Honestly dont know how to clean

[homemaker80]

Its kind of hard to admit but its the truth. I am beyond messy.
I am getting married in 2 monts and have got to change this before that! LOL!
Hoenstly I was never made to do anything as a kid.
Now as an adult I live in an apt attached to my parents house and it is trashed. Noone ever comes in so noone really knows.
After we marry we are not sure where we will live.
It could possibly be here so we can save money to buy a place. If so I need major help!!! I mean everything is nasty and I dont know where to start.
Anyone..please..Help...Thank you!!!!!!!!

[AmyMCGS]

www.flylady.net

Go there & check out her site. If you can buy her book, I strongly recommend it. (Although all of the info is FREE on her site, the book is just better in my opinion.) She will have you start with shining your sink, which sounds crazy, but go with it. I LOVE Flylady!

[Ceashels]

Start in one corner or one room at a time. As you are clearing any items, place them in either a trash bag, a donation box or a box for you to keep. Once things are cleared out. Clean with the appropriate cleaner. Sometimes old fashion soap and water work the best, just be sure to dry anywood or items that would be damaged by the water if left damp.

Once things are cleared out, cleaned it is time to organize your space so you continue to stay organized. Get baskets for small items (i have one for my nail polishes, one for my hair items, one for etc.) I make it a point to put things away once I pull them out and that helps me a great deal. I also do a walk thru and put items where they should be before i go to bed.

Good luck and congratulations!

[Laurie in Bradenton]

When I tackle a really messy clean out I start at the front door and work my way in. With a trash bag in one hand I go throught and gather up the true trash drink cups and fast food bags, emtpy ash trays. If you've got recycle bins put them by the door and fill accordingly. Newspaper and magazines in theirs and cans and bottles in theres. Make one pile of dirty landry and hang up / fold and put away clean stuff. Dirty dishes to the sink or dishwasher. Find the floor at the front door. Then work your way around the room right to left. If you can't put an item totally away at least get it to its proper room. Don't get sidetracked trying to rearrange closets just get items into them and tackle them one at a time later.
In the bedroom make the bed first. Remove everything from it and make it. Then sort throught the clothes that were on it, on the floor and on dressers and chairs. Take items to be washed to either the landry mat or the landry room and start the first load. Alot of things can be done at the same time like washing a load of clothes while folding and putting away clean. If you have a dishwasher fill it with dirties and start it first. Then wipe down cabinets and stove.
Don't feel overwhelmed by looking at everything to be done just sart at the front and work your way throught.

Laurie in Bradenton

[stinkbug]

I agree big time with Laurie. The whole mess can be so overwhelming! Do you have a friend who can help you? Your SO?
If you go in layers it will be easier. Once you start seeing progress, you will be encouraged. Definitely make catagories: Put away, give away, throw away. Do not second guess your first response. If it hasn't been used in a year and is still sitting around, it can go away!
Figure out a system to deal with paper clutter. If paper comes into the house, find a home for it! If it's a bill, file it. If it's junk mail, shred it. Magazines, three months and then recycle/give away. The paper monster gets out of control fast!!
If you never learned to do these things, you're going to need a system to learn to deal with things *daily*.
Cleaning up is not a problem. Catching up is!
You may have to leave yourself notes or reminders to keep up with things for awhile. Like a chore list, until you get into a housekeeping routine.
Also, if you're getting married in two months, you might want to discuss (now) what the standard/expectaion/division of chores will be :-)

[homemaker80]

THank you.
I will check out the website and also do what a couple of you suggested. As far as starting at the front door with a trash bag.
Me and SO have talked about it. And b/c he works more I have pretty much agreed to do a lot of the household stuff though he will do some.
He knows how messy I can be. THough he has not been i here ina while. we pretty much hang out at his place.
But yea he has seen how bad it can get.
I am so embarassed about it.

[Missy]

also, a book called "Speed Cleaning" would be a great start. The guy who started the Clean Team, wrote it, and I love it.

[baxjul]

Is it clutter, or dirty? There is a difference between the two. First, get the clutter out of the way. I always start with the bathroom. It's the smallest room, and can be done in a couple of hours. Then you feel like you've really accomplished something.

[tammy88]

-i turned the tv off and blast the radio
-hair up
-pick up the dishes and take them to the kitchen sink
-pick up the clothes take them to the laundry basket
-pick up the trash
-pick up the toys (if you have kids)
-pick up whats left
-wipe down everything, counters, molding, frames, tv's, appliances
-pets (clean their area) wash, disinfection whatever
-if you have blankets or cloth items around wash them..makes the place smell fresher
-sweep and mop
-break


Next room do the same put things in their places, then clean...

[bumplett]

I agree, there is a huge difference in clutter vs. dirty - I've seen the extreme of both and I'd venture to say that clutter is much easier to deal with as a visitor.

If it bothers you and you are embarassed, that's a great start right there - it means that you SEE that there is a problem!

Good luck!! and remember that it took more than a day for your apt. to get this bad, it will take more than a day to make it perfect! It takes a daily commitment to keep it clean - you can do it!!

[Kitten20]

I used to have this problem... probably worse! I am ashamed to admit it now, but I am so surprised I never had a bug problem in the places I have lived. All it takes is a little practice and self-discipline. Once you get used to having a clean place, you won't wanna go back.

I would start with the area that is going to make the biggest difference. I don't know what kind of mess you have, but if there is a lot of trash (fast food wrappers or whatever), get that all picked up and taken out first. Take all of your dirty dishes to the sink and begin soaking. Don't be afraid to throw stuff out or donate stuff you do not use anymore -- that will help with maintenance. Don't expect to get it all done in one day -- maybe do a room a day. I also saw a wonderful idea on here (although I can't remember who it came from): set a timer and clean in "blocks" of 15-30 minutes and then take a small break. Get as much done as you possibly can before that timer goes off! Turn it into a game. Loud music helps a lot. Oh yeah, just picking up dirty laundry and vacuuming can make a huge difference in the way my apartment looks. So you may want to try doing those types of small things that will make it look like you are accomplishing a lot. Good luck!!

[shoiji]

I have definately been there. Just try and pace yourself. I think it is great that you realize that you need to do something. Hate to say it but I actually had Merry Maids clean once after everything was organized. I was just so overwhelmed. Once you get started and everything is done you can keep it up. Just try to get in a routine. Also, watching the cable shows like Clean Sweep really inspired me to take more control with the whole clean thing.

You will definately feel better about yourself!! Just take one step at a time.

[sixfreds]

I would get some trash bags and really be brutal and just get rid of the stuff. I had this problem and it seems hard not to want to save stuff BUT you have to be harsh and really get rid of a lot of stuff!! That will be a good step in getting it clean.

[Becci]

www.flylady.net

Go there & check out her site. If you can buy her book, I strongly recommend it. (Although all of the info is FREE on her site, the book is just better in my opinion.) She will have you start with shining your sink, which sounds crazy, but go with it. I LOVE Flylady!

FlyLadys is great!! Definitely check them out. They will not only help you get it done but help you to set up routines so it doesn't get messy again.

They state, and it's true, you cannot clean until you have decluttered so try to focus on that first. It's hard work but once you start you get momentum and before you know it it's all done!!

Goddluck and on your upcomming marriage!!

[Sari]

Try www.squalorsurvivors.com There are some extreme situations, but you don't have to be at that level to benefit from the forums. Really great people over there.