Keeping the house clean... WITHOUT a cleaning lady!

debsters1101

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 6:29 pm

I work full time and have 3 kids. I just had to fire my cleaning lady :-( I am feeling very sorry for myself!!! Lol. It made financial sense to get a full time babysitter instead of farming the kids out all over, but that meant we had to get rid of the cleaning lady. The babysitter does tidy up but I am wondering how I am going to keep on top of washing the floors, bathrooms, linen, folding laundry. Those are the 4 hardest things for me that take the most time and make me wanna pull my hair out!!! When I get home from work it's all I can do to get the kids fed/ homework/bath/bed before I totally collapse in exhaustion on the couch. Where I sit and read imamother all night ;-) ok maybe I watch a show or 2 too. But seriously, scrub floors and toilets at 8 PM??? I can't!! I'm hoping someone here will have "cheating" shortcut tips or some sort of schedule to make the burden seem lighter. Also commiseraton will be welcomed :-)I

bookworm10

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 6:31 pm

I hear you Sad

Sorry!!

Think of the time you save from having to drive kids all over.

Now try to divide the jobs into the exact amount of time it takes you- and split them throughout the week. Maybe do one on friday, one in the mornings before you leave, and the other two either right when you get home or after kids are asleep. I feel like once you have a set schedule, it becomes managable.

ra_mom

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 6:39 pm

Hugs, hugs!

Floors: purchase products that make it easiest for you to clean. Like the scotch brite mop that is fun to use and the attachment goes into the washing machine. (I have 3 attachments so I can wash up to 3x a week and wash once a week with the rags)
If you can't seem to swing in with something like that, purchase the disposable swiffer

Laundry: keep a section of 3-4 hampers and make sure that everyone deposits their dirty laundry in the correct one. Decide how you like your laundry sorted and washed. (Ie. whites, darks, towels, etc.)
That will make it easier for you to just throw in an already sorted load.
Do 1-2 loads every day- only as much as you can manage to put away that same day.
Place clean folded laundry on children's beds and have them put it away themselves. Older children should get their clean laundry on their beds but they should fold themselves before putting away.

Linen: make a rotating system. Each room on a different day and/or week. Have children strip beds in the morning. Drop in to washing machine to wash. Come home and dry the linen. Then put it straight onto the beds so there is no folding or putting away.

Bathroom: keep an all purpose cleaner and paper towels near the sink. Wipe down after you brush your teeth at night. Do a quick wipe over toilet seat. Use ready disinfectant wipes if that helps you.
Then pour some mr clean into the toilet bowl. Allow to sit overnight. Swish in the morning with brush. Then flush.
After each bath and shower in the house, each person should be require to spray a scrub free shower cleaner that doesn't have to be rinsed.

Last edited by ra_mom on Sat, Feb 09 2013, 6:48 pm; edited 2 times in total

chatouli

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 6:50 pm

I put the laundry in the washing machine in the morning and transfer it to the dryer when I get home. When the kids are asleep, I fold. I watch tv while folding, which makes it more or less bearable. If its the kids' laundry, my babysitter puts it away. If it is mine, I put it away when I'm done. I do the sheets once a week, usually on Sunday.

Bathrooms get done when I notice they are looking dingy. I use seventh generation wipes which clean the surfaces including toilets nicely. I try to wipe the sinks down before I go to bed but it doesn't always happen.

My standards may be lower than yours but between my babysitter tidying up and my actual cleaning, I feel like my house is usually fairly presentable. Maybe you could ask your babysitter to clean a bit if there's a downtime while kids are sleeping? It would probably be cheaper than hiring a separate cleaning lady. My babysitter isn't into it but she's so good with the kids that it's ok. Like I said...lower standards Smile

Simple1

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 7:24 pm

Refrigerator can be done one shelf or small section at a time when you get a chance - rather than making it a major job. Actually it would be better to clean up spills as they happen - but it's not always possible because some spills go unnoticed.

Marina, I always wondered if you can get the same sparkly look without the cleaning lady.

amother

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 7:32 pm

I also hate housework and I am usually too tired to tackle it. When I don't have cleaning help I only make sure to straighten up kitchen each night (I leave dishes soaking till I'm good and ready!!), take out the garbage and do the laundry. Then ONCE and week and ONLY once a week I set aside 2 hours to clean the whole house. Guess what? I have a big house ... so usually only the downstairs got done. Almost no one sees the upstairs bedrooms and bathroom anyway! One very helpful thing was to buy a laundry basket for each bedroom . This way I don't have this overwhelming mountain of dirty laundry - instead just a few neat baskets in each room. When they are full (every 2-3 days I wash). ONLY take the laundry out of the dryer if you can fold each piece right away and put in the drawers - otherwise you will end up with a mountain of clean laundry which can be VERY overwhelming if there is no cleaning lady to come fold. Use your once a week cleaning hours instead of exercising - what a work out - shlepping arounnd the vacuum cleaner and mopping! see ... now you're saving money on the gym too!!

mommyhood

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 7:38 pm

ra_mom wrote:

ra-mom can you show a link for the mop, I only see one for hardwood floors?

debsters1101

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 7:40 pm

I'm considering asking the babysitter to take charge of the kids laundry. They have their own hamper so its already separated anyway. And perhaps I only need to mop mop the dining room and kitchen and can get away with swiffering the rest of the house (I have mostly hardwood floors)....
Ideas are forming, thanks!
And whoever made the comment about the fridge, thanks for the giggle :-) even my cleaning lady didn't do my fridge more than maybe twice a year.

amother

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 8:05 pm

I love the scotch brite mop, bought at costco.
There are many similar mops on the market. The main thing is that it has a washable towel like material that goes over it, so that you can wash it out in the washing machine. It comes with one extra or you can buy refills. The mop can break, but the towel pieces so far have held up quite well. I use a floor cleaner with very hot water, and it always comes out clean. It's quick and easy.

amother

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 8:39 pm

debsters1101 wrote:

Thanks guys. Ra_mom what kind of shower spray doesn't need to be rinsed? Will it work well for the tub too?
I do have a swiffer wet jet which is good for spills and stuff but I don't see that it works so well to mop the whole house with...

yes, it's meant for the tub. Everyone has to spray the tub once they're done using it.
It can be hard to find. Last time I purchased it at Duane Reade, I believe it's their own brand.
Keep looking for a rinse free spray in the cleaning aisle of every store you go to.

ra_mom

Sat, Feb 09 2013, 8:43 pm

mommyhood wrote:

ra_mom wrote:

ra-mom can you show a link for the mop, I only see one for hardwood floors?

iirc, it says it's for hardwood floors, but really it's good for all. Read the reviews.