Juggling work, family and other obligations can make maintaining a spotless home quite a challenge. Many people feel that they either spend their weekends endlessly scrubbing… or simply put up with the constant mess!
The solution is to adopt good habits and effective organization strategies. Are you ready?
Start With a Clean Slate!
First of all, you will want to start fresh. Begin by deep cleaning your entire house, from top to bottom. Move the furniture to eliminate dust bunnies and mop the floors, wipe down the walls and ceilings, etc. It’s time consuming, but this step is key for what comes next.
Establish a Weekly Cleaning Routine
Then, keep your space immaculate by establishing a cleaning routine. Did you know certain apps can help you get through your weekly list of chores in an enjoyable manner? You’ll need to spend between 15 and 30 minutes every day doing housework to maintain a tidy home. Here is a sample routine:
Monday: dust (baseboards, light fixtures, tops of tall furniture or frames, etc.).
Tuesday: clean the bathrooms (mirror, vanity, bath, shower, and toilet).
Wednesday: vacuum and mop all the floors.
Thursday: clean the kitchen (remove finger marks on appliances, make all vertical and horizontal surfaces shine).
Friday: wash the sheets and neaten the bedrooms.
Saturday: straighten up the living room, basement, entryway, office, and any other room not included in the list above.
Sunday: take care of any tasks you didn’t get to during the week.
A Daily To-Do List
In addition to your weekly routine, adopt the following simple daily habits to keep your home organized:
- Make your bed each morning: Start the day with a tidy space. It will instantly brighten up the bedroom.
- Pick up after yourself before you exit a room: Put any item you’ve used away before leaving a room.
- Clean after cooking: Wipe down the kitchen surfaces and sweep or vacuum as needed after every meal.
- Do the dishes: There’s nothing as discouraging as a sink full of stinky dishes!
- Wash (and fold!) at least one load: One load a day for a family of four is considered the minimum to stay on top of the laundry.
A Monthly Checklist
You should also incorporate monthly tasks to your schedule, such as cleaning the inside of the fridge, vacuuming behind the furniture, washing the windows, as well as disinfecting doorknobs, light switches and remote controls.
Yearly Maintenance Chores
Furthermore, once a year, wash fabric curtains in the laundry machine (then just hang them back on their rods to dry), deep clean your carpets with a powerful carpet cleaner, clean the inside of the oven, degrease your range hood’s filters; wipe the floor under the appliances, and organize disorderly drawers and closets. This is also the time to tackle your walls and ceilings!
Tips for Maximum Efficiency
1. Adopt the 2-Minute Rule
If a task only takes a few minutes, do it immediately. For example, put the shoes in the entryway away, fold the blanket on the couch, or simply place an object back where it belongs. This will help keep the mess under control and prevent it from becoming too depressing.
2. Implement an Efficient Organization System
A place for everything and everything in its place is the recipe for a tidy home. In fact, surfaces laden with stuff (over countertops, furniture, etc.) add to the visual clutter, even if they’re technically “put away.”
Instead, you should store toys, accessories and daily-use items out of sight in baskets or bins. Take advantage of hidden storage solutions, like beds with drawers, or stacking boxes in the closet. Sort your papers and documents in a filing cabinet or in a box to stop the mail from piling up on the counter.
3. Keep Cleaning Products Nearby
Keeping a house spotless consistently is simpler when the cleaning products you need are already in the room. Have cleaning wipes on hand in the kitchen and bathroom, for example, or fill a portable caddy with your cleaning essentials.
4. Get the Family Involved
If you live with other people, have them lend a hand! Children, for instance, can put their toys away, place their dirty laundry in the hamper and wipe the table. Assign chores with a task board to encourage your roommate or partner to do their part.
5. Declutter
Too much stuff typically leads to messy rooms. A clutter-free home is far easier to keep clean day-to-day. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I really use this object?
- Does it hold sentimental value, or did I buy it on a whim?
- Could I sell or donate it?
The more satisfaction you find in a sparkling home, the more you’ll want to maintain these good habits!