A Guide to Keeping Your House Clean and Organized – Minimal Effort, Maximum Results

Keeping your house clean and organized can be a daunting task, especially when you have a busy schedule. However, a clean and organized home can help reduce stress, increase productivity, and create a more peaceful environment.

Coming home to a disorganized or dirty home not only adds to our daily stressors, it can actually lead to serious mental health issues including anxiety and depression. This is especially true if we feel that ‘others’ somehow manage while we don’t or can’t.

How to Make Your Home Clean and Organized

In this article, we will discuss tips to keep your house clean and organized with minimum effort and without spending hours on chores every day. The benefit is that your available leisure time is maximized and you’ll be more relaxed so that you can enjoy that time!

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Declutter Regularly

This is probably the best thing you can do to cut down your domestic workload! One of the main causes of messiness and clutter is having too many things that you don’t need or use! To avoid this, make it a habit to declutter your home regularly for a clean and organized home.

Sort Items

Organizing a living space can be a daunting task, especially when there is a lot of clutter that has accumulated over time. However, sorting through each room and categorizing items into keep, donate, sell, or throw away can be an effective way to streamline the process and make it more manageable.

To Keep

The first step is to approach each room with a plan in mind. Decide which items you can live without and which are essential. It is important, to be honest with yourself during this process and ask yourself if you truly need each item or if it is just taking up space.

Once you have identified the items you want to keep, it is important to organize them in a way that makes sense.

This could mean categorizing items by type or frequency of use. For example, frequently used items should be easily accessible while seasonal items can be stored away until needed. The next step is to determine which items can be donated.

Donate

Donating items to charity not only helps those in need but also reduces waste in landfills. Consider donating gently used clothing, toys, and household items to local organizations such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

For items that are in good condition but may have some value, selling them can be a great way to make some extra cash.

To Sell and Throw

Online marketplaces such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace are excellent platforms for selling unwanted items. Finally, items that are old, broken, or no longer useful should be thrown away. Be sure to dispose of these items in an environmentally conscious way by recycling or properly disposing of hazardous materials.

Overall, taking the time to go through each room and sort out items can be a transformative experience. It not only creates a more organized living space but also promotes mindfulness and intentionality in daily life. So, take a deep breath and get started on making your living space a more harmonious and peaceful place.

You can use the KonMari Philosophy by Marie Kondo as a guide to decluttering. The method involves asking yourself if each item sparks joy for you. If not, thank it for its service and let it go.

Have a Place for Everything

Another way to have a clean and organized home is to have a designated place for everything. Assign a specific spot for each category of items, such as clothes, books, toys, tools etc. Label them clearly if needed. This means assigning a specific spot for each category of items.

Have a Plan

Not only will this help you stay organized, but it will also make it easier to find the items you need when you need them. When it comes to organizing your home, it’s important to start with a plan. Take a look at the different areas of your home and identify the items that you use most frequently. These might include everyday items like clothing, kitchen utensils, and toiletries.

Create Designated Spots for These Items

Once you’ve identified these items, you can start to create designated spots for them in your home. For example, you might designate a closet or dresser drawer for your clothing, with separate sections for shirts, pants, and accessories. You might also create a designated spot for your books, such as a bookshelf or library cart.

If you have children, you could create a space in their room for their toys and games, with specific bins or shelves for different types of toys.

Label Them

Labelling your designated spots can also be helpful, especially if you have a lot of items to sort through. Use clear and descriptive labels to help you quickly identify where different items belong. You might also colour-code your labels to make it even easier to find what you’re looking for.

Use organizers such as bins, baskets, drawers or shelves to store your items neatly and efficiently. The real key to success here is to make sure to put everything back in its place after using it.

In addition to helping you stay clean and organized, having a designated place for everything in your home can also make it easier to keep your home tidy. When everything has a specific spot, it’s much easier to put things away after you’ve used them. 

Follow a Cleaning Routine

Instead of waiting until your home becomes dirty or chaotic before cleaning it, follow a regular cleaning routine that suits your lifestyle and schedule. You can divide your tasks into daily, weekly, monthly or seasonal chores depending on their frequency and urgency. For example:

Daily

Daily cleaning tasks to maintain a clean and organized home include making the bed, wiping down kitchen counters, washing dishes, sweeping floors, and taking out the trash.

Weekly

Weekly cleaning tasks may include dusting furniture, vacuuming carpets, mopping floors, cleaning the bathroom, and changing bed sheets.

Monthly

Include wiping appliances, cleaning windows, sanitizing trash cans, and decluttering closets in your monthly cleaning routine.

Seasonal

Achieve a clean and organized home by completing seasonal cleaning tasks, including washing curtains, deep cleaning the oven, flipping the mattress, and organizing the garage.

You can also use a cleaning checklist or app to keep track of your tasks and remind yourself what needs to be done. An extremely helpful reminder app that I use is called To Do Reminder. There’s an ad-supported free version or buy the pro version for a couple of dollars. This and similar apps can be found in the various app stores.

Make Your Bed Every Morning

Making your bed every morning is a simple and quick task that can help set the tone for your day. It takes only a few minutes, and it instantly makes your bedroom look tidy and organized.

Making your bed first thing also creates a sense of accomplishment that can positively impact the rest of your day. And, just as importantly, isn’t it nice to retire to a tidy bedroom when your day is finally done?

Invest in a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

A robotic vacuum cleaner is an excellent investment for busy people who want to keep their floors clean without spending too much time or effort. With a robotic vacuum, you can schedule cleaning sessions, and it will automatically clean your floors while you focus on other tasks.

Some robot vacuums will also mop your floors so they are the perfect solution for busy people who want to maintain a clean and organized home without sacrificing their free time.

Never Leave Dirty Dishes in the Kitchen or Kitchen Sink

Leaving dirty dishes in the kitchen or kitchen sink can make your entire home look messy and disorganized. By taking a few minutes to wash your dishes or put them in the dishwasher after each meal, you can keep your kitchen clean and organized as well as ready for the next use. It’s a small task that can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.

Remove Shoes Before Entering Your Home

Removing your shoes before entering your home can help reduce the amount of dirt and germs that enter your living space. It’s a simple habit that can protect your floors, carpets, and rugs from damage and keep your home cleaner for longer. Plus, it’s a great way to create a more welcoming environment for your guests.

Organize Cupboards and Closets (Setting a Goal of One or Two per Week)

Organizing cupboards and closets can be overwhelming, but setting a goal of one or two per week can make the task more manageable.

Start by decluttering your items, and then organize them into categories. Use storage containers and labels to keep everything in its place, and make sure to donate or sell any items you no longer need or use. It’s a great way to create more space and make your home feel more organized and tidy.

Buy Functional Furniture That Is Easy to Clean and Maintain

Investing in functional furniture that is easy to clean and maintain can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. Choose furniture that is made of durable materials and that has a simple design.

Avoid furniture with intricate details or hard-to-reach spots that can collect dust and dirt. By choosing functional furniture, you can create a more organized and clean living space without sacrificing style.

If All Else Fails, Hire Cleaning Help

If you have a busy schedule or simply don’t enjoy cleaning, hiring cleaning help can be an excellent solution. Professional cleaners can help you maintain a clean and organized home without sacrificing your free time. They have the experience, tools, and knowledge to clean your home thoroughly and efficiently.

Wrapping It Up

In summary, keeping your house clean and organized with minimum effort requires a few simple habits and investments.

By making your bed every morning, investing in a robotic vacuum cleaner, never leaving dirty dishes in the kitchen or kitchen sink, removing shoes before entering your home, organizing cupboards and closets, buying functional furniture, and hiring cleaning help, you can create a more peaceful and stress-free living environment.

Which of these habits to maintain a  clean and organized home would you want to try first? You should start with one or two habits or investments and work your way up. Your future self will thank you.