Expert: Jan Hayner - 12/17/2007

Question
Hi there,

I am a college student living in a large house next to a university, and often times I have a difficult time with my housemates failing to clean their designated area of our common living places. I have 8 roomates, and I have organized a chore chart that everyone has signed up for so we can keep our living room and kitchen we share sanitary.

Although everyone was eager and fine with signing up for chores, it seems that they don't get done within the time constraints, and when they are done, they are done very poorly. I tried to set a good example by doing the hardest chore that takes the most time every week, but it hasn't helped much.

Although I feel responsible for managing the chores in the house because I came up with the idea, I feel uncomfortable requesting directly that my housemates shape up. In fact, it is incredibly important for me to be on good terms with everyone to avoid living in an environment where I am hated for being bothersome(which would be very sad way to live indeed).

What can I do to insight my house mates to do their share? Each chore would only take them 15 minutes or less on a weekly or biweekly basis.

My roomates comes from Vietnam, Kenya, and China, so there are also cultural backgrounds to consider (they have different understandings of what is clean and sanitary, and there is only one other woman in my house).

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Anna;
You do have a problem! However, it can be overcome; you have three flaws in your plan for a clean home, 1) time restraints, 2) cultural differences and 3) having 6 of the housemates being men. I am not picking on any of the parties for the differences, I am just telling you that the rules need to be changed a little due to the differences, but all problems can be resolved.

If you can find a 'specific' time that everyone (or almost everyone) is home at the same time, you can have a 15 minute clean up, once a week. It would be nice if this was on the weekend or in the evening, if time would permit.

You can go about it in this way;

Buddy System Cleaning
Explain that in fifteen minutes, the entire house can be clean and rodent free and none of you will have to worry about getting reported for unsanitary conditions or have to move.
Make all of the cleaning agents available, and have a note posted in each room as to 'HOW' something should be cleaned.
Such as bathroom sink-wash with lysol and rinse,
toilet-wash with paper toweling,using bleach and then flush.
Sometimes by being specific in the directions, it works better than explaining the procedure ten times!
Set a kitchen timer, and see how everyone does. Explain that the whole house should be clean by the time the timer goes off (everyone will work faster).

Two-Cultural Differences
This is where it is hard to say that a note will help. Because of the variety of cultures, People don't always understand the reasoning behind using certain cleaners. But, if it is explained to them and they are told how this can help keep germs and bacteria away, they may also be able to pass this information on to their families in their homeland. Thus, improving their life as well!

6 housemates are men
I have nothing against the way most men clean. But, they very seldom are taught how to do it when they are younger and basically can't learn if no one teaches them. Just like the subjects they are learning in school, there are 'life teachings' that they have to learn too. After all, don't they have to learn to take care of themselves? They aren't always going to have room mates and besides that, it would be impressive to a girl to have a man that actually keeps the house clean. Usually phrased in 'that' way, gets the point across a lot faster!

I know by having to make the cleaning lists, it is putting more work on you, but, I think in the long run, you and your roommates would benefit faster that way. It would also be less stressful on you and you wouldn't look like the bad guy.

If you think that by having it in your hand writing would be a problem, look on the Internet under 'Home organizing and cleaning tips and hints' and you will find websites with lists, that you can print out and use.

I hope I helped to give you a few tips that work!
Happy Organizing and Cleaning,
Jan Hayner