I recently read a post by thrifty decor chick, that really prompted my thoughts about keeping house. Because in between blog reading today, I was doing just that, cleaning house.
First of all, let me just say, I have never been one to judge someone for the way they keep their homes, whether really clean and tidy, or messy and toys all over. I have always felt it does not affect me either way, so why do or would I care?
I don’t, so let’s get that straight!
I don’t, so let’s get that straight!
I have always been a tidy, clean housekeeper type. Even as a young girl, I loved to clean. My sister said I should have been born with a dust buster attachment to my hand .
I vacuum every day, mop once or twice a week, and faithfully dust once a week, sometimes twice.
I vacuum every day, mop once or twice a week, and faithfully dust once a week, sometimes twice.
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| This is usually out every day in the middle of the room, it’s the norm. |
I pull the couch out once a week and get all those lovely dust bunnies, I clean the toilets at least two, three times a week,
etc. etc….you get the gist.
I am not telling you all this to make you feel less adequate or how do I do all I do?, blog, take care of my family and have a clean house all the time…
I am not telling you all this to make you feel less adequate or how do I do all I do?, blog, take care of my family and have a clean house all the time…
WHY, am I compulsive, do I have a problem?
don’t answer that!
don’t answer that!
Simply because I really like house cleaning. It’s like a hobby to me at this point.
It truly is a personal like of mine and always has been.
( I do not want to clean other peoples homes though, so don’t ask)
It truly is a personal like of mine and always has been.
( I do not want to clean other peoples homes though, so don’t ask)
I know shoot me now and put me out of my misery, who likes to clean?
Please tell me someone…. you do too!
Please tell me someone…. you do too!
Laundry is another story…I HATE it!
I mean HATE it!
I mean HATE it!
I have two sons, a black shedding dog and my husband.
People have often asked me, is your house always this clean? Well on the surface it may appear that way, but I am not an ANAL cleaner let’s say. Windows are gross, sills are dirty and dusty and have spiders and webs, and all that good stuff. So don’t hate me because I appear to be just that clean.
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| The norm once again to have something cleaning related on the counter. But is this normal? Probably not so much, but again it’s my hobby. And who is really to say what is normal and what is not. It is what makes you feel comfortable and OK. I did not stage this photo whatsoever, I was seriously in my usual mode, and took a picture. |
When my boys were little, I had a routine for play time and toys being out. Every morning they would get up and head right to their toy box that I kept in our family room. It was pretty big and looked like part of the decor in style as it was a huge wicker tall chest.
Toys were scattered all about, friends would come and play and all was good.
My boys have never felt my cleanliness to be in the way, or have ever said to me Mom just chill!
I do not think they know any other way.They have seen me be this way all their lives.
And let me say people are very comfortable when they come here. They have no problem flopping on the couch and putting their feet up. I suppose it is how we make them feel, not how our home appears.
And for my boys, like me, do not judge friends homes if they are not as tidy or clean. They have NEVER said a word to me about it. Which shows me, they too do not judge someones home. It really is .no big deal, who cares in the grand scheme of things.
I do not think they know any other way.They have seen me be this way all their lives.
And let me say people are very comfortable when they come here. They have no problem flopping on the couch and putting their feet up. I suppose it is how we make them feel, not how our home appears.
And for my boys, like me, do not judge friends homes if they are not as tidy or clean. They have NEVER said a word to me about it. Which shows me, they too do not judge someones home. It really is .no big deal, who cares in the grand scheme of things.
I just love to clean! and have always managed to keep up.. even when they were small.
Now I will say dirty socks are scattered about just about every day, and I told them one day I will make them eat one, and I swear I just might.
Now just so y’all don’t think I am miss tidy, clean perfect over here.
I will share just a smidge of my lack of organization.
In my previous life I was an office manager, and organization was my strong suit…
well that has since changed.
I really think I need to start working on some cupboards soon.
I am all about what you don’t see can’t hurt ya. Don’t dare look under my beds or open a closet.
I am all about what you don’t see can’t hurt ya. Don’t dare look under my beds or open a closet.
So tell me are you a clean freak?
or do you think I’m a freak? Please tell me yes, to either one!
We don’t have to do it all..do what you want how you want it, and enjoy your life. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Hey I’ve got a toilet to clean.
Have a great night.
or do you think I’m a freak? Please tell me yes, to either one!
We don’t have to do it all..do what you want how you want it, and enjoy your life. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Hey I’ve got a toilet to clean.
Have a great night.
Yep, clean freak over here too. Love it Debbie!
Have a great weekend.
~Melissa
I so wish I WAS a clean freak but I'm not. boo hoo
I like to clean…but I LOVE laundry! heehee! The last house we lived in had 4 bathrooms and I was always cleaning them! But I like to putter and I LOVE to organize! I just like to play inside a little every day! I wrote my girlfriend that has the blog Poofing the Pillows and told her that's what I was doing today! I think you're normal, Deb…just like me! hahaha!!! ♥♥♥
So not a clean freak here…there is a book I want because well maybe the title should become my mantra. "A Well Kept Home is a Sign of Mis-spent Life". Not because I really feel that way but it justifies my less than tidy ways. hehe! ;).
ha Sami that is funny!~ Good thing I have a very active life too..or I would really feel freakish.
You are so freaking funny. Girl, I love you. I am sitting in my den with my foot in the air. Dust bunnies are fighting to get inside my cast.
I cleaned house top to bottom before my girls and their families came down on March 12th. We had six extra people here for a week. I do NOT clean when they are here. We just have fun. The day before they left I broke my foot. Can you imagine how the house looked when they left?
Bob has been wonderful. He is a good cook. The maid service around here sucks. One more week before I see the doctor. EEEEEEEK!! Calgon take me away!!
To answer the questiion. I have NOT been a clean freak for three weeks and it is driving me freaking crazy. Love you, Insane in Savannah Ginger
I own a mini leaf blower that I use in my house to "blow down" I blow down at least once a week. I blow the ceilings, behind the stove, fridge, tops of curtains,mostly stuff I cant reach and it does make a difference. I hate hate hate dust and I will not tolerate it. I am so a clean freak to the point I own a mini leaf blower to clean with. lol
I like a clean house, but by the time I get home from work, I am frazzled! I'm happy if I can keep up with the dishes and laundry, and have the living room halfway decent in case someone drops by.
I had to laugh about the dirty socks. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Yes Deb I am a clean freak to the point where my family thinks I have a problem!! i LOVE everything neat and clean and in it's place, even when we have a house full of company and that's quite often I don't go to bed until the downstairs is vacuumed and mopped and the powder room is cleaned, my friends think I'm nuts!! That's the way I was brought up, my mom's a cleaning fanatic too! So your not alone and we can be "FREAKS" together LOL!! Have a great weekend, Martina
For some reason I have that Rick James song in my head now…she's a super freak super freak, she's super freaky yow….I'm not alone! YAY.
Hi Debbie Dear Cleaning Freak! Well, I used to be more of a cleaning freak when my children was young. As I get older, I don't do the deep stuff as often as I should. I let my laundry pile up sometimes. But…there's hope for me – I like to try and keep things organized. I have a place for most things and always try to put them back. But Mr. Precious is another story! 🙂
Oh, I never vacuum, Mr. Precious does! I love that.
Be a sweetie and get that cupboard organized and come to my party on Tuesday! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
You and I are so much alike that it is crazy. I vacuum daily! My vacuum is usually sitting out, too. I dust at least once a week. Mop once a week. Clean toilets twice a week, etc. HATE doing laundry with a passion!! Hate to iron! Hate to buy groceries and I am not organized whatsoever!! Do not look behind closed doors in this house. You may be in danger!!
Before my children were born I vacuumed every day. It didn't take long for that to stop! I love a clean house and mine is kept clean but it doesn't make me crazy like it used to…unless company is coming. Oh, my then everything is cleaned from the ceiling to the floor and everything in between…it's get outa' my way, I gotta getter done! Yep, crazy!
My vote is clean freak. I must be your twin. I too vac all three levels of my home everyday, wipe down the sink and toilet in every bath daily. You very seldom see anything out of place in my house, plus I am organized. I have to be I run a business from home. I, like you welcome people to treat my home as their own and no one has ever been offended by my neatness. Don't seek therapy yet, there is still hope for you. LOL Glad I'm not the only neat freak out there. Great post!
OH Debbie I have a BIG problem with this, It's really bad, I move the frig and stove once a week and clean the bathrooms every other day I could go on and on… My mother was a clean freak and it was hand down to me and now Tia is worse than me… I'm not sure if this is a bad thing or a good thing. But I do know one thing I'm not afraid to open my door at any time. And one more thing My Mother got better as she got older…. I use to make fun of her…She told me that once you hit about 70 you don't worry as much…Gee that means I only have 20 more years to go…LOL…
Have a great weekend. I could write so much on this topic…But I'll quit now…
Pattie
Sadly, I'm a clean freak…It's so bad that if I sit down and see something out of place in the room, I can not rest until I get up and fix it. That's with anything in life. I love doing dishes and laundry!! I could go on and on. I hope one day I can just let it go…. =)))
I don't love to clean, but it seems like that is all I do. My mom was very neat and I always tried to live up to her standards. So, I guess I have to say I am a neat freak. The house is cleaned from top to bottom every morning and I pick up after everyone all day long!! Yep, I'm a freak!
XO,
Jane
I'm not a clean freak but I wish I was. I do like the house to look clean so I am constantly doing some sort of cleaning or straightening up. I like neatness and organization (not that it's always either). I don't mind doing laundry. I love to fold it but not put it away and I like ironing too!
Your house always looks spotless and comfortable, welcoming and inviting! You must be doing something right.
Hmmm… I'm a clean freak WANNA-BE!
When I first married almost 28 yrs. ago… I was super clean. As my children grew… I was a cleaner, organizer, tidier type. I thought it was important to teach them to be clean and clean up after themselves. Now, I'm a bit more relaxed. ACTUALLY, more relaxed than I like.
I've got 'clutter' and I don't like that word!
So– clean, yes. except for paper clutter.
I am a clean freak and an organization freak. My husband is a clean freak as well. When we were first married we used to love to stay home on a Saturday night and clean our then apartment. I share your love of a clean house.
Yes… you are a freak!!!! Ha! I mean that in the sweetest of ways! I wish I was a clean freak. My house is always clean, but dust bunnies really do seem to come out of nowhere!!! I don't know how they do it, but they do!!! I am trying to be better, but I have to say… I miss my cleaning lady!!!!! When we moved and I started to stay at home, I took over as it was ridiculous to spend money on that. Well, I miss her and the job she did. I have never liked to clean house. Ever… My mom wasn't a great housekeeper and my stepmom is a crazy freak housekeeper. I love it being clean, but I dread doing it! I do though and have really been proud of myself!
Yep, I am with you. I am a clean freak. I clean the toilet almost every day!
You crack me up! I was kind of waiting for you to say "April Fools," but then I realized you were being very honest & I think that's great. I can't say that I like to clean any more. I used to really enjoy it when I was younger & it didn't take so dang long to do the chores. Just because I don't enjoy it, doesn't mean I don't do it. Something very positive has come from having our house for sale. We (The Man included) have learned that doing a little each day keeps everything much more manageable than trying to do everything on a particular day or two each week. I don't have kiddoes at home anymore, just one "Old Dude" & a kitty that sheds. Are you sure you wouldn't like to come clean my house when I move? Heehee!
CAS
Since we only live in 300 sq ft both here and Florida I have to be slightly fanatical about cleaning. I don't like a lot of things out either. They say there are 2 types of people. Ones who hide things behind doors and those that like to see everything they have. I'm the closet type…lol…
I hate to clean but I do love to do laundry. 'I wash everything.' Coats, hats, jackets, shoes you name it I'll wash it. lol
Dee
Years ago – Yes! I probably was a clean freak. I had a schedule, stuck to it for the most part, and kept my home company ready. Now days? Well..Family, or friend to come over – No problem. Stranger getting a first impression – Not so much. Males in the home – Definately requires extra Bathroom cleaning.
Have a great weekend.
The funny thing is …. I think I know that kid!! I think it's an older photo of my daughter's friend Dane…
LOL
You are awesome, I never want my husband to know all the thing that you do, he would then tell me I am lazy, but I don't think I am, I just don't enjoy cleaning.But, I love, super love a clean house, it's the interior decorating one can do, have a clean house, if you can't they hire!! OK, you are super woman and you just have not showed us your cape yet, and I am waiting to catch you in it!! lol God Bless!! Can you run by RMS and see the Headboard my Husband just finish making 24 hours ago for our 1 year old, almost on April 6th!
maybe you're not freak but close to it…lol….i'm certanitly not a clean freak but i am clean..growing up we had to do chores on saturday and i've always stuck with that when i was working, now i'm retired i do something every day….my parents were older when they adopted me and old school on top of that so my mom still has socks and towels that are from 42 yrs ago when she first married my dad….crazy but i do believe in taking care of what you have and not letting anything go to waste, like my parents….i do love to cook and we used to joke with a couple of my friends at my old job that if you put us all together we'd make the perfect wife, i like to cook, nae likes to clean and debbie liked to do laundry…too bad we couldn't agree on the husband! 🙂
have a great weekend!
I'm kind of a clean freak & it often irritates my family. There are times when I really do enjoy cleaning.
When my kids were little, I would pick up the toys every minute of the day until my husband made me see reason–leave them all day & pick them up at night. Smart thinking.
And…I still sing Barney songs! I don't think they will ever leave my brain, they're so ingrained there! LOL
Hello my name is Rachel and "Most" of the time I am a clean freak…
My kids and hubby feel I over do it and perhaps sometimes I do. Bathrooms must be cleaned everyday. Floors mopped every other day.Vacuum at least once a day. Dust every day (however we live on dirt road) so dust is always a losing battle but LAUNDRY gets me every time. I have 2 loads sitting her mocking me right now. But with 6 people 4 dogs 15 chickens and 5 ducks there is always something that needs to be done. I guess I can stop when I am dead! lol
I think you have just the right balance and I am so glad you don't judge.. I don't judge anyone else either but I always worry people are judging me.. Maybe I need to look into that! LOL
HECK NO!!! I work full time and between all my other stuff, cleaning usually comes last. I have to invite guests from out of town so I freak out, clean the house and enjoy it until next time!
My neighbor is a clean freak. I always feel like she is checking out my house when she is over here, wanting to pick something up.
I'm a clean freak wannabe. I love a nice clean house, but just don't have the time or energy to get it there. I'm happy if I get the vacuuming, dusting, and bathrooms get done once a week – and we won't talk about the mopping, kay?
This post made me laugh! Yes, I am a clean freak! When I posted my newest cherubs the other day I noticed streaks on the wall in the photo's that I hadn't seen in person…I was horrified and it's been bothering me since. I immediately washed the wall with mold and mildew remover then went over with Windex and have considered taking that post down cuz I'm so humiliated. I enjoy cleaning, it feels so nice to have a clean home! Home is my sanctuary and cleanliness makes me happy!!! And when you're a boy mom, frequent toilet cleaning is a must.
Yep- I'm a cleaner too…a little OCD going on, I think! I would let my kids make a huge mess and when they went down for naps i would pick it all up while they were sleeping…same thing at night!
I like tidy. I like clean. I can walk into someone else's messy house and it does not bother me a bit. I do find though that messy people are less likely to invite you over if you are clean! It makes them uncomfortable. Our house though, too, is a put your feet up and relax kind of place and I don't get all freaked out when the kids make messes…especially with grandkids..because at this time in life you realize that they won't be little and making messes all that much longer. So, while they are here you will see costumes draped on chairs and socks on the floor and sippy cups in the family room…and I don't care~Great post-xxoo Diana
Ooopps… I am not fond of laundry except for sheets and linens but I do love to iron! GOT IT?
OK you are a SLIGHT freak, I like you have everything clean on the outside, but don't look in a cupboard or drawer! We had a Gorgeous day, I bet your son had a blast…Universal tomorrow and equally gorgeous
Carol
Right there with you! I love to clean. I only do laundry because I have to. I like to organize but I LOVE to clean! So, I get it. I like to leave a cleaning product out on the counter to inspire me should the urge strike. The cleaning isle at Target and Wal-Mart are major weaknesses for me – I don't crave chocolate at the grocery…I want Canister Wipes! Haha!! Thanks for making me feel understood – lol!
I am not a clean freak. I don't like to clean at all. I do it because the want for my family and friends to have a clean place to visit.
I am not a clean freak…what I don't get is how one manages to be a clean freak…but that said I don't think clean freaks are freaks – they just have different interests and priorities than I do.
Am I a clean freak? Well, yes! Yes, I am!!! I will Tilex you if you stand still long enough!!!
OMG, you are so funny! I used to be just like you but not so much any more. I used to vacuum two to three times a day so my vac was never put away! Now that I am between two houses I'm lost and disorganized, don't know which end is up, lol! I need an intervention…
I hope you relax and have a great weekend.
Hugz,
Kim
I love your attitude! I am very anal about the kitchen and the bathrooms ~ they MUST be clean all the time. I love Mrs Meyer's Lemon stuff and that's prolly out on my kitchen counter a LOT. 🙂 I love for things to be neat and tidy but I'm not a freak about it. My mother (again!) was constantly cleaning, washing, dusting, wiping, you name it. Our home was sterile…and miserable. I could not have company…kids come over 'cause "they would make a mess". I swore I would never have my kids & their friends feel like that.
My daughter is a total clean freak & she can make you feel uncomfortable at times. My son & my brother have mellowed…and I love it.
Don't hit me girlfriend ~ I LOVE doing laundry! 🙂 Never, ever have had a problem with it. When my daughter was still home, she would dust (my most hated chore!) and I did all the laundry. Worked beautifully!
I don't judge others either…it's their homes and their choice. I think making someone feel welcome & comfortable is the best!
xo
Pat
I like things neat, but I'm definitely not a clean freak…not enough hours in the day LOL!
WOW ladies, just came home and I am amazed at the response to this. honestly I am just tickled here. I love reading all your responses. Really is interesting how us as women think and feel about cleaning:)
I became a clean freak when I became an empty nester, when my four were little I'd clean after they went to bed just to be able to wake up and see order first thing in the morning. When they all moved out I really couldn't believe how nice and neat the house stayed so I became a clean freak and I like it! Laundry dosn't bother me, I do ours and my youngest just brought his for me to do today, sounds crazy but I like to fold:)
Rondell
There are much worse hobbies to have!! I clean once or twice a week, depending on how busy I am or how messy the house is 😉 I don't necessarily enjoy cleaning, but I love how I feel when it's done!
hiya debbie , wow i recognise some of those shelves and presses ..lol i loooooooooooove cleaning and i looooooooooove organiseing but my real joy is clean floors i could mop the kitchen after each meal and sometimes in between , wash then dry off and sit and feel the complete satisfaction at the gleaming floor ! now that is sad ??? but it makes me very happy . i am a once a week duster and mirror polisher and under the beds well sets just say it ahs been a while lol but i do love to LIVE in my house and love guests to feel cot i just tidy up fluff the cushions and mop the floor as soon as they are out the door x wow that felt good now where is my mop ???
xmaggiex
Yes, you are a clean freak. I am your sister, I know. But you have chilled out over the years. Remember the jingle I made up:
"Mister Clean, Mister Clean, My sister loves your products."
xoxo
Ang
I think as long as you clean that much and love it, it's not a problem…but if you are frantically cleaning all of the time, yes that's an issue… I can say that cause that used to be me. After kids and dogs(and husband) I just say,eh, I'll get to it, but I do try to be tidy…try being the operative word!!
Yep, Debbie I'm a clean freak too! I do it all everyday. You want to know something else…I vaccum myself out of a room because I don't like to see foot prints on the carpet after I've vaccumed….LOL…I know I have a problem!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Gail
I like to clean, but I don't like to pick up. Picking up the trail of dirty socks around the house drives me nuts, as does the yogurt cups left nowhere near the sink, etc. But the actual act of cleaning, polishing, etc. – I love that. I like to dust. I love waxing my counters. I enjoy running the steam mop. The only problem is I can't get to cleaning without first starting at picking up.
The one thing I don't do is toilets – that's my hubby's job.
Yes, I am indeed a clean freak. I cannot leave my house unless it is in order. I'm a SAHM/W so I have plenty of time on my hands to keep up with my OCD.. cleaning.
I was out of town again yesterday,back to Jax for Dr appointment, so I'm catching up, Debbie you are a nut, a funny freaky nut, and I love visiting over here for the smiles and chuckles.
Sooo to the Q & A…
ARE YOU A CLEAN FREAK?
that my friend is a good question,I've often wondered how bloggies,blog 24/7 and manger to keep the house clean,the clothes washed,cook, and spend time with loved ones!!
BUT!…no worries here, it can be done,and I do it,but it's just me and MrNLOL,so it's not that difficult, and too, we have our new home.
And I would love to answer the question,NO!…I purty much do just as I please and am happy doing so.OH! it's clean around here and I do it myself, no hired help here, and lovin' it.
"ALWAYS KEEPN' IT REAL","LAZY ON LOBLOLLY",yep sometimes I'm just plain ole "LAZY", cause I "CAN",whooo hooo.
FREAKN' LAZY.
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly
I love to clean too Deb! My friends think I am insane. When I go to my daughter-in-law and son's house, I clean everyday I am there. I can't stop. They say I am irritating. I say, "I have a problem, please try to overlook it". I need help in separating myself from cleaning at my house and cleaning at someone elses house. I love laundry too! And, I open bottles of cleaning stuff at the store to smell them. That my friends is a sign that I am sick!
Debbie…you and I are identical..I mean right down to the cupboards….however being a bit older than you and no kids around anymore I have relaxed a bit more with the cleaning of the toilets!! You are my normal!
The kids had a cartoon on my fridge growing up that said "don't sit in our house in one spot to long or Mom will throw you out" …True, every night things got put in their place!
Oh Debbie, I love this post. So cute! I've learned to LOVE dust bunnies, but it took me awhile because my mom was the ultimate clean freak, and I vowed I wouldn't be one. Ha, we tend to be so like our moms, but I'm definitely trying to overcome my cleaning addiction; AND I doing really good. Excuse me, while I watch the cobwebs gathering. Peggy prdesign
I'm a bit of a clean freak as well. It becomes quite a challenge when you have a rather sloppy husband, and 3 1/2 year old who is taking after said husband.
Fortunately, I am madly in love with said sloppy husband, so, what's a girl to do?
As for the laundry, am I nuts for loving to do laundry? Especially, hanging it out on the line in the summer – I get to complete a job AND enjoy the outdoors, at the same time. Gotta love that!
I use to be a clean freak till I started blogging! LOL
Hugs, Vicky
I work 40-50 hrs a week and have 5 kids, I'm lucky I can maintain & keep up with laundry. One thing that helps keep my house clean is each of the kids has a chore to do on the weekend. Clean a bathroon (and I mean put on the rubber gloves & scrub around the toilet clean!), vacuum the living room & sweep the dining room floor, pick up the game room in the basement, etc. Then they rotate jobs every week. It's like they own the room they clean & everyone is more careful & thoughtful.
Your house always looks great Debbie! I used to do much better before I had kids but now it is a constant battle. I don't necessarily mind cleaning, I just get overwhelmed easily. What kind of vacuum cleaner do you use? We have two and I always seem to feel like they are a pain to put together and drag around.
Just discovered your blog and am loving it! Just followed you and joined in your link party…thanks!
Would love if you'd check out my blog at http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com
Kristen
Turning a House into a Home
I choked on my coffee at the dirty socks! The big blonde lug leaves them everywhere (I sometimes marvel at the sheer volume), and YEARS of shrill screams and threats to feed them to him have done nothing to stem the tide. Thank you for the feeling of solidarity!
Clean freak here too. 🙂 Watch out when you open certain cabinets though. Something might fall on you.