| Author | |
Cheryl
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 978
|
| Posted: May 23 2006 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
It looks like I'll be in a brand new house next Wednesday. My dh and I are talking about how we're going to keep it clean. He thinks he should go somewhere with the dc and I'll do Speed Cleaning like I used to. Do you think that is realistic?
It used to take me 3 hours to thoroughly clean our small house. When my third baby was 8 months old (and I was extremely frustrated with the dirty house) we hired cleaning people to clean our house every 2 weeks. They didn't clean as well as I would but at least the responsibility was no longer ours. I still probably spent 3 hours every other week putting everything away to get the house ready to be cleaned.
So now we've let go of the cleaning people so that we can afford our mortgage payments. I can think of many options to keep the house clean-
Speed Clean while my dh has the dc
Speed Clean with ds 7 while my dh has the dc
Give everyone jobs downstairs one week, upstairs the next...
FlyLady or "Mrs. Flea" as my dh calls her
What is your cleaning schedule like? (assuming you have one)
What do you think is realistic? What has worked for you?
__________________
Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SaraP
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 15 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 531
|
| Posted: May 23 2006 at 5:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Because of my DH's work schedule our family time is in the morning. We have breakfast together and then DH takes the kids outside for an hour while I do housework.
I do the kitchen and sunroom on Mondays, the master bedroom and bathroom on Tuesdays, the dining room and living room on Wednesdays, the kids' bedrooms and bathroom on Thursdays and the downstairs (family room, laundry room and extra bedroom) on Fridays.
Laundry and dishes I work on throughout the day.
__________________
Mama to six on earth, two in heaven and two waiting in Russia. Foxberry Farm Almanac
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ALmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3299
|
| Posted: May 23 2006 at 5:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I think it is good, in the long run, to have dc be part of the cleaning routine. My dh is fantastic at delegating and usually has any number of outside chores lined up while I do inside chores with those old enough to help. Dh does a wash and vacuum the car - 3 yo can vacuum, spray water, etc. and anything with water keeps him well occupied. (I do wait until they are in the bath to mop) and bathrooms have to be done after outside chores.
Our house is not spick and span by any standards but we do try to keep it from disaster.
The one best thing for keeping it from getting ruined is the shoe shelf dh built. Everyone takes shoes off before entering - and are supposed to put on shoe shelf.
For sticky hands that somehow get on the frames of doors and even the walls especially around the bathroom and light switches and stairs(despite rules about only eating in the kitchen and washing hands immediately in the utility sink), we paint with semi-gloss and even the 3 yo can take a rag and wipe on cleaning day! Most marks are at his heighth anyways! My boys don't mind vacuuming (neat tools) and any of us can mop. If it is the toddler, we just use vinegar and water and a rag with hands and knees.
Now, I have to place a caveat to all of this. I am not the best house keeper in the world and I am sure there are many on this board with much higher standards than mine - but this works for us. We also make our own wipes using paper towels - boys can use this to do a quick wipe in the bathroom they use (the one that always is the yukiest and must be thouroughly scrubbed often, even with wipe downs). Keep that area around the bottom of the toilet well-caulked!!!
Janet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: May 23 2006 at 8:00pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've tried to pick a room to speed clean, clean team style, but its not working.
I think for me its best to have dh take everyone for a couple hours, then have kids be part of the maintenance.
I just cannot finish with the kids underfoot. I know they need to learn how to do it, but I'm going to focus on that daily rather than have them part of it. They are just not capable of REALLY cleaning.
They're jobs are going to be wiping tables, sweeping, daily vacuuming of throw rug, laundry away, beds made, and for now that's enough. My song might change as they get older.
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mary
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 691
|
| Posted: May 23 2006 at 8:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
i have used motivated moms for 3 years. it's the perfect combo of flylady/hsing mom for me.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stacykay
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 08 2006
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1858
|
| Posted: May 23 2006 at 10:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
This is an area I could use a lot of help. 
Do most of you clean:
As you go through your day with/without dc helping?
When dh is home and can occupy dc?
In the evening, when all are in bed?
My dh is gone, on average, 70 hours a week from May to December, and then up to 100 hours a week during "tax season," from Jan. thru April. (He is a CPA.) I have a very hard time finding time to get everything done, and I hate to "waste" the time he is home, because I see him so rarely!
I will definitely be watching for ideas!
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
dh 21 years on Thursday! and 6 dss
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mare
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 357
|
| Posted: May 24 2006 at 9:39am | IP Logged
|
|
|
When my dds were 2 and under, I found it easier to clean when they were napping. At least I knew the house was cleaned for a whole hour before they got up.
When my girls were 5 and 3, I started a weekly rotation of daily chores and kitchen duty. It has allowed me to work one-on-one with them and to teach them how to do a chore. Now that they are 6 and 4, we have established a good routine. Things are not perfect when they are finished. That's ok. For me, it's all about the journey.
The girls help with dusting, vacuuming, washing windows, cleaning floors, laundry and gardening. I have four dusters and a small dustpan and brush that I picked up at the Dollar Store. I also bought child size brooms and mops at Michael Olaf.
HTH,
__________________
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cvbmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 15 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 930
|
| Posted: May 24 2006 at 1:31pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
mary wrote:
| i have used motivated moms for 3 years. it's the perfect combo of flylady/hsing mom for me. |
|
|
Thanks for this link! It sounds so easy...now it's a matter of putting it into action
Christine
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: CLEANING SCHEDULES
