One of my least favorite household chores is cleaning up. You know the drill – dusting, mopping, wiping up, sweeping. But it has to be done. We can’t live in dust and grime, can we?
So, here’s my super-simple guide for a reasonably clean home:
1. Clean Up As You Go
One of the best ways to a clean home is to clean as you go. Whether you’re in the kitchen or in the bath, cleaning up as you go will save you a lot of grief later on. You wouldn’t have to struggle with a scrubber and baking soda to get stubborn stains out and wouldn’t be embarrassed by a dirty bathroom when unexpected guests drop in.
A few ways to clean as you go:
- mopping up spills as soon as they hit the floor
- cleaning up the countertop once you’re done
- clearing away dishes after eating
- wiping the floor dry after your shower
- making the bed as soon as you wake up
- putting the laundry away as soon as it is dry
2. Bring Less Stuff In
Yes, the more stuff we own, the more surfaces and objects we have to clean. Do we really want that?
While you don’t have to live in a bare-bones house, you can control the amount of stuff that comes in by evaluating each purchase. Will it serve an exclusive purpose? Do you have something that would be able to do the same job as this new object?
By bringing in less stuff, we’re making space for the things we already own and are creating a home that we can keep clean without losing our sanity.
3. Create a Schedule That Works…For You
Finally, I cannot stress the importance of a cleaning schedule enough. However, no one family, home, or homemaker is the same. So, while you can get inspired by cleaning schedules that others have made, do take the time to put together a cleaning schedule that will work for you.
Only you know how full your plate is, how busy your life can get and how much your body can do in a day, so use those guidelines to create a cleaning schedule that will help you get the job done.
A clean home does not mean sanitized counters (although that would be nice!), it means having a place that looks lived-in but livable and offers a warm welcome to guests and family members at any time during the day. Using a few simple but effective strategies can help you have a home that is clean without the fuss and stress.
Photo Credit: Tiffany Terry
