Cell Phone Comparison Blog

23 Responses

1. rainwriterm

   2009 Nov 25 1

   What are some tips/tricks/practices to keep a clean home?
   I’m finding that I have clean spurts where my home is clean for a day or two, then a week where it’s a disaster, and then clean again etc. What are some tricks you’ve learned to keep your house more or less clean when you have a baby/toddler/teenager either occupying your time or making a mess?

2. amanda

   2009 Nov 25 2

   flylady.org
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3. momoftwins

   2009 Nov 25 3

   Pick up after yourself and babies.
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4. mrs_blasor

   2009 Nov 25 4

   I have this problem too! My house is more messy than it is clean. I try to clean the bathroom while the kids play in the tub. Do the counters and the toilet. Wash the kids. Drain tub. Spray with cleaner, dry kids, dress them. Scrub tub. Bathroom is done. We also try to have the kids keep their crap out of the living room. If we would actually load the dishwasher or unload it the kitchen would look so much better. And laundry. Some crazy people throw a load in of a morning, and manage to get at least a load done everyday. I have not mastered that fine art. If your kids are old enough, make a chore chart, and they can contribute as well. Good luck!
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5. 1 precious girl and 1 on the way

   2009 Nov 25 5

   I dont really have any tips, but to keep my home clean, i am seriously picking up constantly, i have a 17 months old, when she has toys all over the floor and is no longer playing with any of them i get down on the floor and make a game out of cleaning up with her. Iam due for my 2nd baby in 9 days time, so to be honest, i have been a lil slack in the cleaning department lately but i do get around to it eventually.
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6. Sophie's Mommy

   2009 Nov 25 6

   I do a superficial cleaning everyday… if the dishes are done the counter is clean and clear, the toys are contained to one area on the floor and we have clean clothes I am learning to let everything else go….. I try to take one day a week to do a real cleaning, but I am a freak about a clean house and its been a challenge.
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7. Kimberly

   2009 Nov 25 7

   Try Flylady.com, I just signed up, they email you cleaning tips and 15 chores for the day and reminders, the send a ton of emails to you everyday though so you have to weed out the actual chores for the day, I trying it out, I need to organize my life a little.
   EDIT : I meant 15 minute chores, not 15 chores, that makes a big difference.
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8. the_emrod

   2009 Nov 25 8

   Just make sure you do one thing every hour, all day every day.
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9. stellar_kitty426

   2009 Nov 25 9

   well its just me and my 8 month old in my home and usual after she goes to bed i do the little things like dishes and picking up her toys after she has gone to bed. then on the night the trash goes out i do all the big jobs like the litter box, moping the floors cleaning the bathroom. usualy that day right when my daughter wakes up from her nap i vacumm the 2 rooms with carpet. and well for the laundry that kinda gets done whenever i get around to it usualy when my daughters hamper is full lol
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10. Cades Mommy

    2009 Nov 25 10

    Everynight after Cade goes to bed I always clean something in the house. 15 minutes a day can help out greatly. Rinse your dishes after you eat and out them striaght in the dishwasher. If your clothes are not dirty, try to get another wear out of them. Wash a load of laundry every other or 3rd day do it does not build up.
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11. rdye56

    2009 Nov 25 11

    I put my little ones to bed for the night about 8:00 pm and then before I sat down to rest I put a load of clothes on the washer, then pick up the toys and vacuum the room. (this usually help then to sleep).
    When you are done with that your washing is ready for the dryer.
    In the kitchen I always watch dishes right after I stood up from the table.
    just set the baby with daddy or in the play pan. (It usually took me 10 minutes to do them)
    I always throw the food preparation away and clean the counter about ten times before dinner was on the fire.
    Beds I made mine before I got out of the room. (even when the baby call me. (it only took 10 seconds)
    Pick clothes from bedroom floor on my way to the bathroom to wash my teeth every night.
    By 9:00 pm I sat to enjoy my hubby or watch TV together or exercise or read a book.
    The trick is to never left anything to be done later… do it now and you will find all the time you have left. I have four kids and usually have two extras in my home, most days in the week. Love every second of my time with them.
    Older kids is harder, but I make mine help or no fav. things for them.

    Anna del C.
    Author of "The Elf and the Princess"
    and "Trouble in the Elf City"
    
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12. moonlight177@sbcglobal.net

    2009 Nov 25 12

    I have a 9 month old , a 5 year old and a 17 year old. ALL BOYS!
    My house is not always clean. I have to say that I am kind of like you. Some days my house is really clean, and on other days (usually when I have lots of errands to run) it is a disaster. Here are some tips I try to follow that help me.

    Try to clean as you go. This is sometimes easier said then done but it really does help… especially in the kitchen.

    Clean your bathroom when you are giving your kids a bath (older children that don’t need your constant holding..). Try to wipe down the bathroom when you are done brushing teeth. Wash the shower when you take a shower. If you keep up on it, it won’t be so hard to keep clean.

    I keep baskets around my house. One at the top of the stairs, one on the counter, one by the hallway that goes to the bedrooms. When I see something that is out of place I put it in the basket to go to the desired location when I find time later in the day. This is especially helpful when the baby is sleeping and there is something that goes in his bedroom. I just put it in his basket outside his door and put it away when he wakes up.

    When I load the dishwasher I try to put all the same utensils in the same compartments. This makes it easier to put them away in a hurry.

    I keep a laundry basket in each bedroom and at the top of the stairs. It is easy just to toss dirty clothes right into the basket or hamper. I also find that it is important to sort all the clothes before washing. Sometimes I just have big piles and throw in whatever I grab but it really does see to go more smoothly when I take the extra time to sort.

    I try to get my older children to put something away before they get something else out. This doesn’t always happen… but we are working on it. =)

    I at least try to keep my sink and countertops clean. This helps you feel better about the house. =)

    Pick a day a week to do certain things … like Mondays are vacuum/mopping days. Wednesdays are dusting days. You might not always follow your schedule but at least you tried. =)

    I know most of these suggestions are probably commonsense but they are just little tricks I do to help me keep our house clean.

    OH! I just found the most awesome cleaning device. It is called a Swivel Sweeper. It is awesome and perfect (and so easy) to do a quick vacuuming of your hardfloor areas and area rugs. I use mine everyday!
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13. C J

    2009 Nov 25 13

    Spend 25 minutes each day doing the basics and your house will always stay clean.
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14. Emma's MumMum & 25 Weeks #2

    2009 Nov 25 14

    My house is honestly almost always clean. I clean on Mondays top to bottom. I move everything and dust. I deep clean the bathroom and the kitchen. I sweep, vaccum, mop, clean glass, the whole nine yards. Through the week I do things like wipe down the bathroom with disenfecting wipes and I swiffer the floor. Sometimes I clean the glass on the front door. I just really don’t let things get dirty….
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15. Courtney B

    2009 Nov 25 15

    during the week I try to pick up after myself and get the kids to put things back when they’re done. And we have Sunday cleanup day. We pick up all the little stuff and do the dusting and vacuming.
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16. Levi's mom

    2009 Nov 25 16

    I try to clean when he naps… I feel like I am a factory! I get up feed him, play w/ him, make myself breakfast, he takes a nap… I go into over drive… make the bed, clean last nights dinner dishes, and this mornings breakfast dishes, check what laundry needs to be done, son wakes up I feed him, play with him, get myself some lunch, play with him, he takes a nap, time to do lunch dishes, fold laundry, and think of what to make for dinner…. (oh yea change diapers throughout the day too lol) son wakes up feed him, play with him make dinner, greet hubby, and then play w/ my son until bed time lol. I love being a mom it really is amazing but somedays I say screw the house and sit and watch Opera.
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17. Diann C

    2009 Nov 25 17

    In addition to trying to put things where they go (it takes just as long to put it in its correct place as it does to put it in its incorrect place) I use "The Rule of Three", I got it from my mom.
    The rule of three says that during a free moment you will take three things from a room that don’t belong and put them away. When you are done with those three you can take another three. It makes it easy to put it down if you get interrupted and you don’t feel like you are leaving something half finished.
    I also try to clean the room that I am in anyway. I wipe down the sink and mirror while I’m using my mouthwash, I use a spray in the shower as I am getting out, I load or unload the dishwasher while I am waiting for water to boil, throw a coverlet on the bed (I NEVER make the bed, it’s kind of a waste) while the baby is just starting to wake up from her nap, fold laundry during commercials at night (I keep the laundry in the living room for this reason) and I keep baskets on the stairs going both up and down, that way I can take the whole basket at once and not waste a trip.

    My house is still pretty messy, but this helps me keep it under control a little bit.

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18. Philipa

    2009 Nov 25 18

    It’s easy to keep your house tidy/ clean if you’re not lazy. I find people who can not do this are just plain lazy. When ever your baby / toddler is happily playing, do some chores. It’s not rocket science.
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19. twinkle**

    2009 Nov 25 19

    you can google it. But I have some as well.
    1. Clean up after you make a mess. If you have a drink, put your glass away as soon as you are finished with it. This way, the mess won’t pile up.
    2. Have daily chores. This way, you get into a routine of doing things.
    3. Spread out the work. Have your children (if old enough) to clean up after them selves, or else the have a punishment.
    4. Have everyone clean the room before they leave it. So if you ate chips and drank pop, you muct clean up that mess before you leave the room. Again, this prevents it from pialing up.
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20. edipus19

    2009 Nov 25 20

    clean as you go (when you dirty a dish clean it right after your done eating etc.). thats the only wat i can keep my place clean consistantly. it’s when things get piled up when i get less motivated and dred cleaning. Smaller messes are much easier and faster.
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21. Amor L

    2009 Nov 25 21

    when you drink something in a cup or eat something in a dish remember to don’t live it in the room put it directly to the kitchen and do that with everything like clothes…. and learn your children (baby/toddler/teenager… etc) as you said those tips and you will be cleaner… i hope have a good day…
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22. good2balive

    2009 Nov 25 22

    Keeping a house clean with kids is like stringing beads with no knot on the end of the string. It’s a never-ending cycle of picking up, cleaning, kids making a mess or leaving stuff out, picking up and cleaning. I’ve got 3 kids, two teens and a toddler. It’s remarkable just how much the teenagers and the toddler have in common, and mess-making is one of those many things.

    First, identify the difference between "tidying up" (putting things away in their places, etc.) and "cleaning" (sweeping, dusting, wiping down, vacuuming, etc.). This is important. We can feel like our houses are filthy, therefore needing cleaning, when in actuality we just have lots of clutter lying around. And make a kind of schedule for doing certain tasks. Here, one bathroom gets done on Wednesday, the other on Thursday, mopping on Monday, and so on. It’s no so rigid, or me so Type-A, that I can’t be flexible. I honestly doubt I’ll mop tomorrow; I’ve been sick. So what if waits until Tuesday. But at least kind of aim to do certain regular tasks on a predictable schedule. Get the kids involved as much as possible. They should be responsible for picking up their own things, tidying up their own rooms (but you’ll have to teach them), and helping out as directed. Give them a chore list for each day and things will go more smoothly. "This is what you are helping with today…..and when it’s done, homework’s done, you can break out the Wii or play ball at so-and-so’s."

    Second, get organized. Have a place for everything. Keep a notebook for a few weeks (or forever) in which you work on strategies for getting closets and cabinets re-organized, weeding out stuff you don’t need, aren’t going to ever use, and that has no meaning or value to you. If you write it down as you go, it’s easier. Let your family in on the organization. Even if they all pretty much say, "Hey, whatever you want to do is fine", they need to be informed about your new system for storing stuff, where things are to go, and how they’re to be "processed" (folded, hung, stacked, etc.). A good example: I re-organized the cabinet with all our little plastic Tupperware-type storage containers and then gave each person a "tour" of the new system. They, especially the teens, moaned and whined about being dragged away from their current activity, but the result is that when dishes are put away, there’s no more just tossing these pieces into a huge pile in the cabinet. We can now actually find what we’re looking for–lo! and behold! a matching lid!–and can put things away easily. Just don’t be anal rententive about it; this will just drive everyone insane.

    Give some of the organizational responsibility to any older kids or teenagers if you have them. My two older kids share a bathroom and the space under the sink would scare you silly. I’m scared to have to look for stuff under there. Until recently, it was considered a possible hiding place for Jimmy Hoffa’s body and Cortez’ gold. I "let" them do the re-organizing under there, cleaned it all out, put it back in a way that is going to work with them and their habits, what they need access to and how, etc. The result is that it stays much tidier for longer than it did when I picked how their stuff was to be stored.

    This is just plain practical: First, always get into the habit of putting things away where they go when you’re done with them and impress upon family members to do the same. Yes, that includes your husband, though he might think it’s okay to leave his empty chip bag and beer can beside the Lazy-Boy until tomorrow, it sets a bad example for the kids. That also includes the kids, and even very little kids can be taught early on to put stuff away where it goes. It takes alot of repitition and praise, but they can do it. It’s no big deal to have your 2 year old plunk her sippy cup into the kitchen sink, rather than leave it under the sofa cushion where it usually ends up (well, at my house, anyway).

    Finish one project before you start another. Even if you’re not usually a linear thinker, at least do it when it comes to housework. I often have the very ADD habit of doing But-First Cleaning. It goes something like this: I have to start a load of laundry, but first I have to gather all the laundry from the kids’ rooms, but first I have to tidy up the kitchen so I can get the dirty kitchen linens into the laundry, but first I have to sweep the floor, since someone spilled Kool-Aid on it, but first I have to find the mop, but first the broom closet is a total disaster and I can’t find the mop…..You get the picture. At the end of the day I’ve managed to move non-stop yet actually finish nothing. Pick a task, gather what you need for it, and just get it done before moving on.

    Lastly, tidy as you go. If I have to take dirty kitchen linens to the garage where the washer is, I also take my 2 year old’s shoes to her room, since it’s on the way. On the way back to the kitchen,
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23. AP Mommy

    2009 Nov 25 23

    Imagine keeping a house clean with twice the baby/toddler running around.. LOL My house looks like a tornado went through it with 14 month old twins running it. One of my tricks? baskets, baskets, baskets. Especially if I have last minute company on it’s way.. I throw everything in a basket and put it in a spare room. One of the cupboards in my kitchen is the only one with out a child latch, I put most of their toys in there.

    Trying to keep my place clean is like shoveling in a snow storm. I shovel and shovel and shovel, but when I turn around, it’s all covered again. .LOL
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