Today, I’m sharing my favourite tips to keep a clean and organised home as a busy mama.
The home should be a place that feels comforting, calming and inviting. If instead it makes you feel the opposite then it’s more than likely there is some dirt and clutter that needs to be addressed.
If you find cleaning tedious, or feel too busy to get it all done, I have some good news. A multiple step routine or whole day house clean are not your only options.
This post is about helping you clean smarter, not harder.
Here are 10 simple actions you can take on a daily basis, to keep your home clean almost all the time.
Wake Up Early
Not everyone’s in a season of life where this is achievable, which is completely fine. Especially if you’ve got a new baby, please don’t feel pressured to do this.
However, if you are able to then I’d highly recommend you give it a try. Having some alone time can really set the tone for the rest of the day.
Even if it’s just 30 minutes before your family gets up. This means you have the opportunity to pray, stretch or read in peace.
Clean as You Go
As you’re moving around your home have a look and see what needs to be addressed. Which things need to be put back in their designated places, straightened out, wiped down or thrown away.
This might seem burdensome at first. But trust me, once you’ve mastered this, it eventually becomes second nature.
Doing quick 5-10 minute clean ups will help prevent clutter from accumulating and maintain a clean appearance in your home.
Address it Right Away
If you have the time try your best to do a task then and there.
It can be tempting to leave the few things that need to be dealt with, but few turn to many. Let’s be honest, once things have been sat there for a while they’re much harder to deal with when you eventually do get to them.
Yes, wiping a spill, rinsing the sink or doing a quick sweep right away are tiny actions that might seem insignificant. But instilling these habits can help avoid a build up of dirt and mess overall.
Avoid Procrastinating
We all have those bigger jobs that we tend to put off (cough cough dishes); all the while knowing that won’t make them disappear.
Particularly if it’s something you don’t want to do, hasten towards getting it done, as soon as it comes to mind. Otherwise it will stay on your silent to do list, causing you stress until its completed.
Maybe try setting a 10 minute timer to motivate yourself. There’s something about the challenge of getting something done within a time frame that can help give us an extra push.
Clear Your Surfaces
Our everyday surroundings impact our overall mood. So making sure your home is clean and clear is essential for it to be a place of relaxation.
Even if your cupboards and other blind spots in the home are full, the surfaces are what you’re constantly seeing. So keeping these clutter free is a good place to start.
Mess breeds more mess. If there are already 5 miscellaneous objects on the counter someone’s probably going to add another. On the other hand, if the surfaces are already clear a random item sitting there will look out of place. You’re then more likely to put it away.
Declutter
Alright, I’m going to be straightforward here and say… having too many things makes cleaning much more difficult. Because the more you have, the more you have to maintain.
So, just have less stuff. Seems simple enough, right? Well, in actuality decluttering is an ongoing process and not something you can complete in a day. Some people find it harder than others. So it’s important to be intentional and take your time with it.
Clean While Cooking
There’s often a short period of down time while cooking. Utilise this pocket of time to clean the kitchen. You can easily put ingredients away and do the dishes in those few minutes.
So by the end of the meal you’ll only need to wash the dishes you used to eat from.
Focus on High Traffic Areas
These habits can really help to maintain a clean home almost all the time. As for the rest of the time? Well, you and your family live there.
Every home is unique, but as a general rule the high traffic areas are usually the same.
The living room will need frequent little tidy ups, throughout the day. Wiping down the kitchen multiple times a day is a given. And lastly, the bathroom. It is just one of those places that needs to be cleaned often. For… obvious reasons.
Work Together
Working as a team is an important factor to keeping the home clean. You only have so many hands and a certain amount of energy. Doing everything for everyone is impractical and quite honestly, exhausting.
Including your kids from as early as possible is something I’ve mentioned previously. This can give them a sense of responsibility and make them feel like a contributing member of the family.
End of Day Tidy up
Now, I understand — after a long busy day, tackling yet another set of tasks is one of the last things on your mind.
But believe me, taking just a little time to reset your home makes a significant difference to the upcoming day.
Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be anything intense. Especially if you’ve already implemented the previous habits, this should only take a few extra minutes before bed.
I hope you’ve found these tips helpful. Which are your favourites to apply in your own home?
