Neat as new pins

whitewave, yes it's like the Forth Road Bridge and endless painting isn't it. Sometimes I get the urge to clean and when I do I have to make the most of it. DH said that we need to put out the Christmas decorations but I really need to clean first!

Quentin Crisp: "After the first four years the dirt doesn't get any worse"

(no, I'm not like that

That's it I think. Nurses are either squeaky clean, or the opposite. My MIL was a nurse and belonged to the latter variety. When they needed a clean, they called in the decorators. I remember cleaning their house when DH and I were engaged, and Mum saying, " but you never do it for me" . Well ours never needed it. When we had our first baby, I wouldn't lay him on the floor to change him, before washing it, and I am not overly fussy, just like it more or less hygenic.

I have to second that Anya, she is a lovely person but... and her car is the same. I recommended my Decorator to her and I was mortified when he used exactly the words you used in your post.

Barbara the absolutely filthiest house I have even been in belonged to a nurse. And I don't mean simply untidy, I mean the type of ,ucks you see on those 'how clean is your house' type programmes.

Yuk!

The trouble with housework is that it never stops I get so bored at times with it. Going through that at the moment and only doing what I absolutely have to. Good thing about Christmas decs is that you can't really do much dusting, so that is a break.

Rosequartz - when I think things are getting a little out of control and we need a blitz I invite a group of friends round for coffee or for dinner. DH responds really well and we get so much done and we finish off with a most enjoyable social occasion.
I hadn't realised that DD had rumbled me until I told her certain friends were expected for coffee and she asked me if it was because we needed a blitz.

A friend once said 'it's surprising how much you can do in fifteen minutes when someone phones to say they are going to pop round!'.

I really should do it now, but it's nearly time for Question Time.
So that's why you were vacuuming in the middle of the night djen

I did wonder!

I think this has been one of the best posts on Gransnet. Thoroughly enjoyed reading all the different points of view. I remember back in the 80's/90's when Laura Ashley was "Queen of house furnishings" I read somewhere that she said she "went for overall effect not perfection" - which describes my attitude.

I once knew a lady who had nothing on her kitchen worktops. She even put the kettle away! Life is too short

I had hoped to get some tips on how to keep house clean and tidy!!

I have several friends and a co-mother-in-law who have immaculate houses (and I always come away feel thoroughly slutty) and I eventually realised they had one thing in common:they had all been nurses.

My very worst moment was when I dislocated my hip and lay on kitchen floor in agony and owner of one such immaculate house, kindness itself, having called ambulance then had to go to my bedroom to find medication in bedside drawer and clean knickers for me to take to the hospital.

How lovely to see the word, kelter, used (*Wilks*, 3rd December 13.58.35). I haven't seen or heard it since my mother died. We had a lot of kelter in those days and, to be honest, I still have. I do intend getting rid of some of it as we slowly prepare to get ready for downsizing.

I have a friend with a cream carpet who has a pile of nice slippers for visitors to put on. I try and stop my visitors taking off their shoes as there feet would get cold on the wooden floor. I'd like to try the slipper idea but can't as the dogs would run off with them!

Since we've no idea what is on our shoes from pavements I think shoes off indoors a sensible hygienic routine especially if there is a small child in the house. I've noticed a gradual increase in workmen, official visitors etc. automatically removing them or offering to do so. Years ago even visitors in muddy boots looked offended if asked to take them off.

My DGM used to say that in order for a house to become a home it needs to be "untidy enough to be comfortable and clean enough to be healthy" - a very wise lady!

I'm with you Nellie. If I took out the hoover when the DC were young, they used to ask, 'Who's coming, Mum?'

luckygirl That is my kind of house.

No way is my house immaculate and it never will be. It is just about hygenic.

Why not have your books around you or your knitting to hand?

I look at pictures of these immaculately tidy kitchens and wonder if anyone actually cooks in them. My kitchen utensils etc are to hand as are the bottles of oil etc I use regularly.

My hall carpet is a deep terracotta colour. My suite is rather old fashioned in style but I just could not sit in comfort in any more modern design with low soft saggy seats.
My dining room has lots of bookshelves and a piano and is not tidy.

My OH is bit of a hoarder and very untidy.

I like to feel comfortable and relaxed in my home.
What do people who have nothing around them in their homes do with themselves.

Nobody ever offers to take their shoes off in my ( cream carpeted) house, and I would never dream of asking them to. If I did, I'd feel the message would be " my carpets are more important than your comfort" .

I find it really annoying when people ask me to take my shoes of when visiting. I nearly always have cold feet and have to sit there feeling really uncomfortable. With close friends, I always take slippers with me but still feel resentful at having to remove shoes.
I never ask anyone to remove their shoes when visiting me and I have carpets, but that is probably due to the fact that they need a good clean.
Personally, I always wear slippers indoors. More comfy and wRm.

I have a cream leather sofa, a wipe with a clean cloth and plain water gets rid of any marks . I have a pale material covered armchair and matching stool which I did have scotch guarded when I bought it and it has stayed looking nice. Most of my visitors take their shoes off when they come in but I never ask them to, I have a wooden floor in the living room so easy to keep clean. I like things reasonably tidy and don't have much clutter but I'm not house proud at all I like houses to look lived in and want visitors to feel welcome. I certainly wouldn't worry about tidying around people or plumping up cushions, for goodness sake what's that all about?!

If anyone is coming I do have a clean and a vacumn....makes me feel better but I'm not sure if anyone notices! I like my home to feel welcoming and comfy....not fearful of where to sit!! ;-) Happy Christmas!

Atrig we did the same four years ago. As I said, old habits die hard!

My DM was always cleaning; one of my DN once joked that if she came to stay she brought her magnifying glass and her duster with her!!
I have not inherited that zest for cleaning, although it's passable if you're only taking a quick glance

Greyduster' we too lived in quarters when we were younger. We have just sold the house we lived in for the last 29 years and I cleaned it to my old standards. I was distraught when I moved into the one we have just bought and I had to start again and scrub almost every inch of it.

I once had a boss who had an immaculate home, always looking like it was ready for a photo-shoot for Homes and Gardens. We were once having a conversation about tidiness (and my lack of it) when she looked rather wistful and said "I imagine your home isn't very tidy - but I bet it feels very warm and welcoming." I do hope she was right.