Timing oneself at doing everyday common household chores and things.

[Mrs-M]

I got the idea for this thread after reading one of Goldensmom's entries.

So, how about it everybody, have you ever timed yourself before at doing everyday common household chores? If so, what?

I never have, but I think it would/could be a whole lot of fun! Especially if one involved family and friends to take part.

The closest thing I've come to timing myself at doing things, is when a television favourite (or special) is about to come on and I find myself racing to finish up something or another in order to catch the start of the program.

[Rosemary]

I don't time myself to beat a particular time, but I do like to know how long particular tasks take, because then when I have 10 minutes, for instance, I can scrub the bathtub instead of ...um, puttering away those minutes on the internet or something. Also, for particularly disliked chores, it helps to know that they only take a particular amount of time and then it will be done.

[Miss Cellane]

In the five minutes that it takes for the water to boil for tea, I can make my bed and empty the dish drainer. In the five minutes that it takes the tea to steep, I can either empty the dishwasher or go through the house and open all the blinds and shades and scoop the liter box. (And now you know my morning routine.)

It takes 12 minutes to change the sheets on the bed, from start to finish. In the half hour a load of laundry is in the washing machine, I can vacuum the entire house, or wash the kitchen and bathroom floors, or clean the entire bathroom thoroughly.

Like Rosemary, I like to know how long the worst tasks take, because then I can remind myself that it's only 10 or 15 minutes of my day.

[pony mom]

It used to take me one hour to do a complete water change in my betta's 3 gal. tank. I've now got it down to 45 minutes. There's no way to cut it down more but it was a challenge to do it faster.

[redfox]

Nope! I don't plan chores, either. I just do them as they need to be done. The sole exception is bed linens every Sunday afternoon.

[goldensmom]

Okay, the reason I timed myself changing bedsheets was to while away the time while doing a task I don't like to do. A side benefit, however, is that I can now say to myself 'stop whining you big baby, it takes less then 3 minutes'. I don't think I time other tasks but I know that I can start the coffee then feed the dogs and when finished feeding the dogs, the coffee is done and that is about 2 minutes 30 seconds (Bunn coffee maker).

Miss Cellane, it takes you 12 minutes to change the sheets on the bed???? I can help you with that.

[Anne Lee]

I've timed myself unloading the dishwasher (~4 minutes), cleaning the floors (~11 minutes per room) and taking a shower.

[Miss Cellane]

Okay, the reason I timed myself changing bedsheets was to while away the time while doing a task I don't like to do. A side benefit, however, is that I can now say to myself 'stop whining you big baby, it takes less then 3 minutes'. I don't think I time other tasks but I know that I can start the coffee then feed the dogs and when finished feeding the dogs, the coffee is done and that is about 2 minutes 30 seconds (Bunn coffee maker).

Miss Cellane, it takes you 12 minutes to change the sheets on the bed???? I can help you with that.

That's from start to finish--pulling off the used sheets, removing the cat, putting on the fresh bottom sheet, removing the cat, putting on the clean top sheet, removing the cat who is paralyzed with fear from being trapped under the Sheet From Which There Is No Escape, putting on the blanket, removing the cat, putting on the comforter, trying to straighten the comforter with the cat on the bed, putting pillows into cases and putting them on the bed while the cat paces in anxiety because the pillows Aren't Where They Are Supposed To Be.

My cat has a bed fetish. Or Something. He panics if the bed isn't made by about 7:30 am, and freaks if the pillows aren't in exactly the same place every day.

But I'm willing to consider any suggestions on speeding the operation up! (Shutting the cat out of the room doesn't work. Just trust me.)

[fidgiegirl]

I kind of have a rough idea, but the only time I've really timed it on purpose was when we were having a hard time getting the laundry folded and dealt with. So I told myself I was going to time it to see just how long it took, and it took 5 minutes per load. Ever since then, when I am tempted to let it pile up, I remind myself that it's only 5 minutes and that we feel so much better with folded and ready-to-go clothes. Much like Rosemary, I guess . . . knowing how long the non-preferred tasks take.

[Mrs-M]

I love this thread!

Rosemary. I love your way of thinking! :) I know in speaking for myself, I've been doing domestic stuff for so long now, I kind of/sort of know (give or take a few minutes either side) how long pretty much everything takes me to do.

Miss Cellane. Hugs to you! You've made me feel better Re: the 12 minutes you state it takes you to change a bed! I'm with you!!! I'm betting my time is really close to yours.

Pony Mom. Good on you! Being able to shave off even a fraction of time related to doing anything chore related, is worthy of bragging rights!

Redfox. I find now that my littlest ones aren't so little anymore, I tend to wing-it when it comes to scheduling domestic duties. Way less regimented now than it used to be...

Goldensmom. I am totally impressed by your 3 minute bed-making time! P.S. I'm signing up for your speedy bed-making class! :) Maybe Miss Cellane will join me.

Anne Lee. I just know I'd run into problems timing myself doing things, because I think it would play on my mind to a degree and cause me to feel like rushing, instead of casually taking my time to make for a more accurate time reading of the chore in question.

Miss Cellane. Re: your bed-changing ritual, ROTFLMAO! That darned cat! :)

Fidgiegirl. Your entry related to timing yourself folding laundry, reminded me of my "taming the laundry monster" thread, and how I gave Stella a little advice on not allowing laundry to pile up (without being folded), because it really takes such very little time to do once you make your mind up to do it.

[goldensmom]

That's from start to finish--pulling off the used sheets, removing the cat, putting on the fresh bottom sheet, removing the cat, putting on the clean top sheet, removing the cat who is paralyzed with fear from being trapped under the Sheet From Which There Is No Escape, putting on the blanket, removing the cat, putting on the comforter, trying to straighten the comforter with the cat on the bed, putting pillows into cases and putting them on the bed while the cat paces in anxiety because the pillows Aren't Where They Are Supposed To Be.

My cat has a bed fetish. Or Something. He panics if the bed isn't made by about 7:30 am, and freaks if the pillows aren't in exactly the same place every day.

But I'm willing to consider any suggestions on speeding the operation up! (Shutting the cat out of the room doesn't work. Just trust me.)

Factoring in the cat, 12 minutes is reasonable and that might even make the task fun. I wouldn't even begin to time myself if the dog(s) were on the bed. That task would include pushing, shoving, cajoling, bribing, going downstairs to get a treat. Yelling 'SQUIRREL' would work but the house would shake from them galloping to the door.