family is more important to me than a spotless house. I also do online grocery shopping and they are delived - a huge time saver. We also hire a lawn service to cut the lawn. It is spending more money but for DH and I, we would rather not eat out as much and hire people to help so we can spend more time as a family. We truely both help with the kids, the cooking and the cleaning. Only way to go.

r9stedt · December 2008

I feel the exact same way. ?

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