How to Keep a House Clean

Tip #1: Put everything away after use.

 As you move from one room to another, do a quick scan to see if there’s anything that you can take with you. Go out of your way to make sure that anything you wear, use or move ends up where it belongs. It’s easy to leave a pair of shoes near the front door, a few shirts on your bed and some dishes in the sink until tomorrow. Remember, those tiny piles can quickly turn into big messes.

Tip #2: Do one room at a time.

The easiest way to keep your entire house clean is to tackle one room at a time. By splitting up the cleaning by room (and by day), you can accomplish a little bit at a time instead of tackling every task at once.

Here’s how to keep a house clean by focusing on one room at a time:

Bathroom

From toothpaste dribbles and mirror stains to wet floors and shower grime, the bathroom will endure a variety of messes throughout the week. Because we constantly use it each day, it’s easiest to clean up after yourself instead of waiting a few weeks later for a bigger mess.

Areas to focus on for a clean bathroom:

• Clean the sink
• Scrub the shower, tub and toilet
• Remove mirror spots
• Mop the floors (don’t forget those corners)

Looking for a natural, easy-to-make cleaner for your home? DIY cleaners are a cost-effective way to keep your house clean.

Try this simple DIY cleaner recipe:

• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 2 tsp. dishwashing liquid
• 3 tbsp. white vinegar
• 10 drops essential oil

After you use the sink or step out of the shower, take your natural cleaner and spray down the surface. Run the water again to wash all the cleaner off. Voilà—you’ve prolonged your time until you have to do a deep clean in your shower! The essential oil will also keep the room smelling fresh for several days. For best results, ask everyone in your household to make this a habit.

Bedroom

The key to keeping bedrooms clean is all about storage. If you have proper places for all of your clothes and accessories, you’re more likely to keep your personal space clean.

To keep your bedroom clean, make a habit of these steps:

• Make your bed
• Fold blankets and throws
• Put away clutter in appropriate locations
• Dust desks, nightstands and shelves
• Vacuum floor and area rugs

Tip #3: Stick to a schedule.

It’s one thing to give each room a thorough clean, but how do you make sure your house stays clutter-free every day of the week? Believe it or not, easily: a cleaning schedule. Create a list to keep on your fridge, your wall or your desk to help keep you and your household organized. Your schedule should include not just what needs to be done, but when it needs to be done.

By splitting your small household tasks into daily, weekly and even monthly routines, you can keep your house in perfect shape year round.

How to Keep a House Clean Daily

Most people wait until their house is messy to start cleaning. The trick is to put in a small effort every day to keep your house as tidy as possible. These daily tasks are small but effective reminders of how to keep a house clean.

Six easy ways to go to sleep with a tidy home each night:

• Make the bed. The best way to start your day is by making your bed. Simply making your bed each day will have a domino effect, allowing you to keep everything else neat and tidy.
• Clean as you cook. As you learn how to keep a house clean, pay close attention to clutter in the kitchen. Throw out scraps and empty packages as you use them. Wash pots and utensils while dinner roasts in the oven. Make sure dishes are put away before sitting down after meals. Cleaning as you go saves time and keeps your kitchen in tip-top shape.
• Grab as you go. Make it a mission to minimize clutter by picking up your belongings whenever you leave a room. Bring a pair of shoes with you when you go upstairs, pick up the coffee cup on the counter and take dirty laundry with you on your trip downstairs.
• Wipe up messes as they happen. Try not to leave any spills or small messes unattended. Take a few minutes to wipe them up with a damp cloth so you’re not dealing with set-in stains at the end of the week.
• Sort the mail. We receive mail every day, and most of that mail turns out to be junk. Instead of letting it pile up in your mailbox or on the counter, sort it the second you walk in the door. Place bills, coupons and personal correspondence in their appropriate places the moment you bring in the mail and recycle junk mail.
• Sweep the kitchen floor. The kitchen often sees more traffic than the rest of the house, meaning the floor collects a lot of dirt and debris. Spend a few minutes each day sweeping the floor, and you won’t see dirt being dragged through the house all week long.

While a weekly cleaning schedule isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s an easy way to carve out one room at a time. As long as you follow a routine that permits you to focus on one major section of your home each day, you’ll never feel overwhelmed. Cleaning your home will practically take care of itself!