How do you stay caught up with cleaning when you have a full-time schedule ?

Question

I am recently married and attending school full time. I'm not earning money, so it's my job to keep up with the chores around the house. I am finding it very difficult to keep up with everything. What do you to manage it all on a busy schedule? Please offer some pointers.

Answer 1

The best way for me to stay caught up with cleaning is to; 1) clean the dishes right away, let them dry while you wipe down the stove and counter top, then put them away, of alternatively, make sure you use them for the next meal, 2) put a load of laundry in the washer before leaving the house in the morning, and put it in the dryer as soon as you get home, and make sure you fold and/or hang those clothes that evening, 3) vacuum or sweep/mop one room a day - make it a different room each day, 4) clean the shower as soon as you are done and use a product that you just spray on to keep it clean, 5) I also use the same shower product on the bathroom sink and counter and, 6) most importantly, make everyone responsible to clean up any messes that they create. Wearing clothes that don't need to be ironed is very helpful also. Do things like changing the bedding and cleaning the toilet on a day when you have a little more time. Doing chores in between studying (i.e. study for an hour, then fold up a basket of clothes for 10 minutes) was also helpful for me. On my next break from studying, I might put the clothes away. Accept any help that might be offered, i.e. if your spouse offers to take out the trash, or if your mom offers to do some grocery shopping for you, be gracious and grateful and accept their help. Ask for help when you need it and be very thankful when you get it.

Answer 2

I don't. It gets done when It gets done. I have two great kids,9 and 3. I also have a husband with a full time job. I spend so much of my time in nursing school that the house doesn't always get done perfectly.

Go with the necessities for right now and let the small stuff slide until the semester break. Its not the end of the world if the dishes set in the sink over night. We do, however, all have to have clean clothes and that's a pain every Sunday but I take my books and study while i do laundry.

I also study at my son's Karate class and his soccer practice.

remember go with whats important now.

Answer 3

Have your S.O. help out. Just because they work and earn money, it doesn't mean they are no longer obligated to help around the house. What happens when you get a full time job?
In the mean time, Set aside a saturday or sunday to do laundry. Wash each dish after meals.. if you do it right when you're done, it's a lot easier. (If you have to hand wash).
Vaccume once a week. And have a rule, when you go through a room, pick up one thing and put it away each time. (It's hard, but possible). Have a bin for recyclable cans (And return them once a week, extra money is good.)
Generally, those are the only things that really need done daily.

Answer 4

Yes. Can you screen your calls? Even if from your fiance, it will give you time to think of what to say. What if you had a Drs appointment ? I had your problem until I taught people that I do not answer my messages or phone right away. I do not answer my door unless I have invited someone over. I hope you learned from your experience how to deal in the future but sadly, you are marrying into this family so when your husband to be is with you and you are both in the home, you will not be able to do what I suggested because your husband will of course, let them in and expect you to serve them. Right now , today, reflect on what this means. You are not being respected for whatever business you have. You can ask for it in the future but the very best prediction of future behavior of people such as they are is their past behavior so I doubt it would change more than temporarily. You sound like a very organized, structured and perfectionist person which is great. However, I see problems ahead if you marry.

Answer 5

I schedule the cleanings and will often take care of things like dishes, laundry, when food is cooking. So, time management and multi-tasking can really help. I also will put on some tunes so that I focus more attention on the music rather than whatever boring chore I'm working on. Good post, hope this helps.

Answer 6

Married, and just because you are the woman of the house doesn't mean you do it all!

If you are in school full time, that is just like having a paying job. Especially if he knew this before you were married.

Share the chores, or at least he should help out.

Women don't stay home and do housekeeping all day anymore like in the 50's.

He needs to help out.

Answer 7

Since you both have full-time involvements you should be sharing the work 50-50 and could even spend quality time doing some of the work together. It's important to be organized. Try to make up a priority list and do a little every day and remember the most important thing...

When you die no one will remember how clean your house is. They will only remember how you made them feel.

Answer 8

I have help now.....but when I was in your situation I would.

do certain chores on certain days
I had 3 laundry baskets...whites, darks, sheets & towels- that way I didn't have to separate laundry first
I made meals that we could eat for at least 2 days
I went to the grocery very early or very late on Tues. or Wed. (not a lot of people then)
I cleaned the shower before I got out
I scrubbed the toilet on Friday right after I used it before I went to bed

***even though you're responsible for the house he had things he had to do....

turn his dirty clothes on the right side & empty his pockets
put his dirty clothes in the correct basket
scrape his dishes after a meal and put them in the dishwasher
take out the trash & bring in the trashcans
bring in the groceries
plan a meal & cook on Saturday or Sunday

Just little stuff like that helped a lot.....you'll get through this and good luck.

Answer 9

I am a single mom, i work 60 hours a week, and i go to school part time.
Everything gets put away as it's taken out, I do a load of laundry a couple times a week, and I do all the cleaning on Sundays.
so, you can do it, you just have to pencil it into your schedule as if it's a job.

Answer 10

Try your best not to let things pile up. The more things pile up the more time it takes to do it. So, the more you put off doing the chores the more painful they are to do. But, don't feel bad to have your hubby help out a little. I'm a stay at home mom so, I don't make the money in our home either but, my husband helps out too. Good Luck and try not to stress too much it won't help with your grades. :-)