Cleanliness is not a quality people are born with. Maybe you’re using cleaning products the wrong way or just have some bad cleaning habits, but all it really takes is a little resourcefulness and creativity. Follow these useful guidelines for a clean home.
How to make space
Even if you don’t consider yourself a collector of “stuff,” that “stuff” always seems to pile up in every corner and on every countertop. Start following the one in, one out rule going forward. When you buy something new, toss, sell, or donate an older item to create space for the new item.
Smooth surfaces
Junk drawers have a habit of spilling out onto what should be an otherwise clean, empty surface. Countertops and tables are practically begging to be littered with stray mail and other odds and ends. People with clean homes tackle that problem immediately.
When you keep large, flat surfaces clear, not only are they more visually appealing, but easier to wipe down as well. Don’t store appliances on countertops or clutter on your desk.
Set cleaning systems in place
Clean homes don’t just miraculously clean themselves—neat people have a protocol in place to keep things maintained and orderly. For example, they set a designated day to vacuum or do laundry every Monday so those big tasks don’t get skipped. Sometimes you may need to do something small every day. You don’t need to hire anyone, but take the advice from a professional housecleaner about how they clean their own homes.
Think about clean when you step into the house
Sometimes it really is the little things that lend themselves to a sparkling abode. When shoes are left at the door you prevent toxins, soil, leaves, and other goodies that quickly dirty up floors from making their way into your home.
Clean house as you go
People whose homes always appear clean don’t wait until it looks like a bomb went off. This might mean rearranging throw pillows and folding blankets when they’re done in the family room each night, having kids put toys back in the toy box, hanging up clothes at the end of each day, and folding the laundry right when it comes out of the dryer.
Use clever ways to store more
People with clean homes use their smarts when it comes to products that help them stay organized. An over-the-door organizer has a variety of clear pockets where you can store jewelry and make-up, sorting by type—pencils, lipsticks, blushes, and eye shadows. Everything is laid out, so you have easy access and can see items more clearly.” You can do a similar thing with office supplies if you don’t have room for a desk.
How to delegate tasks
Unless you live alone, mess and clutter are a group effort; therefore, cleaning should be a group effort as well. Everyone should have weekly chores (dusting, emptying trash, vacuuming, sweeping, etc) that not only build responsible adults out of kids but also makes it easier to keep the home clean—something everyone in the home should care about.
Make cleaning feel less like a chore
If it’s not your thing, it’s hard to imagine putting a fun spin on cleaning. But there are ways to complete a task while distracting your mind. Make cleaning enjoyable by listening to your favorite podcast.
Make organizing look pretty
If you consider storage and organization as part of your decor, as many with clean homes do, it makes the project a feast for the eyes. “I separate my wardrobe so all my dresses are together, all my jeans are together, sweaters, tops, coats, skirts, etc. Then I color code each category,” says Rachel Parcell, style and design expert behind Pink Peonies. “I love the way it looks and it’s easy to find things.” Transform your closet with these tips from a professional organizer.
Use everyday items to keep things clean
Don’t put off cleaning because you don’t have supplies. You can clean windows without leaving streaks behind with the help of a coffee filter. Coffee filters and old cotton t-shirts also work well to remove the remaining lint left behind from dry cloths. Another pro tip? If you wiped vertically outside, make sure to wipe horizontally inside. Then, you’ll know whether the missed spot is inside or outside. Smart!