I read the first chapter of the book I got. It's all about how housekeeping isn't about keeping a house clean, but about making a house homey. She also keeps talking about airing beds. I have no idea what that means.

That reminds me, I need to find a dry cleaner around here. After a week of teaching, most of my good slacks are covered with chalk dust.

Not sure what the strip tease was all about.

Undressage?

Also, most of the chemicals make me feel sick.

I clean almost everything in my house with baking soda, vinegar, and Dr Bronner's Sal's Suds. (The hardwood floors get Murphy's Oil Soap. For dusting I just use those Swiffer fluffy things or a wet rag.)

She says that the best thing is to vacuum every day, but if that's not possible, then at least vacuum the whole house once a week, and on in-between days, vacuum one or two rooms, so that each room will get done two or three times a week. Do people actually do this?

Guilty. But I have dogs.

Hil, Flylady's strategies are brilliant for my ADD mind. Here is a link to the site index [link] so you can get to the good stuff with less of the visual weirdness.

I clean almost everything in my house with baking soda, vinegar, and Dr Bronner's Sal's Suds.

I second the rec. of baking soda as a scouring powder and vinegar for a multitude of cleaning purposes - don't worry, the smell dissipates quickly and often takes even less pleasant smells with it.

She also keeps talking about airing beds. I have no idea what that means.

It means pulling the covers down off of for a while before you make the bed for the day. I believe it is a moot point for people who tend not to make the bed at all. Also, once in a while it is a great thing to strip it completely and let it sit in a nice strong patch of sun. That, of course, is not particularly practical for most people to accomplish, so I highly doubt more than 1% of the population of the U.S. does it.

I'm with others here, Hil. That's not a realistic cleaning schedule for anyone who isn't being supported by someone else or who has housecleaners.

amych, I really hope your brother gets better news soon.

I try to dust mop once a week, yes with my flylady dustmop. Wet mop in the kitchen and bath. I hate vacuums. I do try and clean my bathroom sink and toilet daily, so I never have to scrub them.

Thirding vinegar and baking soda rec.

I was hoping the Roomba would help me with cleaning the house. (I don't mind vacuuming but the disability has made it harder for me to do a good job cleaning before my hands tire out.) However, having to pick up all the clutter to "pre-flight" the Roomba kinda negated the labor-saving aspect of it. And then I had to clean the brushes afterwards... Still, where a Roomba is very handy is in freeing you up to do other things. Once I put it out in my car to vacuum my mini-van while I was inside doing other stuff.

I vacuum once/week. I live alone but do have a cat. I dust probably once/month.

I clean almost everything in my house with baking soda, vinegar

This is me.

What I like best is that the vinegar leaves no residue, unlike nearly all commercial cleaning products.

Plus, I make my own softscrub, which works wonderfully and smells fabulous because I choose the fragrance.

1/3 cup baking soda, enough dawn dishwashing liquid to moisten, 10 drops of essential oil. (I like cinnamon, vertiver, cedar or pine)

Certain neighbors ask for it regularly.

If it drys out, just add a few drops of water.