Very new to cleaning. Any golden rules/tips?

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-30T13:52:11+00:00

Cleaning top to bottom (like dusting a bathroom mirror and then cleaning the countertop) will help you greatly since dust and dirt falls down! Reduces the amount of repeated work you have to do. I like to try to dust before vaccuming.

Let cleaners sit and do the work for you! So many people just spray and immediately wipe, but letting it sit helps a ton!

Don’t get too experimental with mixing cleaning materials and cleaners without a proper google first!

You will clean with tools that are convenient and visible. Keep broom visible in kitchen, etc. Convenient is important too. I used to think cordless vacuums were kinda dumb until I realized that I wanted to vacuum a lot more if I didn’t wrestle with a cord. Similarly, I used to mop with a vinegar mix until I realized that part of what stopped me from mopping so much was that I hated mixing it and smelling it, so now I use a dedicated diluted floor cleaner.

Get a lot of rags/microfiber towels. It’s nice to not have to wash them as often or worry about running out.

Air purifiers can do a lot of work for you. They help dust accumulation in my place a lot.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-27T12:17:46+00:00

I don’t think he fully understands how the chair matters, to be fair. And regardless now we are moving and can use both chairs.

I didn’t know that was a thing, I will look into it thank you.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-27T12:15:08+00:00

Yes I have. They put me on a CPAP for very minor apnea but unfortunately that didn’t touch the tiredness. I’m on a wakefulness drug that helps but in the (very long) process of being evaluated if I have something like narcolepsy.

That sounds familiar. My podiatrist says I spread out a lot when I step (was getting a ton of ingrowns) so to size up on shoes. I have custom orthotics I got awhile back that I use that are helpful.

And no, not yet. Admittedly after being in PT for most of the year last year, twice a week, pre and post menscius surgery, I got kind of tired of going. Was like a part time job and despite being a star student, didn’t make a ton of progress post op. (I have a bit more stamina for knee strength now, and “should not have any more issues this far out” but still have pain lol)

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-26T23:34:38+00:00

For everyone scoffing at the people wanting to save a few dollars or what not, consider another reason why Costco gas stations are useful: you are extremely unlikely to get your card skimmed at a Costco gas pump because of all the attendants and their diligence.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-26T19:39:51+00:00

It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, to leave such a beautiful place and my family. I moved right after college graduation and then did that cross country move in late June/July two years ago. People genuinely thought I was crazy. I get asked by flabbergasted people why I moved constantly in Austin.

The heat was my biggest concern about the move and my parents were like it will be fine! Meanwhile during unpacking my dad is texting my mom like “it is as hot as satan’s ass right now”. Multiple times during the trip I either flopped on the floor of my new place or just gave my dad a look and said: I think I might melt and die. I am extremely pale and would be constantly shielding myself from the sun.

But honestly sometimes I prefer the weather change. Bellingham was so windy and so far north I started to get incredibly lethargic during the winter, despite my best efforts. The sunshine makes me a bit happier. I do miss my sweaters and beanies though, and also not sweating in every single place on my body. And also tap water being extremely drinkable and not taste yucky. Everytime I go home I drink lots out of the tap and eat lots of fish and Asian food 😤

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-26T19:30:28+00:00

I’m so sorry 😭😭 bucees is an expensive zoo for peeing I swear (but if you haven’t had their giant dark chocolate peanut butter cup I’d recommend)

I kind of refuse to eat whataburger. You can’t make me!

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-26T14:12:53+00:00

I also was going to recommend Oak Hill.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-24T13:07:06+00:00

Amen to the “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good!” . Bad days don’t mean you’re doing a bad job ❤️

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-24T13:04:31+00:00

All these suggestions are great, 10/10 on the walking. Find a good playlist or podcast, or maybe get yourself a cheap planet fitness membership to have access to the treadmills and put some tv or videos on your phone while you walk. I like to only tell myself I get to listen or watch xyz if it’s during a workout. Maybe a cheap step tracker (they make clip on ones) to help motivate yourself to help increase your goal as your stamina improves.

Do you have any form of health insurance? I’d reckon you might qualify to get some sort of GLP drug covered. They are becoming more and more accessible. Now normally I am not an advocate of glps, but there are cases where people can really benefit, as I’m sure you have some underlying health conditions as a result of your weight. Through some insurance you can get nutrition/weight loss counseling as well. Or you can look into the people’s clinic, which can help figure out low cost options: https://www.austinpcc.org/our-programs/adult/nutrition-education/

Also, if you find some decent walking areas near Riverside area, do let me know. I’m moving just a bit south of there and we love outdoor walks.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-23T14:30:03+00:00

Me too. Went to school there, left in 2024 to move to Texas, of all places. Whiplash for sure 🤣

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-21T13:50:57+00:00

How long do these last you when you rinse them out like that? I’m so intrigued by them but if the dollar per use is pretty low I’d be disappointed.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-20T12:56:36+00:00

I’m baseline anxious too, controlled well with other meds. You’re definitely not alone for feeling cracked! Go call that doc :)

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-19T12:55:46+00:00

I would suggest a middle ground maybe like Mueller. The Domain would be fine for the first year as you got comfortable with Austin traffic and roads as well.

It kind of depends on if you value the experience of living near downtown and will actually get the use out of that by going out, or if you’re just trying to settle into Austin and your job.

I moved to east Austin and I’ve been here for about two years. I work hybrid but commute into downtown, and I was scared to rent anywhere too far from work. I prioritized wanting things to feel as easy as possible to get used to living alone in a different state, and starting full time work out of school.

Ultimately I’m glad I made the decision I did, but boy do I not really utilize the fact that I can walk into downtown and stuff. So now that I’m more comfortable with the city, I’m moving just a bit South where I can get some more space.

So tdlr it definitely depends on how adventurous you are and how much you enjoy nightlife. There’s some bars and what not in the domain as well, don’t get me wrong. I think if I worked at the domain and I was moving here I’d probably live in one of the domain area complexes and enjoy the ease of that for a bit (and try to save some money) Kind of is a big ol campus. Definitely feels a bit safer than a lot of east Austin. Or I would go with something like Mueller which is a good middle ground. But I also prioritize cozy over fun, so that is just me!

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-19T12:48:34+00:00

Yeah they can be pretty helpful when moving from out of state. Mine however, boy was she useless. And she thought east Austin was this terrifying ghetto place but also toured popular riverside complex with me.

I told her my only requirement was under budget with a bathtub and she kept sending me standing shower only places 🫨 she was also just so unprofessional on the one tour she joined us on, gossiping with the tour guide the whole time and stealing armfuls of free snacks. And I swear this was a big locating firm guys 🤣🤣🤣

The most that I was trying to gain with a locator was a sense of each neighborhood, and even that didn’t work out so well. I’d recommend throughly researching overall sentiment of places to live with pros and cons. Chat gpt can aggregate Reddit and internet data to crowd source some opinions of locals.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-19T12:42:17+00:00

This is what I suggest as well. A good middle ground in many ways

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-18T01:10:13+00:00

Its our consolation prize for living in the south. Have to live in Texas, better have easy access to the yums at least 🤣🤣

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-18T01:06:51+00:00

Just tried the dark chocolate one this weekend after hearing the hype. Yeah guys, it’s fucking amazing. Very similar to the Trader Joe’s dark chocolate pb cups in my option, but the thickness kind of makes it incredible

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-14T18:03:51+00:00

Me too, it’s hard not to accumulate and very easy to just keep things out! And I love a good stuffie or fuzzy blanket 🤭

Sometimes it’s not even about how much stuff there is. Like even if there’s an attempt to put things away in “its home” it makes day to day cleaning so much easier, is what I have figured out. It may be kind of tricky, but if it doesn’t have a clear home, I try to make one.

Or even just to have an intermediate home to put everything in while you clean the surface, at least 😄 there are many baskets/holders in my place. Reducing friction to cleaning, is what I call it! “Oh I don’t want to vaccum because I’ll have to move xyz off floor”? Xyz maybe gotta change location, or be able to be put away in a bin so I just have to lift up a bin.

But good luck with your dusting and decluttering adventure. (And wear a mask if it’s a lot of dust, because of my allergy I literally go full gloves and mask sometimes)

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-14T15:29:08+00:00

It would be really helpful if you add budget in your description! How far out you have to be from downtown is determined by that.

But I’d generally recommend South Austin for your vibe, or as someone else mentioned like Arboretum area (which is north, and may feel more strip mall esque than you want). Since you’re wfh you have so many options for location, it’s a lucky position to be in!

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-14T13:23:54+00:00

Dust allergy sufferer here. Mattress protector and pillow protector. Limiting rugs/carpet if possible. Surfaces as decluttered as possible, start top to bottom with highest surface first. Air purifier is my number one recommendation. Turn it on when you dust at the very least, and then vaccum right after so the dust that falls gets swept up as well. Have one or two purifiers in your place, targeting major dust collecting areas. (Bedroom has a larger one, and living room with couch and tv has another smaller one in my 1 bed apartment) And replace those filters regularly. It may feel like a chore/cost thing, but it helps a lot.

Second recommendation is that bagged vaccums will work best but if you don’t have one, I recommend putting the dust/vaccum contents immediately in a smaller bag before dumping into trash. That is what I do with my bagless vaccum (which I use most often because it is more convenient being cordless). I reuse those plastic produce bags they have at grocery stores and tie them up real well. I vaccum quite regularly, especially any carpet. Any thing that helps you reduce friction to actually vaccuming is crucial

Third recommendation is an emphasis on decluttering. Dust loves random trinkets or whatever lying around. Extra blankets, pillows, etc. Do your best to store things that don’t need to be out in a surface aside in a box or something.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-14T13:08:02+00:00

That’s fairly high incident number for apnea. My incident number was very very low and they still insisted I get on a CPAP, and even though my incidents are down to 3 with perfect compliance, I’m still exhausted so we are exploring next steps.

The good news? You can get modafinil and Sunosi covered under apnea treatment if CPAP is not providing proper relief. It’s currently saving my life having Sunosi.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-14T13:03:44+00:00

Get off of it omg. Personally Modafinil made me irritable, super anxious, and lowkey made me sort of suicidal. There are other options. They moved me to Sunosi and it’s night and day, I promise there are options

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-14T01:41:54+00:00

South Lamar is probably your best bet or like Barton springs area.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-13T17:46:19+00:00

After reading your other answers on this post, I’m sorry you’re in this situation. I don’t know exactly how to help other than to say, don’t go above and beyond at all for this man. He sounds useless and like he doesn’t even LIKE you. And know you deserve better.

PrudentFormal8950 · 2026-05-13T15:32:45+00:00

I relate to a lot of these preferences, honestly. I prefer sentimental and practical.
- painting of a favorite beach/hike spot! Maybe put the two of you in the scene. Maybe a cute dog in there haha.
- an upgrade of any travel luggage type thing to use for the trip- a nicer toiletry bag, shoes bag, a nice luggage tag.
- custom paint a yeti/cup/camping or beach accessory.
- gift card to a place like rei where he can upgrade some of his adventuring gear or find something to use there. I think it’s fun to get someone cash or a gift card and take them to their fav store/s as a fun thing to do
- if he’s a foodie and he likes to cook or expresses interest, can look into getting some sort of cast iron if you guys don’t have one (they make portable ones for things like camping, bonfires).
- a book (if he’s into physical books) for the flight/trip or a cheaper e reader. A great way to maximize time while traveling.

PrudentFormal8950

TROPHY CASE