15 Things That People with Tidy Houses Do Daily
We’ve all seen that meme, the one that says: “I get more cleaning done in the ten minutes before someone comes over than I do in a week.” We’ve read it, laughed, tagged a friend, and probably moved straight on with our cluttered, busy lives. But, there are plenty of people out there who never panic at the thought of a visitor, and whose homes just seem to, shall we say, stay clean without effort. We all know someone like this, whose house seems to exist in a permanent state of spotless, even when you happen to drop in on them unexpectedly.
So, how do they do it? It turns out that keeping a clean house doesn’t require as much effort as you might think. According to experts, there are a few basics to keeping your house in shape. Overwhelmingly, it appears that their secret is to do a little bit each day and to develop habits that keep their homes clutter free without thinking twice. In the process, they exert less energy than those of us who resort to binge clean-ups. Look to The Uncluttered Life’s Declutter Deck® for tips and tricks about home organization.
15 Things People with Tidy Homes Do Every Day
They are constantly offloading clutter.
A home that has less stuff is so much easier to keep tidy. Each day, consider what items you no longer need that could leave your home and that someone else might need. There are plenty of decluttering methods from which to choose. These include those from Marie Kondo (the KonMari Method) to the everyday, practical approach. Discover solutions to getting rid of everything by listening to podcasts, reading, and paying attention to your environment. Look at all the things you own, including sentimental papers, sports equipment, storage containers and more. Let some of these items go.
They don’t shove things in a drawer or room.
So, if you’ve done a quick clean up, only to blink your eyes and find that your home is again in chaos, know that hurried tidying and decluttering just don’t work. With a fast clean, the items strewn around on the furniture and floor are simply shoved into a drawer or storage cabinet. It quickly tumbles back out into a pile of clutter once again.
They store “like with like.”
The solution is to seek out spaces where clutter hides and start storing like things with like things. This means it’s easier to put things away and find them because things are together, not mixed in with other belongings. This allows you to get ready quicker, and put your hands on the items you need without having to look twice.
They keep things in their place.
Make a place for everything. It’s an age-old saying, but a great habit to start making your own. Give each one of your possessions a dedicated space in your home. If you’re not using something, don’t put it down, put it away. Aim to put things back after each use, every time, and every day. If you master the habit of putting things away you’ll find that you will stay on schedule. That means you’ll be able to find what you need, leave your home on time, arrive at work on time, be on time for an appointment, and never search for lost documents, wallets, or keys.
They do it now, and don’t wait.
Procrastination is a hard habit to break. But, you can break the habit of procrastinating, which will help keep your home clean and tidy. Open the mail when it comes in. Sign school papers and return them at once. Take things out of you children’s backpacks.
They follow the “only touch things once” rule.
If you get in the habit of putting things away the first time you touch them, you’ll find it easy to maintain a tidy home. This could also mean taking things one step at a time. In the morning, resist the urge to pull out the hair straightener if your makeup is still all over the counter. As soon as you finish with one item, put it back into its designated area and then move on to the next step.
They tidy up before bed.
When you tidy up before bed, you wake up feeling on top of things. In the kitchen, that could mean loading the dishwasher, sweeping the floor and wiping down the countertop. In the bedroom, it could mean hanging up clothing or jackets and putting away shoes. Every little bit helps and allows you to start the next day feeling fresh and accomplished. And, keep those good feelings by making your bed as soon as you wake up.
They purchase with mindfulness.
Home organization is key to a tidy home. This can be particularly challenging in a world driven by consumerism and where sales are constantly advertised. Be mindful about the items you bring into your home: do you really need it? Are you prepared to take care of it once it enters your home? If you find that you are a bit of a shopaholic, think about the hobbies you’ve always wanted to do and try to enrich your life that way, rather than accumulating more stuff.
They clean as they cook.
Cooking dinner after a long day is hard enough without having to clean dirty dishes left over from the day before. Having a chaotic kitchen can set a chaotic tone for the entire home, and for the entire day. For that reason, prioritize cleaning up before walking out the door to start the day. Another tip is to wipe down surfaces after each use and put everything away in its place while you cook. When you’re finished cooking, you’re not facing a huge mess.
They organize their pantry.
In modern households, pantries are a prized possession. We see on Instagram the way people show off their perfectly organized kitchens and pantries. Gone are the days of half-open packs of rice sealed with a twist tie. These days, plastic and glass jars with custom labels are key. So, too, are lazy Susans loaded with condiments. Creating an organized pantry is an achievable goal and leads to less food waste. You’ll know what you own, so you won’t overbuy. Another good suggestion is to buy clear jars so you know what you have without needing a labeling system. Just remember to write the expiration somewhere on the jar with a removable pen so you’ll know when the food is past its prime.
They wipe down the shower.
Use a tool to remove moisture from showers and a super absorbent cloth to keep surfaces dry. It’s a good idea, too, to wipe down the bathroom sink each day to eliminate the possibility of stains, odors and mold growth. Keep a stack of microfiber cloths handy inside your bathroom vanity to use for this purpose.
They have a laundry system.
If you laundry system isn’t working for you, now is the time to remedy that. Refrain from throwing clothing on the floor. Use a laundry basket for dirty clothing in the place that you are most likely to use it, such as the bathroom or bedroom, rather than in the laundry room.
They finish the cycle.
Taking the wash out of the washer or dryer as soon as possible and putting it away instead of leaving it in the machine keeps your clothing fresh. See a task through to the end and then you’ll begin to create a more orderly space around you and a more functional system.
They share the load with others.
Keeping a tidy home shouldn’t be just one person’s responsibility. Everyone contributes to the mess and everyone should share in the household chores of putting things away. Enlist the help of others by creating a list of household chores or delegating tasks to kids or your partner. Try not to focus on doing things the “right way” that only you know how to do. Teach others, and be able to live with the way they do the things you’ve asked of them. Or, if everyone is maxed out, think about hiring outside help such as a professional cleaner.
Be realistic - Life Happens!
Life is all about juggling different priorities and it’s normal for a house to become untidy at times. Focus on your priorities, perhaps spending more time with your family, and letting a few things slide. In the end, the goal is to have a happy home.
