Housework

There is nothing more boring, pointless and repetitive than the drudgery that is housework. Unfortunately, it still has to be done, unless you really DO live in a barn. And even then, you still have to muck it out a couple times each year.

As an undomesticated goddess, here are a few tricks I use to keep housework to a livable amount, (ie, not requiring a shovel when you finally get around to it) and not the focus of my off-work leisure hours.

Clean up 10 things per room every day. Okay, sometimes I don't do it every day. If there are less than 10 things to pick up in a room, then I fold laundry up to ten things. For example; Living room=1 glass, put the blanket back on the couch, take 1 pair of shoes to the closet + 2 towels and 5 pairs of socks. It doesn't take that long, and it makes a big difference.

I also clean during the week. Spending a whole weekend cleaning, or an entire week night or morning sounds like a bad idea. After a full day of work, I want to relax, or do something fun. My solution around that is cleaning one or two things every day in each room. Cleaning the bathroom mirror and changing the towels, or scrubbing the shower. By only doing a few things there is still time to chill out, or play video games, or whatever after work and when the weekend arrives the house is reasonably clean; the weekend is chore free. In theory.

To make things easy, I keep a list on the fridge. Weekly chores, like dusting and vacuuming; chores for every other week, like scrubbing the shower and mopping the kitchen floor, and monthly chores. REALLY cleaning out the refrigerator, not just the weekly scan for dated or furry green items, or cleaning the oven. Actually, most of the monthly chores should truthfully be under a "Twice a Year" heading.

The Saint does his share - he gets a break when it's the busy time of year, or when he's working on a "big house project". He gives me a break all the time; he doesn't really notice dirt, and if he finally does, he will handle it himself.

For keeping housework under control there are many other methods. The daily "whirlwind with a cleaning caddy", the "one chore day during the weekend". The housekeeper that comes once a week. My favorite, but alas, unlikely. My way works for me. Housework is still boring and repetitive, but it's done.

Someday I will talk about the difference between regular housework, and cleaning for a vacation, holiday, or company, which is a whole different ball of twine. But not soon, enough housework for now.