The Laundry Will Be Done And The House Will Be Clean!

[Deleted member 27340]

So, I'm probably home alone for two or three nights because my father's up north and my little sister stays at my grandma's. I'm planning on doing all the laundry, clean the whole house and wash everything I have time to wash!

I figured out how little laundry that gets done here... it's insane. I think it's about 15 full machines with laundry. And it's mess here and there all over, the amounts of dust on shelves and places not used often is insane and the bathtub... oh the bathtub. My father's sick and suffering loads of pains, so I can kinda understand it if you also add the fact that my sister's a machine made to make mess, but still... this is insane.

I've started soaking the bathtub and have one machine of laundry going now and another one drying, if I get all of this done I'll be so proud.

Just thought I'd share with you, and also now I've got a thread I can brag a little in as I get more done... :D

Also... any mothers around that's got some great tips?

 

[StellaBlue]

Good for you! I have three sons and the amount of laundry they generate can bring me to tears (literally).

I received some wonderful advice which I've started working on: make a list of all the things that need to get done, then pick the ones that cause you the most distress and either eliminate them, change how you do them or find someone else to do them. For me (again), it's the laundry - the clothes on the floor, the clothes I wash over and over because the boys get them out, don't wear them and throw them in the laundry basket, etc. I tell the boys that I am Sisyphus and the laundry is my rock...

So I am gradually changing things. For the youngest son, it's baskets for his clothes instead of drawers, so he can put all of his pants in one basket, all of his shirts in another...and he can get to things without totally messing up drawers. For the older two, it's teaching them how to use the washing machine and fold their clothes. For me, it's not folding things like underwear, ignoring that the kids are wearing wrinkled clothes if they decide to rummage through their stuff and not refold it, getting rid of the excess, etc. It's a process. My goal is to have the whole laundry thing be less stressful by the end of the summer.

 

[RussH]

Good for you. Just keep plugging away at it. Just because you father and sister seem to be content with the house being dirty, doesn't mean you have to be.

 

[Deleted member 27340]

Thank you both! I'll make a list, and compete with myself how much I can get done today and how much of it I can get to be stuff that's stressful to do...

I don't think my sister cares, she's so young and know so little of cleaning that it doesn't bother her. My father probably cares, but can't get it all done. He just suddenly got his two daughters into his house without ever having full responsibility for children above age four before, it's clear to me that he's been wearing himself out. Also his body is tired and collapsing from having chronic pains for so many years. It hurts to see him struggle, and I want to make things simpler for him and better for me.

Bathtub, sink, mirror and shelves in the bathroom are done. My sister came over and is now running around the house picking up all her stuff.

 

[RussH]

I don't think my sister cares, she's so young and know so little of cleaning that it doesn't bother her

Here is a wonderful opportunity for you to teach your sister. I obviously don't know your circumstances, but for whatever reason, your mom is not in the picture. So you have the opportunity to teach your sister how to clean, and yes how to care that the home is clean. This could also be a wonderful bonding experience for you two; as long as you approach it as teaching her and not bossing her:)

 

[KwanYingirl]

I like what RussH said about teaching your sister. I would also make sure she hears that she can achieve anything if she does the legwork. She is more than a cleaning lady!

 

[RussH]

Trauma, how about an update; did you get all the laundry done, and the house cleaned? Hope so:)

 

[Deleted member 27340]

but for whatever reason, your mom is not in the picture.

We literally ran away from her to out father and won in the court so that we got to stay. That story is so messy and complex and unreal we joke that it's actually really someone who put a movie in real life by mistake.

So you have the opportunity to teach your sister how to clean, and yes how to care that the home is clean. This could also be a wonderful bonding experience for you two; as long as you approach it as teaching her and not bossing her

I've been thinking about it and started a bit. I taught her to clean windows today, and let her practice on a glass shelf for the fridge - which is also cleaned now, and my sister did all the shelves. Currently I learn from my grandmother and by doing, my plan is to slowly pass it on to my sister so that she can take over my jobs when I move out. I like teaching her, and if I get to bossy she's exceptionally good at letting me know. As for now I gotta stick with giving her simple tasks that require little to no independent judging, such as "would you clean those shelves with that soap and do it outside so that you don't flood the kitchen?".

I would also make sure she hears that she can achieve anything if she does the legwork. She is more than a cleaning lady!

I'll definitely make sure she learns that she's cleaning for herself and not because "that's where females belong". It is so, SO, SO important.


I'm not extremely effective (yet, I hope) but now the bathtub, sink and mirror, shower and that thingy you put the powder for the washing machine in is cleaned in the bathroom. In the kitchen I've got the fridge, oven and surfaces cleaned. Jackets and shoes are organised in the entrance hall. The 5th round of laundry is in the machine now, I'd guess it's about 10 to 14 left... I hope to do more tomorrow as my sister won't be around, and hopefully all the laundry will get done before I leave for the weekend. Our washing machine is kinda broke, so I've got to do two extra and smaller programs when the main one is done and that adds about 20-30 minutes plus the time it takes to locate a place to hang the clothes. The dryer use so much electricity I only use it for towels and bed sheets and such. Praying it won't rain tomorrow so that I can put it up outside in the heat![DOUBLEPOST=1404860132,1404859954][/DOUBLEPOST]I've figured I kinda like walking around in the house and getting it neater before having a break I feel like I deserve. It's comforting to organise around me.
And I feel hot when wearing only underwear and a tee :p

 

[KwanYingirl]

You are on a mission! I wish I could want my house clean.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

What an accomplishment and good for you. Sounds like you have your hands full and I am sure your dad will appreciate so much what you have done for them.

Be so very proud of yourself. This is such a huge job you are tackling right now.

And good for you for getting away on the weekend. I hope you have so much fun.

 

[Deleted member 27340]

Thanks to both of you!

He did sound extremely happy and relieved when I mentioned on the phone earlier today that we were getting some stuff done. I didn't even mention how much I'm planning on taking.

I'm more concerned about not flippin' out on my sister and cousins during the weekend than I am about giving up on this job. I'm the oldest of all my cousins and my sister, and now I'll stay in a cabin with three of them out in no-where on the west coast with dialects that makes me feel ill. Yugh. I'm bringing my mp3, headphones, pencils, sketchbooks and sunscreen or an umbrella. Haha

 

[RussH]

@Trauma Good for you! And I agree cleaning is not something to teach your sister because she is a girl. I do some of the house cleaning, and a lot of the cooking.

The really good thing is you are helping her learn she can do things, and she can contribute to the family. I think it is great that you are willing to teach her. I think you two will look back on these days with fond memories.