Maintaining a clean and organized home can be a daunting task, especially with busy work schedules, social commitments, and family responsibilities. However, the benefits are well worth the effort when it comes to home cleaning.
Why Keeping Up With Cleaning Is Important
A hygienic environment can minimize exposure to germs and allergens, leading to better health for you and your loved ones. Additionally, research shows that an orderly home has positive effects on mental health, such as reducing stress, enhancing emotional regulation, and increasing productivity.
Having a clean and organized home is essential to enjoy and relax in our own space. It’s easier to unwind without clutter or a messy kitchen reminding us of chores. Moreover, a well-maintained home encourages us to entertain friends and family. That is why we’ve compiled our top strategies, tips, and tricks to help busy households keep their homes tidy without sacrificing all their free time.
Use a Schedule – Pin Down Daily and Weekly tasks
We’ve all been in that situation where we postpone cleaning our floors and before we know it, it has been weeks. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, creating a personalized cleaning schedule is key. Here are some strategies we recommend:
- Assign specific days for each task and add them to your calendar to ensure you don’t forget.
- Create a shared schedule that outlines individual responsibilities for each member of the household. Display it in a visible location, such as the refrigerator, or use a shared digital calendar.
- Dedicate 15 minutes every day to cleaning and decluttering. Use a timer on your phone to keep track of time and accomplish as much as possible before it goes off.
Finding the right strategies may take some trial and error, but the most important thing is to make cleaning a routine, so dirt and clutter don’t accumulate. If you prefer professional help, feel free to reach out to us for recommendations on our favorite cleaning services.
Deal With Those Bigger Chores Seasonally
Here are some useful tips for staying on top of those home care tasks that are better dealt with seasonally:
- Plan ahead and mark specific days on your calendar for completing annual or semi-annual chores such as cleaning gutters, washing windows, turning mattresses, or shampooing carpets.
- Instead of dedicating an entire weekend to home care tasks, schedule one primary task for each weekend to ensure a healthy balance between chores and relaxation.
- Depending on your lifestyle, designate two to four dates a year to store seasonal items like clothes, holiday decorations, and sporting goods.
- Use the opportunity to sort through your seasonal items when you store them away. You can dispose of, sell, or donate items that you no longer use or enjoy.
Remember, breaking these larger tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps can help prevent feelings of being overwhelmed. If you need additional help, consider hiring professional home care services. Contact us for recommendations on service providers.
Make Starting Cleaning Easier
Here are some ways to make your cleaning supplies more accessible and ensure you have the necessary tools to handle small tasks with ease:
- Have a broom, dustpan, and vacuum on each floor of your home for easy access.
- Store containers of disinfecting and glass wipes under every sink for mid-week wipe-downs.
- Place extra garbage bags beneath the liner of your trash cans for a quick and easy replacement when it’s time to take out the trash.
- Keep a paper shredder and recycling bin nearby so you can dispose of unwanted mail as soon as it’s opened.
By strategically placing your tools and supplies in convenient locations, you’ll be able to handle cleaning tasks more efficiently and make it a part of your routine.
Prevent the Clutter Before it Starts
Clutter can quickly take over your home, from coats and shoes to piles of mail. Once clutter piles up, it can feel overwhelming and difficult to deal with. However, you can prevent clutter by giving each item a designated place and creating storage spaces and “drop zones” in key locations. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Install coat hooks and shoe racks in the entryway for easy access.
- Add a key caddy or shelf for essential items that you need to take with you when you leave.
- Hang a letter bin to keep mail and newspapers organized as soon as you walk into the house.
- Place a donation box in each closet for items you no longer want or need.
It may take some time to get used to returning items to their designated spaces, but once you do, staying on top of clutter will be much easier. If you’re considering a bigger organizational upgrade, like a custom closet or pantry system, contact us for a free consultation to find out how it could increase the value of your home!
Knock Out The Small Tasks Now
Chores can be overwhelming, especially when you spend more time thinking about them than actually doing them. By tackling small tasks as soon as possible, you can make cleaning more manageable. Here are some easy changes to make to your routine:
- Clean up as you go while cooking. Instead of leaving dishes and utensils for later, wash them while waiting for your food to cook.
- After using a bath towel, hang it on a bar to air dry instead of tossing it on the floor or in a hamper. This can reduce the frequency of laundry.
- When leaving a room, take any items with you to their proper place. For example, return dishes to the kitchen rather than letting them pile up in another room.
- Take out the trash when you leave for work, school, or errands to save time and avoid an extra trip later.
With these small changes, you can keep your home neater and reduce the need for lengthy cleaning sessions.
Have and “End Of Day” Routine
Keeping your kitchen clean and organized can be a daunting task, but spending just a few minutes each evening tidying up can make a big difference. Follow these easy steps to get your kitchen ready for the next day:
- After dinner, wipe down all surfaces, including the countertops, stove, microwave, and sink. Toss your dirty cloth into the laundry basket and lay out a fresh one for the next day.
- Load and run the dishwasher every night so you can empty it in the morning.
- Prepare for breakfast by setting up your coffee pot and laying out some quick, grab-and-go options.
We all know how exhausting it can be to tackle chores after a long day, but completing these small tasks each night will leave you with a clean and organized kitchen to start your day off right.
Embrace Innovating When it Comes to Storage
Having limited storage space can make it challenging to keep your belongings organized. However, there are many creative ways to repurpose common household items to help keep clutter at bay. Here are some ideas to try that might just make the difference:
- Use a magazine holder in the kitchen to store cookbooks, takeout menus, and meal kit instructions. I adopted this one and it turned a cram packed “junk” drawer into a usable set of documents I can refer too. You might also be surprised by how many duplicates you have in that stack!
- Install a shoe organizer with pockets on your pantry door to keep small items like granola bars and spices easily accessible.
- Turn an old shoe box into a drawer divider to separate dress socks from athletic socks.
- Reuse jam jars as storage for office supplies or bathroom essentials.
- Store your off-season clothes in suitcases that you don’t frequently use to maximize space.
Remember to create systems that you can easily maintain and not to put things away where you might forget them. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can make the most of your storage space and stay organized.
Count On Us As A Partner To Help You Make The Most Of Your Home!
Maintaining a clean and organized home can be an ongoing challenge, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. By implementing personalized systems, you can make your life less stressful and more enjoyable in the long term.
Remember, our goal is not only to assist you in buying or selling a home but also to ensure that you enjoy living in it. If you need recommendations for house cleaners, window washers, or other service providers to help you optimize your space, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.
Sources:
- Healthline – https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-health-benefits-of-spring-cleaning
- Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/mental-health-clean-home/
- My Domaine – https://www.mydomaine.com/house-cleaning-schedule
- Housewife How-Tos – https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/10-tips-to-keeping-a-clean-house/
- Better Homes and Gardens – https://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/projects/simple-solutions/
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