“Flylady” and other home cleaning systems: what tips to take note?

Where to begin

No cleaning should take place without a detailed plan, this will save a lot of time. If you are not distracted by TV shows, talking on the phone or social networks, then you will need approximately 2–2.5 hours, freeing up the rest of the day for relaxing with your family and your favorite hobby. You can even set a timer, this will allow you to correctly determine the time required to clean one room.

Before starting the procedure, it is worth preparing everything carefully. Cleaning supplies - detergents, napkins, a vacuum cleaner, a basin, so as not to constantly run to the nearest washbasin.

You should take microfiber or faux suede cloths. And it is better to refuse materials such as gauze, old towels or old clothes. They may leave marks or threads on the surface.

To wash glass coatings, use special formulations with a delicate cleaning cloth. If you don’t have it, you can use yesterday’s newspaper, previously crumpled into a neat ball.

When getting started, do not neglect such protective equipment as silicone or rubber gloves; they will protect the skin on your hands from the chemical effects of detergents.

Technology to help

The march of history is inexorable, and what happens certainly affects the life of the common man. A lot of scientific achievements have appeared that have opened up even more opportunities for housewives. But, as before, improved washing machines, food processors with recently appeared multicookers play an important role. Such pleasant new items allow you to reduce time costs. Therefore, feel free to use them for your everyday marathon.

Dress decently every day

This is, of course, more important for those who spend most of the day at home - housewives, young mothers, freelancers and shift workers, like “every three days”. You are not required to wear evening wear or a business suit. But Flylady suggests dressing neatly and neatly before starting your daily activities. The explanation for this is very simple: when you look neat and fit, you feel better. In addition, you don’t need to rush around the apartment looking for pants if your neighbor rings the doorbell.

About the nature and type of cleaning

Based on the scale of the proposed work, the following types are distinguished.

1. Daily. This procedure involves: removing dust, cleaning reflective surfaces, sweeping the floor, wiping window sills, pipes, and cleaning the bathroom.
2. Weekly. An event to eliminate blockages is repeated 1-3 times a week based on the need for the latter. Includes dry or wet cleaning and cleaning of upholstered furniture using a vacuum cleaner. Antiseptics for the bathroom, getting rid of stains using special products.
3. General. Unlike the listed types, it involves the removal of not only visible contaminants. The main objective of this procedure is to bring the home to an ideal state. The following actions are relevant: wiping dust from various interior parts, washing fragile elements, as well as completely cleaning the sink and toilet, including rust, water stone, disinfection.

Depending on the scale of the rooms, the action is carried out once a month or quarter.

But according to their classification, cleaning work is:

1. Dry - requiring no water or cleaning agents. They are limited to brushing away cobwebs of dust from various surfaces, cleaning household appliances using special napkins, a vacuum cleaner, and a broom.
2. Wet - implying the removal of dirt using wet sponges, wiping the floors with a mop or a washing vacuum cleaner. Chemicals are often used for better results.

A quality procedure includes all options. Although there are many types of home cleaning, regular cleaning is most often used, as it is less complicated and does not require much time.

Features of the daily marathon

It is quite difficult to cope with putting things in order alone, since all the other inhabitants of the apartment unwittingly become “sources” of litter. To at least partially relieve this burden, you can distribute the main responsibilities between household members. Even 4 easy tasks will speed up the process.

For example; older children or a spouse can be entrusted with:

• washing dishes;
• dusting and sweeping;
• sorting out your things;
• floors, countertops and sinks in the kitchen.

This will make the daily procedure less burdensome.

What's wrong with slippers?

Because they are easy to throw off. You can try to perceive shoes simply as part of the work uniform at home. Well, they exist, and the author of the system believes that they are needed. In reality, of course, Marla Cilley will not come to you and check whether you are barefoot or wearing lace-up shoes.

Is it true that to successfully implement the system you need to buy a special diary, rags, brushes and a universal product for everything right on the Flylady website in America? Not true. You can do without all these wonderful items. After all, your goal is to get rid of unnecessary things, and not at all to buy new ones.

Putting things in order step by step

It is better to start action from the common rooms, since you will have to repeatedly use the bathroom to wash brushes or rinse napkins, which means it threatens to become clogged again. Only after dealing with them, you can safely move on to auxiliary rooms, such as a bath or toilet, completing the work with the hallway and corridor.

Clean ritual in the bedroom

It implies the following sequence of actions.

1. Collect everything lying idle in a garbage bag. Put chaotically scattered shirts in the wardrobe, arrange books on the shelf, collect cosmetics. Thus freeing up space. This alone will ensure visual clarity.
2. The next thing is to replace the bedding (as needed). To prevent the sheet from hanging with sloppy edges, you can roll it under the mattress.
3. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any debris that has accumulated in the corners.

Taking apart the living room

1. It's best to start by putting things in their place.
2. Afterwards you can move on to such an important accessory as curtains. Traditional linen curtains do not require regular washing; just knock the dust out of them with a lightly dampened towel. Having previously twisted it into a bundle. But the now more popular roll version can be done by wiping with a sponge without the use of chemicals.
3. Pay attention to window sills and handles of upholstered furniture. The lacquered version of the interior can be polished. A cloth with a small amount of special product will do for this. It is not necessary to knock out armchairs, poufs, sofas; they can be vacuumed, eliminating the possibility of a huge amount of dust floating around the room itself, and the bedspreads can be washed.
4. Then come the more fragile surfaces. And stubborn stains can be easily removed by using cleaning gels designed for this purpose.

In the kitchen

1. Start by soaking the dishes in warm water with a small amount of detergent. While you are cleaning the tables and sorting out the products, the excipients will already begin to act.
2. Contamination is removed from the cabinets with a dampened cloth.
3. Doors and walls are wiped with a light cleaning agent. After which everything is wiped dry with microfiber cloths.
4. Clear tables of accumulated dishes and anything that needs to be hidden.
5. Sort out the bulk substances: pour the remains into a bottle, get rid of empty packages. Refill the salt and pepper shaker, sugar bowl, and add napkins to the holder.
6. Put things in order in the bread bin, sort fresh products from those that are already ripe: dry them until they become crackers or get rid of crumbs.
7. Inspect the refrigerator, remove any expired items, place breakfast leftovers in containers, thereby freeing up additional space. Sort vegetables and fruits, discarding spoiled ones.

Only after this can you return to washing dishes and cleaning kitchen appliances. Various gels without the use of abrasive will be of great help. All actions are performed not with the hard side of the sponge or with a moistened napkin.

Bathroom

This type of cleaning takes a short period of time: approximately 20 minutes.

1. Washing the tiles is carried out using a special sponge with a weak soap solution.
2. Inspect the bathroom shelves, wiping them of dirt, and throw away empty bottles. If you find half-filled tubes, try to use them to the end as soon as possible. Disinfect your toothbrush holder.
3. Use a special product to freshen your sink, bathtub or shower. Particular attention should be paid to taps, as well as mixers, where soap scum settles, leaving stains.
4. To complete the action, vacuum the floor, removing hair and small debris before starting wet cleaning with a light antibacterial composition. Which will be the final touch of the entire event. Don't overlook all the secret nooks and crannies under furniture.

Beauty plan - self-care according to the fly lady: tips, templates and commandments

girl in the bathroom with flower petals
Any template proposed above will suit you as a template for drawing up a plan.

It is important to observe a number of points:

• List your morning and evening routine care routines.
• Designate for each day of the week procedures for caring for a specific part of the body, for example, Monday - hands, Tuesday - legs, Friday - hair.
• Add a schedule of visits to specialists - hairdresser, manicure-pedicure, eyebrows/eyelashes, spa/bath with or without friends, cosmetologist, fitness/gym/dancing/yoga.
• Follow the plan regularly for at least 2-3 months to see results.

Let's add several ready-made beauty plans that fly girls have developed and use.

sample plan for self-care procedures according to the fly lady system, example 1

sample plan for self-care procedures according to the fly lady system, example 2

Blank form from Fly Lady's audit trail for planning self-care activities, example 3

sample of a finished beauty plan according to the fly lady system, example 1

sample of a finished beauty plan according to the fly lady system, example 2 and 3

sample of a finished beauty plan according to the fly lady system, example 4 and 5

sample of a finished beauty plan according to the fly lady system, example 6 and 7

Cleanliness techniques for the modern lady

There are many methods for bringing your home into perfect condition. It is difficult to understand which is better, but they have common nuances.

"Ideal Home"

The main theme of the publication is that real order is not as difficult to obtain as it seems at first. The method includes 255 step-by-step recommendations for putting things in order when moving from room to another. With a lot of useful tabs, as well as methods for preparing natural detergents with your own hands.

Hammersley My spotless home

Advantages:

• There are clear regulations;
• simple language;
• useful tips;
• understandable and accessible even to beginners.

Flaws:

• There are some very obvious truths;
• Can't be found everywhere.

"Strategy for Victory over Chaos"

The main idea is a breath of cleanliness and freshness in the house, closets and pantries. This guide differs in many ways from dull books on similar topics; here you will find fascinating ideas, accompanied by good-natured jokes, as well as a lot of useful life hacks. The publication unobtrusively teaches true, but inexpensive ways to create a mess in 10 steps in 8 minutes.

Hartford Cleaning Genius

Advantages:

• Convenient size;
• good design.

Flaws:

• Some advice is not relevant;
• suitable for a large home;
• a lot of unnecessary stuff.

Flylady movement

In 1999, Marla Cilley began sending out materials about her system via email. 2 years later, the website flylady.net was launched, which still sends out daily reminder letters to registered participants about what needs to be done around the house.

As of 2010, over half a million people around the world were active subscribers to the mailing list. Plus active sites of the FlyLady system, translated into many languages ​​of the world by fans of the system - the FlyLady movement is gaining increasing popularity all over the world.

Original but effective cleaning methods

Flylady - a new look at a washed house

The book about “fluttering housewives” introduces us to the American method of adding polish. This is not just advice on daily obligations, but a real system of skills and methods of housekeeping. The technique is quite new in the country, but has already managed to find both fans and detractors. The main idea is freedom from boring household chores and proper organization of free time. Women who adhere to this concept are characterized by compliance with the following points.

1. Using a special diary for housekeeping.
2. Maintaining cleanliness of the bathroom, as well as earthenware products.
3. Minimal communication with computer and TV.
4. Don't forget to return what you took to its place.
5. Wear only the most comfortable clothing.

Marla Seelly Easy cleaning using the Fly Lady method

Advantages:

• Charges with optimism;
• an interesting approach to simple actions;
• clear instructions;
• teaches you to plan.

Flaws:

• Contrived problems;
• requires fanaticism.

Sparkling House

A manual from pedantic Germans that can compete with the popular “Flying Housewives” system. The central idea is to remove everything at once. It is proposed to carry out the marathon through several rituals with intriguing names that will easily interest even the younger members of the family. The main difference is that there are no areas where you can hang out for a week, instead you are offered to define a “room of the day”. This action will be performed there, but devote not 5 minutes to it, but 15 or 30.

Advantages:

• Precision of actions;
• optimal for working people.

Flaws:

• Requires a lot of time and patience.

A little history - Marla Cilley the flying housewife

Flylady, or “flying housewife” (from the English Flylady, fly - to fly), is a system invented by the American Marla Seelly based on the book by Pam Young and Peggy Jones. The name “Flylady” was born at the very beginning of the system’s existence and had nothing to do with flights. FLY was an abbreviation of the English phrase finally loving yourself - “finally love yourself.” However, very quickly fans of the system introduced flight terminology. Newcomers to the system are traditionally called “Flybaby”, even if their age has exceeded retirement age.

About cleaning for the less active

Anonymous lazy people

Its main idea is Declattering or decluttering through a sequence of small decisions. The basis is the 30 second rule. The author suggests involving all family members in this activity. There is a task for everyone, which significantly speeds up the process. Instilling responsibility in your household. The technique is divided into a number of easy tasks with putting things into boxes: today, tomorrow, an indefinite time.

Anonymous lazy people

Advantages:

• Suitable for ardent workers;
• simple but interesting tasks;
• stepper system;
• Suitable for everyone.

Flaws:

• There is no Russian translation.

About order on the go from a blogger from the USA

The method from an ardent fan of minimalism Leo Babauta is imbued with such a concept as the importance of every little thing. The Inspirer encourages you to pay attention to the closest objects. This allows you to quickly but easily make your everyday routine less burdensome. According to the author, creating order does not require total action; the room where you are at the moment is enough. Moving from one zone to another, giving them 10-15 minutes.

1. Remove stain on jeans
2. Wipe off any dust that accidentally gets into your eyes.
3. Do the dishes right after breakfast.

Dismantling old things, on Leo’s advice, is divided into 3 levels; “save”, “throw away”, “what if it comes in handy.” The main thing is not to think about making a decision. Items in the latter category can be put aside for several months. Well, if after 15-18 weeks they remain in the box, you can simply throw it away.

Advantages:

• Interesting approach;
• Good advice;
• Easy narration language.

Flaws:

• There are some omissions.

Circular marathon

An extraordinary method of establishing order that is circulating on the Internet. It is not clear who the author is, but there are assumptions that this is a woman with disabilities. Actions are divided into 3 stages.

1. Provides up to 10 daily duties.
2. Weekly classes, approximately 21.
3. The rest as needed, about 60.

Actions are carried out in stages, but do not require a strict commitment at one point. Each room is allocated time, divided into zones.

Advantages:

• An excellent solution for people who deny a busy cleaning schedule;
• suitable for mothers with small children;
• helps in maintaining order for those who for some reason have difficulty cleaning.

Flaws:

• exhausting.

Financial accounting, budget saving according to fly lady: tips, templates and commandments

on the table is a set of stationery for drawing up an estimate of family expenses according to the Fly Lady system.
The Fly Lady system teaches not saving, but conscious spending of money. The technique of small steps will help you achieve this.

Pay attention to a number of tips for teaching yourself how to keep track of money on fly:

• Take a pen and a piece of paper, mark 2 columns on the last one - income and expenses.
• In the first, enter all types and amounts of receipts for the current month, in the second - mandatory payments and amounts from checks that are in your bag, packages, clothing pockets
• Train yourself to keep records of all expenses from the first to the last day of the month for 60-90 days. Notebooks, receipts, and a voice recorder on your phone are suitable as memory aids.
• Create a stabilization fund, or home interest-free deposit, and replenish it monthly with 10% of income.
• Carefully increase the stabilization fund to an amount equal to triple the value of all expenses for the month. This will help your family live in a normal rhythm for a couple of months in case of a job change or temporary transition to unemployed status.

When you have a table with expenses for several months in front of you, distribute them in 3 columns:

• mandatory
• desirable
• insignificant

The third column is the cost optimization zone. By refusing to spend money on it, you can make your small dreams come true, for example, by stopping buying coffee in a coffee shop in the morning, you will save money in a month to buy the desired cream.

Below you will find a sample of accounting for a family’s financial resources according to the system in question.

sample table on a computer to track financial expenses for a family using the fly lady system

Cleanliness with a philosophical approach

"Seiriseiton": order based on psychotype

The technique was first presented in the publication “Life without things: how to liberate the soul and room. But also the basic idea is the desire to free the house from “extra” things. The main feature is in the psychoanalysis of actions. To begin with, the author proposes to analyze the very cause of the disorder. The owners of the house are divided into 6 psychotypes indicating a specific problem for the owner. The author believes that each of them requires an individual approach, paying attention to the weaknesses of each. For example, “homebodies with children” should leave part 5 of the compartment in the closet unoccupied. Working ladies should better focus on the hallway and areas with Wi-Fi access. Shopping lovers need an outside perspective. And older housewives are not advised to start until they get enough sleep.

Advantages:

• Unusual approach;
• step by step action.

Flaws:

• A call not to think about the future.

Marie Kondo's cleaning method

Its main principle is decluttering not only the home itself, but also your inner self.

1. point: clean up the mess in one go. Marie is against the daily routine. In her opinion, this contributes to demotivation, since the final result is almost invisible. A sudden change is more effective. Allowing you to get rid of the habit of delaying cleaning. But the author recommends putting your home in order only by yourself; close people often distract you from what is happening, which affects this action, making it less fruitful.
2. the condition states that you should not feel sorry for shabby clothes that simply fill up the space.
3. At the point we lay out everything according to its intended purpose. For strict separation by type, it’s a good idea to put small items in several piles. And then carefully place them in the designated place. This helps you quickly remember what is where. The same applies to clothes.
4. encourages you to clean out your closet. To save space, it is recommended to roll everything up like a roller and fold it in rows. But designer items should be hung on hangers. Place hosiery, ties and underwear in separate containers at eye level.
5. The article is about finding boxes for small items and documents. All passports, policies and other important papers should be placed in a separate file.
6. just keep it clean

According to the mentor, a mess in the home creates a repulsive appearance that negatively affects the family, becoming a frequent cause for quarrels.

magical cleaning Kon Mari

Advantages:

• Affordable style;
• practical advice;
• the understanding of life changes;
• simple recommendations.

Flaws:

• Most of the book is the author's reasoning;
• some methods are too radical;
• materialism;
• there are shortcomings in the text.

Wash the kitchen sink every night

Despite the quite visible results, this tool can rather be considered psychotherapeutic. The sink is the starting point of the entire FlyLady system; it is suggested that you take the first step: just go and clean the kitchen sink properly. And this is the end of each day: wash the sink if it needs cleaning, or just wipe it dry.

What's the point? Also in positive reinforcement for those who are depressed from the inability to restore order. In the morning I came to the kitchen, and there was an island of cleanliness. In the evening I washed it again, made an effort, well done.

One can argue about the advisability of such a fixation on the kitchen sink. In general, no one forbids you to choose your starting point, keeping it in order will help you maintain strength and confidence for further work on putting your house in order.

The most extraordinary methods

Clean with a beer taste

This type of cleaning, introduced by Nancy Mitchell, is controversial regarding health issues. Since it provides an intoxicating drink as the main cleaning agent.

Such a system allows you not only to perform unloved work with enthusiasm and in high spirits. It initiates a process similar to meditation, where you can simply relax while your hands perform routine actions. The main task is not to overdo it.

Advantages:

• Excellent cleaning product;
• the other half joins in with pleasure.

Flaws:

• You can get drunk.

Mortal cleaning or the Swedish approach from Margaret Magnusson

Don't be put off by the name. The basic idea that runs through the book is tidying up as a method of re-evaluating your entire life journey and attitude towards things. You can't take anything with you to the other side. And if you still have secret things in your stash that could sadden your loved ones, get rid of them without a twinge of conscience.

In the eyes of modern people, home is not only a place to sleep. And a real small world that turns into a place of power thanks to cleaning. It is no coincidence that one of the first pieces of advice relates to preparing the workplace. The difference from most standard methods is the recommendation to start sorting things out from “immense” rooms: pantries, secret rooms or basements. However, do not start your marathon by looking at old photographs, diaries or postcards that can drag you into a pool of memories.

Advantages:

• Current;
• bright idea;
• supply of material.

Flaws:

• Unusual style;
• a lot of thoughts from the author;
• excessive radicalism.

Photo Flylady - shoes with laces

Flylady suggests starting the day by wearing lace-up shoes. These don't have to be shoes - T-shirts are fine.

The point is to feel more collected, this time. Being ready to immediately take the trash to the trash cans is two (more relevant for the American middle class, which has a personal trash can in the backyard). Three - for those who do not work “in the presence”, this does not allow them to let loose and walk around in wrinkled pajamas until their husband arrives. Four - laced shoes are difficult to take off so you can lounge on the sofa in front of the TV, instead of ironing three shirts on the timer. Relevant for those who do not go to work.

Flylady's photo is how you should look to feel comfortable.

Preparatory stage

The preparatory stage in cleaning a room includes removing trash and organizing free space. At this stage the following actions need to be considered:

• draw up a plan and outline the scope of work;
• prepare all the necessary equipment in one place;
• collect all textiles, put on laundry;
• remove dirty dishes and clothes, take out the trash;
• place all visible interior elements and decorative cosmetics in drawers.

Step-by-step preparation is an important process that allows you to quickly and easily clean your room.

We recommend:

Cleaning by day of the week: favorable days

Zone 2. Kitchen

This week we are working in zone 2: kitchens.

This is a detailed list of FlyLady. Please change it and adapt it to suit your needs and the needs of your family. Print it out and add it to your KOL (from FlyLady.ru - add it to your PDA in notes). But don't try to complete this list until you've decluttered your kitchen. Set aside 15 minutes a day to declutter and only then start completing this list. Don't worry about it. You haven't done it for years, and another month won't make a difference. First of all, get rid of the clutter! It will be easier to clean up. FlyLady

List for the kitchen:

1. Remove all food from the refrigerator, wash it completely (defrost it if necessary), put the food back
2. Clean the microwave oven, both outside and inside.
3. Clean your stove/oven
4. Wash all tins/trinkets
5. Clean out drawers and shelves in cupboards, closets, and wall shelves
6. Remove fingerprints from the walls
7. Wash the windows from the inside
8. Clean the hood grille and/or vent
9. Wipe down the cabinet doors (just not all at once, babysteps!)
10. Clean all shiny surfaces (lamps and light bulbs also include them)
11. Clean out under the sink, throw away all unnecessary boxes/jars/bottles
12. Wash your pets' dishes

How to clean up children's toys according to Fly Lady: tips, patterns and commandments

rational arrangement of toys in the children's room
Families with children sooner or later face the problem of cleaning up toys. Women practicing fly lady advise:

• buy and use special containers and shelves for storing toys, for example, IKEA,
• get plastic boxes with lids,
• adapt a special mesh suspended from the ceiling for these purposes,
• organize drawers from under the bed to store toys,
• sort them so that you can give your child a new set of different things for the day,
• show your imagination - turn an ordinary plastic chest of drawers into storage for toys, marking the drawers with types of entertainment with stickers,
• limit your child’s access to small toys if you understand that there is really no time for their subsequent collection,
• teach your child to put away toys independently in a playful way,
• sew special bags for storing them, decorating the first ones with appliqués.