Dear FlyLady,

I just wanted to thank you. This may sound like a cliche but this system was truly a godsend.  Ever since I was 13 years my sisters and I would spend all of Saturday cleaning the house from top to bottom.  I grew up thinking this was the best way to do it, with the reasoning that only a house just cleaned is a clean house.

When I got married and had my first baby, I would spend all Sunday morning (yes Sunday, can you believe it) trying to reclaim the house and ending up feeling so sorry for myself.  I would hear the families outside setting off for a picnic or a day at the beach whilst I scrubbed the bathroom.  I would actually spend half the time putting away the mess accumulated during the week!  Then I stumbled upon FlyLady, and initially had doubts.  How could you find the time to do a little bit everyday? This must not apply for mothers who work, mothers who have babies, mothers who work and have babies!!

But I read and read and finally understood what Marla keeps repeating – mainly that-

1. a little everyday does help – an yes that is what helps the house clean itself!

2. putting away items as you use them is one of the best things you can do;

3. focusing on one area each week relieves me of so much stress! I never look at the bedroom windows panicking and wondering when I will be cleaning them, because I know that their time will come soon.

Now I live in a 3 story house with a 5 year old and a 1 year old. I do not have a heart attack each time my son throws the food on the floor, because I know it will not be another 6 days before I wash the floors – I will mop it later that day. Mopping the most used areas will guarantee that my house is ready for visitors, and that my son will have a clean floor to crawl on everyday!

And finally – imperfect cleaning is still cleaning – it is better than nothing. So if I didn’t manage today it is okay!  There will be a next time.

Thank you Marla!

Marilyn

FlyLady here: I am so happy that Marilyn no longer wastes her weekend cleaning.

With our do it now principle and a great XL Mop it only takes a couple of minutes to clean a floor!

The XL Mop is half price! Get yours today!

Be sure and add your calendar!

Do you have an XL Mop Testimonial? Please send it to me: FlyLady@flylady.net with WHAT A MOP in the subject line!