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Member since 7/23/07
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Posted on: 5/30/14 5:24 PM ET
Taking a break from a big clean-up expecting guests. Luckily, they were here less than a month ago and their room is pretty much as they left it.

I am finding things like outlets far back under my kitchen cabinets, small appliances that live on the counter top, the top edges of baseboards, etc. are pretty awful looking and wondering how others tackle these jobs.

Today I have tackled them in places that might likely be noticed (down side of living in the "north" - longer daylight time at this time of year to spot cobwebs and fingerprints! ) and leaving others. Some of the problem I have is compounded by being so nearsighted, I really don't see things like the coffee spill on the wall in a corner behind DH's easy chair until I am right on it. And since I am vacuuming the dark corner, I see it now and feel obligated to wash it!

I do try to do the counter top appliances as I do regular cleaning. DS, who has worked in restaurant kitchens, calls the "side duties." Wipe down the fridge from time to time, but not looking forward to creeping around the rest of the house wiping down all those baseboards.
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 9/24/13
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Posted on: 5/30/14 9:53 PM ET
My best practice is to pick one room at a time and clean the h-e-double hockey sticks out of it. Generally one room can be done properly in a (non-work) day. If you can take everything out of the room, do it. I generally move everything to one side, scrub down the clear side, then switch.

Good luck!
  
Member since 7/20/08
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Posted on: 5/30/14 10:13 PM ET
The best advise I read is to spend 15 minutes cleaning daily in every room. The person who told me that said after a while you'll be looking for things to do.

For the kitchen, I would take that to mean 15 minutes after meal prep and regular cleanup after the meal.

I'm not there yet but am getting there.....
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Mary


  
Member since 10/30/10
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Posted on: 5/31/14 0:31 AM ET
Binge cleaner here. I admire a clean, neat house and the daily discipline needed to maintain the same, but I do the heavy cleaning when the urge strikes me. We call it "The White Tornado Effect" at my dusty but happy home.
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It's just fabric; we can out-think it.
  
Member since 9/9/03
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Posted on: 5/31/14 4:52 AM ET
Many years ago at a wedding shower, guests were asked to give the bride to be some advice. The tidbit that stuck with me was:

Entertain often; it's the only way to keep your house clean.

Oddly, I see more dirt when company is expected, and if time is short, more gets done!
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aka Joanne. (Penelope was the cat. RIP.)
"What mother nature gives, father time takes away."
Yahoo group: Sewing-with-Industrial-Machines
  
Member since 5/30/13
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Posted on: 5/31/14 6:04 AM ET
I refuse to spend too much time doing housework. I clean baseboards, light switches, etc. when I notice one that needs some work. I clean them all, but that's all, other than daily stuff. For example I noticed my pot rack is a bit fuzzy on top, I'll clean it and the less often used pans, and leave it at that.
  
Member since 6/30/05
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Posted on: 5/31/14 10:13 AM ET
I do some of the Flylady principles. Some, not all! I like a clean house.
I put a great book on an MP3 and clean away.
I'm always straightening and putting away. That is daily.
  
Member since 7/28/11
Posts: 289
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Posted on: 5/31/14 12:38 PM ET
At our house we are terrible. Binge cleaning for sure. Usually just before company is about to come to the point the dog goes continually to check out the window to see who is coming to visit as soon as we start to bustle around. LOL. Poor boy, he's shedding now so the vacuum is used a bit more often, throwing him right off. "What?" he says, "Company is coming again? Will it be Grandma this time? Please, please, let it be Grandma." :)
  
Member since 11/5/06
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Posted on: 5/31/14 6:28 PM ET
In reply to Longblades
Binge cleaning is too exhausting. I did it when I was younger, but not now. I like to do what I call the Dailies (do dishes, one load of laundry, 15 minutes of picking up, and scoop the litterbox) every day. Then I do 1 hour of cleaning once a week. I think that is a flylady thing. I find of the house is picked up I can get the dusting and vacuuming done, clean the bathroom sinks and toilets in an hour.
About twice a year I pick one room each week for deep-cleaning. So far it works to keep things presentable.
One thing I've finally figured out (in my 6th decade) is that cleaning is easier the more stuff I move out of the house permanently.
Sis
  
Member since 1/26/12
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Posted on: 5/31/14 7:10 PM ET
In reply to tourist
I understand about being nearsighted. I'll be rocking along for a while thinking everything looks great. Then one day I get a good look at something with my readers on.

Then it's...Good Grief, how did that get so dirty so fast?
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Joanie
Make it Sew. Jean-Luc Picard
Wag More, Bark Less. Iditarod sleddog
Go Dallas Stars
Go Texas Rangers
  
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