These are tips that the entire family can and should use. All family members living in the home should help take care of the home they live in. Almost everyone can do something, even small children. There is no reason why Mom should clean up behind herself and everyone else too! After all, if everyone is partaking of the blessings of the home to live in, everyone should help take care of it. While no one will change overnight, incorporating these tips into your daily life will soon make new and neater habits for even the messiest of the messies.
Step 1
Clean up any and all messes immediately. You will get into the habit of doing this after a while. Once you walk away from it, chances are that you won't go back to it.
Step 2
Make a habit of cleaning up as you go! This saves time and keeps your home clean and organized. Washing dishes as you cook works great and prevents the large pile to wash after the meal.
Step 3
Fold and put away the laundry as soon as it's done.
Step 4
Put things back in their places after you use them. Don't wait until later, do it immediately! Again, once you leave it, chances are you won't go back to it. Have family members learn to put things where they belong when they are done with the item. Have the kids put away the toys they're done with before getting other toys out.
Step 5
Have a place where each thing lives. Don't just lay it down anywhere. Everything has a home! Eventually, everyone in the family will develop this habit.
Step 6
Never go to bed with a dirty kitchen. Even if you can't get to the dishes right after a meal, make sure the kitchen is clean before bedtime.
Step 7
If the kitchen is clean and someone decides on a snack later, have them clean up anything they mess up including counters, stove, table, and make sure the sink is empty and clean.
Step 8
Keep your bathrooms clean. Keep disinfectant wipes in the bathroom so anyone can use them immediately if needed. These are great for quick cleanups!
Step 9
Keep a bag/box for items that you no longer use/need. Donate them, sell them, trash them -- just get rid of them! This includes clothes, toys, books....whatever is in your home that's not being used, get rid of it as you clean.
Step 10
Write a note with a date seven days from the date you filled your bag/box and get rid of it by that date. Don't just move the clutter from one place to another.
Step 11
Take 15 minutes a day to clean your home. It's a tempting thought to try and clean the entire house all at once, and if you can do that, great! But for the person who can't, make it a goal to start at 15 minutes and work on up to more time as you go. Start with the kitchen and bathroom. These are two rooms that should always be clean and sanitary. Make it a goal to clean those two rooms and keep them clean. Then work on the rest of the home. Once you have a room clean and organized, keep it clean and organized!
Tips
- While everyone is different and works at a different pace, everyone can do this!
- All members living in the home should do their part. There is no excuse for anyone to not help out unless they are physically or mentally unable to do so. Even a baby that crawls at six months can be taught to begin put their toy into the toy box. Get everyone involved and get organized!
- Every time you look in the refrigerator try to remove something old or unused. You'll get into the habit of looking and it will save you that smelly science project surprise later on.
- Go through your refrigerator the night before your trash pickup. Get rid of old foods or condiments that go unused. If the jar of olives has been there for 2 years, it is time to toss them. Check expiration dates on dressings and other condiments. Wipe off what shelves you can. Because your trash gets picked up the next day you won't need to worry about your outside trash can starting to smell.
- Make a list of chores that need to be done and scratch them off as you go. It will help prevent you from forgetting something and others can see what is left to be done. There won't be confusion with what they can assist with.
- After your trash pick up you should spray bleach into your outside trashcan and hose out. Odors will be reduced and bugs and insects won't be drawn to it. Let it dry in the sun. Before you add your first trash bag you can spray the interior and the lid with Raid or other bug spray. This isn't so much an issue when the weather gets cold but it can save you from a smelly disaster.
