Fourteen Secrets of an ADHD Housekeeper
Written by Cynthia Hammer, MSW
Years ago, Lynn Weiss, Ph.D. and author of numerous ADHD books said people with ADHD can do anything, they just have to figure out what works for them. After years of struggling to manage a household, I finally figured out ways that work for me.
1. Have your children grown and gone or don't have children.
2. Give up believing that you are inadequate if you hire a cleaning service.
3. Reduce the laundry. Get away from our cultural expectations. Change your ideas about how often to launder something. Towels don't need to be washed after each use and sheets don't need to be laundered weekly. If you shower daily, your sheets and towels can go for at least two weeks. Only launder then when you think, “It’s time!”
4. Only launder outer garments when they appear soiled but put your undergarments in the laundry daily. Have lots of undergarments so you can go two weeks without doing laundry. Don't buy clothing that needs dry cleaning or excessive ironing.
5. Have two hampers by your washing machine and sort clothing between colored and light/white items. Only do laundry when you have a full load.
6. Eliminate laundry backup problems. 1. Don't let it sit in the washer getting moldy. Set an alarm. 2. Don't let it sit in the dryer getting wrinkled. Set an alarm. 3. Don't let it sit in the clothes basket getting lost and forgotten. Make a commitment to put the laundry away as soon as you take it from the dryer. Plan ahead to be home long enough to complete these three steps.
7. Don't make your bed. For years I dutifully made the bed with a heavy bedspread and decorative pillows, only to remove them at night or have my husband remove them in frustration as he wanted to go to bed NOW. We eliminated the glamour and went with function, pulling up the covers when we got out of bed. That's it. Who sees it anyway?
8. Don't put clothes you wore that day away at night; put them away in the morning. It is easier to do boring tasks when you are fresh.
9. Never dry the dishes. Let them dry themselves in a rack overnight. Put them away in the morning before you prepare breakfast.
10. Buy enough dishes and flatware at Goodwill so you only need to run the dishwasher when it’s completely full. Commit to fully emptying the dishwasher after it completes its cycle. When you notice it is done, that is when you empty it. Have your dish, flatware, and glass storage areas immediately adjacent to your dishwasher.
11. Rarely wash utensils, pots, and pans. Most items can be cleaned by rinsing with hot water and a sponge. This way you can “clean” as you go during meal preparation. I have done this for years and no one has gotten sick. Let them dry in the rack and put them away before sitting down to eat. Then there is less to do later.
12. I like to use cloth napkins and real dishes, but my mother-in-law shocked me when I saw she uses paper plates napkins. She commented, “This is so much easier when there is just me.”
13. Don't use numerous cleaning products—Comet, Simple Green and a damp cloth will provide adequate cleaning power. Clean up spills right away.
14. Have a big freezer and a large pantry that you keep well-stocked. Cook extra so you have enough for the next day or enough to freeze for future days.