I'm not one of those people who jump at the chance to clean my house. I choke down housework in an effort to keep everything running smoothly. I like a clean house, but I'm not a fan of all of the WORK that goes into it.
And, sadly, I feel like I am just now getting back into a housecleaning groove after having the baby. I know it was over a year ago - no pointing fingers. Unfortunately?/Fortunately? I've been spoiled by Mr Lemon who has pretty much taken over the laundry, and that is a huge burden off of me. Except that I don't have an excuse like working full-time to warrant him unburdening me like that ... I have mixed feelings. Should I stop him? Let him? Stop him? Let him?
Anyhoo.
I have a few tips for my other lazy sistahs out there.
1) Mopping the floor - no new tips here. Sweep first, then mop. BUT - I've found that if I mop under my table first, I can push the chairs back in, and mop the rest of the floor without having to crowd my living room with kitchen chairs. Sounds simple - but it has made me dread mopping less.
2) I wipe down the upstairs bathroom while Zesty is playing in his bath, if he's in an especially enjoying-my-bath kind of mood.
3) I haven't actually tried this yet, but I plan to find a friend who wants to have their carpet cleaned, and split the cost of renting a shampooer from Kroger. My apartment complex will come and do it for free once a year, but is the carpet cleaner waiting outside my door for the cue to come in and hurry up the baby is sleeping? No ma'am, he is not. Oddly enough, the whole world does not revolve around Zesty's naps.
4) I like to wash bottles or clean up the kitchen while Zesty is strapped in his high chair still from breakfast.
5) I also like to keep him strapped down in his high chair while I take a shower, if I haven't squeezed that into his naptime.
6) I should also add that I should start strapping him down while I'm writing my semi-monthly post, now that there are goldfish crackers all over the floor. See #3.
7) My folding fitted sheet secret - I only have one set of sheets per bed (except the crib), so that they have to be washed, dried, and bed made back up before we go to sleep that night. That is to avoid having to fold fitted sheets.
8) I put a smell-good envelope of good smelling stuffs in my vacuum cleaner bag. Now if only I would remember that I need to change my vacuum cleaner bag before the smell-good stuff starts growing in there ...
What were your early motherhood housecleaning secrets? And please, not the well-worn admission that you put dirty dishes in the oven to hide them. I'm not talking about avoiding housecleaning.
I've got that down pat.
4 comments:
I got it down pat too! I don't have any motherhood housecleaning secrets yet.
I came up with a daily plan of what needs to be done ... so every Monday I do the same thing, etc. It is VERY simple - the basics only - everything else is just pudding on the cake!! :) I have also learned to adjust my thought process on housecleaning - sounds weird, but it works. I am now content with the fact that my house will never be as clean as it was before kids, but that's okay, because I sure wouldn't trade being a Momma for a clean house!! Also, I pick up all the toys after T goes to bed so at least it's only a days worth of mess if someone comes over. We're working on teaching him to pick up after himself, and he does well, lol - on an 19 month level, so that means that there are still lots of toys left!! Another thing that I have just recently started doing is making sure that the table is completely cleaned off with a pretty tablecloth in the middle of it, as well as keeping the stove clean after every meal. That way there is something clean and pretty in my kitchen all the time. Makes the pile of dishes on the counter a little more bearable sometimes :)
Wendy
www.flylady.net. she's amazing. she inspires me. except i'd have to keep checking her site every hour on the hour to continue to be inspired. however, i swear, she has great tips.
I am what I lovingly call domestically challenged. I like a clean house, but I agree, the work that goes into it--not that great. I wash or load the dishwasher after every meal, that way they don't stack up on me.
I straighten the living room every evening and then vacuum it in the morning while everyone is still sleeping. And yes, I vacuum everyday.
I also wipe up the bathroom while kiddos are bathing. Then when they are done and the toys are out (while they are picking out a story or Daniel is in his crib cryin' it out), I drain the water, grab Mr. Clean Shower Cleaner rod thing (sorry for being too technical) and go to work. It only takes a minute and I rinse it and then off to bedtime stories. I have to admit that I only actually scrub the shower twice a week unless they were especially grubby!
Anything beyond that, you'll have to ask a perfectionist! =)
Post a Comment