Keeping your home clean doesn’t always require a day of heavy housework. With the right habits, maintaining a clean home can become a seamless part of your daily routine. Here are five daily habits to help you maintain an organised and clean living space.
1. Make Your Bed:
It might seem like a small task, but starting your day by making your bed can set the tone of productivity. It’s a form of self-care that leads to better focus and mental clarity. Plus, a made bed contributes to the overall neatness of a room.
2. Wipe Down Surfaces After Use:
Whether it’s the kitchen counter after preparing a meal or the bathroom sink after your morning routine, wiping down surfaces after use keeps grime at bay and prevents it from accumulating. Use an all-purpose cleaner for most surfaces and a special one for any that require it. This simple habit can make a substantial difference in the cleanliness of your home.
3. Stay on Top of Laundry:
Avoiding a pile-up of laundry can make your home feel much cleaner. Try to do a small load each day to help manage the task. This prevents laundry from becoming a daunting, overwhelming chore. Plus, it’s always satisfying to have fresh, clean clothes readily available.
4. Deal with Mail and Papers:
Keep a paper shredder, recycling bin, or filing system nearby so you can deal with mails and papers immediately. This prevents a build-up of paper clutter which can make even a clean home seem disorganised.
5. Nightly Tidy-Up:
Before heading to bed, spend 15 minutes tidying up. This could involve picking up toys, folding blankets, or straightening cushions. A nightly tidy-up ensures you wake up to a clean and inviting living space, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.
6. Regular Vacuuming or Sweeping:
Depending on the type of flooring in your home, vacuuming or sweeping plays a crucial role in maintaining a dust-free environment. While it might not be necessary to vacuum or sweep every single day, aim to do this at least twice a week. Regular vacuuming or sweeping doesn’t just keep your home visually clean; it also helps improve indoor air quality by getting rid of dust, dirt, and allergens.
7. Keep Things in Their Place:
A place for everything, and everything in its place.” This classic adage holds wisdom. After using an item, ensure it goes back to its designated spot. This principle extends to everything from kitchen utensils to remote controls and children’s toys. This practice will help reduce clutter around your house.
8. Empty the Bin Daily:
A smelly, overflowing bin can quickly spoil the cleanliness of your home. Emptying it daily, or as soon as it’s full, can help maintain hygiene and prevent foul smells from permeating your home. This is especially essential in the kitchen, where food scraps often end up.
9. Mindful Shopping:
Believe it or not, maintaining a clean and organised living space begins with mindful shopping. By carefully considering and limiting what you bring into your home, you can lessen the potential for clutter. Plus, it’s good for your wallet and the environment.
10. Deep Cleaning Tasks:
While the aim is to maintain a clean space daily, some cleaning tasks require a bit more time and effort. These tasks include cleaning the oven, scrubbing the bathroom tiles, or washing the windows. Schedule these tasks regularly throughout the month to ensure they don’t get overlooked.
11. Regularly Clean High-Touch Areas:
We often overlook certain areas of our home when cleaning, especially those we touch frequently, such as doorknobs, light switches, or remote controls. These areas can harbour bacteria and germs, so it’s essential to clean them regularly with a disinfectant wipe or spray.
Incorporating these new habits into your daily routine might take time, especially if you’re used to a more laid-back approach to cleaning. However, remember that the goal isn’t to have a spotless, museum-like home. Instead, it’s to create a clean, organised living space that feels welcoming and comfortable for you and your loved ones.
By adopting these eleven habits, you will find that maintaining cleanliness and order in your home comes naturally over time. Not only will this reduce the stress of house cleaning, but it will also leave you with more free time to enjoy the things you love. So, start today and make these habits part of your everyday life – a clean and tidy home is just a few habits away!