Keeping your home clean and tidy is a great way to maintain a sense of calm and order around the house, but for many people, it just doesn’t seem possible. A common approach that people take is to do occasional marathon cleaning sessions, but this leads to disappointment when things shortly become messy again. What is more effective is to break down the cleaning tasks and turn them into habits you can do each day. Here are a few examples.
1. 5-Minute Morning Touch-Up
Why not do a little cleaning in the morning? Then you can enjoy the results all day. You would be surprised with what you can get done in just five minutes, especially if you target busy areas like the bathroom sink and kitchen. Rather than let dirt and grime build up and become tough to clean, give the floor a once-over with a floor brush and wipe down the sink and counters to start your day with an easy win.
2. Declutter As You Go
Clutter is not always dirty per se, but it certainly makes a home look messy and the two are closely linked in our minds. As with dirt, prevention is better than cure, so get in the habit of putting things away again after you have used them. It only takes a few seconds, is quicker than putting lots of stuff away together, and makes things easier to find in the future.
3. One In, One Out
Even when everything seemingly has a place, it can still be cluttered if there is just too much stuff. Some people have dealt with this by using the “one in, one out” rule. This means that for every new household item they buy, they need to get rid of an old one. This has the dual benefit of reducing clutter and making people think more about their purchases, only buying what they really want or need.
4. Doing Dishes Instantly
You could have the most beautiful property in the world, but if there is a pile of dirty dishes sticking out like a sore thumb there, they will draw attention away from the building’s charm. And you could end up with bigger problems than that, because spoiled food can result in diseases spreading. Wash the dishes or load the dishwasher after each meal. It won’t take you more than a few minutes, but it can make a big difference.
5. The Evening Sweep
They say that the best days start the night before, so take a few minutes to clean or tidy before bed. If you like to get up and sit on the sofa in the morning, then arrange the cushions and maybe vacuum it. If you have a desk to go to, then make it tidy. Waking up with less cleaning to do can impact your mood for the whole day.
Conclusion
We all know someone with the kind of home that always seems spotless. Well, now you know their secrets. Routines and habits outperform episodic deep cleans, and it is well worth investing time in building them.