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What to Avoid Saying to Someone While They Are Cleaning the House

By Sophie, published Jan 02, 2008
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It is hard enough for some people to build up the motivation required to take care of cleaning the house. Many people have such an abiding hatred of housework, that they wait until there is no alternative but to start cleaning up. Cleaning the house can be made even harder by family members who feel that it is their right to make comments and suggestions. Often masked under a joking exterior, some comments can make life harder for the person who is taking the time to clean the house.

What to Avoid Saying to Someone While They Are Cleaning the House: You Missed a Spot!

It might seem very comical to tell your spouse or significant other that they have missed a spot, but for the one cleaning, this can be rather frustrating. After spending a long time working on a room by dusting, vacuuming and tidying up, the last thing anyone wants to hear is that they have missed a spot. This will only undermine the work that they have put in to make the room look clean and tidy.

What to Avoid Saying to Someone While They Are Cleaning the House: You're Actually Cleaning?

Family members should avoid making this remark. It implies that the person who is cleaning is lazy and regularly shirks household chores in favour of other pursuits. While the person is cleaning, do not get under their feet and continue to joke about how they rarely touch the vacuum cleaner and how it has been months since they mopped the kitchen floor. The chances are that the person will feel very discouraged and just give up.

What to Avoid Saying to Someone While They Are Cleaning the House: While You're at It, Can You Iron My Shirt?

If you notice that your spouse or significant other is otherwise engaged in the kitchen or the utility room, do not interrupt what they are doing and ask them to make a start on something new such as ironing a shirt for you. While some people are good at multi-tasking and do not mind taking on more chores, many others would rather accomplish what they are currently working on before they shift onto the next task before them.

Takeaways
  • You missed a spot! is so discouraging
  • Don't joke about the fact that the person is cleaning
  • Let them work on a single task at once
Comments
Comments 1 - 15 of 15
 
 
i have printed this out and will be posting in on the fridge!!! great tips

Posted on 01/07/2008 at 2:01:41 PM

 
Great topic and very good points!

Posted on 01/04/2008 at 9:01:04 AM

 
Sophie, you never run out of the best ideas! I think my boyfriend says all these things :-) Thanks for commenting on my story on 12,000 steps : http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/505039/twelve_thousand_steps_to_shedding_winter.html-----Ilene

Posted on 01/03/2008 at 1:01:20 AM

 
I had a feeling that these were all of the things you were going to say, because they are oh so annoying! Great article!

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 10:01:43 PM

 
Thanks for the comments. The answer to that is "no", Zac! Sophie

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 8:01:41 PM

 
Oh boy, my dad always did the "you missed a spot" thing. That about drove me crazy!

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 7:01:18 PM

 
Very nice! :-)

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 6:01:05 PM

 
Cute!

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 6:01:35 PM

 
Lol....Don't get in my way or talk to me when I am cleaning or you will be cleaning too.

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 6:01:06 PM

 
'nuf said

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 4:01:28 PM

 
I figure if someone is going to become critcal of my cleaning, they'd better have a dust rag or a vacuum in their hand! Also, if someone comes over to see how clean my house is, they can turn around a go back home!

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 1:01:45 PM

 
ROFL, I never criticize others when they are doing the housework, which is what they end up doing if they dare to criticize me, lol, which when I do it resembles a bulldozer at full speed. Those in my house tend to just muck in for fear of ending up doing it all themselves!

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 11:01:02 AM

 
Oh, so true! I know usually they're trying to be funny, but if they haven't got a better sense of humor than to make those remarks, maybe they shouldn't try. Great article.

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 10:01:05 AM

 
Oh, you hit these spot on, Sophie! When I'm cleaning, everyone else better scatter! There's nothing worse than having people in your way criticizing- Ha.

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 10:01:44 AM

 
haha can you iron my shirt? whoops

Posted on 01/02/2008 at 10:01:17 AM

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