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Why Do I Find it So Hard To Keep My House Clean?

Why Do I Find it So Hard to Keep My House Clean?

how can I keep my house clean, calm parenting, parenting tips
Working Mothers Still Do Most of The Housework

As much as mothers wish they didn't have to engage in so much housework, research tells us full-time working mothers are still carrying most of the load, compared to fathers. In a recent Gallup News Poll in the U.S. 49% of full-time working mothers stated they cleaned the home, compared to 38% of fathers and 52% of full-time working mothers did the laundry, compared to 32% of fathers.


Prioritising the household tasks

Being a busy mum can make prioritising housework a challenge at times. You may feel like you never really get on top of all the household duties and may be feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point. 


But today is a new day. Make a decision that today you want to get organised and keep on top of the household chores.

But where do you start?

5 easy Steps to keep your house clean

Step 1: Making your household chores list

Keep My House Clean, calm parenting, parenting tips




















There are several aspects to household chores to consider, so the first step is to label the chores individually, such as:

  • Regular house cleaning
  • Tidying
  • Paying bills/budgeting
  • Food shopping
  • Gardening
  • Looking after pets needs 
  • Washing clothes/ironing
  • Dishwashing & stacking
  • Car cleaning 

 and so on…

Step 2: Declutter

Keep My House Clean, calm parenting, parenting tips
The second step involves a process of going into every room and decluttering the excess. It is a way to begin your home life with a clean slate.




Start with the easiest room and move on from there. Take everything out of every cupboard, give it a clean and then divide the piles into two. One pile is for everything you keep and the other is to throw away, donate to charity or give away to friends/family. It is important to only keep things you really use regularly, or at least every year and those that have sentimental value for you.


You will be amazed how fresh and clean your home feels after this step. 

Step 3: Out sourcing where possible

how can I keep my house clean, calm parenting, parenting tips
The third step is reviewing the list to see if there is anything you can outsource internally or external.

For instance, there are people who will come to your home to clean your car, deliver home cooked meals, wash the dog, iron your clothes, maintain your garden and clean your home. Of course this all comes at a price, so it’s important to look at your budget, your spending and your current schedule to see what is financially feasible and where you might be able to save on overspending to accommodate for some of these new services. 


You may also decide to outsource within your home. For instance, outsource (internally) tidying the playroom to children as part of their house chores to be given pocket money. 

Step 4: Devise an easy schedule

Keep My House Clean, calm parenting, parenting tips
















Step 4 involves devising a fortnightly or monthly schedule for the remaining chores. Use the examples below for ideas:


  • Food shopping online on Saturdays
  • Paying bills on Thursday nights
  • Washing the car on the way home from work on Wednesdays
  • Stacking the dishwasher every night
  • Washing the clothes on Mondays & Thursdays etc…

Step 5: Constant reminder

How Can I Keep My House Clean, calm parenting, parenting tips
Now place this schedule in the kitchen where the whole family or those living with you can see it so it’s always top of mind.


Although it can feel a little rigid at times to stick to a schedule in the home, this is the best way to feel calm and composed as a parent in the home. One of the biggest sources of stress for busy mums is having an untidy house. However, when you have a schedule the house runs much more smoothly and you can relax at home more frequently without feeling uncomfortable or guilty about your home environment.


Being a good parent, does not mean you have to be supermen and do everything. Declutter your home to make it easier for you, outsource when you can and ask for help when you need it. This way you will ensure you become a calm parent and can enjoy the time with your family, rather than worrying about the mess around your home.



Lizzie O'Halloran, BBSc, MASR, NLP Prac
Author, Counsellor

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