I have been coming across a lot of complaints by men about their wives or future wives home management skills. Some can cook for Africa but can’t keep the home neat to save their lives. A lot of women plan to get paid help (house-helps) once they marry and have kids (more about that in another post) but that is not the only solution. So, here are some tips on how to keep the house clean enough.
1. Just Do it. Employ the Nike slogan when you see something you don’t like, but hadn't noticed before–like a dusty ceiling fan, say, or a spillage on the side of your cooker–just attack it!! Don’t think “Oh, this weekend I’ve really got to clean all the ceiling fans!” because I guarantee you wont ever get around to it.
2. Choose the right doormat. Actually, what you want to do is stop the dirt in your tracks – specifically, on the soles of your shoes. There are other ways that dirt gets in – and in particular, you may be thinking of dirt that comes through the air and open windows – but what you bring in on your feet is of far greater significance. Choosing the right doormat will reduce the time you spend cleaning and chasing down dirt.
3. Try not to let dishes pile up in the sink. The higher the stack gets, the less you want to tackle it. Even that little saucer you used to serve the guests cookies, should be washed immediately. Because your more inclined to dump a plate in the sink once there is already a plate in there the law of attraction perhaps?
2. Do laundry one load at a time, rather than letting it all pile up until “laundry day”. Washing clothes whether manually or with the use of a machine isn't that hard. It’s when we let it become a monster mountain of dirty clothes–and then clean clothes that need to be folded and put away–that it seems so overwhelming.
3. Wipe the toilet/sink down at least once a day. Make this as easy on yourself as possible–Instead of waiting for your cleaning day. Wipe down your toilet and give it a quick clean once a day so that your not irritated by seeing a dirty toilet and tempted to put it off till later.
4. Teach your children how to clean up after themselves
as early as possible. My husband can fold clothes as if he once worked in a
fancy high street store. I used to be intimidated by his folding skills because
his wardrobe looked worthy of The Gap. I have learnt his technique and our
daughter has started copying us you’ll see her folding rolling her sock and
putting them away, arranging her shoes side by side…Still can’t wait for her to
learn how to wash plates though.
5. Night Cleaning. Waking up to a clean home can make the start of your day more pleasing and productive. Take a few minutes each night to pick up around the house especially since the kids are asleep so, if you're like me, you won't have toddler tugging at you and the broom while you're trying to get the work done.
6. Do those things that really get on your nerves, like I get upset when the throw pillows aren't properly arranged so that is always the first thing I do when I walk into or past the living room.The better your home feels, the more motivated you’ll be to keep it that way.
7. Always
soak the mortar if you are not going to wash it immediately. This way you will be more inclined to wash it, since
you know it won’t be that hard and you won’t be left with nasty pounded yam residue
that you couldn't scrape off.
By Ijeoma Olujekun
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