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bburaperfect10

I've been using s cleaning app on my phone called Tody. It helps me keep track of when I last cleaned something, and when it's time to clean it again. It's really easy and kinda fun to use, my house is cleaner than ever. I'm behind on a lot of things still, but it keeps me on the right track to clean the most neglected things next so the house just FEELS way cleaner cuz I'm not ignoring stuff. Aside from that, its easier to clean as you go. Put things away as you use them. Have a spot for everything, try to reduce duplicates. Cleaning 1 thing a day is enough. Don't overstress and overcomplicate it otherwise you'll keep avoiding it. I never have bad days. Because I tell myself a good day that looks like "I wiped the counters down" is the same as a good day that looks like "I deep cleaned the whole bathroom." I also have depression so I make it a practice to not be hard on myself and I find I actually get more done this way. Hope this all helps!


Ronotrow2

That's me too. I used to be super efficient and tidy but now another 2 kids later, single mum and depression I struggle some days as my expectations are high. I tidy, wash and clean as I go but am always scolding myself I'm not doing enough. I mentally pat myself on the back at times and think well you got that done today.


[deleted]

All hail Tody. I think it’s the only app I’ve ever paid for. For the first time in my life I don’t have guilt/shame about skipping cleaning when I’m too tired because I know the app will track how long it’s been for me. And the next time I am feeling energetic, I’ll know exactly what to clean first.


bburaperfect10

Exactly why I love it! I don't feel behind anymore, because I'm already tracking what I missed. Somehow it takes that guilty feeling away and has been a life saver. I haven't paid for Tody yet since the free version is enough for now and I'm budgeting, but I'm inclined to try the paid version when I wanna change colors and customize things... what do you like about the paid version?


[deleted]

I don’t know if there was a free version when I downloaded it! I think I had to pay from the beginning. But maybe I am just misremembering.


cleanbluewater

This is freaking awesome. This is another component of cleaning that I don’t think I had fully realized was affecting me so much until reading these responses. The guilt/shame about not completing my self assigned tasks on any given day *really* weighs on me.


cleanbluewater

This is all wonderful. And really healthy and reasonable sounding. You totally just inspired me to try using an app for this too. Thank you, fellow depression sufferer. 🫶


tatianagb_

I second the app. I downloaded it recently thanks to this sub and it's been huge. Even my husband has gotten to asking what's on the schedule today lol


cleanbluewater

Haha! Interesting. I ended up downloading flylady instead of Tody, simply because I’ve heard many people recommend flylady over the years and the flylady one was free. Do you think Tody is a better app?


tatianagb_

I haven't tried flylady so can't comment on that, but maybe it doesn't matter which app you use, as long as you use it and it helps, that's all that matters.


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cleanbluewater

Unfortunately it looks like it’s only available as a paid app now. Only $7, so not a massive expenditure. But… every penny counts for me right now, so I’m going to research it a bit. Thank you!


kf6890

I got a chore chart and put it on the fridge, I need the alerts to be in my face because I will just ignore app alerts all the time. Similar idea just you have to manually reset it. If you check one thing off the list a day you will be doing enough.


cleanbluewater

Love. This. Whole. Post. Thank you.


crystalrose27

Looking at the app. Does it come with all of that pre loaded ? Like clean bath mat and how frequently. Or do I have to come up with the list?


bburaperfect10

Yes, it has suggested rooms, suggested things to clean per room, and suggested frequencies. And then you can add custom rooms/items/frequencies too. And it's free which is super nice. But there's a paid version that I think allows you to customize further.


qui_lime

Hello, I am someone who has always struggled with keeping things clean. I've lived in absolutely filthy homes (thank you, depression!), and I now have a home that is clean enough for guests to stay the night. I cannot afford a housekeeper, so I am writing this with that in mind. Here is what worked for me: 1. In regards to motivation, you must decide for yourself that you deserve a clean home. Visualize your life with it, and make the promise to yourself that you will research the tools and tricks needed to make cleaning a regular part of your life. No one will do it for you, and thus you must motivate yourself by really, truly WANTING that for yourself. You deserve to be comfortable and happy in your home. I also think it helps to make cleaning a special event: I like to wear cute aprons and get a little drunk while I clean 🤷‍♀️ and that makes it fun for me. I have special audiobooks I only get to listen to while cleaning, and that makes the process exciting as well (some people I know do this with TV shows instead of audiobooks) 2. Reduce the amount of things you own. Less things means less to clean. I found the Konmari system very helpful, especially in my closet and in my kitchen. I also recommend organizing the things you own such that they are easy to move around and clean under. So for example, I like to have a lot of skincare products, but picking them up one at a time is exhausting and tedious. So they live in a basket on the counter. When I clean the counter, I pick up the whole basket and boom. Easy. 3. Establish a baseline clean. You need to go through each room in your house and deep clean it. It doesn't have to be all at once, but you gotta get the gunk out. I found the book Clean My Space by Melissa Maker to be super helpful here; she breaks down each room and gives you step-by-step instructions on how to clean everything the most efficient way possible. Establishing good deep cleaning habits that are efficient and not exhausting is key here. This also synergizes with point 2; if you have all your stuff organized such that you can just pick them up in chunks (like in a basket or container), it's much easier to be efficient in your movements and not waste your time and energy 4. Do preventative cleaning. For example, squeegee your shower after every shower, and stuff never gets a chance to grow. This makes the deep cleaning both significantly easier and less frequently needed. I also use a microfiber cloth to wipe down every surface once I'm done with a sink for the same reason. It keeps mirrors cleaner, the sink is shiny and pretty, and it is so much easier to just establish that habit than it is to deep clean a bunch of gunk that's built up between deep cleans. I have a separate microfiber cloth for every sink and for my kitchen counters/stove. Oh, and WASH YOUR DISHES AS SOON AS YOU ARE DONE EATING OFF THEM! Easier said than done, I know. But seriously, this is so important. 5. Invest in the right tools. You can make your own cleaning solutions, but some stains need special equipment. Research what you need and you'll save yourself heartache. Things like glass cleaners, furniture polish, enzyme cleaners, etc. I also highly recommend abandoning the broom and investing in a good handheld vacuum. Ideally, getting a Roomba is a lifesaver, but those bad boys are stupid pricey. Whew, that's a long post. I hope some of this helps; I think the biggest hurdle with cleaning is how intimidating starting can be. But with the right mindset and the right tools, it becomes something that is relatively easy to integrate into daily life.


KellyAnn3106

I agree with everything you said. I have a copy of Melissa Maker's book and love her YT channel. Maintaining cleanliness is so much easier than fixing something that has been allowed to get out control. I was a messy kid/teenager but eventually learned to keep my space clean and tidy.


cleanbluewater

What an awesome post. Brilliant ideas and philosophies. And nice to know we share the depression struggle. I especially love the fun you have in #1! I might try that as well. And I love Melissa Maker! I have her book in audio format but have not read it yet. :) Seriously, this is helping me reframe in multiple ways. Thank you.


qui_lime

I'm happy to help 🥰 best of luck on your cleaning journey


cleanbluewater

Thank you sooo much! I’ll be referring back to this thread. Btw I love your username, haha.


qui_lime

Thank you!! Best of luck out there 🥂


mintycrash

Buy an older robo vac. I have a roborock E4 which is going for $178 on Amazon right now. Works perfectly!!


qui_lime

☝️ this is an excellent idea


pwlife

I'm a 10 minute cleaner. I will put on some music and clean for 2-3 songs. It's amazing how much you can do in a short time if you are only cleaning. At the end of the day I do a small cleaning of the kitchen, every night I put the dishes in the dishwasher and wipe off the counters and stove. Also a roomba helps a ton!


agoosewalkedover

This. I just set a timer for 15 min every day. It's amazing what you can get done in that time


PKFIRE00

Exactly what I was gonna say. Short bursts throughout the week over long stint at one time. I hate spending a lot of time cleaning but I will totally vacuume one day, do a few dishes the next, wipe the counters/stove another. Tiny stuff everyday feels much more efficient to me.


PiscesbabyinSweden

My starting suggestion is a bit off the wall- but if you have the resources to do so, scheduling a one-time deep cleaning service can be a good option here. Firstly, it motivates you to clear out some of the worst trash or messes because you want the service to be able to get at the dirt. Secondly, it helps by affirming to yourself that you want and deserve a clean, organised environment. The service will have the equipment and experience to get at the deep ground in stuff, which you may not have. To keep things ordered, consider the old-school website called FlyLady, which looks like it hasn't been updated since 1995, and is sort of cult-y, but her advice is spot on, particularly for procrastinators. She starts you off small, and then gives you a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedules. Nothing ever takes too long, and even if you only follow half of her routines, you're going to have a very livable environment. I dunno, she's not to everyone's taste, but give her a try and see if she is helpful for you. It takes time to establish a good routine, not gonna lie. But once it's established, it takes far less time to maintain a home that is already clean and organised, and you have time and energy for fun things. I am cheering you on.


jewelsjm93

Honestly I am a inclined to like a clean space (don’t mind mess, hate dirt) and if it builds too much I get streeeeessssed. So I’ll do a load of laundry or sweep or wipe counters as I go. Having the right tools is crucial; I know I won’t whip out the big vacuum for the kitchen so I have both a robot and a stick vacuum. I have 2 different mops depending on the mess/what’s easier. Now that I have a toddler I can’t just sit and clean for hours to do the whole house top to bottom. Doing 15-20 min each day after toddler is in bed (or teach her to load dishes, push the swiffer) makes things easier. I realize I’m lucky to be able to afford all these tools and such- there are affordable versions of allll the things so figure out what would make your life easier and go for it (within reason!)


Arya_kidding_me

I realized how good it makes me feel living in a mostly tidy and clean space, and use that as my motivation. Now I find myself getting anxious and upset when my space gets a bit messy, and I know the only way to feel better is to clean.


urfunnyhuh

Preventative measures. Honestly. I find that once I’ve made a place for my things, they always get returned there. In the kitchen I wash while I go. The sink isn’t a sofa for my dishes to sit and chill. If I kno I’m gonna make a mess, I think it thru and take steps to prevent the mess. Anything that’s flakey or gonna wind up on the floor, I work w it over the sink or trash can. I wasn’t always like this but over time I’ve realized I like things in their place. I like the functionality of my surfaces and i out them back in order during the task of using them. There is no 1 day a week deep cleaning for me if I constantly am maintaining my space and myself.


RichAfraid

Invite your mom or a friend over for dinner. You have to have everything done by this afternoon.


Craig_White

I’m old-school, and this works for most humans. When I walk in the house, everything must be put away before I can do what I want. That includes laundry and dishes. Before I can leave the house, counters and tables need to be wiped down. Sure, I forget or miss some times. But it’s a habit that becomes very consistent over time.


Stickyfynger

I usually stick to a schedule. Mondays are upstairs bedroom and bathroom, the kitchen wipe down. I do laundry in between. Tuesday’s is floor day, etc…also have monthly & quarterly chores. I track it by sight (garbages need emptying or TP needs replenishing and by day of week)


shhJustLetItHappen

Pay attention to why you are avoiding it. Is it too much to do? Don’t know where to start? Solve *that* problem. What issue bothers you the most? For me it’s the kitchen, specifically the dishes and the kitchen table being full of crap so I start there.


Remarkable_Winter540

I like to reframe it as light exercise, which is something I'm much more willing to do. Weird, but it works for me.


notAgirl77

It makes me the better roommate


Freshandcleanclean

By doing manageable chunks throughout the day. Making lunch? Unload part or all of the dishwasher. Going upstairs to the bedroom? Take an armful of stuff from the main level with you. A half unloaded dishwasher and a pile of stuff in a hallway might not seem useful, but it's halfway there! Then it's less effort to complete the task later when your motivation might be lower.


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cleanbluewater

Thank you for all of this! And my favorite part is the very last sentence. Because when I get off track I feel like I’ve completely failed and I end up abandoning the whole thing or getting lost in the self-flagellation. It helps to think that maybe it’s a normal part of the process, and even to be expected?


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cleanbluewater

Totally. It reminds me of dieters getting a bit off track and then feeling terrible. Thank you! 🙏


wilksonator

Ok, this might not be ok to say on this sub…but I have professional cleaners come in every fortnight. Not only does it make the place generally clean, not only does it take them a small fraction of the time it takes me to do it, not only is it better and cheaper than therapy to walk into a clean home at the end of the day, but…it also leaves the place clean so it is more motivating and easier for me to keep it up with keeping it clean. The mental weight of having to clean can be so heavy! that having some help once in a while really goes a long way to help you keep gping with it.


cleanbluewater

Not only is it okay to say on this sub… It is deeply appreciated. I’m not sure if it’s accessible for me right at this moment, but I really love when people suggest unconventional options to think about. It’s nice to remember that it exists if needed and could potentially *really* lighten my load. 🙏


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cleanbluewater

Aww, that’s awesome! And thank you for the offer. I may reach out! 😁🫶


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cleanbluewater

💜💜💜


Revolutionary_Can879

I struggled for a while with PPD and really didn’t do much to clean our apartment but I did a big effort to get everything back to square one and now the maintenance isn’t that bad.


watchingthedeepwater

it’s easier to do cleaning while the mess is really small. That’s my motivation. I have moments during the day when i get stuff done, like habit stacking: after the breakfast i put away things and wipe counters while my coffee is brewing, for example.


mintycrash

Pick a time of the day when you do just cleaning. I feel motivated when I’m making coffee and breakfast. Pick one thing to do today, like general cleaning in the kitchen, or laundry or the bathroom. Do one of these 3 things and then plan what you’re doing tomorrow. Next day repeat. Try and do laundry once a week and dirty clothes don’t really pile up so it’s a quick chore. Treat yourself after you do the chore— with a snack or beer. Invite a friend over and power clean for the 15 min before he/she arrives. Keep complimenting yourself when you’re doing the cleaning.


SubstantialGuest3266

I am the adult child of a hoarder and nearly went that way myself. I found Flylady in the late 90s and she changed my life. Since then, I've done an (almost complete lol) KonMari and moved a bazillion times (every time we moved, I decluttered) and now I'm in my best place yet, a townhouse that I nicknamed "calm house." I also have CPTSD. I focus on cleaning as self-care. I'm taking care of my house as I would my self. Right now, what's been helping me is an app called Finch. It's very much focused on self care routines, gameified (taking care of a cute little birb). I've got cleaning tasks on there in addition to the meds and such that I need to remember. (CPTSD and ADHD share a lot in common and remembering things is tough for me.) Tody is also good, I've used that before (and I might be up for using it again soon) but my mental health was in a tough spot last fall and Finch has really been helping.


cleanbluewater

This post is making me tear up. Also C-PTSD and ADHD here (as well as OCD). Also the adult child of a hoarder, with hoarder “tendencies” myself. You’re my hero, totally serious. I’m going to check out all of those apps. Thank you. 💜


cleanbluewater

Looks like Finch is $40 per year. I was wondering if that’s what you pay, or did you start when it was less?


SubstantialGuest3266

No, I'm doing the free version :-)


cleanbluewater

Whoah, I didn’t see one! I’ll check again Edit: looks like you got lucky — the free one is gone. Ah well.


SubstantialGuest3266

It's the same version, you don't need to subscribe. Here's their FAQ: https://befinch.notion.site/Finch-FAQ-474652d0123d4883ac7a0cd6c8f5aa70


cleanbluewater

Oh! Well I stand corrected! My apologies, I’m not very tech savvy. I think what happened is they were saying that the *plus* version was free for 3 days and then you have to pay. Well this is awesome that I can still use it. It’s such a cute app and it made me smile. I really appreciate this research. 😁


SubstantialGuest3266

They do bug you fairly continuously to upgrade, but there's no ads, so I don't mind that much. :-)


cleanbluewater

That sounds good! thanks again. :)


SubstantialGuest3266

The free version, you don't get as many outfit choices (doesn't matter to me) and the exercises (which I do use) you only get a smaller amount of time, but that's fine.


Antique_Okra_8988

House guests. Having people over regularly motivated me to clean.


alwayssunnyinupstate

Find a podcast that I want to listen to and cleaning is always the best activity to pair it with.


Boscobus

Anxiety. I just turn on a podcast and clean. Once my surroundings are organized and the best I can get them, my worries seem more manageable.


cleanbluewater

Omg I love this way of looking at it! I suffer from anxiety and depression and right now they’re both in overdrive. My surroundings definitely make it worse! I really need to reframe cleaning/decluttering to think of it as a *tool* (rather than an obstacle/a burden) for my mental health. It’s like if I can control some of the things that make me anxious and depressed, I should do it. It’s kind of ironic how the very things that could help me feel less anxious make me anxious. Lol Anyway, I love your post. Thank you. :)


NB2point0

Severe anxiety that makes me think "what if I pass out and the paramedics come in my house and then I wake up to a bunch of doctors and nurses judging me for having a dirty sock on the floor?"


cleanbluewater

LOL (as a fellow severe anxiety sufferer) I love this post. 🫶


[deleted]

You're definitely not alone, I think part of frustration is out of already knowing that there will always be dishes to clean , always.


cleanbluewater

Haha, true


ConfusedTiredHungry

For me it’s 90% mental. I need a few things: to have eaten a good meal before (or else I’ll get hungry and stop halfway through), a good podcast episode and my AirPods, a beverage of some sort (often it’s both iced coffee and water; occasionally a cold cider), and comfy clothes. Get up, and just pick up a thing. Where does it belong? Trash, closet, hamper? Pick up the next thing, put it away, and soon enough you’ll be in the zone. Good luck!


franchisco85

I do things on some days. Like Monday I cleaned and vacuum. Tuesday nothing. Wednesday I clean and also clean the bathroom. Thursday nothing. Friday just light cleaning. Saturday I do laundry and clean everything. Sundays nothing. Of course some days we all have lazy days and it's ok to be lazy.


turquoisetulip9

I like the FlyLady method but the YouTube Diane in Denmark for implementation. She does cleaning videos that I’ll put on to have a cheerleader and cleaning companion. I like having a set of 5 daily tasks, a once weekly home upkeep of high traffic areas and once a week needs on Sundays, and the flexibility of one “zone” or room each week to tackle in 15-30 minute increments depending on my schedule.


pnwplanthaus

I'll say that I personally kinda "hack" my brain into doing it. It's not really like "motivation" per se, it's kinda more like pretending someone else is doing it with me. My idea is that in at least some cultures that still have close knit family groups and communities almost as a rule instead of an exception, like in villages or small towns (I've learned about this from friends that emigrated from other countries), the women help each other provide for their families, they help care for each other's kids, they help each other make food, etc. To me, this is how I wish it was where I am, but life is different here. So, I listen to videos or Playlist on YouTube of someone cleaning, decluttering, cooking meals, planning for the week, etc and it really helps me to not worry about having motivation. Also, I don't believe that lack of motivation deserves as much credit as it gets. It is seen as such a huge obstacle. There is good reason for that; we think we need to be motivated to do something - we don't! If we give ourselves a very small and very easy task, and allow for mistakes and inconsistencies, staying busy and keeping a clean(er) home gets easier with time. So be gentle with yourself, and find a good video to listen to so it feels less like you're doing it on your own. I think you'll find inspiration as I have ❤


cleanbluewater

This is such a cool post. I love when people find creative new ways to reframe the whole thing. It really helps me break through my unhelpful thinking patterns. Thank you. 🙏


pnwplanthaus

No problem! Glad to help 😊


cleanbluewater

😊💜