Taking over from the helper - Part I

Within the first week of moving into this house, Yang, then 3, used a marker on the wall. Various marks and dents surfaced over the years. I told myself it was ok - we could do some major works when the kids are older and less destructive.

The kids are still kids and as destructive as ever. But I had undertaken some serious works already. Reason? We gave up the helper.

Unless you have a wonderful helper who cleans very well and takes care of things very well, or your threshold for cleanliness is very low, chances are high that there are serious jobs to be done once you take over the house. Sharing my experience in two parts:

*** *** ***

Summary for Part I - clean, repair and replace!

• Clean if it is possible and not too gross
• Repair if it is possible and not too gross
• Replace if it is impossible to clean or repair, or it is gross

I'll go by the different segments of the household to assess for CRR, instead of listing by CRR.

Laundry

• Iron: Replace - likely scratched. My helper burnt fabric on the ceramic ironing plate and took a knife to it 🤦‍♀️ 
• Ironing board: Repair - these are usually sturdy and can be washed down. I did :) 
  

Cooking

• Frying pans: Replace - I had to change these very frequently as they kept getting scratched! Of course I had to throw out the one she was using. So far no scratches from me 🤷‍♀️ 
• Cutting boards: Replace - very likely gross. I found a mouldy corner and a burnt (?!) edge. 
• Knives: Depends on your knife. If it is not made from one piece of metal, the connecting point between the blade and the handle is probably gross.
• Spatula - Replace - likely discoloured or has some melted plastic part!!
• Oven toaster: Replace - the insides were all black as helper liked to buy and bake marinated chicken wings
• Airfryer: Replace - the basket was not cleaned properly and oil etc has all caked up! Tried cleaning to no avail :(

Eating

• Plates and bowls: Clean - I had to use baking soda to scrub the rims and bottoms of ours. It was gross to see dirt coming off but they were too expensive to replace totally. At least the dirt came off??
• Utensils: Clean - check the forks especially. Scrub with baking soda and soak.
• Dining table and chairs: Clean - scrub the least noticed places, e.g. the underside 

Cleaning

• Rubbish bins: Replace - inside is probably very gross.... I reviewed our Ikea ones here.
• Vacuum cleaner: Depends on your model. Our Dyson which we bought when we got married, died somehow. I bought a cheap $20 hoover for helper to use. Happily dumped it for a new robot vacuum-mop and a $20 handheld vacuum for non-floor jobs. 
• Magiclean mop: Clean or replace - I had wanted to replace it as I kept hearing the handle drop off when helper was mopping. But when I tried it, it didn't drop for the longest time 🤷‍♀️ So I'm still using the old one. This is called user fault...
• Wipe cloths: Replace - don't know what each was used for. I got new ones, each with specific use.

Helper's bedroom

• Walls: Repair - I had to paint over the walls which were stained grey and brown 🤮 
• Cabinets: Clean - also de-odourise. Not sure why there was a sour smell inside 🤮 
• Mattress etc: Not CRR, just throw. No need anymore. I let her take away her bedsheets and blanket.

The simple summary for Part II - change the way things are done. Will link when I finish writing that.