How often to you have to clean to keep your house clean?

[getforfree]

It's hard to make them sit at the same place for longer than 5 min. They would eat for a few min, and then run. So I just put some fruit and veg pieces on the table, and some cereal, so they could take it whenever they want.

[PrincessPerky]

For all three meals plus two snacks?

I mean I let the kids snack like that on occassion, but the three meals are in the chair...Was quite a challenge to get DD to do it, but rather easy for DS..all kids are different...I just think that would be one battle I would choose...The sitting, not the eating.

[Countrygal]

I clean everyday as well..not to the point of perfection,but with two shedding cats and a hairy golden retreiver I have to vacume each day or it drives me bonkers..I also clean the kitchen

My mom told me once when asked about house cleaning "make sure its clean enough to be healthy,but dirty enough to be happy" Thats a rule I have always followed

[mkeen]

I need to do a thorough clean once a week and if I cook the whole kitchen needs to be washed down, floors swept and mopped. (I'm a messy cook) would love a cleaning lady but how do you afford it? Here in PA its $35-$45 an hour and those are the cheap ones!

[krantcents]

Our children are grown and out of the house. The house is cleaned thoroughly once a week. Between cleanings the house is clean enough for people to visit.

[snafu]

Experience taught me the less stuff, the easier the upkeep. Try it as an experiment between now & Thanksgiving, only daily use items on table, counter, bureau. It's important to get everyone involved. Keep it simple, 15 minute babystep segments. Everyone participates in 9:00 PM, 15 minute tidy in public rooms; AM make bed, tidy bthrm. ETE eliminate the evidence, if you use it - put it back; before you eat, put away the makings, everyone takes their tableware to sink/DW. Anyone over 12 y/o is capable of doing their own laundry or suffer the [re-wear] consequence. Who ever cooks lets others clean. Swiffer/damp mop kitchen flr. before turning out light!

The point is to keep it simple. Please,even if they can't/don't do the task to your standard, offer a ton of praise and refrain from re-doing.