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8 Home Cleaning Tips to Make Life Easier

March 14, 2019

Desk and chair in corner

The mundane task of cleaning your house may not be something you look forward to. But these eight simple tips will go a long way in helping to maintain a spotless home. I dare say you may even begin enjoying the chore!




CLEAN + ORGANIZE   |   Updated March 11, 2024





Kitchen table and door












Cleaning your home is a lot like exercise.


Excruciating at first if you're out of the habit, but the more you stick with homekeeping, the easier it gets. You gradually see improvement.


Being neat and tidy has the added benefit of boosting happiness and overall productivity, but many dread keeping their home clean and organized. It's just not fun.


As dirt and clutter build, the feelings of frustration and overwhelm rise and all-out avoidance becomes the most likely result digging you in even deeper.







chair with pillow and desk with vase of flowers

PHOTO CREDIT: Arthty Ragupathy @av.home









But there is hope!


A few simple cleaning tips (and maybe a little mindset shift) are all you need to keep ahead of the incoming mess. Here's what you can do to make cleaning your home stress-free.....




Quick and Easy House Cleaning Tips



SPEND TIME EACH DAY MAINTAINING


As little as 15 to 20 minutes each day is all you need to stay ahead of household tidying. Things like sweeping up the kitchen floor or wiping off the bathroom counter should be put on your daily to-do list. Throw away the junk mail, remove your shoes from the entryway and wash the dishes.


By keeping up with the basics, chores will not get out of hand and the house can be really clean in about an hour. It takes far less time to handle a task when it is fresh than to let the them compound.





Kitchen counter with crock of wood spoons




LIMIT WHAT YOU HAVE OUT


You don't have to go all minimalist and get rid of your earthly possessions. But do you really need every decor item you've ever purchased displayed at one time? Or every appliance you own out on the kitchen counter? Is it necessary to have five bottles of shampoo open in the shower at one time?


Put some of your favorite or most used items on display. Then rearrange and put out something new next month.


Leave out what you actually intend to use in the kitchen and bathroom and neatly store away the others for when needed.


The more you have sitting around, the more you have to clean and move to clean. Not only will your homekeeping tasks be easier, but you'll likely enjoy things you're using more because they aren't competing with everything else.






KEEP THE FLOOR CLEAR


Cleaning is easiest when it can be done quickly. Just as moving numerous knicknacks to dust will make the task harder and take longer, having things on the floor makes it more difficult as well.


Newspaper and magazines resting beside the couch....home decor displayed on the floor....clothes strewn across the bedroom carpet. Anything you have to pick up to sweep should find a new home.


If given the chance, the floor (or any horizontal surface for that matter) quickly becomes a catchall for things without a place to live....and just like an unwelcome guest, they may never leave!






Organized drawers

PHOTO CREDIT: Heather Bullard







HAVE A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING....AND PUT IT THERE


The best way to clean and organize is to have a place for each item you own and put it all away. There is a reason why this tip withstands the test of time. It works.


There is nothing in your house that shouldn't have a home, from a single pencil to a vast collection of shoes. That home should be convenient based on how often you need access and each item should have room to breath. If it'sthe "home" is overcrowded and inconvenient.....you'll stop putting it back where it belongs.






BREAK IT DOWN


The thought of cleaning the entire house can seem daunting, especially if the chore has gotten away from you. Breaking the job down into smaller tasks makes life easier.


Each week, in addition to normal maintenance tasks like changing sheets and cleaning bathrooms, try including one room for deep cleaning. Depending on what works best for you, the room can be done all at one time or sprinkle in smaller tasks like moving furniture to sweep or wipe down the walls each day.


Either way, remove the overwhelm by focusing on just one space and simplifying the tasks to get more accomplished.






Organized Pantry Shelves

PHOTO CREDIT: Style Me Pretty








KEEP A NOTEBOOK


The best way to have a clear mind and not forget anything is to write thoughts down. When you come across something in the house that doesn't need done immediately, put it in a home notebook divided by room. A small spot on the rug or a wall needing a paint touch up can be recorded. Then tackle the list when it is the week for that room.


It is too easy to start "popcorn projects" and bounce from problem to problem around the home. Save anything that isn't crucial for one time and then start eating away at the list.






MAKE A SCHEDULE


Everything is easier with a plan and cleaning is no different.


Long ago, housewives followed a schedule to keep their homes spic and span. Spring meant a top to bottom cleaning. Laundry was done on Mondays. Fridays were reserved for weekly maintenance.


Even though some homekeeping tasks were more difficult (think wash boards and washing dishes by hand), these homemakers got a lot done in a day.


Your entire cleaning routine doesn't have to happen all on one day. Empty the refrigerator on garbage day. Wash bedding in the spring and fall when it can be hung outside to dry. Rest on Sundays.


With a plan, there is no question about what should be done or where to begin.





Living room with wood ceiling

PHOTO CREDIT: Tenaya Wickstrand @thetenayaart






SIMPLIFY YOUR SUPPLIES


Gathering too many supplies slows you down. The less you have to carry around and use, the faster your cleaning will go. (And as a bonus, the less you have to store.)


Most spaces can be cleaned with just vinegar or baking soda or choose a few of your favorite nontoxic cleaners. Microfiber cloths work on a variety of surfaces.


The tools and supplies you deem necessary can be carried around together inside of a caddy with ease. Casabella manufactures a handy cleaning caddy that fits into a matching bucket so everything you need is stored in one place.




READ NEXT: Do you know what you should be storing in your cleaning caddy?








Bedroom with mirror on wall




Not all of these tips may be something you choose to implement into your day. You must find a system that works for your household to start seeing improvements in how clean your home is and how much you enjoy keeping it that way.


If you feel as though you're drowning and don't know where to start, start small. But you must start.


If you are overwhelmed, don't try to figure out which room you should start with, but rather pick just a small area. Maybe cleaning out one drawer a day will get you started. Or begin by simply making your bed every morning when you get up.


With commitment, you'll feel like you are making progress before too long. And just like endurance is built with consistent exercise, you'll have the strength and determination to tackle bigger and dirtier problem areas.








Keeping your home clean shouldn't induce stress or take a lot of time from your day. These eight tips are sure to make the chores manageable and perhaps even enjoyable.





More Homekeeping Posts You'll Find Useful



Homemade Glass Cleaner - Learn how to make a simple nontoxic window cleaner using just a few pantry ingredients.

Secret to a Tidy Linen Closet - And it isn't buying more storage containers!

How to Make Windows Sparkle - Step-by-step instructions and everything you need.

Fix a Loose Fitting Freezer Door - You likely already have the "tool" in your medicine cabinet.










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8 Cleaning Tips to Make Life Easier


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Learning to Make a Home
anderson+grant is a lifestyle blog dedicated to helping you to create a slower, simpler home with contemporary style.

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