7 Helpful Tips for a Clean and Tidy House
Would you be surprised to learn that 31% of Americans rarely (if ever) deep-clean their homes?
That’s not to say we don’t love having a clean and tidy house. But the average person already spends 690 hours a year on mundane household tasks. We can’t say that we blame you for your lack of desire to add deep-cleaning to the list!
So what’s the solution? House cleaning services are always ideal, but what can you do to keep your home tidy between visits? In this post, we’ll offer our best house cleaning tips you can start using today.
Ready to clear out the clutter and dust? Read on!
1. Start by Making Your Bed
If you’re the type of person who has trouble accomplishing things, start small. Before you head off for work in the morning (or maybe before you’ve left the bedroom), take a minute to make your bed.
Studies show that people who make their beds tend to be more adventurous, sociable, and confident. After accomplishing that all-important first task of the day, they’re motivated to continue the trend.
There’s also research to suggest that bed-makers get better rest because they’re falling asleep in a tidy, organized room. Couldn’t we all use more motivation during the day and better rest at night?
2. Don’t Leave a Room Empty-Handed
The #1 cause of an untidy home is, well…untidiness. The more random stuff piles up everywhere, the less motivated you’ll be to clean and organize it.
We all fail to put things away occasionally, but try not to make a habit of it. Before you move to a different room, do a quick scan to see if there’s anything you can take with you.
Are you headed into the kitchen? Bring your empty coffee mug with you so you don’t have to hunt it down later. Running upstairs for something? Why not take the clean laundry with you and put it away before you return downstairs?
3. Wash One Load of Laundry Daily
You can tweak this suggestion according to the size of your family. But imagine how much time it would free up if you did a small load each day rather than spending all day Saturday in the laundry room!
Start a load in the morning before you leave for work (or set it to delay, if your machine has that feature). As soon as you arrive home, pop it into the dryer. Fold it and put it away before you go to bed, and you’ll wonder why you ever did it any other way.
4. Clean As You Cook
We all hate doing the dishes, but you’ll hate it even more after eating a big dinner. One of the best ways to keep the house clean is to combine your cooking and cleaning efforts.
Before you begin, put your trash can and recycling bin in an accessible spot. Collect trash and dispose of it as you go. Wipe up any spills immediately and pick up any items that drop onto the floor.
Take a moment to tidy up between prepping items. While dinner is in the oven, wash the cutting boards and pans (or at least get them soaking in soapy water). These small steps while you cook will save you loads of time at the end of the day.
5. Focus on High Traffic Areas
Your entryway and hallways probably get the most traffic (and need the most attention). Use doormats to stop dirt and debris before it enters your home.
If it’s not already the custom, encourage family members and guests to remove their shoes and leave them by the front door. This will cut down on the amount of sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming you’ll need to do on a weekly basis.
To keep those bathrooms sparkling clean, leave a container of disinfecting wipes on or under the sink. It only takes a few seconds to wipe the faucet, sink, and countertops—a habit everyone in the family can adopt.
6. Start a Kitchen Shutdown Routine
Nothing puts you in a bad mood like waking up to a messy kitchen. Give yourself a pleasant start to every day by prepping your kitchen the night before.
Start by emptying the sink and run the dishwasher (you can put the clean dishes away in the morning). Clear any clutter from the countertops, put away food, and take out the trash.
Bonus tip: If you don’t already have one, buy a programmable coffee pot. You can prepare it the night before and have fresh coffee waiting when your alarm goes off.
7. Declutter Regularly
This isn’t something you can accomplish overnight, but decluttering each room will go a long way in keeping a tidy house.
The fewer items and more space you have, the easier it will be to keep your home clean. Have an assigned place for everything, whether it’s a drawer, a storage bin under the bed, or an over-the-door organizer.
Once a year (or even more often), go through your closets, attic, and basement and get rid of things you no longer use or need. Make separate piles of things to donate, recycle, re-gift, or throw out.
Your Tidy House Is Just 7 Steps Away!
Are you tired of fighting dust and clutter? Use the tips listed above to ensure you have a clean, tidy house year-round.
Of course, cleaning your house might not always be at the top of your priority list. If your busy lifestyle leaves you little time for cleaning, does that mean you’re doomed to live in a messy home?
Not at all! Here at Greater Cincinatti Maids, Inc., we offer customized cleaning services to suit every home and budget. Contact us today for a free quote or to discuss your cleaning needs.
