How do i clean & organize my house? There's clutter everywhere & I don't even know where to start.?

Question

I have 2 young kids, so that makes it hard to keep the house clean, but other parents do it. There must be a better way....

Answer 1

My mom was the clutter queen. I made a vow to myself to not allow it. If something in my house hasn't been touched in the last two-three months, it goes. I weed out my clothes, hubby's, the kids' about three-four times per year. I do not allow piles of stuff to build up. I have folders for important papers in my desk. If it is something I want to keep, I file it otherwise, it goes. I basically just don't allow it. I consider myself a minimalist...if I don't need it, I don't keep it.

Answer 2

I feel for you, I was in the same situation about 10 years ago. My children were small, I was a part time student and worked 3 part time jobs. Our house was cluttered so bad. It wasn't dirty, just cluttered. You need time, and help from family or friends. Have a garage sale to eliminate some of the clutter, or just have someone help you organize what you have. If you don't have time for a garage sale, then donate to a local charity. Sometimes it takes someone that doesn't live with you to help, because they usually don't get overwhelmed. Before you start, have your husband take the kids to the park, or grandparents house. That way, you won't have any distractions. Good luck, now that my girls are older, they help around the house, and we are now clutter free.

Answer 3

Cari
You are already overwhelmed. Start out very small. Set a timer for 15 minutes and start a small space. It's amazing what can be accomplished in this amount of time.
Be prepared to make more of a mess, as you begin getting organized. You have gotten some good ideas already.
Be patient this didn't happen overnight & it will take some time to get it 'fixed'. However, it CAN be done.
The key to being organized is everything having a place. The problem is, when it doesn't things just get put wherever. Remember, it'll take time....
Once the organizing part is done, the cleaning process becomes much easier. Professional cleaning services were surveyed and reported they clean 40% longer in a disorganized house. This means all of us do the same!
Being a professional organizer, I truly understand the frustration you are feeling.
If indeed a professional is out of the question, I highly reccommend a clutter buddy. A friend who is non-judgemental & willing to help. Even if it's just to get you started.
Feel free to check out my web site for tips.
Best of luck to you!
Kyna

Answer 4

Hi. I get 3 laundry baskets and put throw away items in one,put up items in another, and give away items in the 3rd one. One room at a time. 3 days or more per room if needed.The kids can help if they are at least 3 or 4 years of age.Do a 20 minute pick up at 6 pm or any specific time you choose every night. Sort dirty clothes as you go. Have 2 or 3 hampers for this. This way you don't have to sort later. After a month, the clutter will be gone and then you can buy organizing tools. It's best to get rid of the clutter first.You can do this. FlyLady.net can help you with this task. Have a smoother 2007.

Answer 5

First off, you need help, everyone has to be on board with putting things up where they belong, directly after they are done being used. Second off, everything needs a place, and if you don't use it on a regular basis, get rid of it, that will help eliminate a lot of clutter. Make cleaning up everyday a habit just to pick up stray items, and life will start cleaning up. And, if all that fails, call an organizer - but again, you have to be willing to have the commitment of the entire house!

Answer 6

Choose one room every day and clean it for about 2 hours. You don't have to do 2 hours steady, but a little at a time.

Start with the bathroom, because it's the first and last room you see every day. If it is clean, then you will feel better about yourself and your day.

After the bathroom is done, work on the most used rooms to the least used rooms.

Once they are all clean, you only have to do spot cleaning to keep them that way.

If you can, encourage your kids to help. Give them a rag and tell them to dust, or give them a box and tell them to put everything that doesn't belong in that room it in, then you can all go through it and figure out where it goes.

Good luck!!

Answer 7

You have to organize the "clutter" before you can start to clean. Get some plastic bins to organize your children's toys. Clothes should be in drawers or on hangers in a closet. Train your kids to put their belongings away when they are through with them. Throw out broken, unused, unnecessary stuff. If you have a Container Store near where you live, they have great "things" to use to get organized. If not, be creative. Use empty shoe boxes, other free boxes, etc. Good luck!

Answer 8

First start with the kitchen and dining room and get them clean then tackle the bathrooms. You can be running the washing machine while cleaning. If the oven in the kitchen is dirty leave it for a day of hard cleaning. Now make the beds and pick up clothes for dirty clothes hampers. Straighten living room.
Dust furniture in all rooms. Vacuum. Fold clothes from dryer. You are finished cleaning so prepare supper, eat & wash dishes.

Next day, get all the washing done. Straighten up and pick up after kids. Make beds. Buy oven cleaner and groceries.

You have just finished Saturday and Sunday.

Monday - shower & get ready, make beds, get kids up, dressed, eat cereal, bowls in sink with water in sink to soak just in case not enough time to wash dishes, they will not be stuck with food when you get home. First thing you do when you get home is wash the cereal bowls. Now get you and the kids something to drink and relax about 30 minutes while the pot pies cook in the oven. You may want to run a load of clothes while you relax. House should be clean except oven. I hope I didn't make you buy oven cleaner with a self cleaning oven.

Answer 9

I am a mother of 2 with 19 neices and nephews. I have a job and help out at the school and have a fairly clean (not spotless) house. I also have a best friend. We make plans every other week to acomplish 1 major project at each others house!

Answer 10

An easy way is to go room by room, don't start one place and move on to the next. A nice way to get the kids out of your hair when you want to clean is to send them on maybe a sleepover by a friend or by your parents or your husbands'. When you start throwing things away just make different piles, so that when everything needs to pack back it is sorted already.
Also involve the kids, let them learn to always put away toys and books, when they come home make a routine, where to put their clothes and bag before anything else. Let them help you sort clothes to wash.