Tips for Maintaining a Clean House

All of us have to deal with it, maintaining a clean house. It is the same thing every day, it is boring and it is a drag but if we want to be able to invite anyone in or just be able to tolerate our house then we have to come up with a plan for getting and keeping our homes clean.

~Clutter

The biggest problem in most homes and apartments is clutter. It can and does take over. The amount of junk mail that comes in everyday can overwhelm even the most vigilant cleaner. The best policy with junk mail is to never let it in your house. One way to do this is to get a post office box and dispose of the junk before it ever gets into the house. Most post offices have a trash container right near their postal boxes for just this purpose. You can also opt out of many types of junk mail by going to this website. If you must bring in the mail, open it near your shredder and dispose of the items that may have your personal information immediately.

~Mess it, clean it

If you make it a daily policy to clean everything as soon as it is messed, you will find that you can maintain a clean house. Load the dish washer or wash the dishes as soon as you are done eating. If you are bad at this then start to use disposable plates. Never let a pile of dishes grow in your sink. Wipe down the stove or microwave as soon as you use it. If you make a spill in the fridge or on the counter or floor, wipe it up immediately.

~Have a place for everything

Everything needs to have a place. Your dirty laundry should be in a hamper or laundry basket, not on the floor. Your toiletries should be organized and placed in a bin where you can easily get to them. When you do laundry, put it away in the proper drawer or hung in the closet. When you are cooking, place the items you use right back into the pantry or cupboard.

~Cleaning schedule

Have a cleaning schedule. On Mondays vacuum the house, on Tuesdays clean the bathroom, etc. If you stick to your schedule you will never have to worry about your house being clean, it just always will be. Trying to spread your cleaning tasks over several days this way if something happens to disrupt your schedule it won't mean you have to live in a messy or dirty home, you can just double up your tasks.

~Get help

No, you don't have to hire a maid. You can educate your spouse and your children about maintaining a clean house. It may require that you be firm, especially with the children. If they leave their toys around, then they will be picked up by you and they will not be available for a day or a week, whatever you decide. Before long they will realize that if they want to use their toys, they will need to pick them up. With teens, clothes left on the floor can be confiscated and again most children are trainable if you are firm.

Everyone has a very busy life and maintaining a clean house, especially with children can be a real challenge. Make a plan and stick to it and before you know it you will be able to get clean and stay clean.