I have a huge problem with keeping my house clean. I always set out to do it, but only parts of it get done. Our house is just over 2,000 square feet with 3 bedrooms (and an extra one used for storage), 1 bath, a kitchen, dining room, living room and play room. My husband is always getting on my case because I can’t keep the house clean and tidy, but it’s so hard to me. Also I hate it when I do clean and the next day it looks like the same wreck again. I’ll give as many spec’s as I can for a visual. The kitchen is big. It has laminate flooring, lots of counter and cabinet space (just not quite enough that my pots and pans fit nicely), a double sink, fridge, stove and dishwasher. It also has a bi-fold door closet. We have a table and chairs that we sit in the middle, but plan to eventually build an island. There is also another portable dishwasher that sits by the door. The problem in the kitchen is that the floor always looks dirty, and there are always dishes piled up in the sink, even though I do them once and sometimes twice a day (in the dishwasher). The counters always seem to be very cluttered with stuff.

The dining room also has laminate flooring and nice antique furniture and an old piano. There isn’t a real problem keeping up with this room, because we only use it on special occasions.

The living room has laminate as well, with a large area rug in the middle, a big screen (65" rear projection) t.v. flanked by two glass-front entertainment stands that house DVD’s and components, three piece sectional couch and two end tables with lamps. The complaint i get about this room is that the floor always looks dirty. We have a white boxer, and she sheds a lot on the rug and her hair is all over the floor. This room can tend to be cluttered from eating and putting things on the end tables, but that doesn’t take long to clean up, and I usually do that at night before bed.

The play room is a disaster area to say the least. Our three and a half year old daughter doesn’t put things back where she gets them so they are always all over the floor. This room also has our computer desk, which we just got so all that is on it is the computer. The couch in this room has been serving as my husband and I’s bed (pull-out bed) for a few months because our bed room is being remodeled. So every day i have to put that back away and then get it out again at night. There are three storage bins for toys in this room, but they still don’t hold all the toys! And, yes, i just went through them and got rid of a bunch!

Now for the upstairs…
My oldest daughter’s room is really her issue. It is her job to clean it up, and other than the floor needing vaccuumed all the time, it’s ok for me.

My youngest daughter’s room can get quite messy. She has a doll house and furniture, about 15 bratz dolls and pieces and a desk up there. She also has the end cabinet on her old changing table filled with toys, as well as one of her dresser drawers. Every day I find myself picking everything up off the floor and putting it away again.

Our bedroom is under "construction" right now, so it’s pretty much n/a now.

The bathrom is another problem area. The sink is always filthy, and I have to clean the bathtub everytime I want to bath my youngest daughter (every other day). It always gets scummy. We know we have a mold problem in the floor of the bathroom, and are going to hopefully sometime this year gut the entire thing and start from scratch (sooner than later I hope). But until then, there is always clutter on the sink, dirty clothes on the floor and just blah in the bathroom! That’s the only way to say it.

I am very good about keeping up with the laundry. That’s one thing I like to do! I know alot of this is my bad habits, but I don’t know after 5 1/2 years of marriage how to fix it. I set out to clean, but get one room or thing done and then go watch tv. I don’t want to be a horrible housewife so if anyone has any helpful ideas, thanks so much!
Would YOU get rid of YOUR tv?
I know everyone thinks it should be easy for my husband to help, but in his mind, it’s not his job. He makes the money, so this is my job.

Hubby needs to learn how to pick up after himself. It’s unreal that he thinks to ride you when you’re taking care of everything.

As for television, that’s a none-issue for me: I don’t watch it.

Your younger daughter is probably old enough to start getting rid of baby toys. Do so: You need to reduce clutter. And she’s old enough to start learning to put her toys away. Make sure she learns.

Everyone in the house needs to start putting their dirty clothes in the dirty clothes hamper: That will be a huge help right there.

You need shelves and perhaps a chest or two to store things in the play room. And again, get rid of the things that are too young for the kids.

I keep a bottle of diluted lysol in my kitchen for a quick clean-up, and another in the bath. That makes it fairly simple to keep things clean. And I’ve chosen a day to dust, mop, and vacuum. So that pretty well stays done.

Another thing I’ve found helps is to do other chores while the washing machine is running: The machine can mind itself for a while.

Above all, talk to your husband about what you just told us.

Good luck.