How Do People Keep Their House So Clean

We’ve all experienced that sinking feeling when guests arrive unannounced and exposed the dust bunnies and clutter we’ve been ignoring. A clean home seems elusive for busy people, but with some diligence and good habits, it is possible to keep your living space tidy and welcoming. This comprehensive guide will cover daily, weekly, and long-term cleaning habits to maintain a spotless home.

A clean home provides far more than just outward appearances. Studies show that clutter negatively affects your brain by overloading it with excessive stimuli, making it harder to focus. Messy surroundings spike anxiety and depression. A tidy home clears mental space, reduces stress, and makes it simpler to find important items when you need them. Establishing solid cleaning habits takes effort, but the benefits make it worthwhile.

Daily Cleaning Habits

Daily cleaning takes just a few minutes but prevents little messes from turning into big headaches. Make these tasks part of your morning or evening routine.

Making the bed daily

Start your day by neatly making the bed. A made bed makes the whole room look tidy even if other areas need attention. The routine is also good for mental health.

Doing one load of laundry per day

Wash, dry, fold, and put away one load of laundry per day to prevent piles from accumulating. For busy times, bump up to two loads to prevent a backlog.

Cleaning as you cook

Wash dishes, wipe down counters, and put away ingredients as you cook. Leaving a huge mess leads to dreading cooking. Quick cleanup prevents grease buildup and clutter.

Doing a 15-minute nightly cleanup

Spend 15 minutes picking up around the house at night by putting away toys, stacking books and magazines, folding throws, and sweeping. This makes the house tidy for the evening and prevents waking up to disorder.

Wiping down wet bathroom counters

Prevent water spots and soap scum buildup by using a squeegee or towel to wipe bathroom counters and mirrors after use. It takes seconds but prevents long-term grime.

Squeegeeing the shower doors, walls, and floors after every shower

Squeegee shower doors, walls, and floors after each use. Soap scum sticks over time, so wiping moisture immediately keeps surfaces sparkling.

III. Weekly Cleaning Routine

Some cleaning tasks don’t need daily attention but do benefit from weekly care. Set aside time each week to tackle these jobs.

Grouping similar tasks for faster completion

Clean more efficiently by grouping similar tasks to utilize the same tools and cleaning solutions. For example, dusting and vacuuming all rooms consecutively saves time over bouncing between tasks.

Scheduling or delegating tasks

Schedule chores like laundry, common area cleaning, yard work, etc. so they get done consistently. Delegate to family members appropriate tasks. Shared responsibility prevents cleaning burden.

Setting a timer for cleaning tasks

Use a timer for each chore, such as setting it for 15 minutes for a quick clean. This adds efficiency and prevents getting distracted between tasks. Celebrate your accomplishments after the timer rather than starting another task.

Keeping a full stock of cleaning supplies

Prevent frustration by maintaining a stocked supply of paper towels, cleaning sprays, laundry detergent, etc. Running out causes delays so track usage. Subscribe and save on reorders.

Putting away laundry as soon as possible

Don’t let washed and dried laundry pile up unfolded. Put it away promptly since clutter snowballs quickly. Folding laundry while watching TV prevents chore boredom.

IV. Organization and Decluttering

Clutter makes cleaning more difficult and contributes to a chaotic environment. Establish organization systems and declutter regularly.

Decluttering before organizing

Resist the urge to organize first when decluttering. Sort through items, discard what you don’t need, then organize the remainder. Otherwise you group clutter into neat piles.

Arranging items according to frequency of use

In the kitchen, pantries, office, etc. keep most frequently used items in prime and easy-to-access locations. Place seldom-used items in higher, harder to reach spots.

Labeling boxes, containers, and folders

Use descriptive labels so anyone can quickly put items away properly. Color coding or visual icons also help indicate contents at a glance.

Grouping like items together

Store items used together in designated areas. Keep cooking tools and pans near the stove and containers with lids near each other. Logical groupings equal efficiency.

Discarding and donating liberally

When decluttering, be ruthless. Toss anything you don’t need, use, or love. Donate quality goods to charity. Moving forward, limit incoming clutter with mindful purchases.

V. Time Management Tips

Good time management ensures cleaning happens regularly despite a busy schedule. Utilize these tips.

Time Management Tips	Description
Believing in a “power clean”	Tackle multiple cleaning tasks in a short burst of focused energy like in flylady’s system. Use a timer for efficiency. Complete as much as possible until the timer goes off. Repeat daily or weekly.
Prioritizing cleaning tasks	Categorize cleaning tasks from most important to least essential. Focus first on jobs needing immediate attention like dirty dishes or other messes then move down your priority list as time allows.
Getting the whole family involved	Make a master list of cleaning tasks then have a family meeting to divvy up chores according to age and abilities. Shared responsibility prevents one person burning out.
Using time management strategies for cleaning	Apply broader time management strategies to cleaning. For example, clean during your most productive time of day, multitask chores when practical, or use the TWO-minute rule to wipe down surfaces.

Table: Time management tips for maintaining a clean home

VI. Expert Advice and Tips

Professional organizers, housekeepers, and clean home practitioners offer great wisdom from their experience. Follow these useful tips.

Tips from professional organizers
- Categorize possessions as trash, donate, or keep
- Start with a blank slate for proper organization
- Containerize items properly for clutter-free storage
- Touch items only once when cleaning – put it away immediately
Habits of people with clean houses
- Make the bed every morning
- Never go to bed with dishes in the sink
- Do laundry frequently
- Do a daily quick cleanup
- Assign chores to other household members
Advice from home care providers
- Use microfiber cloths and mops
- Clean top to bottom
- Open blinds and curtains when cleaning
- Pay attention to baseboards and vents
- Disinfect children’s items regularly

VII. Conclusion

A clean home seems out of reach for busy people, but consistent daily tasks plus regular deeper cleaning prevents messes from getting out of control. Establish habits like making your bed, doing laundry, and quick daily pickups, then complement with weekly cleaning sessions. Decluttering and organizing removes excess items creating clutter and make cleaning easier. Proper storage and time management further support tidy living spaces. With concerted effort, anyone can claim victory over disorder and enjoy a constantly clean home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should cleaning take each day?

Aim for 15-30 minutes of daily cleaning tasks. This includes quick jobs like making the bed, doing dishes, and tidying up. Regular short cleaning sessions prevent messes from building up.

What are the most important areas to keep clean?

Kitchens, bathrooms, and high traffic areas like entryways should take priority. Also regularly wash bedding to keep sleeping areas fresh. Cluttered surfaces and floors make rooms feel dirty faster.

What cleaning supplies should I keep on hand?

Stock up on microfiber cloths, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, disinfecting wipes, dish soap, laundry detergent, toilet bowl cleaner, and other basics. Buy multiples so supplies never run out.

How can I get my family to help clean?

Schedule a family meeting and collaborate on an ongoing chore chart. Match abilities to tasks and rotate jobs so no one feels singled out. Offer rewards for consistency and teach cleaning as a life skill. Lead by example.

How often should I wash bedding?

Wash sheets weekly, including mattress pads and pillow protectors. Wash duvet covers every 2-3 weeks. Wash blankets at least monthly if not more. This prevents buildup of sweat, oils, and allergen that make beds feel dirty.

Should I make cleaning checklists?

Checklists help ensure completion of multi-step cleaning tasks. Post weekly and monthly lists on the fridge or create a digital checklist. Mark items as you complete them and review for missed areas. Revise lists as needed.

What if I hate cleaning?

Everyone dislikes certain chores. Make them more pleasant by listening to music or podcasts, inviting a friend over to chat as you clean, or trying timed “power cleaning” bursts. Acknowledge your accomplishments. Hire help if needed.

What time management tips can I use?

Clean during your most energetic time of day, multitask similar jobs, use timers to stay focused, delegate to family, categorize tasks from urgent to least essential, limit clutter, and create cleaning routines.

How do I declutter effectively?

Sort through items ruthlessly. Toss trash immediately. Be honest about what you actually need and use. Donate quality items so they get reused. Containerize properly to hide remaining clutter. Limit incoming clutter.

Staying on top of cleaning takes effort but establishes household habits that make home maintenance easier long-term. Daily and weekly tasks tackle surface mess before it accumulates while organization and decluttering remove excess items that lead to disorder. With some dedication and creativity, anyone can master routine cleaning.