Time saving tips around the home

[SixtiesChild]

We're so pressed for time these days that I would be interested in hearing what other women do to save time and effort and economy in their home. Especially the kitchen and laundry.

All ideas appreciated.:)

[sweetvanilla]

Dunno if this consider time saving. But I tend to put the washing in in the evening and will put them out in the morning.

Also, my DH and I hv different laundry bins. So he'd enuff socks etc for works. I can always put mine on hold when I am too lazy for a laundry day!

[Nickster]

I think this is bad feng shui, but I hang my laundry out quite often at night. I turn the machine on before I sit down and eat dinner, then it is ready to be hung out by the time I've finished eating. I hang it out during commercial breaks if there's a good TV show on.

[Nickster]

I also keep a small bucket in the laundry tub half filled with a weak solution of Napisan so I can throw DD's filthy clothes in there to be soaked as the day progresses.

[tickle]

A front loader!!!
No soaking required. The load takes longer but your clothes come out sparkling and in the best condition.
I also put in the night before and hang out in the morning.
In the kitchen I generally try to keep cleaning rather than do a big clean out of the cupboards etc. Then it isn't such a big job when it has been a little while.

[Mummaof2]

I think this is bad feng shui, but I hang my laundry out quite often at night. I turn the machine on before I sit down and eat dinner, then it is ready to be hung out by the time I've finished eating. I hang it out during commercial breaks if there's a good TV show on.

I also do my washing of a night time and either hang it out then or first thing in the morning especially if its going to be a hot day. I also fold my clothes, towels etc as i take them off the line so then i can put them straight away when i take them inside.

I got this one from a different thread the other day (cant remember which one). To save dishes i now use paper plates during the day which can go straight into the recycling bin.

I also cook extra for dinner so then i already have lunch ready for the next day and all i have to do is heat it up.

Thats all i can think off at the moment (still suffering baby brain).

[sweetvanilla]

Talking abt hanging out clothes at nite.

My dad always say a BIG NO to that. Reason simply being that, no matter what sort of temperature the weather is at nite, the clothes actually dry out base on dampen air and hence increase the chances of you getting a rheumatism.

This is exactly what my gf who lives in Melb. does. She hung out her jeans most of the time outside. She is only 32 and she has heaps of crackling sound bones and she has a minor arthiritis at this age.

[sweetvanilla]

I cook everyday. And I cook Asian food like 80% of the time which requires heaps of basic raw ingredients.


So I tend to blend the onions, garlic, green chilli for stir fry etc. In a tub in the fridge.
But for those who hardly cook Asian food could also do it, cos it could last a long while. Plus, it'd be so easy just to pop into the wok and do ur stir fry or fried rice.

[Frazzled]

I find that the kitchen is always tidier during the day since buying one of those washing up things that you put the dtergent in the handle. Just wash quickly as i go thru the day and put in the drying rack - don;t have to fill up sink. Also have one of those swisser mop type things, with the cloth. Use it quickly every night to pick up dust, cat hair, etc etc off the kitchen, hall way and dining room floors in btwn vac days. Picks everything up with out having to sweep up then u just throw the cloth in the wash every so often.

And my favourite - clean the shower and bath while im in there. I have found Windex Shower Bath and Tiles to be amazing!

[OM]

I like to make extra for dinners and freeze them for other nights. That helps me alot in the kitchen. And for the laundry if you use cloth nappies dry pailing saves me sooo much time and money.

[einalem]

In the laundry dept. we have about 5 different washing baskets - whites, lights, darks, denim& heavy pants & towles and linens. when a baske get full I just empty it into the washing machine usually at night time, I can then soak them through the night and hang them after breakfast. I have been thinking of putting instructions near the washing machine for hubby so he can do the loads, but I haven't got to that yet.

When I am feeling really pedantic, and have alot of washing, I hang the washing in quadrants - mine in one section of the line, aj's in another, tim's in the next and linen/towels in the last. When I take them off the line I fold them straight away, and I sort them at night while watching telly.

While the washing machine is on and filling up I tidy the lounge and dining rooms.

When AJ is having a bath I do the bathroom.

When my hubby is in the shower in the morning I make the bed and clear the floor

The kitchen is my nightmare, no matter how often in a day I clean it, it is always messy. But I do try to clean as I go.

We have a dishwasher which we use every 2 days. I just discovered that it does pots really well, so it might get used daily now, and I'll never have to wash dishes again, yay!

I cook for 4 and freeze half, so there is always a meal on hand.

thats all I can think of for now

[BecH]

If you have polished floors vacuum them instead of sweeping and you can do it less frequently, it gets up more of the dust rather than just pushing it around. Disposable antibacterial wipes are fabulous, they clean shower screens, nappies buckets and bins so easily (plus heaps more) and then you can just chuck them, plus they are great to have in your nappy bag to guarantee a clean area when you go out (can you tell my husband has an immune defiency, i sound so obsessed, sorry).

Our rule is that dust is fine but the kitchen where food is made should always been clean, so I don't always get the floor done but the kitchen is always done, which helps you prioritise.

Our simple meal - process all your fav vegies (sweet potatoes, broccoli, potato,spinach, carrots, ect) in the food processor add cooked mince and curry powder, then just wrap in pastry, cook for 20 mins, freeze what you don't eat. You know you have had a good serve of vegies, and there are always left-overs.

Wow I rambled sorry again, good luck

[justme]

I vaccuum with my one year old in the morning before his nap. Keeps him amused as he follows the vaccuum cleaner around and I get the job done!

Easy meal for my son is that small star shaped pasta and throw in finger food sized pumpkin, carrot or other vegies that your child likes. Cooks in boiling water for about 5mins all together. V. quick healthy meal and only one small saucepan to wash up.

My son also like to play outside when I take out the washing and also when I'm taking it off the line - he plays, while I take it off the line, sort and fold. I get to watch him playing and takes my mind off the boring housework.

[ThomasMum]

I vaccuum with my one year old in the morning before his nap. Keeps him amused as he follows the vaccuum cleaner around and I get the job done!

.

Yep good one justme! :D Because that how it works in this house, vacuuming the house is so much fun now that Thomas is involved! :rolleyes:

Another tip is, never make "big complicated" dinners during weekdays. And of course my fave is my husband IS also in charge with the houseduties, he's the one whos in charge with unload/load dishwasher and taking the rubbish out! :D

TM