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Post by puppybox on Jul 30, 2010 19:44:35 GMT -5
Im getting closer and closer to maintenance level, but I have a new problem- my standards are getting higher.
This prevents me from being finished.
partly I've gotten in the habit of devoting time to decluttering and cleaning. Not continuously (or is it continually, I get them mixed up), but on and off for maybe 3 years. (this time). I've made certain jumps forward recently. But the clean parts make the dirty parts look dirty.
Some things are impossible to clean, or impossible to clean without crazy amounts of work I maybe should not inverst the time in. Like, the telephone line stapled to the top of the base board that has been painted over looked ok when it was first painted over (by the janitor) but its impossible to get the dirt out from the tiny patch between the cord and the wall. I don't have a home phone and If I did The line is not necessary since any future tenant would likely have a cordless phone making it unnecessary to have this thing going from the front hall where the little box is to the living room.
Its so frustrating to clean clean clean and then have this black ring! I've tried using a damp cloth or paper towels, it doesn't work. I'd need to get a toothbrush maybe. And I live on a busy street and plenty of pollution comes in the windows and the dogs bring in tons of dirt and dust. So i'd have to do this like once a month? Or I'd have to pull out this line (is staple gunned, plus painted over) and athen the baseboard would be all rough, and sort of need sanding or have the paint chipped off at least, and look like it needs painting. OMG what a pain.
I rent this apartment. I like it and don't plan to move though. I suppose if I started making a lot more money I would. Or if I moved in with someone (not dating anyone now).
This is just one example of this type of thing. I'm not so much looking for solutions as advice- somehow not let my standards get that high? This never would have bothered me a few years ago, I would have felt GLAD it wasnt my fault it was dirty and forgotten about it.
I don't think I'm confusing this with things that are very hard but within reason to clean- eg mold on bathroom ceiling, that's hard but seems reasonable.
due to the weirdness of this apartment, there are many such problems that are virtually impossible to fix with the amount of tools and knowledge and money that I actualyl have.
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Post by usedtobeneat on Jul 30, 2010 20:00:22 GMT -5
Maybe you could try making a list of the things in every room that are bothering you that are hard to clean or would take a lot of work. Then you could put them in order of easiest to hardest, and write out what it would take to fix them or different options to fix them. You could start by fixing the easiest thing in each room.
Just an idea.
Mary
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Post by messymimi on Jul 30, 2010 20:05:16 GMT -5
Dear PuppyBox,
Raising your standards is what makes a continuing upward spiral in the house. There is nothing wrong with that at all!
Is there any way you can get the landlord in on these things that seem to be more involved? In the church where we are janitors, we have what I call the housekeeping duties -- scrubbing toilets, mopping floors, cleaning the kitchen type stuff. Things that would be considered "improvements", like paint, sanding, mold remediation, and outdoor work, are handled by the Maintenance crew, not the janitorial staff (us).
So maybe talk to the landlord about removing unneeded wires and repainting baseboards. If it has been years since these things have been done anyway, it might be time.
Yes, I know lots of landlords won't do this kind of stuff unless they are trying to attract new renters, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
If that doesn't work, is there a way to move the furniture so as to hide the offending wires?
This is a good problem to have, believe it or not, and I hope to have it myself someday.
I also hope you find an easy solution.
messymimi
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hopehope
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815 
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Post by hopehope on Jul 30, 2010 22:56:48 GMT -5
q tips. bleach. scrubbie pads. citra solv-- leave it a couple minutes.
or a quick swipe with paint.
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Post by puppybox on Jul 30, 2010 23:32:10 GMT -5
I could talk to janitor and landlord.
and would be good to make list. for myself or for them! or both.
I hope someone tells me I should let myself be done, and stop adding things to my idea of what needs to be done.
doesn't any one want to tell me that?
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MiSC
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,611
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Post by MiSC on Jul 30, 2010 23:37:43 GMT -5
 And I heart toothbrushes. |
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Post by gini on Jul 31, 2010 0:21:35 GMT -5
puppybox
Maybe you could blast the dust out with that keyboard-cleaning-air-can stuff.
And then get at the dirt with cleanser on a Q-tip or a skinny paint brush.
If it won't come clean, grant that spot "Amnesty From Perfect Cleanliness".
Because you will have done your very best with a dopey old baseboard sloppily painted by its owner.
Not because you have lowered your extremely admirable High Standards.
I am most desirous of High Standards.
One day............sigh
gini
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Post by toomuchstuph on Jul 31, 2010 1:05:18 GMT -5
It can't be frustrating, can't it puppy?
I do have to remind myself that sometimes good enough has to be good enough. I can just completely get absorbed in the perfection details and not allow time and energy to address the big picture.
The toothbrush is worth a shot. Keep in mind though that sometimes daily grime - just the stuff of normal every day living - can become almost one with the paint. Sometimes nothing short of repainting will work.
I like the idea of asking your landlord too. If the landlord isn't willing to do a whole repaint, maybe even consider telling them there are a few quick and easy maintenance issues you'd like to take care of if they'll pay for the supplies. $50 or $100 for paint, sandpaper, etc may seem a lot more palatable to your landlord than $1000 or $2000 to repaint the whole place!
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Post by mouseanne on Jul 31, 2010 9:28:40 GMT -5
Yay for upward moving standards!!! That kind of thing makes me go, well, look at that, what is the point...  Like in my two prev kitchens, the cupboard doors did not shut, just hung there, I tended to leave them open. Didn't look neat/tidy either way. So, yes, I understand. 2 thots: a steam cleaner. I am thinking it is more than just dust & the dust can is a good idea, but I doubt if that will blow out the grime. If the apt mgmt will not help out... and it will need to be painted when you leave anyway, paint it yourself. get a pint of paint (either matching or contrast) & a fine detail brush & paint it to match either the wall or the baseboard. Alternatively, spray paint. Use painter's tape to keep it neat. |
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Post by usedtobeneat on Jul 31, 2010 10:15:41 GMT -5
For the cord on the baseboard, I just remembered that I have seen this stuff, it's like a half a rectangular tube of flexable plastic that gets stapled over cords when they are run along the wall or over the floor. I've seen that stuff in offices. It's just stapled over it and it covers it up. You could go to the hardware store and look for something like that. If they don't have that exact stuff (I wish I knew what it was called, but I will call my husband today and ask him if he knows what it is and either post it or PM you with it if you want) then you might could find something else thin and hollow and half cut that you could staple over it so it's not seen and looks neat.
Mary
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Post by sleepymom on Jul 31, 2010 13:55:35 GMT -5
I could talk to janitor and landlord. and would be good to make list. for myself or for them! or both. I hope someone tells me I should let myself be done, and stop adding things to my idea of what needs to be done. doesn't any one want to tell me that? Sure  It can certainly be good enough if you`d just as soon let it go. I`m not going to tell you either way though. There`s nothing wrong with being done, it sounds like you`ve been doing well. On the other hand, if it bugs you enough, it`s probably easier to cover it up than to go at it with the toothbrush every week or so. |
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Post by Meme on Jul 31, 2010 14:45:13 GMT -5
I understand exactly what you are saying and feeling--- I have these thoughts too and now I try to just remind my self that there are some things out of my control and I make myself see the good places and not the holes and places I cannot not do--- maybe some day I will be able to control some of the situations but until then I will concentrate on what I can and have done---gentle hugs as I know how important this feeling is >>>>>>>>Meme
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Post by usedtobeneat on Jul 31, 2010 15:02:30 GMT -5
Something else that you might want to do, that I used to do when things were neat, and this really makes a huge difference and it's really easy, is to clean the trim. I just would get a bucket of hot water with Murphy's Oil Soap in it and a sponge. I'd wet it, wring it out, and wipe off the woodwork and the light switches and doors. It din't take but a minute and you really notice a difference and it makes you feel like you have done a whole lot. I would do the door frames, doors if they aren't dark or wood colored, trim around windows and sills, and baseboars. Chair rails if you have any also. If you smoke (we do) and have a step stool, wiping off the crown molding near the ceiling makes a big difference too. There is no scrubbing involved, and it really makes things look, seem, feel and smell very clean.
Mary
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Post by messymimi on Jul 31, 2010 15:37:59 GMT -5
Dear PuppyBox,
Yes, it can get to a point where you can just stop. Do that when you are comfortable with where it is.
messymimi
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Post by usedtobeneat on Jul 31, 2010 16:30:27 GMT -5
I agree Messymimi. There will always be somebody else with a cleaner house than yours and there will always be somebody else with a messier house than yours. Your opinion of your house is the only opinion that really matters.
Mary
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