10 Principles for a Clean Home
1. EVERYTHING HAS A HOME
This mantra (adopted from my mom), is the key to not only “spring” cleaning but also to maintaining a clean home. If you’re like me, it feels impossible to start cleaning until the clutter has been put away. When you don’t have a storage solution for your items, you end up spending so much of your time on tidying (or simply shuffling items), and cleaning tends to take a back seat. In order to ensure that every item has a home, you have to begin by analyzing the storage solutions within your home. Designate a spot for EVERY item in your home.
2. GET IT OUTTA HERE
You know what Marie Kondo would say. “Does it spark joy?” This concept is a game changer and is so helpful as you organize your space. In order to clean and organize more effectively, pull out items from drawers, shelves, cabinets, etc. Bring both a bin + a trash bag into each room and as you pull items out, decide whether you will donate/sell them (bin) or throw them away (trash bag).
3. WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER
Find products that truly work for you. If you can cut your cleaning time in half with a different sponge or vacuum, you will save yourself time & energy. You may even be able to enjoy a glass of wine by the end of the night.
4. MAKE YOUR PRODUCTS ACCESSIBLE
Keep a few products in the rooms you intend to use them in so that they can be used as needed. For example, keep bathroom cleaning products in the bathroom (if possible) to be used on a whim! If you have kiddos who are potty training and you find yourself in the restroom quite a bit, take an opportunity to wipe down the sink and mirror while you are waiting. Store a dust cloth in a bedroom closet or drawer for easy access. Make your products easily accessible (while keeping safely away from kiddos/pets–an incentive to use cleaner products as well!).
5. LITTLE BY LITTLE
Cleaning doesn’t need to take hours or eat up a whole day. Divide and conquer! Assign small tasks throughout the week and save larger jobs for bi-weekly or once a month. Pick one room per day, one task per day, or one daily habit. For example, I find that if I do at least one load of laundry every morning, the chore is much more manageable rather than letting things pile up and having to designate a whole day toward laundry. Finding a rhythm takes time and practice.
6. GOT KIDS? LET THEM HELP!
Make the process a family affair! Assign realistic tasks to your kiddos and make the process fun and engaging. Here is a link of ideas for parents!
7. THE FIRST STEP TOWARD YOUR DREAM HOME IS A CLEAN HOME
Many of us find it hard to motivate ourselves to clean when we aren’t proud of our spaces. I can totally relate to this! We have several rooms in our house that are unfinished, and it’s much harder to motivate myself to clean those spaces when they aren’t too pretty to begin with. You may be living with 70s shag carpet, wishing for checkerboard marble tile. I feel you. However, I think we can change the narrative on that. Having a clean home will be more comfortable for us, our guests, and will give us the automatic before & after feeling we crave.
8. GO AT YOUR OWN PACE
Find a rhythm and a schedule that works with your lifestyle. Cleaning does not always need to be tedious and energy-draining. Find ways to enjoy the process. Listen to your favorite podcast or audiobook as you mop. Watch a movie while you iron. Treat yourself to a piece of chocolate after every chore. Also, give yourself a break on the days when you just need a breather (that’s when you move on to Step 9 below). If you need some motivation for cleaning, consider hosting a gathering! It’s the perfect excuse & incentive to get the work done and have some fun.
9. WHEN IN DOUBT, LIGHT A CANDLE
Even when our homes are at their worst, I feel like the atmosphere becomes 30% cozier just by lighting a candle. This company makes some of my favorites.
10. PRACTICE GOOD STEWARDSHIP
Why do we need clean homes? Is it merely to impress our guests or to feel a sense of control over our environment? While I am often motivated by both of those categories, I know it runs deeper than that. Cleaning should be seen as an act of gratitude for what we have been given. It is being a good steward with the blessings in our lives. We should take great care in our homes because our homes take great care of us. They provide us with shelter and give us space for laughter, tears, memories, and growth.