No grime scene too much for Mums Who Clean

Mums Who Clean already has 300,000 devotees. Now their first book shares their top tips and hacks for getting through housework faster.

Domestic chaos can strike even the most orderly among us. Whether the culprit is a tyrannical toddler, a brooding teen or the kind of trainwreck housemate who guarantees no one gets their bond back, most households are vulnerable to life’s mess-makers. And it only takes one toilet seat catastrophe to make most of us feel like life is spinning wildly out of control.

Happily, Australians are fighting back. One Facebook group, Mums Who Clean, already boasts over 300,000 members. Its founders, fellow mums and thrifty cleaners Karlie Suttie and Rachael Hallett, say interest was so strong the group quickly expanded to welcome all women, not just those with little grubs in tow. And with the release of their new book of the same name, Mums Who Clean is now officially available to all.

These unassuming co-authors say the book’s chief goal is the same as their Facebook page: providing cost-effective, practical solutions so Australians from all walks of life can achieve cheap, easy and fast cleaning.

Co-author of Mums Who Clean, Karlie Suttie. The how-to book is named for Suttie and Rachael Hallett's wildly popular Australian Facebook group of the same name, which has over 300,000 members. Picture: Supplied

“(People) are really looking for ways to keep their house presentable most of the time, so they’re not going to be embarrassed if someone pops by and wants to come in,” Ms Suttie says. “They’re looking for the easiest and quickest way to do things, so we get a lot of questions about mopping and vacuuming.”

For parents in particular, the rapid deterioration of the couch is a source of stress and despair, while most household budgets are tight across the board.

“The kids are a mess and they touch the couch with grubby hands, so that’s always a constant question, ‘How do you get jam hands off the furniture?’” Ms Suttie says.

“Kids are expensive, so anything you can do to save money to do the things you really want to do, versus cleaning your couch or your sink, I say go for it.”

Any playground poll will reveal the wheels occasionally fall off even the most well-oiled, immaculate mummy machine – and Mums Who Clean especially resonates with parents of school-aged children because they’re currently deep in the trenches. The book even has a chapter aptly entitled My Home is Out of Control.

“It’s basically a rundown of things that you can do to get it quickly under control,” Ms Suttie says.

“For example, going around (with) a washing basket. Everything that’s not in its right place, like toys on the floor or whatever it might be, just pop it into that basket so you can get on top of it quickly.

“I know when the kids have been playing inside all day and there’s stuff everywhere, where do you start?”

Co-author of Mums Who Clean, Rachael Hallett. Picture: Supplied

Partner in grime Ms Hallett says everyone feels overwhelmed on occasion, especially if they’re not clean or organised by nature, because they are unlikely to have routines and processes in place. Like her co-author, Ms Hallett also claims to personally dislike cleaning, but says efficiency and organisation skills get the job done. Indeed, the My Home is Out of Control chapter steps readers through a small series of simple tasks.

It’s about being organised, not obsessive compulsive.

“That’s the best chapter, I love that chapter,” Ms Hallett says. “It keeps it real. We totally get the same way in our own houses. Even though we’ve written a book, it doesn’t mean we’re immune to having an out-of-control house.

“If you’re already overwhelmed, we didn’t want to overwhelm people any further. It literally steps you through what you need to do – and when – to get your house back to base zero. You can start a deep clean from there if you want to. If you don’t need to spend money, why would you?”

Mums Who Clean. Rachael Hallett Karlie Suttie. Published: 2 February 2021. Imprint: Ebury Australia RRP: $29.99

Keep the scene clean

For anyone living in a state of barely contained bedlam, the unannounced guest is like a live grenade landing in your bunker. Here are some top tips from the Mums Who Clean for a sure-fire victory next time you have surprise visitors.

Floor and order

Pick up any rubbish from the floors throughout. Put everything else in a washing basket and take it somewhere out of sight. If you only have a couple of minutes to quickly sweep or vacuum, make this your first step. If your floors are clear and clean, everything else looks instantly cleaner.

Hide and seek

Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher, place them in the sink or hide them in a cupboard if you really have to. Deal with the dishes as soon as your guests have left – unfortunately they will be waiting right where you left them.

Everything in its place

If you can’t find a permanent home for your items, maybe it’s time to channel uber organiser Marie Kondo. If everything has its rightful place, you can put it all straight back where it belongs, reinstating order with enviable ease.

Mums Who Clean. Rachael Hallett Karlie Suttie. Ebury Australia RRP: $29.99

Originally published as No grime scene too much for Mums Who Clean