First off, I think its important to mention that cleaning means something different to everyone. My fiancés idea of clean, for example, is very different than mine. But he tries. In my opinion, there are varying degrees of cleanliness.
There is "sparkling clean", when your home has been cleaned top to bottom and has the fresh toxic cleaning smell, ahh, you know the one. This means bathrooms have been scrubbed, all windows and mirrors have been washed, floors have been vacuumed, swept and mopped, your light fixtures, picture frames, shelves and sills have been dusted and even the laundry and dishes have been washed and put away. This is the ULTIMATE clean. This type of cleaning, let's be honest, happens once a season in most homes. Twice a month if you're very fastidious.
Then there is the "tidy" middle ground where I like to hover. This is where you're keeping up with the bathroom cleanings (top to bottom scrubs) once a week, your laundry and dishes are maintained throughout the week, and your floors are vacuumed and mopped once or twice a week. Here you're making sure all cups and dishes have made their way to the sink, and better the dishwasher, shoes and clothing are off of the floor and in the laundry basket, and the countertops and sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms are whiped clean each day. You're beds have all been made, your couch pillows are poufed, and the afghans are folded and put away. This is the level of clean all homes should strive for, so that if you happen to have guests pop over for an unexpected visit, you're ready.
Beyond this, I hate to say it, is "messy". I understand with kids, pets, busy work and social schedules, time gets away from us from time to time. This is not bad necessarily! It's easy to catch up with cleaning and get back to that "ultimate" or "tidy" level of clean, its maintaining that cleanliness that gets to be too much sometimes. This home has toys laying about, dishes in the sink, laundry billowing over, remotes stuck between sofa cushions, and if you have pets that shed, little tumble weeds of dust and pet hair hiding in corners. We've all been there, but my hope is that I inspire you to make little changes to your routine to maintain the clean and tidy home effortlessly.
A clean home helps me think clearer and feel better. It's one less thing to have to think about or worry about. Coming into a clean home is so much more relaxing for you, your family, and for your guests.
Ever since I was really little, I liked to see my things in a certain way. I'm not sure if this was instilled by my very organized mother, or if I was born this way. Nonetheless, I liked my bed made, by books organized in a certain way, my stuffed animals a certain way, my bathroom arranged a certain way, you get the point.
Here we are twenty some odd years later, and I am still very fastidious. I want to share some of my cleaning routines with you so that you too can effortlessly keep your home clean. Eventually, with enough repetition, you'll do these things habitually so they don't feel like work, or chores. Chores is such an ugly word. Let's think of them as lifestyle choices.
Let's start in the evenings before bed. When you go to bed, where do you take off your clothes? Next to the bed, in your closet, next to your wardrobe, or next to your chair. You know "the chair"? The one that acts as a laundry basket in your room. One way to keep your room tidy is to have a big hamper or laundry basket in your closet or bedroom, wherever you get undressed at night, so that all of your dirty clothes end up one step closer to the laundry. Not on your floor or furniture. If you're someone that likes to wear shoes in the house, try to break this habit too. Wear indoor shoes or slippers that you only wear inside. Shoes should stay either by the front door, or tucked away in your closet. This prevents outside dirt from being trampled throughout your home and on your rugs and carpets.
So, you've gone to bed, and your clothes are in your hamper and shoes are put away. GREAT! Jumping forward, you've had a good nights sleep because you weren't thinking about waking up to a mess. (haha kidding, not kidding) When you wake up and hop out of bed, before brushing teeth, getting dressed, making coffee, walking the dog or grabbing the baby, make your bed! This is one room already clean and tidy and a good start to your day. Getting into a made bed at night is so much better than climbing into tossed sheets and blankets and mushed pillows. Trust me.
Now your awake and rushing to shower and get dressed and ready to run out the door. If you wear pajamas to bed, either throw those pjs directly into the hamper, fold them or hang them back up before going to shower and brush your teeth. A quick easy way to maintain the bathroom is to spray your countertops and whip them down each morning after you've brushed your teeth, shaved, or done your makeup. This way the grime doesn't have a chance to build up and its so much nicer to come to a clean bathroom.
If you make coffee and have breakfast at home each morning, just clean the dish and put it directly into the dishwasher. This takes no time and little effort, but goes a long way towards keeping a tidy home. If you haven't done it the night before, quickly fold the throws and afghans and straighten the living room before you dash out the door.
These simple habits will help you keep a clean home with little to no effort. These little lifestyle changes will keep your home ready for unexpected visitors too!
A clean home helps me think clearer and feel better. It's one less thing to have to think about or worry about. Coming into a clean home is so much more relaxing for you, your family, and for your guests. I hope these tips are helpful. If you have questions please let me know!
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