Everybody is working - who keeps the house clean (NO budget for housekeeper or cleaning crew)?

Question

There is NO budget for a housekeeper or cleaning crew or third party of any kind to come and do the housecleaning. HOW do some people manage to stay sane and keep their house clean? The only people I've ever known whose homes are always clean are people who are obsessive-compulsive about it. Is there a happy medium? How do you find it???

pitches in when? Everybody, who? Again -- consider the reality of working full time, kids doing homework, kids involved in sports and other extracurricular activities, parents involved in things to keep themselves sane... what home is clean with that situation unless those people are spending every other spare moment cleaning? And who on earth wants to do that?

Most of you are proving my point. Someone always has to be cleaning something to keep the house that clean. Most normal humans don't/wont/can't do that.

Answer 1

I found a speed clean technique works well for me; my husband and I both work more than full time. Once every day or two, we take 15 minutes, each take a room, and quickly clear clutter, garbage, do a quick dusting, vaccum, sweeping or whatever is needed. It's enough to keep the house in good shape, and its livable.

Answer 2

I pick up the big stuff so my housekeeper can focus on the details. My thinking is this, she is going to give a set amount of effort and time per visit. The more I pick up before she arrives, the better the house looks when she is done. If there isn't much to do, she seems to find something, like arrange the pantry or clean the fridge. She rocks! On a side note, hiring someone to help has been a real blessing to my marriage. I will gladly drive a Saturn over a Lexus (or whatever) to help afford this luxury : )

Answer 3

Kids pick their toys. Depending on their ages, if they are warned and continue to leave the toys laying around, they become "lost".
Again, depending on their ages, they are responsible for cleaning their own rooms. No eating in their bedrooms and they vacuum once a week. Laundry goes in hampers. Do not launder any clothing on the floors. When they are out of clothing, I guess they should have put it in the hamper. (Same thing goes for the spouse.)

One spouse cooks dinner and the other does the dishes. (Let them air dry instead of towel dry). Alternate this chore. Have the kids clear the dishes of of the table. 15 minutes per room per day will keep the house clean.

Answer 4

Have the kids keep toys etc only in their room(s). Eat only in the kit/dining room. Agree to keep the living room or family room the one tidy space. That way your house will always have one room that is pretty tidy. Then Sat AM you all clean before doing anything else. Everyone s vested in the cleaning then they'll think twice before making a mess...its not perfect but it will work by containing the mess.

Answer 5

Everyone pitching in will last about as long as a snowball in ****. I have tried making lists for everyone to have a job with rewards, no rewards etc...the only thing that works is for me to do a little every evening and an early Saturday morning general cleaning. My husband will vacuum occasionally, but it is ALWAYS ME who does the cleaning...U have to find ur own happy medium, I have just come to the realization if it gets done, I have to do it...

Answer 6

I get home from work at 4:15 pm
I clean one room each day& vaccum
The bath room is always kept clean and kitchen
I clean up after I cook and have the dishes done
After each shower I clean the bath room
During the week I do laundry
And vaccum again and dust if necessary.My house is
always clean

I don't need to spend all week end cleaning and doing laundry
The yard work I do on saturday mornings if possible.
Then I have the rest of saturday and all day sunday to do as i want

Answer 7

Everyone needs to clean up after themselves. After you use something, PUT IT AWAY. Don't make messes, and the regular cleaning (vacumming, etc.) takes no time at all.

Answer 8

EVERYONE keeps the house clean!! There shouldnt be any ONE person to do it...DELEGATE jobs and it makes for a nicer home

Answer 9

Everybody pitches in and helps :o)

Answer 10

Please check out FlyLady.net. She has been a big help for my family.