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Post by yellowwallpaper on Oct 22, 2017 0:38:47 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I am currently living in squalor. Not stacks up to the ceiling squalor, but definitely gross. Some rotting food, dishes piled, gunk on the floors, paths in rooms but the floors mostly covered. I have a pretty small house--I would say a little over 1000 square feet, so there's not a lot of surface area to deal with (one positive in this.) I have been slowly working my way through the mess for a few weeks now, but I have a deadline of about 17 days from now to get my house in order. Positive thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated!
I don't really know where to start. It seems like everything is sticky and gross.
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Post by bub on Oct 22, 2017 0:54:25 GMT -5
Hi! Welcome!
Is there somewhere in particular that you'd like to focus on? The bathroom, the front hall? Bedroom? Are you able to run a load of laundry or a dishwasher/soak dishes while you're clean g? Is there obvious garbage that can be tossed?
You may find someone in chat to encourage you...
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Post by Serendipity on Oct 22, 2017 2:26:20 GMT -5
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Post by hollyhock on Oct 22, 2017 7:20:49 GMT -5
Hi and welcome yellowwallpaper. I see you say you have 17 days to get your house in order. Is that self-imposed, or is this for whole house or just access to a particular area? As mentioned, the first thing to do is just get out any garbage. We have a thing here called 'amnesty' - meaning quit worrying about doing everything the 'correct' way - such as figuring out recycling etc. Just DO it now, worry about recycling when you have your place in a better condition. Same goes for any other items - waiting for them to sell, or go to a consignment shop, or the proper person to come along, only delays you. If it's easy, donate, otherwise just toss. And I agree with Serendipity - get out the rotting food and sticky stuff first too. Once the smelly, sticky and trashy stuff are gone, you will have a better idea of your next move. In addition, if it's dishes, put some in to soak, while you do something else, and come back to wash them. Chip away at the pile. And if its laundry - the same - gather it up, and work through each load, or if possible, just take it all to a laundromat and get it all washed at 1 time. I find using a timer really helps me keep on task. But don't do it too long. Some here put a timer on for 6 or 8 minutes. I like to do 15 minutes work, then 15 for a break - as long as you keep coming back. I also use the timer to remind me to go back to the dishes, or move the laundry to the next step. Good luck, and keep posting. Join a work-along thread, the weekly challenge, or start your own blog, if they might help. |
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Post by peaceandfreedom on Oct 22, 2017 17:14:18 GMT -5
Welcome! Don't forget to BREATHE as you work! Deep breaths...
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Post by def6 on Oct 23, 2017 6:21:50 GMT -5
Hello yellowwallpaperOne way to tackle what you have before you is to set goals every day and make sure you do them. Just a side note ...You mentioned the size of your house, It might help to think about how much storage space you have to put things. You might have to scale back belongings quite a bit to make things fit comfortably. A list like this might help: hall closet Shelving unit Hide stuff ottoman Make a list of everything you have that you can put things in and then optimize.  |
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Post by Nael_C on Oct 24, 2017 2:25:02 GMT -5
yellowwallpaper, hello and welcome to the forum! I know it seems impossible right now, but it's not! You can do it! I wanted to ask you, why is the 17 days necessary? Is it a landlord inspection issue? I'd say you start with the things you mentioned. Thus, the kitchen. Take a big big garbage bag in your hands and go over the place, getting rid of rotten and smelly food. Even throw away dishes and plates that you feel are way difficult to clean right now. Since you say you have limited time, get yourself some paper plates and until you sort out the sink, there won't be any more mess added! That will help you psychologically I feel, to see no more added to the already existing work. Now, how about the bathroom? Are there any safe spaces, spaces you have already cleaned and uncluttered? Then you have to daily maintain these, think of it as Little Sanctuaries. Step by step, baby steps, will lead you to make these Little Sanctuaries more and more! Many little sanctauries can lead you to a cleaner home. Oh, it won't happen in a day, but it can happen!
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Post by yellowwallpaper on Oct 26, 2017 23:54:01 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for your great input! My 17 day deadline is a bit complicated. Basically, my estranged and abusive parents are moving back to my area in early November and I worry that they will use my living situation as a means to force a relationship with my toddler (I don't allow one, due to their abusive tendencies) through CPS.
My living situation deteriorated in the last year when I took a very high demand job. I work 60+ hour weeks, so it is so hard to find time to clean when I'm absolutely exhausted at the end of the day. I'm making progress though!
There are some heavily soiled areas that I'm not sure how to tackle. Basically, my sofa (microfiber,) mattress, and carpets all need some serious attention. My bathtub is an old metal tub that is pretty stained, some of it from before we even moved in. Any ideas on how to deep clean these areas? I've heard using a clothes iron on carpets worked really well for set in stains, and watered down rubbing alcohol for the sofa. Can anyone confirm or deny this.
I'm also terrible at organizing, so lots of things don't have a permanent "home." I'm trying to work on that as well.
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Post by bub on Oct 27, 2017 4:09:28 GMT -5
Do you have a carpet cleaning machine or a little green machine? They work wonders on furniture and carpets. Vacuum, then clean with the machine (and recommended cleaners) and voila! Wal-Mart carries them.
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Post by sidestep on Oct 27, 2017 5:04:38 GMT -5
I have had very good luck with my carpet cleaner. In the beginning I use to rent those big, bulky Rug Doctors from the store. They worked quite well for me, but hauling it in & out of the car was a pain. I then got myself my own carpet cleaner which I feel is essential if one has pets. Mine also has upholstery attachments, & I have used that on my sister's creme colored microfiber couch with surprisingly good results.  |
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Post by joyinvirginia on Oct 27, 2017 21:02:29 GMT -5
welcome! Can you hire a professional organizer to help you dig out? If anyone would call CPS, and I'm assuming you are in the U.S., they would look for safe environment, child having their own place to sleep, food in fridge, working plumbing. Really stained old tubs usually need some type of resurfacing, don't worry about stains. Stained couch or chair? Get a big throw or blanket and use as a cheap slip cover.
Welcome! I hope you get some great ideas here!
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Post by FullSteamAhead on Oct 28, 2017 3:20:37 GMT -5
Hi Yellowwallpaper! I've had success cleaning my gross bathtub with blue dawn & vinegar to get rid of soap scum. For old stains and rust, bar keeper's friend works wonders! Be sure to use gloves and a scratch-free scrubbing pad. After about 10 minutes of scrubbing it will look so much better! Good luck!
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Post by hannah on Oct 28, 2017 19:02:55 GMT -5
Hi Yellowwallpaper! I've had success cleaning my gross bathtub with blue dawn & vinegar to get rid of soap scum. For old stains and rust, bar keeper's friend works wonders! Be sure to use gloves and a scratch-free scrubbing pad. After about 10 minutes of scrubbing it will look so much better! Good luck! I just found this mixture after Googling "how to clean a shower" and I was amazed at how well it worked! |
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Post by nonchalant on Oct 28, 2017 19:30:19 GMT -5
I have had very good luck with my carpet cleaner. In the beginning I use to rent those big, bulky Rug Doctors from the store. They worked quite well for me, but hauling it in & out of the car was a pain. I then got myself my own carpet cleaner which I feel is essential if one has pets. Mine also has upholstery attachments, & I have used that on my sister's creme colored microfiber couch with surprisingly good results.
Yellow, good luck and welcome to SOS. You can do this. |
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Post by sidestep on Oct 29, 2017 4:04:03 GMT -5
nonchalant, Was it the Animal Spot Bot? That set it & forget it feature short or long cycle while it runs thru its shampooing cycle was nice. I used to use that if there was just a solitary spot or two between shampooings.
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