How Do I Manage to Keep my House Clean?

Question

I work 12:30 to 9pm M-F, live with my boyfriend and we own 1 cat and 1 dog. My boyfriend's idea of cleaning is taking out the trash and wiping off the coffee table. I can't seem to get to the actual vacuuming and dusting part. I usually come home, make dinner, do the dishes, clean the kitchen up, get a load of laundry going, check pet food, clean the litter box, put away clothes and by then it's 1 am and I still haven't had time to myself. How did my mother do it?

Answer 1

You could seek a more equitable division of labor.   I hate to ask; but, I am afraid your boyfriend does not consider laundry is within his range of partial responsibility.  That is unfortunate.  I would be a simple task for the guy. While you are washing the dishes after making the dinner.  Do you not see the unequal balance in your household work? Love is defined by some people as a form of respect.   I am not getting any respect vibes out your description of your daily life.   Your mother:  I cannot imagine she was placed in the role you have volunteered to accept.  It is neither fair nor reasonable treatment from your significant other.  Sorry, but it just does not measure up on the scales of fairness.  

Answer 2

What about weekends? Maybe you could take Saturday or Sunday to do deeper cleaning and get caught up with the things you didnt get done through the week.

Answer 3

Well, chances are you mother didn't work 12:30-9pm!  I know how you feel... I have 2 toddlers under 5, a large-breed dog and a crumb leaving husband.    I feel like I spend a very large part of my day cleaning,cooking and other chores... When I was working at night- I would come home at 1am to a messy house... So, I had to have a chat with my husband about how I like the house and how much time during the day I spend cleaning it and he needed to keep it up at night!  

I have a basic routine that works for me... I use my crock-pot a lot.. That way I start dinner in the morning- let it simmer and it's DONE!  I have a list of daily chores that take me anywhere from 45 min-1 1/2 hours... I put in a load of laundry at night before bed and put it in the dryer in the AM... My husband is in charge of bringing up the laundry, folding and putting it away.  I work a few hours in the evening so he's also in charge of keeping the house the way I left it... That means cleaning up the kitchen.. Loading the dishwasher and putting it on time delay.  

In the AM- I use antibacterial wipes to wipe down the bathroom toilet, sink and countertops... I swish the toilet and once a week deep clean the tub/tile suround... I also sweep/mop the floor and wash the guest towels and rugs.  

I move into the kitchen- wipe down the countertops,sinks and appliances... Make breakfast and unload/load the dishwasher.. Feed/water the dog and vacuum the livingroom...

I dust the furniture 1x a week and polish another day 1x... I make all the beds and vacuum the rest of the house...

I go into the playroom in the basement once a week to put toys away and sweep/mop...

Sounds like your husband can do alittle more around the house have him do the pet duties...

Good luck