DEAR ABBY: My grandmother gets on my case all the time because I don't clean the bathroom every day. She grew up in the '50s and '60s and was a stay-at-home mom to two boys. However, I am a graduate student with a part-time job. I spend hours studying, and when I get some free time, I use it to do things I actually want to do.
My grandmother insists that everyone she knows/knew cleans their house every day, and when she talks about cleaning the bathroom, she doesn't mean just picking things up; she means spraying down all surfaces and getting out the bleach or foam spray to clean down the bathtub. I don't think she understands that no one I know -- at least my age -- cleans their house that way every single day, and that because I'm busy most days and often tired, I don't want to come home and clean the whole house.
Am I lazy, or am I right in telling her that I will not deep-clean my bathroom/apartment every day? (I think deep-cleaning every two weeks is fine.) The free time I have is precious. How often is appropriate? -- SOUTHERN MARIE
DEAR SOUTHERN MARIE: If you haven't been able to convince your grandmother by now that your circumstances are different, the chances of it happening are slim to none. Under normal circumstances, deep-cleaning your bathroom once a week is fine and should keep it sparkling. If you're smart, you'll avoid arguing with her about this, because it's a waste of breath.
This is so stupid. You don't like how I clean my house? Don't come over. Their conversations must be very tedious if this is what they discuss regularly.
Before getting in the shower, put toilet bowl cleaner in bowl. Let sit while showering.
After taking a shower, spray it down with an after shower cleaning spray. Takes 2 minutes.
Run the brush around your toilet and flush. Takes 2 minutes.
Use Clorox wipes to wipe down the counters and sink after getting ready. Another whole 2 minutes.
A Swiffer over the floor as you walk out.
And you've cleaned your bathroom as you've gotten ready for the day.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I raised three kids, worked full time and wanted to spend as much time with my kids as I could.
It took me about 3 days to get into the habit.
And I've raised my kids to clean up as they go as well.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
People who visit my home and object to how something is done get pointed towards the cleaning supplies and told they can do it to their liking if they so choose. My home is sanitary. It is not a model home. It tends to have toys strewn about because I don't see the point in putting everything away each night. My home is lived in. Sometimes, there will be dishes in the sink because the dishwasher ran out of space or because something is soaking. My home is casual. I don't care if you have shoes on or not.
How dirty was grandma's bathroom that it needed cleaning everyday?
I'd be having words with my family if the bathroom needed cleaning everyday.
I think this is some kind of "cleanliness is next to Godliness" type of thinking. When I grew up my mother was constantly cleaning everything; if you could not eat off the floors they were dirty. I have discovered that it is not necessary to be so "clean" and things just go right on. Have an idea that when women went visiting (if they had time) or entertained the Bridge Club, Ladies Auxillary, Circle, etc. etc. they were aware the "guests" were going to check and see if there was any dust, let alone anything dirty...
Couldn't have been easy to live in that era, but think the OP's grandma needs to let it go.
Before getting in the shower, put toilet bowl cleaner in bowl. Let sit while showering.
After taking a shower, spray it down with an after shower cleaning spray. Takes 2 minutes.
Run the brush around your toilet and flush. Takes 2 minutes.
Use Clorox wipes to wipe down the counters and sink after getting ready. Another whole 2 minutes.
A Swiffer over the floor as you walk out.
And you've cleaned your bathroom as you've gotten ready for the day.
No, it's not hard. Nothing is that hard. However when you are spread thin, sometimes something has to give.
I agree.
I developed an "action plan" that worked for me, for my family.
It allowed me to get things done and still have time with my kids.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Maybe grandma walks in and has her nose raped by bathroom smells.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
