How to Clean my flat properly .

Fantastic!  Thank you so much.

i love the way you make it possible by introducing manageable steps.

I have been using wipes because I can be certain that I don’t contaminate things by using previously used cloths.  How do you rinse and dry the cleaning cloth in such a way as to ensure it is definitely clean enough for the next time? 

 deep clean: sounds intimidating and almost professional 

Don’t leave dirty plates out: yes, it’s a good goal and I have had periods where this has been achieved but I ‘relapse’ into old ways sometimes.  I am better with the bathroom.  

part of my problem is I bought the flat it looked fabulous because of the previous owners decoration and wonderfully attractive aesthetic use of the space/s.  I have lived here a few years and I worry that it is more and more the opposite of their version.  I’ve burnt the carpet , the oven is hard to clean, the blinds are broken, walls are dirty in places, spiders and webs look most at home…smells ? Chaos storage, hoarding, ….infinite list 

Nevertheless this forum has given me hope that i am only imagining that I am charioteering the flat into an abyss 

thank you so much. 
I intend to use your wise words to the best of my ability 
any other suggestions would be welcome 

Hello NAS73180,

Today it is the 31st of August - which marks the end of the month and subsequently the start of new beginnings. Today is the day you become a cleaning maestro.

Who is this rogue user? And why does he make such a bold statement as opposed to opening with suggestions of investigating executive dysfunction? Because here user NAS73180 is, understanding the discomfort of living in a mess and needing to sort it out whilst not being entirely capable of cleaning in the best regard. I say this, because I understand what it's like to have a busy/upended schedule and wish that someone out there, could throw up a quick self help guide for this sort of stuff.

But I stress, I can give you the tools - but you need to use them.

• I have ADHD and I have autism. One thing that frustrates me, is the tendency to rush to diagnose and explain - where simple life skills and coaching can help mitigate the affects of things like that. I really do get frustrated, because this is something that is allowed to be ignored and education psychiatrists/occupational therapists work so hard to undo it. They want us, and subsequently all ASD individuals, to be as capable of being self sufficient as aware of our own struggles and limitations.

So here, post foreword, is your quick guide.

THE OBSSESSIVE'S GUIDE TO CLEANING (ASD EDITION)

• Rome was not built in a day. Similarly, any historian will tell you that the Romans in their expert means of organisation and making routines/processes out of things, like us, worked to their strengths. You don't clean well in the afternoon? Okay, do small 10-15 increments on the essentials (microwave, oven, bathroom) and work the rest at a more convenient point. Don't do well with a rota? Set cleaning days or cleaning hours as I call them. Stick to them, but also allow yourself a degree of flexibility. Don't decide that you are going to do it all in one day, you will be exhausted. As an example, commit to dusting one day and then hoovering on the next. The point here is to build a routine and develop it from there.
• What should I use to get a start? Like a chef has a pantry, cleaners have an armoury. It's a good idea to keep or build up a stock of cleaning supplies on hand - basics like bleach, antibacterial spray, window cleaner and mold remover are all essentials. Don't waste time on cleaning wipes, they are a scam and are no match for a good cleaning cloth at your side. If you are going to get the cloth wet, make sure to rinse and dry it because wet surfaces/objects have more chance of carrying bacteria. 
• When it comes to vacuuming, little and often is your trick. Don't aim to siege your house in one entire sitting if you are juggling dusting with that, I would not recommend that unless you're a veteran haha. Instead, as Henry Ford suggests, break it down into little tasks, maybe one day clean upstairs and then move to downstairs on the next day. You get the picture. Also, little naughty tip from cleaners? You don't need to do a deep clean every day. You can get away with doing a deep clean once a month, and regularly doing some light dusting/vacuuming around that.
• Do not leave dirty plates or dishes out - get into the habit of that ASAP. It is what is bringing flies, ants and all sorts of nasties and just leaves a bad smell! The same goes for the bathroom, do not let up on leaving that clean. Your partners and family will respect you so much more for it! 
• Can't be bothered to keep up with cleaning supplies? I got you. You can just keep a simple rotation of bleach, an antibacterial/mold remover and maybe something to deal with grease or stains. I just think, I am always spilling something over. For stains, I recommend the VANISH stuff. It's expensive and pricey, but it does the trick. For smells? Neutradol is the one. I would steer clear after giving it a spray, but it will clear out those odors in the kitchen and bathroom. 
• A neat cheat is just to use liquid soap - people don't know about the secret of liquid soap and vinegar. 

There are some more points, and I will add them if anyone asks, but for now - good luck.

Such fantastic suggestions, all wonderful.  

I need to buy more washing bowls. 

im so grateful to this marvellous forum and the compassion, generosity and kindness of your contributions. 

I love the use of listening to entertaining sound.  Then I am not over focused on the cleaning.  Focusing too much on cleaning leads me to feel I have to clean on a microscopic even atomic level, which obviously is unrealistic. 

I’ve had a look.  I’m grateful you said this.  For years I have assumed it was depression or laziness.  It’s weird to think my messiness in life and space is neurological.  The fact that there are certain things I can do means I don’t have to keep the mess going.  Sometimes recognising exactly where I do have power to do things means I now have the responsibility to act.  Wish me luck. 

Yes, other people allow the circuit of energy to be completed. 

Fantastic:  you express it so clearly snd  it seems it might be possible.

I wonder will I risk trying the solution instead of just being addicted to my talking to avoid doing.

Thank you.  I feel that reluctance to get a cleaner but your experience makes me feel it might be possible for me to achieve this seemingly impossible goal.   My extraordinary achievements seem to be ordinary to others and I need my ego to be deflated slightly in order to accept the reality of who and what I am. 

The place is in chaos even though i live on my own. 

I find people difficult but i need them: again my ego needs to accept that being on my own doesn’t provide all the answers.

I delegate days to do various tasks. 

Every other Saturday: Clean Floors. First hoover then wash. Sunday, clean the bathroom & detail kitchen. When tasked for the week, it's easier to do. Like envisioning what I'm wearing the following day. Once envisioned, it's harder for me to not do it.

Most nights I clean the kitchen counters, but I don't like making coffee or cooking unless the surfaces are completely clean, so that's delegated as future 'gifts' to my self (which I had learned at some point it's quite rewarding). Reversing into a parking space makes for a quick exit. Prepping a thing makes for a more enjoyable engagement with it.

I struggled with this a long time - I can usually clean up after myself when I am on my own, but get extreme demand avoidance when I have to deal with other peoples mess.

Can you afford a cleaner for a few hours a fortnight? I was very reluctant for a long time since it's something I should easily be able to do myself.

I do get very anxious from the night before she comes until she leaves, but I feel a dirty house has a significant negative effect on my wifes mood (Bipolar)... and mine I suppose.

My child has the exact same issue. 

He says that he doesn't 'see'  the mess. 

When I turn up to clean just having me present helps them to be more productive, although its mainly down to me to do the lions share. 

Like the previous person mentioned, it sounds like your having a hard time initiating a task or task paralysis where you become paralysed because your become overwhelmed by how your going to do the task and you are actively breaking down something a simple as cleaning the kitchen in to hundred of smaller steps. I have this problem too. 

these are suggestions. they may work they may not. 

The musical method :Put on positive music and try to start cleaning, the music may give you the extra stimulation and may positively influence your mood positively. this for me makes it easier to get going. 

Stop and start method : which involves of putting your phone on timed intervals of between 10 & 30 minutes. You set a timed alarm for 10 to 30 minutes and you alternate between doing a task and having a break. For me this doesn't always work & sometimes make the mess worse because i've stated 3 tasks at once and make three different messes. 

The basket method : in my kitchen i have multiple washing up bowls and in each of those washing up bowel's their is washing up of different categories. In one i have drinking glasses and cups, the other i have plates and bowls and the other i have cooking equipment like pots and in another chopping boards and knife & utensils. by separating them into smaller loads your more likely to complete them. i also do the same thing with washing baskets for laundry and general cleaning.   

the Body double method :this method relies on having someone else with you, they don't necessarily need to help you clean but their present keeps you on tracked. some people have people in the room with them. some people like me use facetime and phone calls and clean while my friend is on the phone. some people use dolls, pictures and stuffed toys.

The three task method :this method involves picking a limited number of tasks usually picking one at a time. some people use labeled key tags with tasks on them and pick at random and once completed put them in the completed task vase. the idea behind this is that completing gives you a sense on completion that encourages you to do the task and if your using key tags it visual you can see what you've achieved.  

Have you read about executive dysfunction? It often affects those who are autistic and/or have ADHD