Get Clean Part 2

We are attempting to keep the house a little more clean and I think we are succeeding. I posted about how we do laundry in Get Clean Part 1. I think it's working. BUT my sweet friend, who also has four children, told me that she only does 1 load of laundry everyday. WHAT?! We have clothes for the barn, running, dance, karate, and basketball. My kids go outside almost everyday, even in the winter, and get extremely muddy. Any suggestions on how to cut down laundry?

On to the cleaning.
Our kids have age appropriate morning and evening chores. I posted each child a list with pictures of chores and how to get ready for the day/night on the wall in the upstairs hallway. I see all of them standing in the hallway verbally checking their lists. I hear "Check. Check. X!" And then off they run to the next thing.

Morning:
Everyone:    Make beds, Put dirty clothes away
Kate (3):      Clean bathroom sink
Carter (5):    Take out trash in downstairs bathroom
Cole (7):      Take out trash in upstairs bathroom

Evening:
Everyone: Pick up bedrooms
Kate (3):      Check Mom and Dad's room for toys
Carter (5):   Check dining room for toys
Cole (7):      Check living room for toys
Mom:           Pick up school room
Dad:             Clear the kitchen bar

The boys bring in the empty trashcans and recycling tubs each week and feed the goats, chickens, and dogs everyday.

I made a cleaning schedule. It helps give me an idea of what to do when I am overwhelmed. Plus the hubby often checks the list and helps out!
Monday:      Vacuum
Tuesday:      Mop
Wednesday: Bathrooms
Thursday:    Vacuum
Friday:         Mop
I may not get the entire house mopped or vacuumed if it's a busy day, but at least something gets done. Having a bad plan is better than having no plan in my mind!
Happy cleaning!

Get Clean! Part 1

Maybe not everyone struggles with housekeeping as much as I do. I just don't have that OCD gene. Obviously, I am sitting at the computer while the sink is full of dishes. Anyway, FlyLady has helped me tremendously, but it's hard to ever master laundry when there are 6 people in your house. I think I have finally figured it out! I realized getting the laundry put away was a bigger part of my problem than actually getting it washed. Here's what we have been doing for the past few weeks.

Laundry - Everyone who shares a room shares a laundry basket. Simple enough. That means no one can leave their clothes in the bathroom. Only towels can go in there. Each day of the week I do a different room's laundry. Everything that comes out of the basket, goes back in to be put away. No running from room to room to put away 6 different peoples' things. I still have about 2 loads a day, but I don't have to do any laundry on the weekend!!!! It was hard for me to watch the laundry pile up, but it actually worked to my amazement. (Note: I throw dish towels in with every load so they don't sour.)

Monday - Mom & Dad
Tuesday - Cole & Carter
Wednesday - Kate & Kyle
Thursday - Towels
Friday - Sheets
Saturday - Nothing :)
Sunday - Nothing :)

Considering we do school most of the day I just get it washed, fold it after the kiddos go to bed, and put it away the next day. Best of all I have everything listed in a notebook that lays on the counter. Since the hubby can see what I have planned he will grab a basket and throw it in! Having it easy to see helps us both get it finished so we can have time to relax later.