We’ve all been there, items randomly thrown in odd places around our homes, garbage, and laundry piling up around us. Sometimes we don’t have the energy to keep up with EVERYTHING we need to, and cleaning takes the brunt of the damage. Here are a few ways to help you keep up with cleaning and ensure that your home continues to look at its best!

1. Clean as you leave a room.

Every time you get up to leave the room, whether it be to go to the bathroom or get a drink from the kitchen, pick up any loose garbage and throw it away. This helps maintain the buildup of garbage in the areas you use every day, such as your desk.  

2. Clean one room a day. 

Pick a room a day, and when night falls, do a quick wipe down. Clean up any leftover dishes, pick up any garbage that may lie around, and organize the room back to how it was before you used it.  

 3. Pick a day of each week and do a deep clean. 

Every Sunday, my husband and I go through each room in the house and wipe everything down, sweep, mop, and vacuum. Shelves get dusted, all garbage in the office and bathrooms get taken out, and blankets and sheets get washed as needed. It is exhausting work if we’ve slacked in cleaning throughout the week, but it helps keep everything in its best condition and stops those pesky dust bunnies and fur balls from all of our animals.  

4. Every week go through a room and throw out unused/unneeded items. 

We learn that less is more, and slowly but surely we are conquering the boxes of items we have outgrown. We no longer need clothes that don’t fit or three different plate sets. It is so much easier to go through one room a week and throw away unnecessary items. This stops our house from looking like we belong on an episode of Hoarders, and makes room for other items we want to keep!  

5. Clean your front and backyard. 

Items from torn trash bags, neighboring houses, or cars driving by can make its way into your yard and make your house look undervalued and unappreciated. Take a few minutes out of your day to pick up these things and mow your lawn. Hose off all of that green residue from the side of your house.  

6. Do laundry on a weekly (or daily basis).  

Depending on how many people are in your home, keep up with your laundry. It is frustrating to see piles of laundry around your house, and you will feel overwhelmed looking at it every day. It’s much easier to keep it going, as necessary, and it gives you more time to do the things you want to do. 

 7. Wipe down your kitchen as you use it. 

Before you cook a meal, prepare all the items you will need to use. Take out any utensils or dishes and clean up any dishes that are hanging out in your sink. Wipe down the sink before you put any food, like your chicken, in it (for those who clean their chicken). When finished, clean up any dishes you used and wipe down your counters, stove, and sink. It doesn’t hurt to spray your trash can lid with some bleach and wipe that down too.  

 8. Clean up your animal’s kennels and litter boxes once a week. 

Animal hair loves to stick to every surface it finds, use a vacuum to get it up and wipe down their kennels once a week. This minimizes any hair, residue, etc. from looking unsightly and smelly. Some animals may require more cleaning than once a week, but if you keep up with it your home will be free of those pesky animal smells we become nose blind to. 

9. Plant flowers and shrubs in your yards. 

Seeds are fairly cheap to purchase and even buying a bush or shrub that is already planted can be worthwhile. Beautifying your yard will boost your mood and give you a space to enjoy the scenery you’ve created. The sights and smells will attract the birds and the bees, and it is excellent for the environment! Add in a cute little birdhouse or bath and sit back and relish at all the stunning creatures that come to share the area you’ve created.  

 1o. Give children age-appropriate chores. 

Helping around the house is rewarding and allows parents/guardians to feel less stressed about all the tasks they need to do. Start at a young age and make chores enjoyable. While it’s not always an easy battle trying to get children to help, it helps build a sense of responsibility and will make them much more likely to tidy up when they are adults.  

Hopefully, these tips will help you maintain a beautiful home and be able to enjoy it too!