https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 15:53:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908079 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 15:40:32 +0000 codeitall 2908079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: I recommend an afghan for breathing holes and so you can subtly ask 'Can I look now?' when they're slowing down hahaha :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908075 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 14:48:53 +0000 Ajsmommy 2908075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: omg you're a genious...I'm totally going to do that w my kids.. They'd fall for it completely </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908074 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 14:35:34 +0000 crazydoglady 2908074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: It's not just the clutter, my house gets legit gross! Like dog hair, finger smudges on everything, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908073 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 14:34:35 +0000 codeitall 2908073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah.... I don't stay on top of cleaning. At all. After several weeks of morning sickness while DH was working late hours, our house is a disaster. Every time I think I'm caught up on laundry, my son wets the bed three days in a row. Thanks bud...</p> <p>I've let go the deep cleaning expectation entirely, I have a counter and sink full of wash by hands to do and there is a clean laundry pile across the hall from the dirty laundry pile.</p> <p>The only thing that helps is to invite people over and then DH actually pitches in to help move the clutter out of sight. Usually to our room.</p> <p>I did have a breakthrough with the kids though, I wear a blanket over my head while they do a 'magic trick' of putting their toys away so when I look all the toys are gone. They really got into that last week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908072 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 14:32:42 +0000 Ajsmommy 2908072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My answer to this question is that I simply don't. </p> <p>I don't know how you all do it!! but you deserve awards and prizes and dance parties!</p> <p>In my house most of the time there are toys strewn about and our couch pillows are on the floor bc well.. the floor is lava and my kids have to jump from one to the other... I try to straighten up each night but some nights i just don't. </p> <p>We have a cleaner that comes every three weeks and I try to keep it reasonable in between.. but I don't sweep every night.. lucky if I do it 1-2 times a week. I don't vacuum unless there's been a reason to (ie: DS smashed gold fish into the carpet or DD tripped and her crumby toast plate went flying)</p> <p>I do laundry every weekend, usually 2-3 loads, I fold and put them away every sunday night when kids are bathing.</p> <p>DH does dishes, usually every other day... I put them away (if i find the time.. if not he does and yells at me)</p> <p>But like i said major kudos to all you who clean daily!! You are queens!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908063 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 14:07:23 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2908063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I have the option to work from home once a week and I use the time I would have spent commuting to do housework. I try to tackle laundry, vacuuming/dusting and bathrooms while no one else is home. The kitchen is cleaned up every evening and I deep clean probably every other week. </p> <p>@caitcat: Soooo many crumbs! During the week the only meal the kids eat at home is dinner so I sweep every night and swiffer the floor at least 2x a week. It drives me crazy because they are always trying to play on the floor in the kitchen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908056 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 12:10:15 +0000 graceandjoy 2908056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's why I mainly do cleaning at night; now that my kids are 5 &amp; 3 I do do some things during day time and if the stars aligned they'll help! If I am in the baby/toddler stage (which I will be in again very soon), I usually just try to pick up after ourselves as much as possible. I know it's SO annoying to clean up the same spaces, the same messes 5000 times a day, but personally I rather do that than clean up war zone at the end of the night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908053 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 11:22:58 +0000 LCTBQE 2908053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: same thing with LL, she won't let me put her down at ALL basically after about 3pm, or if I do I pay for it in hearing her fussing and crying :meh: you're not alone. re cleaning, did you get anything out of that other post a couple days ago on new years efficiency? There was some good stuff on there. The only thing I'm doing lately that makes a significant difference is making the boy "help" me pick up all the toys before dinnertime, so I'm not overwhelmed with a crazy cluttered shit show mess after baby bedtime which is solely on me to clean up. Right now he needs a ton of supervision and nagging to put the duplos etc AWAY instead of just playing with them more, but I want to set the groundwork for kids picking up after themselves, and it's getting a little better. </p> <p>@annem1990: I love reading your posts on these cleaning/decluttering boards, they're inspiring! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908025 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 05:30:10 +0000 caitcat 2908025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: When they're clingy like that and just want to be held, it makes it so much harder to get anything done! My younger one was a total clinger, and has started branching out more on her own and playing with her sister without me involved in the last few months...and it's been a game changer for me. My five year old wasn't nearly as clingy when she was little and I didn't realize what a difference that made until I saw the other side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908020 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 00:15:48 +0000 crazydoglady 2908020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@graceandjoy: @ALV91711: @MamaBear87: @caitcat: @Mrs. Cereal: @ilovepie: @Becky: @jhd: @annem1990: @Alexandra603: Thank you for the insights, tips, and commiseration. It's a good point that this is a season. DD (16 months) is a total clinger and wails whenever I put her down.<br /> I, too, feel so bogged down with the messes of children. that I dont get to clean the actual house as much as I would like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908015 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 23:05:14 +0000 Alexandra603 2908015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have Roomba run when we leave in the morning which keeps the floors fairly clean and makes me pick stuff off the floor. We try to clean the kitchen every day. I do laundry and bathrooms on the weekend. I don't feel like I ever deep clean :/ When people are coming over I clean mirrors, glass tabletops and organize a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908014 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 23:02:56 +0000 annem1990 2908014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m a total neat freak so everything gets done almost every day. I SAH though so things like laundry are a bit more manageable.<br /> Everyday:<br /> - beds are made<br /> - clothes put away<br /> - every dish is done before bed<br /> - all toys put away<br /> - counters/table wiped<br /> Every 2-3 days:<br /> - vacuum<br /> - fold laundry<br /> Then I spend one weekend day every other weekend doing a “deep clean.” That includes: washing floors, baths, toilets, bathroom counters, mirrors, dusting, etc. I really don’t mind these 3ish hours. It’s sort of “my” time to just put in headphones and go to town. I feel so satisfied after. I feel way worse being stuck in a dirty house all day so a little less down time everyday is better for me than waking up to a messy house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908013 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 23:02:31 +0000 jhd 2908013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: we don’t. Even before kids I couldn’t stay on top of it! :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908007 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:09:39 +0000 Becky 2908007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely do not have a system. I vacuum the carpeted areas once a week and sweep the kitchen (wood floors) when I can (probably 5 times a week?). Laundry whenever I have time. Bathrooms I wipe the counters/sinks down pretty frequently and do the toilets at least weekly. We had to get a cleaning service—we just couldn’t keep up both working FT and DH having especially long hours. We would completely lose our weekends to cleaning before this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2908002 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 19:03:19 +0000 ilovepie 2908002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I basically don't do deep cleaning anymore unless it's really bothering me.<br /> I do the bare minimum every day (which for me is sweeping often and washing dishes and general tidying). </p> <p>We (DH and I and both DS) vacuum, clean bathrooms, and dust once a week before my piano students come (perfect incentive for a clean house). </p> <p>Laundry gets done when the baskets are full or people are running out of clothes. </p> <p>Anything beyond that, pretty much gets done if I have time and it's bothering me enough. </p> <p>I used to have days for everything and a system but I just can't stick to it anymore which is more depressing to me than just doing things as needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2907994 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:37:42 +0000 Mrs. Cereal 2907994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have time to clean during the week, other than to keep the dishes taken care of and the kitchen counters clean. I insist that the kids tidy up their toys and their room before bed, but this is a real struggle in our house. There's just not enough hours in the day to get everything done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2907991 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:15:41 +0000 caitcat 2907991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's the day to day kitchen/meal clean up that is getting to me most right now. I feel like I'm constantly sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping where the kids have spilled or dropped stuff from eating. They make crumbs out of food I didn't even know could crumble!</p> <p>Some things that have helped me with other cleaning stuff though: </p> <p>-I clean the kids bathroom while they take a bath. (Well, aside from the tub) I figure I'm in there anyway, may as well get that done. </p> <p>-I have my kids clean the baseboards. I give them each a duster or dusting cloth and they think it's fun. Wish I felt that way!</p> <p>-I gave up on my organization system for the kids toys. We have plenty of bin/shelf/basket storage around the house, but I used to have it all labeled and stuff went in particular places...now we just get everything in any bin where it fits and call it quits. Our family room can look put together pretty quickly now. :)</p> <p>-I've just started tackling some of my less-frequent cleaning projects in small batches while the kids play. Today I cleaned a few windows while they had a game of hide and seek going. I had to adjust my expectations of how much I'd get done at any one time, but I feel good to check something off my list at least.</p> <p>I've also just resigned myself to it being hard at this stage of life. I love having a clean house, and it definitely makes me feel less stressed when everything is clean/tidy. So some level of keeping it together really matters to me, but I've definitely lowered my expectations from before having kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2907990 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:09:10 +0000 MamaBear87 2907990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just dont. My house is often a disaster. But I get to spend more time with my kids.<br /> I try and make sure the floor is clean because Cassius is crawling. And I try and keep the kitchen clean. That's about all that happens. </p> <p>I figure it's a season. This year we plan to pay for my mom to fly down about every 6 weeks to help me clean. She's down and I'd rather have my mom visit than pay cleaners </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2907984 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:28:58 +0000 ALV91711 2907984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just don’t!</p> <p>I try but with two littles it is hard. After the daily stuff I don’t have the desire to do any extra. For example I used to do the baseboards about once a month, now with two I don’t remember the last time I did them. </p> <p>Now that DS2 is getting bigger and plays a bit more independently (16 months) I can usually get a bit more done on the weekend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2907982 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:58:13 +0000 graceandjoy 2907982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am overwhelmed by it too, but it's so routine at this point and I'm a neat freak so I'd sacrifice sleep to clean :silly: </p> <p>Daily - Vacuum, tidy up all living areas<br /> Every 3rd day - Steam mop<br /> Once a week chores that I plan out in advance what to tackle each night<br /> - Clean bathrooms (2) * I clean tub while I'm in the shower once a week *<br /> - Wash/dry one load of laundry (be it clothes, towels, bedding, dirty rags)<br /> - Put away load of laundry<br /> Once a month-ish<br /> - Scrub our sink<br /> - Clean out pantries/fridge for expired/old food<br /> Bi-annually<br /> - Purge, re-organize stuff </p> <p>Also, it helps A LOT that DH and I divide this so we get it done sooner together. I don't really do much deep cleaning; my goal was to hire someone to do deep cleaning annually but in the 5+ years I've had kids, I've only done it once haha.</p> <p>To add, are you overwhelmed b/c there is even more you're doing at night after bedtime, like prepping for tomorrow, etc? For me I mostly just have these chores plus any special projects. We currently don't really meal prep in the sense that we pre-cut/cook stuff, and DH makes their lunches in the AM since we're not super rushed so I don't spend time doing some of the prep stuff at night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stay-on-top-of-cleaning#post-2907980 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:50:50 +0000 crazydoglady 2907980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aside from hiring someone. :wink: I feel like I spend so much time putting away toys, doing the dishes, wiping up spilled baby food, etc that I see some parts of my house (baseboards, doors, etc) and am horrified. I have set up a schedule for myself:<br /> Monday-- clean living room<br /> Tuesday-- clean bathrooms<br /> Wednesday-- mop house<br /> Thursday-- clean bedrooms<br /> Friday-- kitchen<br /> Daily chores-- vacuum, wipe down counter tops in kitchen, bathrooms, do one load of laundry, do one load of dishes</p> <p>Sometimes, I can barely get to this because of all the other stuff! Help, suggestions/advice needed. </p>