Last night’s dishes are still in the sink.
Kid’s toys are scattered across the living room floor.
That chair in your room, the one you put there as a place to sit and just be, is hidden under laundry you’re too tired to fold.
Keeping up with a house cleaning routine is hard work.
And when we’re tired and overwhelmed, something has to give. A lot of times, we choose the house, telling ourselves that a clean home is just not that important right now, that other things matter more.
To some measure, I agree.
If our homes are the one place where we can relax, play and fill our cups, then we should expect to make messes. I’m all for the messes because they are so much more than meets the eye.
Instead of seeing a stack of dirty dishes, I see a family who sat around a table together.
Those toys on the floor represent the magical world of exploring, learning and discovery.
And, at least those clothes are clean.
But, when the messes become clutter that interferes with your routine or keeps you from being able to relax, it’s time to do something about it.
How to Create a House Cleaning Routine
I’ve found it’s much easier to maintain a simple house cleaning routine than it is to conquer out-of-control clutter, especially if you start with what you consider non negotiable.
Identify Your Non-Negotiable Chores
The key to creating a house cleaning routine you’ll stick to is to identify your non-negotiable chores and spread them throughout the day as you have time. My must-do tasks are:
- make the bed
- clear surfaces (including the kitchen sink) before bed
- tidy the living room before bed
It takes about five minutes to make the bed. Not even five minutes to pick up the living room. and maybe ten minutes to clear counter tops and empty the sink.
As long as I do those three things, I feel successful. Now, do we sometimes leave dishes in the sink? Yes.
Do we clear the clutter every single day. No, sometimes we’re just too dang tired.
But, I’m pretty consistent which means my house typically looks and feels pretty clean.
9 Habits of People Whose Houses Are Always Clean
- envision the reward or payoff of waking up to a fresh, clean slate
- remind yourself how little time each chore really takes
- set realistic expectations
- assess and adjust your routine every so often
- create a household schedule
- set up a cleaning caddy
- have a cleaning supply closet or storage
- use cleaning tips and tricks that make the job easier
- and most importantly, know your why. In other words, why is keeping a clean house important to you?
Once you start to apply these tips, cleaning your house won’t seem so hard.
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