Why do some people have no problem keeping a clean home 24/7, while others can’t even keep the laundry done when all other things (like work) are equal? While you might think the first group enjoys cleaning, the answer often lies in habit.
People with always-clean homes don’t necessarily spend any more time on upkeep than those who are struggling—their priorities are just different. If you want to adopt this same mindset, here are ten things people with clean homes never do.
Leave the Kitchen Dirty After Using It
Rather than creating a huge mess in the kitchen that sits for hours or days, people with always-clean homes tidy up as they go. They immediately put things back in the cabinet or fridge as they use them, spot-wiping the counters each time they cook.
Cleaning as they go may take them an extra five minutes total compared to people who don’t do this, but it leaves them with a clean kitchen.
Wash Laundry Once Per Week
Those who maintain their homes’ tidiness level don’t let laundry become an overwhelming task. Instead of a dedicated laundry day, they wash dirty clothes multiple times a week. This approach keeps the laundry manageable, preventing large piles from stacking up and making washing, folding, and putting away clothes a breeze.
Pile Up Bills and Other Paperwork
Paperwork and bills aren’t hard to deal with when addressed as soon as they enter the house. People who have always-clean homes will immediately trash or recycle junk mail and have a system to file unpaid bills or other important papers. The system isn’t fancy either—simple baskets and folders get the job done.
Load Counters with Appliances and Decor
Lots of small appliances and decor on kitchen and bathroom counters create visual clutter and make cleaning hard. Those who value a tidy house make the job easy on themselves, reducing unnecessary clutter from the counters so they’re easy to keep clean.
Let the Floor Pile Up with Shoes and Toys
People who value tidiness don’t kick off their shoes in the hall or the middle of the floor. They create zones. Shoes may be placed alongside a wall, in a basket, or in each member’s bedroom. Toys are picked up after being played with.
Hold Onto Everything
Having a lot of belongings makes it hard to maintain a home. Those with always-clean homes do a good job of letting go of unnecessary items. They toss or donate household goods when they no longer have any use.
Clean One Room Per Day
Rather than utilizing a cleaning schedule that requires them to clean a specific room on a particular day, those with always-clean homes pick as they go. Waiting to clean a room only one day per week allows chores in that room to pile up, which they prevent by constantly cleaning up after themselves.
Go to Bed with Dirty Dishes in the Sink
Many live by the rule of putting the kitchen to bed at night. Doing so allows for a peaceful morning in a clean kitchen. At the very least, dishes should be washed, sinks cleaned, and counters wiped before bed.
Use a Ton of Cleaning Tools
A few key tools, such as a vacuum, mop, all-purpose spray, and microfiber cloths, keep a home clean and are easy to grab. Rather than constantly trying the latest products, those with tidy homes stick to what works and avoid overconsumption.
Make Excuses
If cleaning up takes less than thirty seconds, do it now. Making excuses only prolongs the inevitable and allows messes to pile up, making them harder to deal with later. While everyone has busy schedules from time to time that inhibit their abilities to clean like they want, those with always-clean homes will tackle small everyday tasks rather than make excuses for why they shouldn’t.
