Does anyone else think cleaning is a waste of time?

KittenKrazy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2003
Messages
4,465
Purraise
13
Location
Double Springs, Alabama
At almost 40....I have almost decided that I like to clean my own house......that scares the bejeezus out of me.........but it's much easier to clean someone ELSE'S house for them.....for pay, of course, lol!
 

littleraven7726

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 1, 2002
Messages
3,339
Purraise
12
Location
Next to the World's Largest 6-pack
Funny I'm reading this on cleaning day.
I hate cleaning, but it's one of those things I have to do. I usually feel pretty good when I'm done looking over my clean home. I also have allergies, so vacuuming a couple times a week is necessary.

The home I grew up in wasn't kept spotless, but it wasn't "dirty" either. I seem to have more of an OCD about keeping the place clean ever since I had a roommate in college who was an absolute slob. She cleaned maybe 2x a year.
It was gross. I ended up doing most of the cleaning. I would try to let it build up, but after a while you can't take the smell of rotting food in the sink and general filth in the bathroom.


Since I got a good vacuum with easy to change bags a few years ago, vacuuming isn't such a horrid chore anymore either.
I used to have an old Kirby and I *hated* that thing with a passion. So, it followed that I HATED to vacuum.


On the upside, on cleaning day the kitties get a different arrangement of toys when I'm done. I pick up their toys before, then put out different ones when I'm done.
 

KittenKrazy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2003
Messages
4,465
Purraise
13
Location
Double Springs, Alabama
Originally Posted by littleraven7726

On the upside, on cleaning day the kitties get a different arrangement of toys when I'm done. I pick up their toys before, then put out different ones when I'm done.
God help mine, when I vacuum their toys all get put in two baskets.....they get them back out themselves.....sometimes before I get done !!
 

xlpooper

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Messages
3,405
Purraise
857
Location
South
I have someone come in and clean for me every other week. I love it.
 

xlpooper

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Messages
3,405
Purraise
857
Location
South
Originally Posted by Misty8723

I also like to have a clean and tidy house - I just want someone else to come and make it that way for me
That's the ticket for sure.
 

tab

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
1,963
Purraise
2
Location
South Coast, UK
i'm one of the minority in this thread, i love a clean and tidy house and i love making it look that way!

it is blooming hard work though with 3 cats, one dog, one dh, one 17 year old son and one 15 year old daughter!


we are having all new flooring laid throughout the lounge, dining room and hall next week and i can't wait! the carpets have been peed on, vomited on, pooped on and that was just the dh! joke!!


seriously, my animals over the years have ruined the carpets so we have opted for wood look vinyl this time. wipe clean, hooray!
 

rosiemac

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 3, 2003
Messages
54,358
Purraise
100
Location
ENGLAND... LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY!
Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

I like my home tidy!
I take pride in our home, so i'm more than happy to spend a little extra time to try and keep it nice
That's me Nikki. When i've been at work all day i want to know that i can relax with no clutter around me, and that's why i do my housework on a thursday evening because the weekend starts on friday to do what i want

Originally Posted by Pami

What are you doing in this thread?
As sure as eggs are eggs you must have known i'd be here

Originally Posted by tab

my animals over the years have ruined the carpets so we have opted for wood look vinyl this time. wipe clean, hooray!
You'll be so pleased you did as well
I've already got laminate flooring downstairs, and i've just had all the rooms upstairs measured for it last week, so their fitting it in october when i'm on holiday. It's so much easier to keep clean
 

tab

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
1,963
Purraise
2
Location
South Coast, UK
Originally Posted by Rosiemac

You'll be so pleased you did as well
I've already got laminate flooring downstairs, and i've just had all the rooms upstairs measured for it last week, so their fitting it in october when i'm on holiday. It's so much easier to keep clean
yes we're getting a quote for the upstairs when the guy comes next week. honestly, my dh and kids are sick and tired of me banging on about the 'new flooring'.
what they don't seem to realise is the huge transformation it will be!

plus the added bonus is that the boys will have a much larger 'slippery' area to chase their toys about on!
milo carries his toys into the kitchen to play with, as it already has vinyl in there, so he's going to love it too!
 

trouts mom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 4, 2006
Messages
23,949
Purraise
16
Location
Snowy Santa Land
I go through phases...clean, tidy and proud...and then untidy, cluttered and miserable


I definitely feel better when its tidy though, I actually like coming home!

I vow to make our apartment in Ottawa look nice all the time!
 

tab

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
1,963
Purraise
2
Location
South Coast, UK
Originally Posted by Rosiemac

It'll really open the rooms up. I've got another couple of months to wait until i get mine down
i have had to wait 2 months since being measured up so i know how you're feeling!
plus i will probably have to wait another couple of months for upstairs!

Originally Posted by Rosiemac

I missed the last bit in this sentence
i thought no one had noticed it!
 

deedeemay

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 1, 2008
Messages
2,456
Purraise
1
Location
South Coast, UK
My Mum always loves living in a clean and tidy house, but with my younger sister here with her 13 month old baby, it's hard for us to keep things in tip top shape if baby keeps messing it all up again


For instance, mum and I will blitz the house from top to bottom one morning, and by the afternoon when baby has been playing, eating etc..it feels as though mum and I never did anything in the first place..pretty much back to square one each day with that kid
 

belongstoevie

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
1,329
Purraise
4
Location
USA
Originally Posted by Trouts mom

I go through phases...clean, tidy and proud...and then untidy, cluttered and miserable


I definitely feel better when its tidy though, I actually like coming home!

I vow to make our apartment in Ottawa look nice all the time!
That's me, for sure! Though I wouldn't say I'm "untidy, cluttered and miserable". Just "untidy, cluttered, and lazy".
Hubby is a bit of a slob, so he likes it when I go through my lazy phase! Then I don't bug him or make him feel guilty (just by doing it, I don't nag him, and only occassionally ask for help!).

That you stick to your vow better than I did when we moved in to this place!



Originally Posted by Rosiemac

You'll be so pleased you did as well
I've already got laminate flooring downstairs, and i've just had all the rooms upstairs measured for it last week, so their fitting it in october when i'm on holiday. It's so much easier to keep clean
I know laminate is easier to keep clean in the long run, especially with cats and dogs getting who knows what in the carpet, but I must say, in the short run, I find it much easier to vacuum carpet, because with hard wood and a kitty that likes to slide, all the fur and toys go sliding right under the couch and all, so then I have to rearrange every time I clean! Thanks Evie.
 

mistressotdark

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 14, 2008
Messages
2,003
Purraise
2
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba
I gotta admit i'm not the greatest cleaner either..I got discouraged a few years ago ..when after spending the day cleaning..within 2 days it would go right back to where it was before I cleaned it...so I gave up...now im keeping it fairly cleaned.
 

rosiemac

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 3, 2003
Messages
54,358
Purraise
100
Location
ENGLAND... LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY!
Originally Posted by BelongsToEvie

I must say, in the short run, I find it much easier to vacuum carpet, because with hard wood and a kitty that likes to slide, all the fur and toys go sliding right under the couch and all, so then I have to rearrange every time I clean!


Do you have those anti-static mops where you are?. I use one and the amount of fur that clings to them is unbelievable. They also fit under any small unit and sofa to get all dust bunnies and toys that go under
 

sohni

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Messages
941
Purraise
11
Location
Vancouver Island, BC
I live alone, work 40 hours a week and have 3 dogs and 2 cats. What makes it worse is that 2 of the dogs are German Shedders. My new house is all laminate, lino or wood - not a carpet to be found. I had to give up on rugs as my Chihuahua will occasionally decide that rugs are grass and pee inside. She is 6 years old and still needs to be crated if I leave her alone for more than a few hours.

I try to keep up and its a pretty small house, 800 sq feet on the main floor but it's not easy for me. I usually go through stages of cleaning vs letting it get messy. But I do treat myself to a housecleaner once in a while. It's surprisingly affordable.
 

techiegirl

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 28, 2005
Messages
232
Purraise
1
Location
Orange County, CA
Originally Posted by white cat lover

Eh, we moved to a bigger house with more storage space....and I filled it with kitties!
That would be soooooo me!!!!


Originally Posted by RubSluts'Mommy

That. Is. Me. Yes I have clutter. Do I love clutter? No. But trying to manage the stuff i have in the small space i have isn't easy... not to mention the lack of free time I've had...
Exactly!!! I have been working 2 jobs, 7 days a week (60+ hours) for 3 years now and I am just so unmotivated to do much of anything when I am actually home. That and the fact that I had knee surgery in January that was supposed to be a simple easy thing that did not work out so well so walking/standing has not been much fun. So after some specialized injections (Synvisc), the knee is mostly better but then I developed plantar fasciitis -torn ligament along bottom of foot which basically feels like someone stabbing you in the bottom of the foot with a knife
Oh yeah and depression is thrown in as a bonus.


So you would think after I got laid off July3 I would have all this time to get organized.....not.


I bought a book a few years back that helped a lot and is a humorous read...
"Not for Packrats Only" by Don Aslet

But here is my question.......
HOW DO YOU GET MOTIVATED TO DO IT?????

I mean, it should be easy to put the Diet Coke can in the trash after you are done with it right??? I threw away 3 from my night stand this AM - that was from the past few days.
I am not a pig but I certainly wouldn't let anyone see my place right now. Mostly it is just clutter - not hoarder clutter, but clutter nonetheless. And my family is so the opposite. When I am home, I will get up to go pee and come back and my glass will already be in the dishwasher! Shoot, I am worreid that if I sit for too long in one place I might be thrown out with the trash.


It's just me and the 5 cats - how hard can it be???

Where do I start????

HELP!!!!!!
 

sohni

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Messages
941
Purraise
11
Location
Vancouver Island, BC
When I moved last August, I was relentless in getting rid of "stuff". I find it much easier in my new place since I got rid of a ton of stuff that was completely unneccessary. Everything I own now has a spot on a shelf or in a cupboard. I had kept boxes of things that I hadn't looked at in years. It was tough, but it sure feels good now.
 
Top