23 Habits to Maintain a Tidy Home
Maintaining a tidy home doesn’t have to feel like an overwhelming task. By incorporating simple, consistent habits into your daily and weekly routines, you can keep your living space clean, organized, and stress-free.
In this article, we’ll explore practical and manageable habits that make tidying up a breeze. From quick daily practices to seasonal deep cleaning, these tips are designed to help you create a home that feels organized, welcoming, and serene.
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23 Habits for a Clean and Tidy Home
1. Make your bed every morning as soon as you get out of it.
Starting your day by making your bed sets a productive tone for the rest of the day. It instantly makes your bedroom look tidier and provides a small, satisfying sense of accomplishment right from the start.
2. Have a designated space for everything in your home.
My grandma’s favorite mantra, “a place for everything and everything in its place” is one I’ve used my entire adult life to help reduce clutter and makes tidying up much easier. When each item has a designated spot, it’s simpler to put things away and maintain order.
3. Put things away as soon as you are finished with them.
Developing the habit of returning items to their rightful places immediately after use prevents clutter from building up and keeps your home looking neat throughout the day. It also makes it easier to find those items when you need them because they were returned to the right sport.
4. Use organizers and baskets to sort and contain similar items.
Organizers and baskets are invaluable for grouping similar items together. They make it easy to find what you need and give your home a more polished, cohesive look while keeping clutter at bay.
For small items, these drawer organizers are a great solution.
5. Tidy up your workspace before you leave it.
Whether it’s your desk or kitchen counter, taking a moment to tidy your workspace at the end of a task ensures a fresh start the next time you use it and minimizes distractions.
6. Immediately put dirty clothes in the hamper and clean clothes in the closet or dresser.
Avoid letting clothes pile up by immediately placing dirty ones in the hamper and folding or hanging clean clothes. This habit keeps your floors and surfaces clear, and prevents clothes from piling up on The Chair.
7. Fold laundry as you take it out of the dryer.
This tip was a game changer for me personally. One of my most hated chores is folding laundry, but I found that if I fold items as I take them out of the dryer it doesn’t feel as tedious. This is especially easy for items like pants and pajamas.
Folding laundry right away saves time and prevents wrinkles. It’s also easier to put away freshly folded clothes than deal with a mountain of unfolded laundry later.
8. Do the dishes immediately after dinner, and clean up as you cook.
Cleaning up right after dinner and as you cook keeps your kitchen from becoming overwhelming. Starting the day with a clean kitchen is much more pleasant and stress-free.
9. Open your mail and recycle it as soon as it comes in.
Sorting through your mail immediately helps avoid piles of unnecessary paper. Toss junk mail, organize bills, and keep your counters clear.
10.Clean your messes right away instead of letting them pile up.
Addressing messes as they happen prevents them from becoming larger, more time-consuming cleaning tasks later. A quick clean-up is always easier than tackling a big mess.
11. Make cleaning supplies easily accessible.
Keep cleaning supplies in convenient locations around your home. When they’re easy to grab, you’re more likely to clean up small messes as they happen. Bathroom cleaning supplies go in the bathroom, kitchen supplies go in the kitchen, etc.
Try having a basket or carrying caddy with your supplies that you can take from room to room.
12. Do a 10-minute cleanup before bed.
Spending just 10 minutes tidying up before bed can make a huge difference. Waking up to a clean home sets a positive tone for the day ahead.
13. Make a weekly to-do list. What needs cleaned, and when will you do it?
A weekly cleaning to-do list keeps you organized and makes sure that no tasks are forgotten. Assign chores to specific days and times so that you ensure it gets done.
14. Develop a Sunday Reset Routine.
Use Sundays to prepare for the week ahead by tidying up, organizing your space, and completing any lingering chores. A clean home helps you start the week feeling fresh and focused.
15. Clean your makeup brushes and sponges once a week.
Regularly cleaning your makeup tools not only keeps your vanity area clean but also prevents the buildup of bacteria that can affect your skin. The Eco Tools makeup brush cleaner is a great option.
16. Wash your sheets once a week.
Fresh sheets not only contribute to a tidy bedroom but also improve your sleep quality. Clean pillow cases can also help prevent breakouts. Set a specific day each week for washing your bedding.
17. Have a designated Deep Clean Day once a month.
Set aside one day a month to tackle deeper cleaning tasks, such as scrubbing baseboards, cleaning windows, or wiping down appliances. Regular deep cleaning helps maintain your home’s overall tidiness.
Keep a list of the areas that typically need cleaned and schedule it on your calendar. On the cleaning day put on your favorite music to make the time pass faster.
18. Deep clean your home every season.
Seasonal deep cleans are a great opportunity to refresh your space and tackle tasks that aren’t part of your regular routine, like cleaning carpets or decluttering storage areas.
19. Clean out your closet twice a year.
Declutter your wardrobe every six months to remove items you no longer wear. This keeps your closet organized and makes it easier to find and appreciate the clothes you love.
The end of winter and summer are good times asses what you used in the prior seasons.
20. Adopt a “One In, One Out” Rule.
To prevent clutter, commit to letting go of one item for every new one you bring into your home. This habit ensures your number of belongings remain manageable.
21. Only keep items in your home that make you happy or are regularly used.
Surround yourself with things that bring you joy or serve a purpose. Letting go of unnecessary items creates a more serene and clutter-free environment.
22. Shop less, appreciate what you already have more.
Reduce impulse purchases and focus on enjoying the items you already own. This habit minimizes clutter and encourages a greater sense of gratitude.
23. Think of yourself as a tidy person.
Adopting the mindset of a tidy person can help you stay consistent with your habits. If you only think of yourself as messy or lazy, then you inevitably behave like a messy person because our actions stem from our mindset.
Identifying yourself as someone who values cleanliness and order makes maintaining a tidy home second nature because you will naturally behave like a tidy person.
I hope you found these tips helpful. Work at integrating a few tidy habits at a time, and eventually you will find that your home stays cleaner and more organized with less effort!