I know how to--and rather enjoy--housecleaning. But I suck at tidying. my brain just doesn't work that way. As a consequence, I'm clean but quite messy. How do I look at a room & figure out the most efficient way to make it look neat? Share with me all your approaches and strategies.
posted by mjao on Oct 3, 2009 - 21 answers

Can anyone recommend a good one-time maid/cleaning service in Manhattan? [more inside]
posted by kmtiszen on May 17, 2009 - 1 answer

How to find someone to do errands/light housework regularly for my grandmother in North-Central NJ? [more inside]
posted by kelseyq on May 6, 2009 - 2 answers

Help! We are (hopefully) refinancing to take advantage of lower mortgage rates and we got a call telling us an appraiser will be coming tomorrow morning. Do we have to stay up all night scrubbing and cleaning or is the spotlessness of the house not something they are concerned with?
posted by 543DoublePlay on Jan 19, 2009 - 17 answers

how do I go about finding a good house cleaner in Toronto? I would prefer to hire an individual person, rather than a business, but I am willing to consider both. I am looking for recommendations, and tips as to what to ask after hearing some horror stories (house cleaner stealing, etc.). This is for a small apartment, 700 sq. feet.
posted by esolo on Sep 9, 2008 - 6 answers

I bought a uv-light (black light) to help locate a urine stain in my living room. I located the urine stain (from cat) but then I took the uv-light around the house and stuff glows on EVERYTHING. Am I living in a toxic waste of an apartment? [more inside]
posted by rainygrl716 on Jun 18, 2008 - 14 answers

Cleaning Filter: Help me make an oasis of clean in my bedroom, to fight back the chaos in my household? [more inside]
posted by Phalene on Mar 23, 2008 - 29 answers

What are your recommendations for good radio programs? I need something online to listen to while I clean house. [more inside]
posted by jennyjenny on Jun 24, 2007 - 25 answers

In an effort to help me de-stress, one of my Christmas presents is a complete housecleaning from a maid service. Now what? [more inside]
posted by I_Love_Bananas on Dec 4, 2006 - 13 answers

In a rush I used a vintage wood desktop as an ironing board. Smart. My new super-powered iron seems to have caused the finish to smear and/or partially decompose into a chalky wax resin. How do I remove and repair?
posted by jeffmacintyre on Apr 22, 2006 - 3 answers

Neurosisfilter: I'm not very neat. Think "disheveled". Also, I hate to clean on a deep level, it's like a resentment. It makes me angry. Also, if my house isn't perfectly neat I feel like I'm a bad person and my life is spiraling out of control. I get depressed and angry and mean. You can imagine my dilemma. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 1, 2005 - 23 answers

Have I hopelessly stained my white formica kitchen counter? [more inside]
posted by CunningLinguist on May 12, 2005 - 18 answers

My wife and I are thinking of buying a sisal or seagrass rug from Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrell or one of those places. I like the way they look brand new, but am worried about how it would wear. Are they easy to clean? How do you clean it--you can't vacuum it, can you? Will the cat shred it within 24 hours?
posted by bevedog on Nov 23, 2004 - 10 answers

Can anyone recommend a good maid/house-cleaning service in San Francisco? I've looked online but I would rather go to one from a reference, just to make sure no one walks off with my stereo. How much should I expect to pay for a one-time cleaning of a 1-bedroom apartment? Is recurring service better, or do you just call when you don't have time to clean up yourself? How does security generally work if I'm not at home?
posted by robbie01 on Nov 6, 2004 - 5 answers