How do I make my partner tidy?

[Velvetee]

My partner is incredibly untidy, he uses the kitchen worksurfaces, floors and tables to deposit his paperwork, used drinks cans, sweet wrappers and clothing.

I decided to stop nagging him, as I felt it took more energy to nag than it did to pick things up myself, but things are worse. As soon as I tidy up, I can guarantee that it will end up how it started, within a matter of hours.

He's perfect in every other way except this one major flaw of being untidy. The whole house looks like a bomb has hit it. Does anyone know how I can reform him or improve things?

[Ice.Maiden]

Lol - if he's perfect in every way but this, and you managed to change his habit of a lifetime - then he'd be absolutely perfect, wouldn't he? That'd make him boring - and pretty un-natural.
This is the man you love. Accept him as he is. xx

[Beanmistriss]

I wouldn't accept that, you're not his mum. I would pick it up and stuff it all in his shoes everytime. He'd soon get fed up having to empty them out everytime he wanted to wear them. I wouod suggest putting it all in his bed but i'm assuming you share so it wouldn't work that great.

[4getmenot]

Has he got a beloved car? Everytime he makes a mess put it in there

[Beanmistriss]

I think 4get's suggestion is good. In fact I think it is cunning and most excellent >:)

[ethanryan]

hi when me and my partner first moved in together he was really messy. his socks would stay on the bedroom/bathroom floor, cups and bottles on living room floor, i always nagged but made no difference so instead i told himi will only wash the washing that is in the basket. he thought i was jokin but then got to the stage where he had no clean clothes or underwear as they were all on the floor, which meant he had to pick them up. after about 2 weeks he got the message. also if he didnt put his shoes away when come in from work, just before i went to bed i would put them outside the back door. if it rained in the night that was his problem. he soon learnt to put them away.

[Velvetee]

Thanks all. Well he does his own washing, so me not doing it would make no difference.

It's just really hard living in what looks like a pig sty. Very embarassing when people come round, because I know they're looking at me, thinking I'm a lazy cow for letting it get like this. Anyhow I shall persevere.

[Petal~flower]

been there Velvetee. I have no partner now, just untidy kids. But know how frustrating it is

[~max~]

Make up a "sexy" reward chart? ;O)
Everytime he tidies after himself, he goes up on the chart and gets a nice little reward.....He he! Can be fun, and de-dramatizes the whole thing! Men are all big kids, really! lol

Alternatively, I really like the car idea!

[Whoever]

Fellow sufferer here and I haven't yet found the solution after many, many years. Maybe we should both buy one of those large plastic storage boxes and dump everything in it which hasn't been put in its rightful place. Then dump it in the refuse bin every fortnight. I think it's because men simply can't multi-task. When they are halfway through one task, they start thinking of the next but can never finish the task they're involved in, so nothing every gets completed, tidied or put away.
If you find the magic solution, please come back and post here because I shall be waiting, hanging on your every word, for the solution !