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

marla · #1 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 05:44 AM

I came back from a friend's house that was sparkling clean. I asked her how she did it and she said she cleans for 2 to 3 hours everyday! Even if I had the time (which I don't) there is no way that I would spend 3 hours a day cleaning. basically, I hate cleaning.

Since I hate cleaning, you can imagine my place is not the cleanest place in the world. If I'm lucky, I force myself to do it once a month. I know that isn't often enought o keep a house clean, but I was wondering how often do you need to clean to keep your house clean.

By clean, I mean in nice enough condition that you wouldn't care if someone suddenly stopped by unannounced. is a couple of times a month enough? Is once a week?

the4parkers · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 07:53 AM

i go to mymessyhouse.com they give me 1 room a day to declutter and clean.. it has come to where it only takes me 15 minutes a day ( laundry not included) my place looks great.. we moved from a larger apartment to a very small house. that site pretty much told me what to throw out/give away.. i get a lot of compliments now on how great my place always looks.. which is great because i am a SLOB!!

Momtwo · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 08:53 AM

I dust and vacuum every other day. Then the rest of the cleaning is done a little at a time. I may wash the kitchen floor on Monday, the bathroom floor on Tuesday, etc. When the entire house had been done once, I just start over. No one likes cleaning, but if you do a little each day, it doesn't seem like such a task.

PrincessPerky · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 10:01 AM

If you count cleaning up after a meal I do prolly reach a couple of hours, but it is just putting dishes in a sink then sweeping and wiping the table. Maybe 5 minutes per meal, with an extra 5 once a day to put the dishes away. Then 5 in a bathroom (or less) and 2 to make a bed, and 5 before nap and before bed to put toys away. Thats umm (5 * 6 meals) +5+ 5+10+2 = 52 minutes. Oh and throw laundry in there you get a whole hour.

If I really wanted to not be embarrased I would sweep and dust each day, prolly only take me 15 minutes, but I hate dusting. and my long hair broke the vacuum awhile ago so once a week (or less) I run it busted takes an hour or so.

miclason · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 03:34 PM

If you don't have children and pets, a good cleaning every two weeks is enough (been there, done that)...with children, you need to do a good cleaning at least once a week and sweep/mop at least once a day....

DivaJen · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2005, 04:59 PM

I have some friends with no pets and their houses always seem much cleaner. Two cats and a big dog make it hard for us to keep our house clean unless we spend hours every day - and that is NOT high on my list of priorities.

I don't know how much time I spend, but it isn't 2-3 hours a day, I can guarantee it. Maybe my tolerance is higher, but someone could drop by right now and it would be fine. My coffee table is cluttered, and the kitchen floor could stand to be mopped, but it's basically clean here.

lieweheksie · #7 (**permalink**) 01-14-2005, 08:11 AM

the house gets cleaned twice a week by my domestic worker-ironing also only gets done twice a week discounting energencies
pets do make it harder to keep the house clean- house was cleaned yesterday- today ther are a few dust bunnies( or rather cat hair bunnies) that need a quick vacuum
one tip I learnt form my Mom is to concentrate on the areas that visitors will see- I often do this on the weekend- walk through the public areas- like lounge, guest bathroom maybe kitchen, and make sure those look Ok- the bedroom can wait unless you think they'' need one for stuff- in which case just clean one
the dishwasher also helps keep the kitchen clean- if you keep dirty dishes in the washer and wipe the counters the floor can probaly make it being cleaned a couple of times a week
plus I would allways rather read a book than clean
I foget who it was who said that only boring women have immaculate houses

MrsChambers · #8 (**permalink**) 01-14-2005, 08:43 AM

I have to do a little of something EVERYDAY in order to keep things.. not even clean.. to just keep the place so you can WALK AROUND!!
we do have a cleaning lady that comes everyother week... she does the bathrooms and the floors and what-not.. but I would never call my house CLEAN.

amomof4 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-15-2005, 09:43 AM

The old me has done it a little as possible. I have been blessed with a daughter who can't stand messes. She usually keeps things tidy.

But now that I am trying to become a Proverbs 31 woman, using lainesletters.com, I am working on it. Keep in mind that I have just started this journey, and the Lord isn't finished with me yet. But I know he will.

Tree0164 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-16-2005, 03:36 AM

I hate cleaning too but I hate clutter more. My kitchen gets washed every other day , vacuum 2-3 times a week. Bathroom heavy wash down 1 x week, dusting is every other week which I hate.

MargaretKur · #11 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 04:36 PM

Housework, laundry, and dirty dishes are things that never seem to be "done" except perhaps for a short while.

I believe the best way is to develop a system of routines that you follow. Do something each day! If you observe the Sabbath, of course you would have modified routines for that day.

Thank you for the reference to mymessyhouse!

I'd like to recommend:

FlyLady.net
the Messies Anonymous site*
the Side-tracked Home Executives site*

*I can't find the other two home site addresses at the moment, but when I do, I'll post them.

All of those sites deal with housecleaning and routines, but with different approaches.

Believe it or not, once a person really gets into following the system on a regular basis, there will be time to take a night off, have a family fun day, etc. The FlyLady site sends out e-mail reminders to keep members on track throughout the day, also encouraging messages and testimonials for inspirations.

If you're one who doesn't want to live in CHAOS ("Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"), needs to get motivated, and doesn't want to spend time "marathon cleaning" you should really check out FlyLady. I love it!

Tammy · #12 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 06:16 PM

I follow flylady.net system and my house stays pretty clean even with lots of children.

leewill72 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 08:45 PM

i DID flylady, but since we moved, i 'fell off the wagon' I have vowed myself to start fresh with lace up shoes and work from there. i keep telling my husband that this house did not get this messy overnight and it isnt going to get clean that fast either. we have 4 kids so i am not sure it ever will...but i'll keep trying. a little each day is better than nothing.

we've lived in this house 6 months and i have dusted once...this past sunday...i worry more about being able to navigate the toys etc.

MargaretKur · #14 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 09:19 PM

Remember, you are not behind. Just jump in wherever we are.

PrincessPerky · #15 (**permalink**) 02-16-2005, 06:15 AM

I have followed flylady for around halfa year, anbd the most wonderful thing is the emails to help me get rid of cluter, and the ones to remind me I am helping even if I don't finish. Every little bit helps.

Since following my house is pretty decent (no dusting though) at almost all times. Wouldn't have a magazine photo shoot here, but I'm not embarrased when the doorbell rings, mostly. (and about a billion loads of stuff went to the good will.)

MrsChambers · #16 (**permalink**) 02-16-2005, 08:49 AM

okay... cleaning is the BIGGEST problem that I have.
We have no kids, thank god, put we have 3 cats and a pup...
I have to clean the floors AT LEAST once a day... sometimes I have vacuum two or three times a day!
it's CRAZY

we have made a little investment however to help with our cleaning...

A CLEANING LADY!

we got her over a year ago. When I first decided that I needed some help with the cleaning my husband was a little weired out about the money.. most people wanted $10 an hour CASH.... hell.. that's what I make BEFORE taxes... PLEASE

but after a little searching we found a wonderful woman... she charges us $30 bucks a shot.
she used to come every week, but we needed to cut back - so now she comes every other week.

she cleans the kitchen (basicly just wash's the floor - everything else in the kitchen is usually clean)
she vacuums the rugs
she cleans the bathrooms
she runs some laundry for us if it needs to be done
dusts
straightens

IT IS TOTTALY WORTH IT

AND, she will babysit the animals when we leave for a few days!!

can't beat it.

so, if you think that you can't afford some help with your cleaning.. you should check around... perhaps there is someone groovy in your area too!!

contrary1 · #17 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006, 11:49 AM

When I moved in Oct, I discovered what I thought was a clean house, really wasn't. So..........I made a bunch of changes here at the new place.

I too, found a cleaning service & signed him up weekly. He does all the bathrooms, my bedroom and the other common areas of the house. (none of the kids rooms, as they are usually so cluttered he couldn't get in anyway)

It helps the household stay neater, knowing things need to be ready for Wednesdays cleaning day.............

Having someone do the regular cleaning, I'm able to keep up with the project size cleaning projects. Paying for it is definately one of my luxuries these days!

flash · #18 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006, 02:10 PM

Cleaning 2 - 3 hours a day, every day, is one of the signs of an OCD.

I clean up clutter and the kitchen throughout the day, and hope for once a week cleaning. Cream/white house and black dog. AGH. I've gone for a month when working long hours, but we weren't home to get it dirty.

Agree, cleaning the "noticables" is the fastest. We have glass table tops, and dust shows quickly. A quick glide over surfaces and anything shiny will make your house appear fairly clean. Dust bunnies on hard floors (tile, wood) goes with the "shiny" rule.

I gave up the housekeeper when we retired. Cheapest around here is $30 an hour. I'd much rather scrub myself and know it's really clean, doesn't just appear clean.

You may be surprised -- people often believe your house is much cleaner than you think they think. It's often more a smell than a visual thing!

Ima saver · #19 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006, 03:21 PM

Wow flash, I better sign my husband up cleaning house for you. That is more than he makes an hour building houses and he is always spending $1000 here and there buying tools, not to mention risking his neck.
My husband cleans the house and he does it about every 2 weeks. We clean up the kitchen daily and I keep the house picked up all the time. I seem to have a lot of dust.

acezz4e_tish · #20 (**permalink**) 02-17-2006, 04:48 PM

everytime i turn around theres something else thats noticable, uggggh, i also live on a dirt road thats not cared for well and there is dust daily visable on the ceiling. a quick walk thru with a broom and bar towel rubberbanded on, cleans up quick. dampen the cloth and away we go.lol. i found waiting til im ready to go to bed and the kids fast asleep, leaving vinegar and baking soda in the toilets keeps them clean. i have a clorox wand still just the same for weekly cleaning, and if theres a tough stain or something that didnt come out i have a bottle of vanish gel. the green bottle with bleach. that goes up under the rim and hangs on tight! maybe once a month to do that. has anyone else tried that dawn with bleach alt. i love it!