Help for the single man? (I am a slob and need intervention!)

[Wcross]

How do you people (you know who you are) keep your homes so clean? Is there a secret to "good housekeeping"? I go to other peoples homes and they are spotless- no dust to be seen anywhere. The kitchen looks like it has never been used. Nothing out of place and everything looks perfect. I want to at least get to the level where people won't think "holy crap!"

Any tips?

[Droopy]

1. I don't mess mine up in the first place!

;)

That's only partially true. I don't have a lot of stuff, therefore very little clutter. But I still get behind on the dusting, dishes, and bathroom (hard water) every once in a while. But I don't let it get out of hand. I feel bad when my house is a mess. That's enough motivation for me.

[Tallison]

9. You're right that having less stuff

translates into less clutter. For this reason, each time I move I try to reduce the number of things I bring with me.

[Droopy]

10. Look at it as leaving the new occupants

a house warming gift. :D

[Splatter Phoenix]

2. Maybe it's BECAUSE you visit their homes...

Unless you drop in without warning, then it probably looks like a pigsty. :D

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

3. I agree

The only time we clean our house is when we've invited people over. Otherwise it tends to be a tad disorganized.

[Left Is Write]

5. People could drop by my house almost anytime.

I don't clean for company. I clean for me.

[Left Is Write]

4. Sometimes I think a person is just born with it.

Other times, I remember what a slob I was until about my mid-twenties. Now pushing 40, I get accused all the time of being a neatnik. ;)

I don't have any secrets. I just do things as soon as they need doing. Laundry two or three times a week; items get folded/iron/hung up/put away right away and don't sit in the dryer or a basket.

Beds made every morning. Kitchen cleaned right after cooking/eating.

The kids have a playroom, which is a great help.

Everything has a place to be - that's an important one.

I don't let clutter build up - another important one. I go through the mail immediately. I file papers right away (I have a credenza full of hanging folders labelled for things like utilities records, credit cards, mortgage, insurance, car stuff, household appliance/repairs information, personal items like marriage certificate, birth certificates, SS cards, immunization records, and I don't let anything stack up.

Out of season items are stored in labelled boxes or bins.

Sinks (kitchen and bathroom) get wiped out after every use, meaning I have to do a sink scrub much less often. I do a basic clean on the bathrooms/toilets/showers once or twice a week, and a deep clean about once a month.

I wish I had secrets or special tips to give you. I just do what I do. I like being in a tidy environment (comfortable, lived-in, but tidy).

[Wcross]

6. You make it sound easy Left is Write!

I have a system too. Clean clothes in the dryer, dirty clothes in a laundry basket. (Dirty means obvious dirt on them or smell bad, otherwise they are clean)
I clean the kitchen when even I think its disgusting. I scrub the shower when the dirt is overly visable, same with the commode.
Dust seems to get worse when I move it around.

I am soo sick of my system!

[Tallison]

13. I'm like that w/kitchens & bathrooms

The rest of the house I'm not as fastidious about.

[BigMcLargehuge]

7. clean up after yourself...

that's really all their is to it. When you cook, wash the cooking pans, when you eat, wash the dishes. Wash the floor, dust occasionally, run the vacuum every week.

And for god sakes stop leaving your clothes lying around...

:)

[crispini]

8. You need to fight it one little piece at time.

Start with the kitchen counters and sink, for example. Make sure they are always -- but ALWAYS - cleaned off immediately after you use them.

Once you've got the hang of that, go on to the next little piece.

[Wcross]

11. Okay- I might need to hire a cleaning service.

I clean my dishes once a week and sweep the floor about the same. Maybe if I had a pro come in and do the detail work it would look better?

[miss_kitty]

12. I am a horrible housekeeper

but I keep stuff clean. I will lift up stacks of shit to vacuum and dust. I will ALWAYS clean the bathroom and scrub the tub and the toilet.
A year or so ago my bathroom ceiling caved in and I took the opportunity to take down some dust catching shelving, throw out a bunch of crap I wasn't using and buy new towel racks, which have made a difference in a big way.

My mom was and my sis is tidy. My mom did it in a non-obsessive way, my sister is annoying.

It's about not having more stuff than storage and having either an innate or learned sense of organisation.

Start by looking at stuff you really don't need and throw it away. When you get started on that, take a break and assess the crap you do want to keep. Go to a place that sells storage stuff and see what you can buy to accomodate your necessary crap. If you have a good friend who is well organised, you might try asking them for help.

They bottom line is though-you really have to want it enough...I DO want it-but apparently not badly enough yet. I am actually going to go throw old papers today and get rid of shit I don't need, shred stuff so I can gain some room for important crap.

Good Luck! :hi:

[liberalitch]

14. Nods head pats back.....

I can't help you, I'm a slob too.
All I can do is give you moral support.