A clutter-free house is definitely everyone’s dream. However, the process of cleaning and maintaining an organized place is hard to keep.
Living in a messy home causes unnecessary stress and constantly reminds us of tasks undone. At the same time, it may cause allergy to or worsen one’s respiratory illness.
Having said that, keeping a tidy home remains a struggle to some. But what if we tell you that a big clean is not always the answer?
Yes, you can still keep your house neat, no matter how much you hate cleaning, and here’s how:
Set a timer
After having a long and tiring day at work or at school, surely the last thing you wanted to do is spend more time cleaning the house.
Sometimes, you just end up lounging on the sofa and get yourself some takeaway for dinner ‒ and that’s okay. Some people are also feeling the same way.
Therefore, make it a point that you keep the practice of tidying up short and meaningful too.
How? By setting a timer. Allot ten or fifteen minutes max every day to do some decluttering. Just so you don’t get overwhelmed with the process itself.
For example, find a spot that you decide on keeping organized at all times. Your kitchen counter, perhaps.
Set your timer for ten minutes and do all the tidying up you can do within that time. Wash the dirty dishes, clear your rubbish bin, wipe the counter and so on. Once the timer beeps, you’ll be surprised how much you’ve done without even realizing it.
Have fun while cleaning
Be creative when you clean and don’t forget to have fun.
Put on your favorite music when you wash the dishes or dance while you vacuum the floor. Make the clean up a family bonding activity to encourage the kids to take part too.
And then make a nice snack after as a reward. Cleaning up is already tiring as it is, so make it fun as much as you can.
Keep the cleaning supplies nearby
Cleaning materials are usually kept in those awkward corners, difficult to see and even access. And this is one of the reasons why, the drive to clean up is often pushed back for days or worse, even weeks.
The idea then is to designate a specific part in your kitchen, perhaps, where all the cleaning materials are kept and can be accessed in one go. This way, it is easier to find them all, and with regular practice, cleaning becomes more natural and effortless for you.
Have a spare basket around
There are times that small things cannot find their specific place at home. Hence, you end up tossing them on top of the dining table, and then closets get untidy, and kitchen counters get crowded.
Having a spare basket or container around does the trick. This nitty-gritty stuff somehow finds a temporary home before you finally decide where they should go.
Put them under your bathroom sink, beside the front door, or maybe under your center table. Things such as unused glasses, mittens, scarves, hair ties, and the like are then not found to be scattered around the house.
Reduce your things at home
If you dislike cleaning that much, then you should know how to keep things simple at home.
Spend a day or two evaluating the things you can find at home. Segregate the things that you need, can be thrown out, and can be donated.
Let’s take your closet for example. If there are clothes that you’ve not worn nor seen in the past six months, chances are they do not serve their purpose anymore. Maybe a new owner is already needed at this point.
Moving on to your kitchen, you found this bulky coffee maker that you bought on sale a year ago but only used once. Rather than let it take so much space, why not sell it for some extra cash on the side?
Living as a minimalist is sometimes difficult to comprehend. It is overwhelming for some and quite impossible for others. However, when done strategically, it is actually the other way around.
So stop hoarding things and live with what only you need. Less stuff to organize and shorter cleaning time too.
Get someone else to do it
Sometimes, with a lot of things on your plate and running a busy schedule too, keeping your home organized can really be a challenge. This explains why we tell our clients at Maid Sailors Maid Service NYC that getting someone else to do the cleaning for you is not utterly a bad idea.
Professional home cleaners provide easy online booking processes either online, by phone, or simply sending a text message, which ultimately caters to everyone else’s busy schedule.
Their services range from organizing things to deep cleaning options based on what the customers’ requirement. Maybe, book a service every six months and do the easy cleaning weekly. That combo can already do so much.
Keeping a house clean and tidy does not have to take up a big chunk of your precious time. Remember to take things slow and do not put unnecessary pressure on yourself too. Start off with the simplest task and be consistent. After all, it takes 21 days to turn an action into a habit. Next thing you know, you’re on your way to a clean and clutter-free home.
About the Author - Jacky Xu is the Chief Operating Officer for MaidSailors.com, an Airbnb cleaning service provider in New York. Maid Sailors provide a wide range of cost-effective, yet high-quality cleaning services that are sure to delight their customers.
