 I have two types of severe allergies.   One is to chemicals, perfumes, etc, the second is to housework. Growing up I lived in a house that was so clean you could eat off the floor. Mind you, you would never find a crumb of food on the floors as they were cleaned at least 3 times a day.   The worse fight I can remember my parents having was about germs.  That is not what started the fight. But when Dad realized he was fig a losing the battle he pulled out the big guns. He looked my Mom straight in the eyes and exclaimed “Mertiece,  someday a germ is going to get into this house and wipe us all out”. My mom went berserk.  It wasn’t the thought that her entire family could face complete annihilation. It was that Dad would even consider a germ entering her spic and span house”.
For years I tried to keep a clean house.  Then slowly I came to the realization that it doesn’t really matter. You clean the house and nobody comes to visit. You let it look like a pig sty and national television will appear at your door.    I’m opting for the 15 minutes of fame rather than a clean house.
Thankfully I now have a husband and brother who will chip in and help clean up.  I’m in charge of the groceries and cooking, they do the clean up.  However no one ever volunteers to clean the oven. Last weekend I made radio pudding, this weekend I had to vacuum the oven.
Apparently the pudding had overflowed.  When the oven was turned on, black smoke billowed out.  I knew it was time.  Once the windows were opened, the smoke detectors unplugged and the neighbours reassured, I pulled out the baking soda.  Even when the oven catches on fire, it leaves black chunks of previously enjoyed meals.   I dampened the oven with water, sprinkled on baking soda and let it set for an hour.   Then I pulled the Shop Vac from the basement and vacuumed the entire oven. Works for me.