How do you keep you house clean

OnTheRoad · Dec 16, 2006

My focus is bathrooms and kitchen. Dishes and laundry so we can all have clothes and things to eat and cook with. With 4 kids my house is not going to see clean till I hire a cleaning service or have more than 3-4 wks off of school. I can live with that I think till I get out of school.

smk1, LPN · Dec 16, 2006

During nursing school? I was in school 3/4 time this past semester plus I worked 24-27 hours per week. Last night, I just went hog wild in cleaning my house......I scrubed and organized and scrubbed some more. Would my house be totally trashed when I get into nursing school? I have a 1.5 year old and a 6 year old. My husband means well but he dosen't really have a clue as to how I like things. I just need to let thing be huh? I know I have to keep the bathrooms (3 of em) and the kitchen clean....I mean that is where we can get the most germs right? Everything else...is it...see it in the spring?:uhoh21:

Well, your house will be a constant battle to stay on top of laundry, dishes and clutter. My house used to remain spotless. (except for toys my daughter was playing with). Now... well paper plates are my friend, only a few rooms are clean at one time and there is ALWAYS laundry to do. However, during the breaks (like now) I take the time to try and ge re-organized, and clean everything thoroughly. My standards have definitely changed though.

not now, RN · Dec 16, 2006

During the semester my house is a complete mess. This semester I worked 32 hours a week with a full class load (LVN to RN bridge).

We have clean, folded clothes on the kitchen table, they just never make it to the closet.

My boyfriend had to iron all his own shirts again (His ironing skills drive me nuts so I always starch and press his shirts).

Dishes are clean, in the dish washer.

The bed is never made.

Cat food on the kitchen floor because my cat got tired of waiting for me to feed him and he ripped open the bag.

My desk is a disaster.

Six different nursing books next to the front door because I'm too "busy" (ie lazy) to take them up to the office when I switch them out for different classes.

But ya know what? Two B's and one A this semester, I don't care if my house was a mess!

Rosa2Little · Dec 16, 2006

Funny thread! My house looks like a bomb hit it -- and I have to clean before I pull out all those Christmas decorations!

You have to somewhat learn to look the other way during school ... the ying and yang of dust. A far cry from my feelings at the start of the semester.

Roseyposey · Dec 16, 2006

Funny thread! My house looks like a bomb hit it -- and I have to clean before I pull out all those Christmas decorations!
You have to somewhat learn to look the other way during school ... the ying and yang of dust. A far cry from my feelings at the start of the semester.

I like that "the yin and yang of dust" ...there's a nursing school t-shirt in there somewhere!

FNimuaeMae · Dec 16, 2006

Some thingsyou learn to just let go on because nursing school becomes the all comsuming need to get done with the eye on the prize of GRADUATION! And a little dirt never hurt anyone...

Missy;)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2006

Well, I'm usually the first one to speak up and tell you I'm a slob. I was never cut out to be a housewife--at least not in same mode my mother was. I was raised in the 50s and 60s by a mom who was at home cleaning the house, cooking and baking all day! That's not me--sorry. It's paper plates, plastic utensils, frozen or microwave meals and drive thru eating. Any dishes that do need to get washed are put into hot soapy water and set there for a few hours until I'm good and ready to wash and rinse them. Sometimes I'll throw a little bleach in the water as well. I will make huge pots of soup. I buy the veggies, cut them up while I'm watching a soap opera and put them in the freezer until I'm ready to use them. My freezer is loaded with stuff compared to the cooler part of the fridge. Don't know what I'd do without a microwave. I generally keep my books piled in the bed or the floor by the bed (I'm back in school studying medical coding and health information management). I either study or nap/sleep in the bed. This is partly because of my back problem. The other place I have my things is here at the computer. I've got books piled up on both sides of me. Somewhere is a bin with my medications in it so I'll remember to take them every day, otherwise I forget and with all my medical problems I can't do that anymore otherwise Daytonite ends up in the hospital for a few days. I tape TV programs I "just have to watch" and view them at a later time so I can fast forward through the commercials. Commercials take up anywhere from 10 to 18 minutes of an hour program's time. I keep a pile of blank index cards here on my desk for making lists. I always have a current list of what I need at the store. If I think of something I need, it goes on the list immediately. On days when I have to do a bunch of errands, I list them all out so I don't forget anything. I'll grocery shop at either at 6 or 7am in the morning or 9 or 10pm at night. There are also a couple of 24 hour grocery stores I can go to, but I really try not to go out at night. I generally do a deep cleaning of the BR on Saturday mornings. Now that I'm on winter break from my classes I will be rearranging the cupboards in the kitchen, moving furniture and dusting under it and washing curtains. Many years ago when I first became a manager I was told to get a little pocket At-A-Glance calendar in order to mark days and times of all the committee meetings I would have to attend. That was 16 years ago. I've been getting one every year. That little pocket calendar goes with me every where. I put all the important telephone numbers and addresses I need to know in it, birthdays and appointments, cash and credit card receipts. I'll mark days when special class assignments are due. This little calendar has been one of the best organizational tools I've ever had.

ltcnurse1 · Dec 16, 2006

OH...I am so glad to see this thread!!! I have a 11 year old and a 6 year old...and my house is a pig stye! it drives me insane. My final was yesterday so today is dedicated to putting things back where they belong, and cleaning and scrubbing...tomorrow is for finishing christmas shopping! LOL Hang in there! I put my house on the back burner so I could be mom, wife, student, employee. May 2007 is when i will get to deep clean...LOL

Rosa2Little · Dec 16, 2006

I like that "the yin and yang of dust" ...there's a nursing school t-shirt in there somewhere!

Okay... we make up & sell t-shirts during break, LOL. I split the profits with you 50/50 since at the end of the semester, you can spell correctly, while I flub along! :lol2:

Oh... and I still have not started cleaning yet... I'm afraid -- very afraid...

kukukajoo, LPN · Dec 16, 2006

Ever hear of the flylady? She will send you emails to remind you to do certain cleaning things and they really help me! I am in the middle of putting together what she calls a "Control journal" and hope to complete it during wintre break.

Her idea is simple, you break your house into zones and do little bits at a time, not try to do it all at once- which works!! She has a great following! On her site are detailed lists of what to do in each "zone" and how to take babysteps to make these things a habit!

The website is FlyLady.net: Your personal online coach to help you gain control of your house and home and be sure to join her yahooGroup if you want to emails.

Mind you my fridge is still a microbiology experiment but the house IS cleaner and more organized and when it is a mess, it is easier to follow her plan than to run around not knowing where to start.

xochitluna · Dec 16, 2006

I am SOOO glad to know that I am not the only one. With my messed up work schedule, husband, kiddo, volunteer work, and OK just one class but a 2 hour commute *each way* to school 1 time a week...well, let's just say cleaning did not take priority this semester. I am so happy to be getting through just a little bit of cleaning now. (I just try to keep it in perspective and remember that in 10 years I won't be thinking about my messy house-HOPEFULLY-and I will just remember that I got a great education!)

jov · Dec 16, 2006

I do FLYLADY too. I don't do it all and I don't always do it well, but you would be amazed at how clean your house will get and stay with 15 min a day in your zone and hitting the hot spots. Try it over the holidays. Also she has some very nice attitude adjustment pages on how to let go of clutter, you can't organize clutter, 27 Fling Boogies, etc. It's not just a housekeeping system, it's more how to manage your life including keeping your house clean so you can enjoy more life!