Are you houseproud?

rockgran there seems to have been a stunned silence since you said that

I really like ironing -just saying.

I was just thinking that I need to pull the fridges and freezers out and wash behind there, and the washing machine
(not a once a month job by any means)
but I feel better about not doing it now

I live in a house where there are constant visitors and often a lodger who pays to live here, so I like to keep things clean and tidy. I have a woodburner so regular dusting and polishing is necessary and the presence of a dog means that floors need to be kept vacuumed or washed. Flowers in every room provide a homely touch and make the place look lived in.

Like others, I was a forces wife for many years and I really was houseproud then. I literally used to clean the tops of the doors (!!!), but it was important to me that I got top marks for a perfect handover when it came time to move on - those things really mattered.

I haven’t read all of the posts yet, but need to ask about the sister who irons her nickers... that’s panties, right?
If Im correct, then that info makes me crack up!

You may not believe it overthehill but it really doesn't bother some people. Years ago, when I was a member of a baby sitting group, we had, in the end to expel a member because, her house was such a mess and so unhygienic that no-one wanted to babysit for her and there was another member, whose house was tidy, but not very clean. I always washed the mug thoroughly before I made my coffee, thankfully I drink it black and sugarless, so didn't have to open the fridge and risk the milk.

I cannot believe anyone would rather live in a dirty mess than somewhere clean and tidy. How long does it take? I don't spend hours cleaning mine and I don't do it that often about every couple of weeks for the dusting. Vacuuming more often depending on how it looks. Bathroom wiped over every day by myself or DH and kitchen sorted out as I go.

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Like you loupylou I can not relax if the house is untidy. On of the signs I am over the dreaded lurgy is that the house has been tidied and we have made a tip run with the Christmas tree at last and a load of stuff has been taken to the charity shop.

But I find if the house is tidy it looks clean and stays clean and reduces the need to clean, so I always say I am tidy in order to limit the amount of cleaning I have to do.

I can't relax if the house is untidy I'm afraid, so I do try to keep on top of cleaning and tidying--glares at husband who had the nerve to tell DD I was very good at cleaning, I wonder why?--
I clean from top to bottom every week, vacuum downstairs every couple of days and clean the bathroom at least twice a week.
I also love ironing too, so not a lot of hope really is there?!

My Eldest son and Daughterinlaws house is immaculate.
I had my grandson 2 days a week when she returned to work. I remember as he crawled up my stairs as a toddler with me behind him how he picked up small bits of dark fluff from my light carpet and handed them to me as he climbed the stairs.Haha!
As long as my kitchen and bathroom are clean I'm quite laid back about everywhere else but as we have a dog I do vacuum twice a week.

Dgd i meant although upstairs are dd old toys she wont let me chuck out

Im a slagbag. I do like my loo cleaned and dishes done once a day but sod vacuuming and dusting. I do it when i feel like it. Dd toys are all around. Ive got a postman pat set and a fireman sam by the tv. Piles of girlie books on a side table and frozen dolls on a dining chair as well as a huge stuffed st bernard wearing a wedding hat. Mind i do wash my cats bowls regularly and i cant move the piano or sofa so who knows what or who is behind them

I like a nice house but get really annoyed when oh and son march through in their boots, let dog shake all over the place, leave things about etc that I have learned to overlook these things rather than make a fuss. I'm comfortable in a lived in house, kept reasonably clean and tidy where sometime I can blitz it and other times I just let it go.
One great memory that got me through.. I visited a friends mums house when I had three little ones, a dog and a broken Hoover I couldn't afford to mend. Could have cried when I saw her beautiful clean and tidy house and said so. She said the happiest times of her life was when her children were small like mine and that I could clear up the house when they leave home , such words of wisdom and from then on I enjoyed the chaos and now they have left it stays pretty tidy.

All journeys start with small steps, greengage. You'll get there, I'm sure.

loopyloo So glad I am not the only one admitting to living in a mess! I also would much rather be gardening than doing housework, which I find soul destroying. I cleared my dining room table of papers and filed everything away, chucking what I could as I went. The piles of craft stuff that covered a large part on the living room floor have been placed in the small bedroom which is to become a craft room (eventually!). Various other boxes have also gone upstairs into bedrooms. My coffee table which I cleared is now under another layer of stuff. The dining room table has yet again disappeared under papers which need action or filing. It is a long slow process but at least I have started!!! Carpets need ripping up and curtains need to be ripped down and settee needs replacing. I am DETERMINED that I will make my house habitable once again. Unfortunately this weekend I have had a rotten cold so have been curled up feeling sorry for myself, but hope to make progress from tomorrow when I expect to be feeling a bit brighter. Once downstairs has finally been sorted out, it will be time to start on the bedrooms which are also full of 'stuff '. Being a hoarder has almost destroyed me in the last few years. Still trying hard to break myself of the habit. New Year, new start, new outlook on life. Really want to be happy and carefree again.

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I think that might be a no!

In a way it’s a good thing that we so have friends who come and stay, because apart from having fun, it does get the house so clean and sparkly for a while.

lemongrove - that sounds familiar! My MIL coming to visit always inspired me to clean the oven! It wouldn't get done otherwise.

I like my surroundings to be nice but so does OH and between us we tend to do small cleaning jobs as we go. I'll clean loos and sinks and floors when I use them if I notice they need doing! I also like to relax in my surroundings and can easily forget about dust. I'll dust when I notice it and it annoys me. I cannot move furniture so vacuuming around it suits us. OH is good. He'll lug the vacuum upstairs and do under beds etc. Btwn us we are on top of it so rarely have to have housework sessions, thankfully. It's not my favourite thing to do! The children can come around and have fun....it doesn't take long to tidy up once they've gone.

Well done so far Greengage you can do it. Don't try to do it all at once, small steps are best and you can see your achievement quickly. Good luck.

I only become really houseproud when visitors are about to come and stay.Then I go into overdrive!

I used to iron everything even socks and underwear.Now owing to being disabled I never do ironing just hang clothes up on hangers and hope for the best.

I am with Greengage here. My place is a mess. GG , What is your plan of attack?
Today as raining, not off to allotment so need to do some clearing up.
Have to catch up on washing and ironing as have been out a lot recently.
Not not house proud at all.

Ah yes Pagzy I made a cushion which reads, "Housework won't kill you, but why take the risk?" Sadly I'm unable to photograph it and put a pic on here but you get the drift.