We all want houses that look good enough to pin to your “dream home” Pinterest board. However, maintaining that level of neatness can feel like a full-time job.
Keeping your home clean and tidy doesn’t have to take over your life though. If you follow a few of these simple tips, you’ll be able to keep things looking good and still live a normal life in the background – whew!
Schedule a Week For Big Tasks
Major cleaning tasks don’t need to be a regular occurrence in your home. Schedule out a full week (once or twice a year) in which you tackle all the major and intensive cleaning.
Use a carpet spot cleaner for stains on your rugs, have your upholstery cleaned properly, wash the curtains, flip the mattress and do whatever other big, time-consuming tasks need to be done.
Hire Professionals
If you want things done well but don’t feel like you have the time for it, you can hire professionals for tasks like cleaning your gutters, carpets, air vents, etc.
Of course, this will cost more than doing it yourself, but it’ll save you a load of time and you’ll be able to rest assured that the job was done properly.
Keep a Running List
If you want to stay on top of tasks, keep a running list of chores, tasks and home-related errands in a note on your phone.
Every time something comes up, add it to the list and when you have a few spare moments, pull out your list and pick a task that can be tackled right there and then. This way, things won’t pile up so quickly and you’ll stay on top of it all.
Have a Quick Daily Routine
A quick and easy cleaning routine that you can implement once a day will help you to feel on top of your chores too.
This doesn’t need to take longer than 15 minutes a day and can include all the main daily tasks like making your bed, wiping down counters and emptying the dishwasher. Often, doing small tasks like this will create momentum and you’ll be motivated to clean up a little extra.
Set a Timer
On top of your regular cleaning routine, you can use a 10-minute tidy (or however many minutes you feel like cleaning for) in which you pack away as much as you can until the timer goes off.
This is a great tactic to use when things feel a little out of control and it seems like everything is out of place. You’ll be amazed by how much clutter can be cleared away in a quick ten minutes!
Don’t Let Chores Pile Up
Finally, if you set a few rules for yourself, you’ll be able to avoid mountains of dishes, laundry and general grime in your home.
Set rules like washing up your plates once a day, washing some clothes two or three times a week, packing your laundry away as soon as it’s dry, etc. These rules are simple but will prevent pile-ups!