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.
Have you ever felt like your head is about to explode when you come home to a mess? The grandchildren have left their toys everywhere. The furniture is in disarray and there’s a pile of dishes in the sink. At that point, you just want to scream!
No, you are not losing your mind. There’s a scientific reason behind that surge of stress you feel. Research shows that a messy, dusty home can make you feel anxious, angry – or worse.
Just about everything we feel is a product of perception – including what we see, hear, and smell when we come home.
When you see that your home is everything but clean and organized, a signal is sent to your brain that you still have work to do. This is why you become anxious and overwhelmed.
Coming home to a disorganized or dirty home not only adds to our daily stressors, but can 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’ll 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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Organize and Choose Your Cleaning Supplies
With cleaning suplies the guiding principle is that less is more, according to Vanesa Amaro. She knows a thing or two about how to keep a home clean and organized. Amaro is a housekeeper in Texas who also happens to be the “Queen of Clean” to 5.9 million TikTok followers worldwide.
To keep your home clean and organized, Amaro suggests “stocking up a few core products that can be used on multiple surfaces and for different cleaning techniques throughout your home.”
For wiping surfaces, she and other cleaning experts we consulted commended one all-around reusable item: microfiber cloths. You can use these affordable little squares to achieve everything from spotless shelves and cabinets to streak-free mirrors.
To simplify and speed things up, Amaro says it’s best to colour-code your supplies, including microfiber cloths and sponges. This way, you’ll know which sponges and clothes are for the bathrooms and which are for the kitchen.
Declutter Regularly
You need to declutter before you can start to clean and organize your home. 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.
Do this in every room – toys off the ground, books back to the shelf, and then fold each item in that mountain of clean laundry. You cannot deal with dirt, dust, and sorting your stuff if it is hidden beneath a pile of clutter.
Sort Items
That said, 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’s 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, sellng 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 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.
Go Top to Bottom, Left to Right
Once you have sorted your stuff, it’s time to prepare for cleaning. Yes, keeping your home clean and organized can be tedious. That’s why no one wants to spend more time cleaning the house than is necessary. You need to employ logic and methods to get things done as quickly as possible.
Elizabeth Buchanan is an expert in keeping homes clean and organized. She has been keeping homes clean and organized for nearly 20 years. She’s the owner of Cleaner Living NW and Nurturals Natural Products in Oregon.
She says the best method to ensure a clean and organized room is to work in sections from left to right, top to bottom. “If you walk into a room and follow that order, starting from the left and going in a circle, you won’t miss anything.”
Amaro agrees, particularly with going from top-to-bottom. “This way, you can make sure any dust lingering on high surfaces will make its way to the floor by the time you do a final vacuum.”
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. Try 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 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’re 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’s Easy to Clean and Maintain
Investing in functional furniture that’s 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.
Deal with the Kitchen Early On When You Clean and Organize.
Keeping a kitchen clean and organized is a tough task. In Buchanan’s two decades of experience in keeping homes clean and organized, she has found that the kitchen is often the most challenging part of the house.
That’s why she recommends that you deal with it early on when it’s time to clean the house. Following the top-to-bottom method, Buchanan begins by wiping the fronts of cabinets with a microfiber cloth and a spray cleaner.
If you have stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, experts suggest microwaving a damp microfiber cloth for a few seconds. The heated cloth will help to loosen grease without leaving streaks.
The grimiest stovetops require specialized cleaning fluids. Buchanan suggests scrubbing especially grimy stovetops with a paste of dish soap and Bar Keepers Friend. Amaro uses a dual-sided stovetop scraper. She says she uses it “to lift the crust up before spraying and wiping down the surface with a degreaser.”
The last kitchen area you will need to clean is the sink – which is particularly prone to germs, muck, and grime.Buchanan uses a scrubbing brush to clean the drain. The brush should be small enough that you can clean inside and around the drain, as well. Buchanan uses a wet Magic Eraser to wipe down the sink basin. She says she uses it because you can “feel if the surface is smooth and therefore clean.”
Magic Erasers work on other surfaces, too, she says. She uses it for bathtubs and even light switch plates. But be careful not to use it on painted surfaces “as they can take the finish off.”
Save the Floors for Last
In keeping your home clean and organized, most experts say the smart move is to save the floors for last. That way, you can attack the dust and debris you wipe away from higher surfaces.
Buchanan says that you should start by vacuuming. If you have a robotic vacuum cleaner, then you won’t have to do much. Otherwise, Buchanan recommends using an adjustable vacuum cleaner. That way it’ll work just as well both on carpeted rooms and hardwood floors.
She prefers to vacuum her “way out of the house.” By that, she means starting from the deepest part of the interior and you finish at the front door. This method helps you to avoid leaving footprints on the carpet or walking over the vacuumed areas.
Once the floors are clean and vacuumed, it’s time to mop. If you have a tile floor, you’ll need a string mop that can get into those hard-to-reach grout lines. You will need a flat-head mop for hardwood floors.
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.
