Maintain a Tidy Home With Ease

1. Don’t let messes pile up too long.

• Set aside 10–15 minutes to pick up and clean up each day.
• Clean as you go. When you’re done with something, put it away.
• Wipe down countertops often, including a good clean after dinner.
• Sweep and vacuum frequently.

2. Keep cleaning supplies close

• Fill a caddy with your most-used cleaning supplies.
• If you have two floors, keep a caddy on each for easy access.
• Keep an additional one with appropriate cleaners in each bathroom.

3. Pre-organize so you don’t have to reorganize.

• Give everything in your home a designated place and stick to it.
• Make commonly used items easy to access and convenient to put away.
• Group items with similar uses: knives and cutting boards, pens and paper, etc.

4. Make donating a habit.

• Start a donation box and add to it as you go.
• Make sure the whole family uses the donation box.
• Every time you get something new, find something to donate too.
• When the box is full, immediately take it to a local donation center.

5. Organize with a designer’s eye.

• Use decorative shelving that suits both form and function.
• Color code your closet – it looks nice and makes it easier to find an outfit.
• Swap plain containers for baskets that suit your style.
• Use simple clear containers in the kitchen for easy access and a uniform look.

6. Keep your kitchen clean and countertops clear.

• Maximize space by keeping your kitchen surfaces free of clutter.
• Put your mixer, toaster and other small appliances away, but keep them easily accessible.
• Share kitchen duty – start a calendar and assign age-specific tasks to everyone.

7. Check expiration dates.

• Look through your pantry, fridge and freezer on a recurring basis and toss expired items.
• Have a deep freezer? Clean it out once every two months.
• Get rid of leftovers after one week, tops.

8. Get clever about hiding clutter.

• Buy an easy-to-use concealer to hide the cords on your mounted TV.
• Tie all office cords together and funnel them behind your desk.
• Think vertically and use wall space to create extra storage.
• Use decorative storage containers on open shelving for a tidy look.

9. Don’t neglect the bathroom.

• Maximize under-the-sink storage.
• Install hooks or shelves for extra towels.
• Clean out your medicine cabinet regularly.
• Do a 60-second pickup before you leave the room.

10. Utilize space under the bed.

• Use large plastic containers with lids to store books, magazines, etc.
• Store seasonal items, blankets and pillows in vacuum sealed storage bags.
• When you clean your floors, don’t forget to clean under the beds.

While this might seem like a lot of work at once, take a few minutes to try out a few of these tips today. Then work to keep the momentum going and see how just a few new habits can help keep your home tidy and clean.