When I used to stay under my parents' roof, my room was constantly in a mess. I would clean and de-clutter it maybe once a year. But a weird thing happened after I moved out and into my own marital home.

I suddenly dislike mess. And the more children I have, the less tolerance I have for dirt, dust and clutter. I think it enroaches too much into our already limited space that causes me to feel claustrophobic!

I know that in the larger scheme of things, dust, dirt and clutter do not matter at all. But I just dislike it!

Last week, I was as sick as a dog and couldn't clean the house. Thankfully, ds (10 years old) rose to the occasion and vacuumed and mopped downstairs for me. But the bedrooms were not done. Today, I managed to clean up the whole house and the I just love, love, love the feeling of squeaky clean floors on bare feet!

If only the house can feel so clean daily!

I guess that's why people have live-in maids, huh? Even with a part timer, you can never achieve this state of clean-ness! You just need to mop daily. Now who has that kind of time and energy?

In order to achieve that feeling of clean-ness, Vacuuming alone is not enough. You need to mop! And preferably with as little liquid detergent as possible. The best cleaner to date that I have used is good old vinegar! Yep, vinegar and water gives you squeaky clean floors! We have ceramic tiles all over and this works out well for us. I don't know if it'll do for marble or parquet floors though.

Unfortunately, since we live near the park, our place is often windy and dusty! So the clean squeaky feeling lasts all of a day unless I keep all the windows closed. I used to mop after the kids have gone to bed just so I can enjoy waking up to clean squeaky floors! Lol!

I have some friends who simply had to be forced to live with less than squeaky clean floors after giving up their maids. They tried to keep up the daily routine of vacuuming/sweeping and mopping that the maid used to perform but found that it was physically not possible when you have young children in the house.

But I hear the Scooba is a good buy. It is the counterpart to the Roomba. Very tempting to buy one.....

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

www.BuildingUpMoms.com

Posted by Delci

My dear,

I am just like you!!!

Before kids, my house was a mess, and dusty and dirty.

With kids, I really become a clean-freak!!!

My sis used to be cleaner than me, now, I'm the one who is squeaky about cleanliness.

And yes, this is the reason why I can't let go of a live-in help. Cause, I can't it if my house is dirty and dusty.

On floor, try this brand "Terra Care". Very good. BUT beware, a little goes a long way. And first few times, it may feel slippery cause too clean. I can pass you some to try.

Posted by MamaLim

Lol! That's why Dh would tease me to remind me how messy I once was whenever I say I can't stand the mess in the house. I figure it's coz I stay home more now than before.

I absolutely can't stand hair and tiny "stuff" that who-knows-comes-from-where all over the floor.

It takes lots of self control for me to NOT vacuum the house before I start school!

Terra Care - what's the secret? :)

Edited by MamaLim on May. 7, 2008 at 9:37 AM

Posted by christinejoy

I am right there with you. I can get so down when my house has too much clutter abounding. If my kitchen counters are cluttered and my sink is full of dishes I have a hard time cooking! I mean I can't even think of where to start or what to do.
Christine

Posted by Delci

Secret??? No idea!!! hahaha...

Will pass you some to try on coming Tuesday ;) Try on a part of your room where your children don't run much first. just in case you put too much and become too slippery.