Unfortunately the clean freak streak has not been passed down to my sister and I, much to my mum’s disappointment – you know `the look’ when she walks in and surveys the chaos shakes her head and says “Oh Amanda!” (Yes she even uses my Sunday name!)
Don’t get me wrong, my house isn’t dirty, just messy, well it does have six children living in it….
No sooner have I hoovered the lounge, then the children decide to get out something messy such as Art and Craft, I am not going to stop them doing it, but Oh how I wish it would clear itself away!!
My washing machine and tumble drier are permanently on, and the ironing pile can sometimes resemble Mount Everest, the only thing that saves me with this one is that I find Ironing relaxing and I have a HUGE Steam Geberator Iron, which means I don’t have to keep refilling the water every three items…
I am currently running a Natural and Clean Competition and there are some fab tips written by my followers here obviously some people enjoy cleaning, or at least have some good tips that I may well use.
Over the past fourteen years of having children I have learnt that there isn’t that much point trying to keep everything immaculate because it just is impossible.
However, there are certain things that I have found invaluable.
~ A Big Box – When there is mess or little toys lying around I scoop them all up into a box and then find their homes as I go around the house, it also makes the house look tidier!!
~ Hoover when the children have gone to bed, that way there is no chance of them making a mess until at least the next morning.
~ Always have a large supply of teabags! If it all gets too much, sit down and have a cup of tea/cofee guaranteed to make you feel less stressed and ready to tackle the next onslaught!
~ Don’t offer to wash the entire Men’s Rugby Kit, it may seem like a nice gesture but you WILL get it nearly every week!!
~ If you have a large family like me, then consider hiring your washing machine, I have been through so many washing machines, that I have given up and now pay £15 per month, safe in the knowledge that if something goes wrong with it, they will either repair in 24 hours or replace it, meaning I will never again have my entire bathroom taken over by dirty clothes (this happened the last time the washing machine broke and we were without for 10 days- it wasn’t pretty!)
~ Pretend that housework is part of a game, and get the younger ones to join in… Unfortunately Eowyn put so much water on the floor, I then had to admit defeat and mop the kitchen!!
And finally….
~ Invite your Clean Freak mum around every so often to babysit for the grandchildren, knowing full well that when they have goone to bed she will give the downstairs a nice big clean !! THANKS MUM <3
aaaahhhh so that is why I am asked to babysit….lol
My Mum could be your Mum! Unfortunately it wasn’t passed to me either! lol Some great tips though 😉