Cleaning.

[Wackymon]

Basically, I suck at it. I have no idea how in gods name to clean. At all. Cleaning, to me, is like quantum mechanics except that quantum mechanics can be explained via-math, while cleaning can't really be clearly explained all all except in vague, meaningless terms.
What I'm asking for, is help figuring out how to clean. Because I simply don't understand it.

 

[SnowyGamester]

Uh...put dirty towels, clothing and bed linen in a washing machine with appropriate laundry detergent, run correct cleaning cycle (see manual or internet) then machine or air dry. If washing machine not available substitute with bathtub or sink and soap/rinse manually. Take dry clean only clothes to dry-cleaner. Clean dishes, cups and cutlery with dishwasher and appropriate washer tablets/dishwasher detergent or use warm water, dishwashing liquid and a sponge or cloth and subsequently rinse with clean water, then wipe with dry cloth. Put stuff sitting on floors and surfaces into drawers, shelves and cupboards, ideally in a convenient location. Get a vacuum, turn it on and rub the sucky end on dirty things, emptying it when it gets full. If anything is still grimy or dusty wipe it with a damp cloth or a mop for floors, using appropriate surface cleaners when necessary (read label). Mops don't work on carpet. Also carpet is gross never choose carpet. Put yourself in a shower with water and soap, shampoo for hair, scrub and rinse. Put toothpaste and toothbrush in mouth and scrub. Avoid eating the toothpaste. Repeat as necessary. All required items available at your local supermarket. Good luck.

 

[Frezzato]

Can you expand on this with an actual example you have a problem with?

Is it a case of severe disorganization (as in not knowing where to start due to a lot of clutter) or are you unfamiliar with the details such as how to clean an all-glass stove top without scratching the surface?

 

[Wackymon]

Can you expand on this with an actual example you have a problem with?

Is it a case of severe disorganization (as in not knowing where to start due to a lot of clutter) or are you unfamiliar with the details such as how to clean an all-glass stove top without scratching the surface?

Sorry, it was around 11 in the afternoon when I posted this first. The primary issue is, in general, lets say there's a bunch of things scattered around, in a vaguely organized method, but still plenty scattered. You have no idea where to put everything scattered around the floor, bed, and shelves. People want it to be clean, yet what you constitute as clean, does not appear to be satisfactory. What do you do?

 

[Frezzato]

snip

Okay, I get it now. It's kind of hard to imagine the exact situation, but I think it's fair to say that organizing/cleaning according to someone else's standard can be a frustrating experience. However, I think it's fair to say that there's a bunch of things that can be considered 'obvious' in terms of tidyness, namely anything that can be laundered (as in clothing, bed sheets) and shoes.

I suppose I can't say these things without sounding condescending, so I apologize in advance. Strangely enough, I've been faced with several situations like helping people move or helping them clean up, and in all cases I had to walk them through it. I don't like making suggestions that involve having to buy things, but I believe there's a list of things that are arguably necessary in order to organize your life.

Spoiler: Simple Stuff You Can Buy

Simple Stuff You Can Buy

First off is a hamper. A hamper with a lid is very nice, but not necessary. If you can keep a hamper in your room it will make your life a lot easier, but you can also keep it where you do your laundry. I'm guessing it would be good to have your own hamper because I personally don't want my stuff mixed in with other people's laundry. It's not a paranoia thing, it's just that I tend to get really filthy somehow and don't want to subject people to the idea that they either have to wash my stuff or have them handle my gross things.

Second would be something small enough that you can keep it on a desk but large enough that it can contain the things you use on a daily basis. I'm talking basically a tray or something that can hold a wallet, phone and keys. I use a small basket as the stuff I carry on a daily basis would give a TSA agent nightmares. In that basket I keep my wallet, phone, keys, spare set of keys, cigarettes, handkerchief (folded), etc. I carry a lot of junk, but it's stuff I feel I can't leave the house without.

If you have a little bit of wall space, I recommend buying some simple shelves. You don't even have to spend a lot of money as you can easily make your own. Shelving kits are very cheap and are good for both books and stuff you want to keep on display. If you're installing your own and want to plant them into wood studs, use a stud finder to locate any nails. Then, start searching up and down to make sure you're not drilling into a wire or a metal vertical stud. Otherwise you'll be fine using drywall anchors, just make sure to avoid anything wood or metal.

If you have space under your bed, I recommend underbed containers like this Sterilite [http://www.target.com/p/sterilite-underbed-storage-box-41-qt/-/A-13796221], which only costs $10. The only problem is that once you can't see something, you tend to forget about it. You can use that for shoes, and you can actually easily fit two of them side by side under a bed.

I actually recommend that you don't buy those plastic three drawer things that you can find everywhere, because those things always get filled with junk. They're not good for books and unless you're using it as a night stand, it's pretty inconvenient in my opinion. They take up too much room and aren't good for storing things in a logical fashion. Stuff usually gets piled into the drawers, so unless you have like 30 cans of spray paint, there's not much you can keep in those things.

I have a four drawer filing cabinet in my room and I don't know what I would do without it. It's basically filled with games and movies. I think a two drawer [http://www.walmart.com/ip/3-Drawer-Accessory-File-Black/20470615] cabinet could work wonders.

Spoiler: Simple Stuff You Can Do

Simple Stuff You Can Do

If you have problems with stuff like paper, it's relatively easy to separate the stuff into two piles: stuff you can toss and stuff you need to keep. If you have a bunch of stuff that's kind of important, like receipts, use envelopes. I've kept all of my pay stubs in envelopes and I also keep my tax stuff in them, labeled by year.

I ended up collecting so much technological 'junk' that I was able to make different 'kits' which I keep in a Wenger laptop bag, along with my laptop of course. Once I collected every loose cable/USB key/peripheral cable I was able to separate them into sets where they could be easily found and used. I actually bought this weird GPS case, specifically this one [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00273AMH4/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1], for carrying/organizing the most important stuff. In that one case I can keep a huge amount of the most common and important cables I need, in addition to things like USB keys, card readers, earbuds, Bluetooth earpiece, and a wall charger.

I think you may find that once you collect every miscellaneous electronic cable/thingie you have, things will start to clean up more easily.

Until you can provide more details or photographs, which is not a good idea in the internet age, I also recommend approaching the person whose standards you apparently can't meet. It's too easy to fall into an antagonistic situation but once they realize you're looking for input, especially if they realize that you're trying to earnestly organize your life, I'm sure they'll turn around with some helpful suggestions.

Finally, if you don't have an underbed container, I suspect it would be your best bet. It may become filled with clutter, but at least it will all be in the same place.

 

[Jux]

You might also want to look at your stuff and realistically decide if it can all be stored in an orderly manner. You might just have too much stuff for your living space. Without knowing how much stuff you have, what kind of stuff it is, and the space you have to store it, advice will be of limitted use.

Fizzy has already given some good advice on some storage methods, I'll just add that it might be time for some early spring cleaning. Once a year I go through my clothes and give away everything to goodwill that I haven't worn in that year (with a few exceptions, like suits). Stuff that doesn't fit and probably never will again? Get rid of it. Knickknacks that hold no particular value for you that you just got on a whim? Toss em.

If you have books, look into getting a bookcase. Important files? A few binders, thats where all my tax return shit goes.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/3/sealed-clothes-storage

This is pretty good, I use these to store some seasonal clothes (and my comforter for the bed, don't need that in the summer), just be careful where you put them. If they rip, you lose vacuum.

 

[Batou667]

Sorry, it was around 11 in the afternoon when I posted this first. The primary issue is, in general, lets say there's a bunch of things scattered around, in a vaguely organized method, but still plenty scattered. You have no idea where to put everything scattered around the floor, bed, and shelves. People want it to be clean, yet what you constitute as clean, does not appear to be satisfactory. What do you do?

Just work on the understanding that everything has a place - with the possible exception of strictly ornamental items, they can be displayed wherever there's space.

Everything else has a place it ought to be. Unless something is specifically designed to be storage, then don't store things there. A chair is not a clothes hanger. A bed is for sleeping in, not putting stuff on. A desk is not for dirty dishes. A windowsill isn't for your empty beer/soda bottles, and so on.

Books, DVDs, games, CDs - in specific or generic shelving. Items you haven't looked at in ages could be better off in storage, or else sell/donate/give them away.

Clothes - Either folded in draws and storage, or hanging in a wardrobe. Shoes on a shoe-rack or hanging in the wardrobe. Use hooks on a door or wall for a few frequently-used coats, jackets etc.

Food, drink, plates, cups - These shouldn't be a permanent feature in your room. A glass of water by your bed or a cup of coffee on your desk is OK, but anything else should live in the kitchen.

Pens, paper, stationery - In a drawer, or use a desk tidy.

Letters, notes, bills - Display current or important ones on a corkboard. File anything else in a folder - or better still, shred it and bin it. If you haven't switched to paperless billing and bank statements, do so.

If it turns out you don't have enough storage - get some. You can often get shelving or cabinets for free if you know where to look, and there are innovative ways of using under-bed and cupboard space more effectively. If it's more a case of simply not having enough space to store things, then consider downsizing your possessions. If you haven't read a book or worn an article of clothing in the past year, there's a good argument to be made that you don't really need it. Pass it on to a friend or sell it on eBay. A few souvenirs and keepsakes are fine but don't hoard indiscriminately. Get used to the idea of spending a little time every day sorting through and tidying your stuff - it can seem like a waste of time and difficult to justify when there are other things to be done, but it's valuable to do.

Recovering hoarder/scruffbag here. It's a hard change to make, but honestly, you;ll feel better for it.