spring cleaning household projects

[Tiggeroo]

I am terrible with household stuff. I've been working and going to school full time and things have gotten a mess. I started doing a thorough cleaning on every room a few days ago. I'm about half way finished this. After this there are two rooms that need painting and some trim that needs touch-ups through out.
But when I get to every room I find things I've never done. Stacks of pictures that have never been hung, curtains that should go up, light switches that need replacing, etc. How can I get a handle on this. I live at the shore and in another few weeks my house will be filled with non-stop guests and kids friends. I really want to get it all done before then because I'm always embarrassed about the unfinished stuff. I can put dh and teens to work but only if i'm very specific and say do this today before you go out, etc. j
DH is much worst then me about not finishing projects. My sons, college students on break, will be working full time and taking a class or two over break. So I really need to break things down in small things when I catch them for a few minutes. Most of the things are just little things.
After this I really need a way to keep the house clean over the summer which seems impossible when you have three college students on break, working full time and visiting with all their friends, and a couple who both work and have other things going on.

 

[reddixie]

I would suggest asking children to do light switch covers, DH hang curtains and pictures. Of course ask for one night at 30 min. and see how much is accomplished. If it goes well then you can take on a room and have DH paint, child do trim touch up, and you clean pictures, light fixtures, door frames, and clean the mess up as you go. When finished you only have to do a light cleaning. If you take 30 mins. at a time you will get more done and feel better with out going into complete overwhelm. HTH

 

[agnes!]

I am terrible with household stuff. I've been working and going to school full time and things have gotten a mess. I started doing a thorough cleaning on every room a few days ago. I'm about half way finished this. After this there are two rooms that need painting and some trim that needs touch-ups through out.
But when I get to every room I find things I've never done. Stacks of pictures that have never been hung, curtains that should go up, light switches that need replacing, etc. How can I get a handle on this. I live at the shore and in another few weeks my house will be filled with non-stop guests and kids friends. I really want to get it all done before then because I'm always embarrassed about the unfinished stuff. I can put dh and teens to work but only if i'm very specific and say do this today before you go out, etc. j
DH is much worst then me about not finishing projects. My sons, college students on break, will be working full time and taking a class or two over break. So I really need to break things down in small things when I catch them for a few minutes. Most of the things are just little things.
After this I really need a way to keep the house clean over the summer which seems impossible when you have three college students on break, working full time and visiting with all their friends, and a couple who both work and have other things going on.

I know what you could do...invite some of your DIS friends! I'll do some painting/etc if I get to visit the "sunny Jersey shore" too .

agnes!
PS - I'm terrible at household stuff, too...can't decorate at all, get overwhelmed by clutter easily, etc. You're not alone.
PPS - Actually, maybe early on in the season, perhaps you really *could* invite some friends who would be willing to help out a little bit. Have one day/morning/afternoon of "stuff", then take the rest of their time there off & go do some spa type stuff.

 

[EthansMom]

An idea I got from http://www.flylady.net that works well for me is Zone Cleaning. I make a different To-Do List for each room and then use a calendar to break my deep-cleaning/organizing into chunks. I don't plan anything for my really busy days.

So, if I'm on a decluttering kick at my house, I'll break my calendar into chunks appropriate to my house, with just two or three days in each room. My Masterbedroom/bath would get three days, with things like organizing my closet, cleaning off the dresser, and cleaning off baseboards on my list. The kids' rooms (together) would get two or three days and my list would include throwing out old and broken toys and clothes. The kitchen would get three days and my list usually includes cleaning out the refrigerator, cleaning the oven, and reorganizing the food shelves. When I'm spending time in each room, I make sure to update my list with any chores I want to do next time and I'll note any purchases/repairs that need to be made in the future.

Two other great Flylady tip that work well for me is to break projects into 15 minute increments and to never pull out too much stuff at one time.

I hope this helps!