There’s no big secret to keeping a clean home. It just requires diligence and time. Time is usually the issue though, right? When kids are involved, the time just seems to disappear. Still wanting a clean home though, I usually just focus on the necessities so be sure that my home stays mostly neat and mostly clean. These 5 quick to-dos will keep your home clean everyday and if this list is all you get to do in the day, consider it a major win, and know that you’re making the best of your home keeping time- even if that time is only a few moments each day.
Sort the Mail Everyday
Nothing will take over your home faster than piles of mail, important stuff and not. Make it a point to sort it every time you grab it from the mailbox. First, go through today’s mail and shred or toss unneeded mail into trash or recyling bins. Then take the rest, open each envelope up and act on it. If you can handle it now, by writing a check or filling out a form, do it. Once you get in this habit, it will make your life so much easier!
Keep Shoes by the Front Door Organized
Just like mail, here’s something else that always seems to multiply. Before you go to bed every night, gather the loose shoes and leave one pair per person by the front door, and take every other pair to the closets and bedrooms where they belong. I like to use a basket for the shoes, so that way they give off the organized feel.
Clear the Dishes From the Sink
This is a big one for me. You know that relationship advice that suggests you should never go to bed angry? I think you should never go to bed with dishes in the sink. Wash what needs washing and clear the way for the new day. When I was pregnant I could just sense my husband heating up leftovers after he got home from work late and I would find myself waking up at 2am and feeling the need to wash the dishes. It’s not that bad now, but I do never ever leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
Wipe Down Kitchen and Bathroom Counters
Without dishes and junk mail cluttering the counter, this should be an easy task. Grab a wipe or rag and wipe everything down at night after meals and before you go to bed, then…
Sweep the Kitchen Floor
You can’t do one without the other!! Wipe crumbs from the counter to the floor, then sweep the floor clean. With kids, I find myself sweeping 2 or 3 times a day anyways, but I do like to do one last sweep before bed so we can start the next morning with clean floors.
Oooh, I’m all about these tips! I really struggle with not having a clean kitchen before the day is over. And I love to keep mail organized and junk out of my vision (i.e. in the garbage)! 🙂
This is a great list! I’ve recently had one of my sons take on the daily task of wiping the table and sweeping the dining room floor which makes a big difference. I agree that dirty dishes should be taken care of too each night…but it doesn’t always happen 🙂
I need to do these! The one thing I always do is the dishes. I hate having dirt dishes piled in the sink. I can’t go to bed if I know I have a huge mess to wake up to. Sweeping the floor in the kitchen or dust busting the kitchen should be my next habit to make.
I always do the dishes before bed, it makes such a difference waking up to a nice clean kitchen!