[hscott]

This is one area that I really struggle with. I am constantly overwhelmed by the state of my house. I just can't seem to get it together and keep my house uncluttered and clean. Sometimes I get to the point that I just go do something else because I get too overwhelmed with it and don't even know where to start.

Anyone with me on this?

Anyone have any strategies or ideas that work for you?

Thanks in advance,

Heather

[susy...patience]

The short answer is I don't --- my strategy in my first few months home when I am not working so DD and I are home a lot...is to have a weekly housecleaning service. It's expensive but worth it.

Even with that, I struggle with kitchen floor being dirty, and laundry, and dishes for the botttles. I tell people I have done more housework in 3 months (even with weekly maid service) since DD has been home than in a year of living by myself.

I have no idea what I am going to do when I go back to work...

[kretzklan]

I use a break down system. I took everything that had to be done in the house (based on rooms) and broke it into 5 parts because I don't want to clean on the weekends - you could do seven parts if you are OK with weekend duty. It breaks down to less than an hour a day - which I often break into 2 halves. If the house is really dirty and messy to start with - it is worth the money to have someone else bring it up to par so that you are only doing the keep-up work. I can do a whole bathroom (my big one) in 15 minutes, because I do it every week and have found great products that work!

[CEB]

I dont either. I figure with working full time, when I am home I want to play and do things with DS, not mop and scrub toilets and anyone who looks down on the state of my house as a result is not my concern. Also, on weekends I need to nap when he does! I do have a cleaning service come in every other week and I do weekly laundry during DS' weekend naps (I can nap btw cycles no problem) as well as some minor play room pick up and kitchen/bathroom wipe down after he goes to bed a night. Otherwise, my house is only really clean every other Tues and Wed (cleaners come on Tues mornings).

[dianneemily]

I'm interested in hearing more about "great products that work!", especially bathtub cleaners. Please share!

[Leebert2]

I have a housekeeper. I finally caved a few years ago and spent the money. With both of us working full-time, we decided that home time needed to be about the girls. Besides I am less grouchy now.

[Stormster]

I have one word: Scooba (or Roomba). It's an electronic robot that does the floors and it WORKS. Scooba is the wet one and since we have hardwood floors that one is better for us.

It cost a fortune but it does my floors while I'm out, playing with DS or sleeping. If you break it down it's a lot less than a housekeeper. Comes with a lifetime guarantee too!

I feel like if the floors are done I have the energy to tackle the rest....also I give things away as soon as DS outgrows them. I don't like to collect "stuff" I feel like it adds to the mess. I know this sounds crazy but it changed my life!

[kelceesmom]

I gave up keeping the house spotless. My child is 3 and she gets everything out under the sun. I try and do a little each night, whether is be put the clothes away or clean up the kitchen or vacuum. I work full time and am a single parent now. So, housework is on the bottom of the list.

[jandc]

I just bought the 'shark' at Costco. My neighbor swears it is the greatest thing for hardwood floors. I will let you know.

[Candace3]

Some houses try to hide the fact
that children shelter there:
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
the signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
little smudges on the door;
I should apologize I guess,
for toys strewn on the floors.
But I sat down with the children,
and we played and laughed and read;
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
their eyes will shine instead.
For when at times I'm forced to
choose, the one job or the other,
I want to be a housewife,
but first I'll be a mother.

My house is a mess, I try to keep cleaned up but it is always something. I have this quote on my frig. and i try to remind myself that someday when all four little ones are in school i will work through all the closets, etc. for now if the basic cleaning is done (and not every week) that's okay!

[jules17]

We have someone who comes in and cleans 3x a month. I get to "what I can when I can." I do laundry every other day. We got the high efficiency washer/dryer and it makes it sooo much easier.

But if it comes between the boys and cleaning, the cleaning waits.

[hesabanana]

Kathy comes on thursdays! I try to stay on top of the never ending mountain of laundry, but generally live out of laundry baskets. I have three kids, two cats, a dog, and dh....I have no illusions as to how my house is kept!

[Mindybeth6]

I hired someone to clean the house too! Her name is MINDY and she works on my house everyday! She cleans, mops, does laundry, dishes...she does it ALL! ROFL. In all seriousness....I tackle one room at a time and I have found that if I just keep UP on it, and don't let it get REAL bad, then it isn't too bad to deal with. It's when I am sick or super busy and things are "let go" for over a week that I get overwhelmed. For us clutter is a REAL problem as we have very little storage in our house. No attic, no basement. We have a split level house. UGH. I have found that just GETTING RID OF STUFF makes me feel better because lett clutter results in less stress and a cleaner house. I typically clean one room a night. That's all I have time for now that I am in school. The kitchen gets done everynight as does the sweeping though. You just have to get a system and stick with it! I can tell you it was MUCH easier when it was just Alec. Now that I have TWO...UGH...the messes are much worse it seems.

[guatparents2be]

I am one of those people who feels out of sorts when things are a mess so I prioritize cleaning right after time with baby.

1. we spend the money on cleaners deep cleaning 2x/month.

2. while dh puts julian to bed i clean the kitchen and straighten up anything that didn't get put away after it was used.

3. anything that doesn't have a spot is out of there!

4. on that note, we got rid of everything that isn't imperative for living. i call it zen. stuff i think we may need but are not in regular use is organized in our storage room in the basement. julian has a basket of toys in the living room, lots of toys in his room on the shelves and a bookshelf filled to the brim but they're not all over the house. our living area looks like we have a kid but is not piled with stuff.

same in the playroom, everything has a place.

5. we clean up as we're going when we move on to another project.

6. my desk with household stuff has files and i file once a week. mail and incoming go into a basket on top. the computer is behind a closed door (the desk closes.)

the one place we have a hard time keeping up is the kitchen floor. we're working on it...

[SKL]

Clean? Ha Ha HAAAAA!

Oh, you were serious . . . .

My advice is, buy a new pair of glasses. Not a stronger one - a weaker one. You'll feel a lot better when you don't see the dirt.

Dirt reduces childhood allergies. Do your kids a favor!

I pick up as I go, so it never piles up too high. I try very hard to keep things simple. I get things done while the girls are sitting on the potty and taking forever to eat their veggies. I make them play outside as much as possible rather than mess up the house. I encourage them to help pick up often. I have maid service once a month. I have a nanny in my home who keeps up with some of the day-to-day stuff. That's about it. Our house isn't likely to be condemned, but we're not party-ready most of the time either.

Good luck!