Sometimes it can feel like we spend all of our free time cleaning. Especially, when we cohabitate with children, animals and/or a particularly messy partner. Creating quick habits that become second-nature helps to keep a clean, inviting home. Here are a few things that are (relatively) simple enough to do (almost) every day.
Put coats away in an orderly way. If you don’t have a closet in your entryway make sure there are hooks installed either to the nearest wall or schedule a weekend project to make a classy, stylish storage bench. Creating a storage bench has the added functionality of a place for everyone to stop and take their shoes off and even place them in a designated cubby underneath.
Wipe down counters daily. Even in the bathrooms. Keep disposable cloths or, for an eco-friendly option, a microfiber towel on hand to quickly wipe down surfaces. This not only keeps them crumb/gunk free but also keeps them cleaner for longer. Which means less elbow grease when it comes time to do your weekend deep clean.
Empty the dishwasher every morning and fill (and then run) it each night. Keep dishes off of counters and from building up in the sink. The sooner you get it in the machine the easier everything comes together so you can just hit “run” before heading off to bed. By allowing dishes build up throughout the day and then choose to load them we unwittingly create an enormous, daunting task.
Create a tidy way to hang towels after a shower. If you only have two hooks but multiple family members using the same shower it’s time for an upgrade. Hooks along the wall with frames overhead creates a stylish setup. For those lacking wall space, seek out an over-the-door hanger with more breadth to accommodate every family member.
Eat at your dining room table most nights. Life happens and sometimes we just want to kick back with takeout while binging on Netflix after a hard week. However, make this an occasional exception to a rule. Avoid spills, crumbs and piled up dishes throughout the house by keeping meals restricted to a table. This comes with the added bonus of spending quality time with your family catching up on the day's events before getting caught up in your favorite shows.
Use psychology and the senses to your advantage. Pull back the curtains and open the blinds, let in as much light in as you can! It brightens up the room and puts everyone in a great mood. And on that note, light some candles, diffuse oils or spritz some linen smells. Light, fresh scents make us feel like we are in a clean environment… even if you forgot to dust!
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