If you were in charge of cleaning a very messy house

[Collinsky]

...for what ever reason, what would be your game plan? Would you start with one room and clean it until it was sparkly, shiny and as good as it can get, and then move on to the next space, OR would you clean each room until it was "good enough" and then move on to the next, trying to get the house sort of reasonable right off the bat, before trying to get it as good as it could be?

[Neuromancer]

I like a combination method. I would start in all the rooms and remove all items that did not belong in each room, putting the items in the rooms in which they actually belong.

Then I would choose one room -- probably the messiest, so my job would get easier as I went along from room to room -- and clear any clutter leftover (because it belongs in that room) by trashing, setting aside for donation, or putting things away. If things were really bad, I would also go through each closet/cabinet/storage space/shelf in that room and decide for each thing stored whether to trash, donate, clean/repair and replace, or simply replace.

Once the extraneous clutter was cleared in that one room, I would start cleaning the room from the top down. Generally, I'd start with dry cleaning (like dusting), move on to wet cleaning (scrubbing), and do it from ceiling to wall/windows to counters and appliances, saving the floor until last.

Then I would move on to the second-messiest room.

[MamaChicken]

I think it depends on what you mean by "really messy". If there is trash - actual garbage - all over the place, I would probably start with a bunch of trash bags/recycling boxes and get all the trash I could out. Then I would go room by room, decluttering. Then, I would go through with the vacuum, broom, mop, cleaners - all at once.

[spedteacher30]

Is it a one time cleaning or trying to create a method and process to get it clean and keep it clean?

For one time cleaning, I would focus on one room at time until it is sparkling and then move on to the next room.

For a process, I would identify the trouble spots and focus on them one at a time until they each became habits. For example, start with washing all the dishes, and clearing off the counters in the kitchen. then, make sure that all the dishes are washed and put away every day. Once that becomes habit, start dealing with the laundry, making sure that all clothing gets put away as soon as it is dry/folded. Once that becomes habit, then worry about the incoming mail and papers. Once that's habit, move on to something else, etc. For each of those steps, you have to do some decluttering and organizing in order to make sure that the possessions fit into the allotted space, but thinking about everything at once is too overwhelming. Obviously, I would first and foremost get rid of the trash and health/safety/fire hazards first, but I wouldn't try and get each room spotless first because that type of cleaning often involves moving clutter from place to place without ever dealing with it.

[Hey Mama!]

I cleaned house briefly for a friend's sister. It was extremely messy. I started in the kitchen and cleaned it to sparkling. Then, I moved on to the bathroom the next day. The third day I did the living room. After that I tackled the laundry room and then I was able to easily clean these rooms all in a day. I did not clean the bedrooms per her request. It took me 3-4 days to get things to normal.

[SunshineJ]

Originally Posted by MamaChicken

I think it depends on what you mean by "really messy". If there is trash - actual garbage - all over the place, I would probably start with a bunch of trash bags/recycling boxes and get all the trash I could out. Then I would go room by room, decluttering. Then, I would go through with the vacuum, broom, mop, cleaners - all at once.

This would be my method as well.

[Drummer's Wife]

I agree it depends on the mess. If the whole place was a disaster, I might start by collecting all the trash from every room, then all the laundry, then all the toys, dishes, etc. Then, I would focus on one room at a time - probably starting w/the kitchen b/c i know with my house, once the kitchen looks great, I get motivated to work on other rooms.

[Gentle~Mommy :)]

I'd probably start with the kitchen and bathrooms, don't know why really lol that's how I do it here.

[Collinsky]

Thanks for feedback!!! I've been wondering how others would attack my house. I'm not the best housekeeper under the best circumstances, but we've had a bad, bad week (mama and kiddos were sick) and we weren't really at "maintenance stage" before that. It's been a work in progress, but we're not there yet.

There's no spilled garbage on the floor, but everything is a wreck. I mean, clothes, toys, books, papers, crayons, dishes, etc in every single room. I'm scared to look in the couch cushions. Plus miscellaneous junk that just doesn't have a home. Because of the clutter, the deep-down cleaning is 1) impossible and 2) moot.

My policy in the past for "overhaul" cleaning has been to get one room really sparkling - usually the kitchen. This usually means I never get to the upstairs at all, except the bathroom, and I seem to only "crisis clean" the bedrooms. I was just wondering how more successful house-cleaners go about things.

[jdg]

Depends if I was having to live in it while it was being cleaned. If so, I'd start with eliminating dangerous conditions in each room, then get each room that was being actively used to "good enough", then go back to get things sparkly.

If I weren't living in it at the time, I'd probably separate out by project - trash/recycling/donations out first, then putting everything in the room it belongs in, then dusting, sweeping, etc.

[pumpkin]

Just a generally messy space, I like to start in a corner of the house and work through getting it picked up and dealing with major messes. Then go back and do another pass to get it sparkling.

[sunshineafterrain]

I read in a book- I think it was "It's Here Somewhere"
to start with the area that visitors see first, and start with the largest item in that room/space.

So if you had a door opening to your kitchen, you'd start there and start with the table or counter. If it were your living room seen first, the couch or the floor; then when you got to the bedroom it would be the bed and dresser tops.

The point was to start with the most visible mess and then work your way down, Oh, and never start with the inside of something, like a drawer or closet, unless the room was already picked up-- the reasoning being that you'd end up with a mess on top of a mess~ and probably quit in the middle (either by being overwhelmed or just running out of time)

[Purple*Lotus]

Fly Lady has a good crisis cleaning plan.

For me, I would probably start with the dishes. I would get them all washed, whether in the dishwasher or by hand. Then I would go through and take out all of the actual trash. Then I would collect all of the dirty laundry and get it organized and started. Then I would clear off and make up all of the beds. Then I would gather all of the misc papers and put them in to boxes to organize later on. Then I would start clearing other things off of the floors. Eventually my goal would be to vacuum or mop the floors.

Eh, I don't know how helpful that was, because I don't know how messy this house is. But I am picturing my inlaws house in my head *very, very, VERY messy* and this is what I would do if I had the chance to clean it.

[Purple*Lotus]

I also might throw out a lot, too. I am all for donating things, however, if it was that messy and overwhelming, I might just start bagging stuff up to toss

[lyterae]

Originally Posted by Gentle~Mommy :)

I'd probably start with the kitchen and bathrooms, don't know why really lol that's how I do it here.

Me too! If I clean the house the first spot is the kitchen, clean up the trash, any recyclables,etc. Rinse and stack dishes, clean the counters, etc.. Once the kitchen is done move onto the bathrooms.

[BaBaBa]

Another flybaby here....

I would do Fly Lady's Crisis Cleaning.

Set a timer for 15 minutes. Start in the kitchen and spend 15 minutes decluttering and cleaning. When the 15 minutes is up move on to the next room and set the timer for another 15 minutes of delcluttering and cleaning. Keep working in this way until you've done once cycle through all of the rooms that need to be cleaned then set the timer for 15 minutes and put your feet up, have a break, whatever. If you're not done then just repeat from the beginning until you're all cleaned up.
The beauty of this method is that it prevents you from 'crashing and burning' and you get to see results everywhere, quickly. It's inspirational!

[RiverSky]

Make a list! Check off each item as you go about it and then you can see what you have accomplished and what is next. I find I waste time sitting around thinking about what to do next if I don't have and use a list.

First, I would unload and load the dishwasher and get it running.

Next, I'd empty the dryer, and swap the loads, and start a new load of laundry going.

Then, I'd clean the main bathroom, everything except for mopping the floor.
I would clean the sink area, make sure the toothbrushes were all clean (or
soak them in hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash in a little cup), I'd take dirty laundry/towels to the laundry room and put out fresh towels. I'd clean the mirrors, then the counter and sink and faucet. Next, the toilet. Lastly, I'd do the tub/shower. Depending, I might save the floors for later, or I might do a quick vacuum, then a mop, of just that room, to get it perfect. I do the bathroom first, so that while cleaning the rest of the house, I don't go into the bathroom and gross myself out (or dirty myself) with filth.

Next, if there were other bathrooms, I'd probably do those.

(mind you, I usually do large cleaning like this with help, my husband for instance, so we each take one of the jobs/rooms, finish it and then move onto whatever is next)

Next, it's the kitchen. If the dishwasher is done, I'd empty it and reload it.
Then I'd put away any food left on the counter and make sure the pantry is tidy. Next, wipe up the stove and any bare counters. I'd make sure any clean dishes/pots/pans were put away. After that, I always end up piling any dirty dishes as tightly as possible, so I can clean anything else left.
Once all of the counters are clean and the dishwasher reloaded as often as
possible until all dishes are clean, I vacuum the floor then mop it. I also go into the dining room at this point, and make sure nothing is on the table
and then wipe it to make sure it doesn't have anything on it.

Next, I tidy the front foyer area, put away/tidy shoes, have the children take
their stuff to their rooms, etc.

During this time, I also have my children (who are 8 and 11, so plenty old
enough) to tidy their rooms. I often give them lists to help them.

Living room is next and usually doesn't take very long. I do the bathroom
and kitchens first because they are smelly and our living room usually
is only messy with a few toys, lap blankets strewn about, books and magazines on the coffee table, video games easily go back into their drawer. Dusting takes a bit longer because we have shelves and shelves
of knick knacks which need to be removed to do a good dust/polish. I also vacuum the couches and spray upholstered surfaces with white vinegar.

I also like to light scented candles around the house while I'm cleaning.
It makes me feel like it's all very pleasant. I also put on loud, energetic
music to get me moving.

After all of that is done, I then move onto our TV room, dust book shelves,
continue to load and unload laundry (saving folding for later) as it cycles,
then I go into our bedroom, fold all of the clean laundry and have everyone
put away their own clothes. I transfer towels and linens to the appropriate
places. Sheets and linens are changed in the bedrooms.

Since my children are able to clean their own rooms, I then go in, check up on their progress and vacuum their carpets. I also vacuum and mop the rest of the house.

The master bedroom always comes last for us and if there is any room that
we don't get to, it's always that one.

[RiverSky]

Beware, disgusting story ahead...

I described cleaning my own house above, but here is where I describe cleaning someone else's extremely filthy house.

Many years ago, I once agreed to watch the children of an acquaintance, a single mother who had to go out of town to a business conference for a week, and had no one to leave her children with. Since the eldest was old enough to watch the younger two, according to the mother, I was just to come in the morning, make sure they were all ready to go when they got picked up for school/daycare, and after school to make sure they all got supper and got ready for bed. She paid me, but it wasn't much, I did it as a favor and because I felt bad for her and the children.

Well, I had no idea what condition the house would be in.

When I first arrived on the morning once the mother was already gone, I found out that both bathrooms int he house were COVERED in poo, smeared all over the toilet, walls, floors, etc. It was shocking. As soon as I got all of the kids out of the house, I called my husband, he took the day off so he could watch our children at home, and I went and bought a mop with removable heads, and tons of cleaning supplies, including straight bleach and rubber gloves, reusable and disposable ones. I brought a bunch of crappy rags that I had at home, which I planned to use and then immediately throw away.

I started with the bathroom by mopping the floors from outside the bathroom, drying them with the rags and then moving further into the bathroom as I went. I tied plastic bags around my shoes, actually. It took me at least an hour to do just one bathroom, maybe an hour and a half, because it was so bad. I used various mop heads and then washed them in the washing machine, so I could use them again.

After I got the first bathroom clean, visually, I then used full strength bleach and I bleached every surface. I know, that's so harsh and I would never do it in a normal situation, but I was terrified of how much of a health hazard that home was and what preschoolers were doing to themselves in a bathroom that had no soap and was in that condition.

After I left that bathroom, I started doing laundry, load after load. There were probably 12 loads of laundry to be done, not including the linens I stripped off of the beds. I vacuumed the mattresses in the kids' rooms and I sprayed (soaked) full strength white vinegar on them to deodorize and sanitize and left them to dry.

Next, I worked on the 2nd bathroom, which wasn't quite as bad as the first. This was a very depressing day for me, I definitely cried a lot because I had never seen such a mess in my life and I was not getting paid much (maybe $100 for a week of watching these kids?) but I just couldn't live with myself by allowing those children to live in such filth.

After getting rid of all the filthy rags and sponges and such, and lots and lots of paper towel, I started on the kitchen. The kitchen wasn't really that bad, just a couple of loads of dishes, a slightly messy fridge and a filthy floor (two good mops did it). Then it was time to do the living room, which I'm sure filled the vacuum cleaner 3 times just with dirt and dust. The kids' rooms were next. I wiped and cleaned toys with vinegar and paper towel, washed all linens and clothing and tidied books and toys. Once I had clean linen for them, I made up the beds.

The last thing I did was I tidied the mother's bedroom, remade up her bed, vacuumed the floors, did the laundry.

On that first day, I was able to do the bathrooms, the kitchen and a lot of laundry, and the kids' bedrooms. On subsequent days, I did laundry, tidying and the master bedroom. I made sure the children bathed daily
and wore clean clothes.

Oh yeah, I had to buy them new toothbrushes and toothpaste, which I was happy to do.

So there's my very gross story. The eldest child said thank you to me about 20 times on that first evening. The mother ended up giving me $25 and saying thank you very much and that she promised to work hard to keep it up. I promised my husband I would never say yes to another situation like that again.

[zoebird]

i tend to do a combined approach.

first, i would go room by room and do the quick declutter--toss trash, put laundry where it needs to go, etc. i call this "straightening up."

then, i would head into the room-by-room process. i choose a room and i do that one--deep declutter, organize, and clean. i might do one per weekend, or week, or sometimes two depending upon how much work the room needs. if a couple of rooms were basically 'done' during the 'straightening up' phase, then i might do the deep clean of both rooms because it could be done quickly.

and finally, i would set up a quick-clean schedule and process. for example, once my bedroom was sparkling, i would do a quick pick up every day--make the bed, put away clothes, sweep the floors and quick-dust. takes about 10 minutes. each room has a process in place to keep it picked up and basically clean every day, and then the cleaning lady does the weekly deep clean. sometimes, i do it one week, she does it the next.

of course, now we don't have a house, therefore, no cleaning lady. right now, we keep our room clean and neat, wash our bathroom, and keep the kitchen cleaned up after ourselves. pretty straight forward.

[ArtsyMomma]

Originally Posted by Collinsky

...for what ever reason, what would be your game plan? Would you start with one room and clean it until it was sparkly, shiny and as good as it can get, and then move on to the next space, OR would you clean each room until it was "good enough" and then move on to the next, trying to get the house sort of reasonable right off the bat, before trying to get it as good as it could be?

I would go from one room to the next. I have to see visible progress, or I get unmotivated.