Flat mates' issues about cleaning the common spaces. How can I cope?
Many of us at some point had a house mate or a room mate. Some people have good luck finding
great house mates, while others don't. If you and your house mates are having issues around
keeping the flat clean, here are some tips that may help.
Sit down with the members of the house and discuss your needs.Communication is the key to a
healthy relationship. Listen to each other with respect even if you don't agree with something.
Making the other person feel special is a good way to get your need met as well. If everyone
do not agree with each other, try to find a common ground.
Some house mates need more special attention than others. If people in the flat do not remember
when and how to clean, a 'cleaning chart' attached on a wall or on the fridge with specifications
may help making the cleaning process easier. Who, what, where and when are essential in such
chart. You can also send out weekly email about cleaning. You can make a list of different areas
that need special attention such as the kitchen, bathroom, stair ways in winter time, etc. You can
have a designate folder, that has different location of the flat, when it should get clean, how, and
who will be in charge of such task.
And other way to keep a flat clean and neat is by making sure everyone do their part. Meaning
that people living in the house, cleans after them selves. Everyone should clean their own
dishes, wipe the bath room and kitchen counter, spray water on the shower wall after user, etc.
Preferable right after use. If someone forgets or too busy, remember to remind them of their
duties, but respectively. Each house mates should remember to stick to the plan chosen, and to
not take things personal. If another house mate speak to you about your chores not being done,
do not take things personal. Remember, respect, and communication.
If everything fells, you can discuss with your flat mates about having a cleaning service over to
clean and organize the flat every week or bi weekly. Organizing Made Simple, provides such
services. Contacts us today.
It happens sometimes, that house mates get reluctant do talk and participate in anything in a
flat. In such cases, it would be grand for you to tell your house mates that your needs to keep
a clean home are not being met. Or it would be wise to get new house mates or move to another
flat that will accommodate your needs.
All the same should apply to having a 'room mate'. You have less privacy and the space may be
more confined. Do your part when you expect your room mate to do his/hers. 'Walk the walk and
talk the talk.' Your room mate will follow your examples.
Living with strangers can be a challenge, but this is where your community skills come in.
Remember that "Home is where the heart is", so relax, have fun, play, chat with each other. Don't
turn chores into chaos. Cleaning a home should be fun and keeps the house in a happy state.
Support and talk to each other like family. After all that what it's all about.
Here are some websites that talk about house mate issues. Enjoy!
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