How do I get myself motivated to do housework?

Question

I have tons of housework to do, four bedroom house, 3 baths, and tons of laundry too and vaccuming too. I can't seem to get motivated...any ideas for me?

Answer 1

Cleaning our homes can feel both overwhelming and pointless. We never seem to get everything clean, there is clutter in the way, and things just get dirty again anyway.

Time to check out The Fly Lady! I've never encountered any web site more practical, warm, and joyful than this!

www.flylady.net

I found a lot of advice and inspiration just reading the website. If you like a whole "program", you can sign up (free) for emails, and buy books, dusters, timers, and other tools she recommends.

Read enough to try "shining your kitchen sink".
http://www.flylady.net/pages/begin_babysteps.asp

While I didn't ever fully take her advice, shining my sink and keeping it shiny was a powerful exercise. It felt great to have one spot in my house clean. I felt more control. I stopped letting annoyance at my husband's clutter get in the way of cleaning up my own. It led to habits at home and in my office. I achieved a level of cleanliness and organization that is comfortable for me.

As for laundry, I've found that sticking to a "laundry schedule" helps. I do a big sort on Friday, and wash clothes Friday and Saturday. Sunday I do sheets, towels, and anything that didn't get done if we were out on Saturday. Monday I usually do one more load of stuff that makes the family happy and all goes together (some shirts, shorts, jeans and towels). If I get it all done, I get 3 days off! My family is trained, they put everything in their hampers and know when wash days are.

Answer 2

Get a cleaner!! (or some other help!) I'm not kidding i think it will be money well spent!

We currently live in a large size 3 bed house with laminate floor (and 1 toddler, 1 dog!) so it feels like all i ever do is sweep - mop - sweep some more, then dust then do about 12 loads of washing a week - the problem i have found in the past is if it starts to get on top of you, i then get to the point where i don't know where to start and then would leave it even longer and then its 10 times worse!!

me & my best friend have found ourselves in this situation many times over the years & have helped blitz each others homes as the other could not see the wood for the trees!!

I really enjoy cleaning (weird i know) but i find it quite theraputic, however, since getting a larger house, a child and a dog and running a business i REALLY struggle.

We have "bitten the bullet" as they say and decided some help around the house would ease the pressure, but the other things i have found helps is:

1) De-clutter as much as you can
2) get some really good storage solutions like tubs for toys / shelving / extra hanging space / somewhere to put shoes like stackable boxes with an open front etc - pack up winter clothes in summer into storage boxes and summer clothes away in winter

Yes - this costs money in the short term but if used properly will turn out as money well spent.

In the past, i had to find homes for stuff where there was just no space - i was really strict and spent a number of days getting rid of junk and clutter (especially the baby's room) and then got some tubs for toys and the such in his room, a big wicker blanket box that compliments the front room but is big enough for some toys downstairs etc.

What this does is i can have a quick tidy up by way of "chucking" stuff in boxes / cupboards etc so quite quickly you feel like you have achieved something (your drawers don't have to be immaculate ALL the time - this is why its called a "spring clean" ie once a year you can have a sort through varying areas of the house and re-organise / sift through etc)

Houses are MEANT to be lived in so don't be ashamed of a bit of dust every now and then...

Also, i have taught my son that when he is finished with something he should tidy it away himself - so maybe try this too in your house if you can, or even share the jobs out between the family if you can.

At the end of the day in theory its lovely to look after our families and do everything for them but this can lead to lazy kids who go into relationships later on in life and expect to be waited on hand and foot!! it also puts immense pressure on the housewife / husband and takes up time where you could be playing with your kids or spending quality time with them or enjoying YOUR life yourself swimming / socialising / further education or whatever it may be!!

I hope you find some help?? but good luck with it all xx

Answer 3

Create a daily routine and stick to it.... For example.

Sunday- collect all the laundry items sort, pretreat and wash delicates/hang to dry items before bed. Hang to dry the next day.... Mon- AM-Start whites (hot cycle) and so on....

Monday- tidy up house- I use laundry baskets and I go around a collect any items not belonging in a particular room and put them away... Children are particularly good at helping..So are husbands

Tuesday- Work on two bathrooms- Generally, at night I fill the toilet with 1/2 c. bleach....Just remember to flush the toilets before you use them the next day!!! I also fill the tubs with really hot water and let them sit overnight with 1C. of bleach. It helps remove soap scum... At night I run another load of laundry.. Usually darks

Wed- Start upstairs and work way down...I dust/vacuum all the bedrooms/common areas...Generally, I vacuum everyday it helps to keep the dust down...

Thursday... Kitchen.... I give mine a good wipe down/mop and clean out the fridge...Friday's are good leftover days...

Friday... That's my off day...

Sat. I will do a once over 15 min per room, changing bed linens, dusting, vacuum,

*I also run my dishwasher at night on a time delay, so I have clean dishes in the AM.

This routine is only a guideline....Make it specific to your scedule and needs and ask family for help if need be..

I use my crock pot a lot, it allows me to get out of the kitchen, but still have home cooked meals. It also doesn't heat up the kitchen....

I hope this helps and gets you "In the mood" Try and tackle one room at a time.. I spend roughly 2 hours a day cleaning and I'm not a neat freak, my house is tidy..Not spotless....

Answer 4

Lose the distractions, and focus.

Turn off the computer and the TV. There's always something good on to distract you (thanks, Yahoo! Answers)

Figure out what time of day you're most productive at housework (for me it's morning).

Put yourself on the clock, and work in manageable increments. Start at, say 10am, and tell yourself you'll work until 11am. It surprising how much housework you can do in an uninterrupted hour.

Schedule a day of the week for heavy housework, mopping, deep cleaning. I try to do it on Wednesdays.

Answer 5

Listening to music always helps me stay motivated. Just blast the radio and start cleaning!

Answer 6

The next time your mother-in-law calls & says" I`ll be over in just a little while", tape it & replay it every day. (i`m guessing you have a mother-in-law, you have a large house & lots of laundry).

Answer 7

Have you heard of Fly lady? I think it's www.flylady.com not positive tho. It helps you to get on a schedule to clean your house. I did it for awhile an it works good. Good luck

Answer 8

Drink an Iced Coffee.

Put on some comfortable clothes.

Put on your favorite CD.

Work and work hard until that CD is over.

Boom. Done.

Answer 9

Simple: Music or an enthralling radio program and/or book on tape.

Answer 10

Find someone else with the same problem and arrange to be each others' "daily woman". I know someone who did this and it worked!