Let’s be honest: Life is busy. From work to the kids’ activities, the gym to the grocery store, the list sometimes feels neverending. So where, in all these, do you ever find the time to keep a tidy home? There are only 24 hours in the day, but the chores need to be done too, right?
You might think cleaning is a constant, time-consuming job, and you could be right. However, there are ways to keep your house looking and feeling great without slaving away for hours on end. Check out these ideas to get your home clean and organized from House to Home Organizing.
Adopt a Daily (or Nightly) 15-Minute Routine
It may seem like 15 minutes wouldn’t allow for much, but you’d be surprised at what you can get done in that time, especially if you do it every day. Fold a load of laundry, load or unload the dishwasher, wipe down surfaces — take your pick! All of these can be done in a short amount of time, taking at least one item off your to-do list for the day.
Even better: Get the whole family involved! Have the kids pick up their toys or tidy their rooms, get your partner’s help decluttering or vacuuming — the possibilities are endless. When you’re done, you can relax together, and knowing you’ve cut down tomorrow’s chore list will feel great, too!
Get digitally organized
If you don’t have copies of all your digital photos in the cloud yet, you should get on that. A digital picture frame will keep family photos present in your life, instead of hidden on a hard drive. It’s also not a bad idea to archive digital documents by tax category or year with an app or online tool that can easily merge PDF files. Then, you can store these combined files and documents on hard drives or in the cloud.
Prioritize… and Outsource!
The very idea of cleaning the whole house is exhausting and can leave you feeling defeated before you even start. This is where prioritization comes in extremely handy: choosing your most essential 2 or 3 chores and doing those first, leaving the rest for later, if necessary. This way, your home stays clean in the most important places, as well as making your load a little lighter when it comes time to do the less urgent chores.
Whether you prioritize high traffic areas like the living room and kitchen, or the bathroom is your arch-nemesis, it’s a good idea to make a quick 2-3 item list before you start. This can really save you time and mental energy when tackling the parts of the house that matter most.
All that being said, don’t be afraid to enlist a little help. For instance, you won’t know what you're missing until you’ve hired a professional organizer. When you use your space more effectively, you save time and money!
Keep Cleaning Products Handy
Who wants to be running all over the house, looking for that spray or sponge they need when you’re already pressed for time? No one, that’s who! Keeping your cleaning products handy near the spaces they’re used for will save you time and energy when you’re cleaning.
Bathroom products go in the bathroom, kitchen products in the kitchen, and so on. This helps you feel prepared and organized, leaving your brain focused on the actual task at hand: the cleaning! Of course, certain items can’t be stored where they’re needed all the time, but having a dedicated space makes them easier to find when you need to.
Spice Up the Old
Tired of your old, drab couch or that used-to-be cute recliner? Before you spend hours upon hours shopping for new furniture, consider giving them a makeover instead! You’d be amazed at what some brightly colored pillows or a cozy, plush throw can do to bring life to something that’s lost its luster.
The busy life has become the norm, and we all deal with it differently. Whether we sacrifice our serenity for our schedules is up to us, but thankfully it’s not always necessary. Dedicating a little time on a regular basis, along with some prepping and organization, can do wonders for your space and your sanity. Feel free to try these ideas on for size next time you’re cleaning, tidying, or decluttering, and see how they work for you!
Need to get ready for a move? Need help organizing for a parent or senior? House to Home Organizing offers in-person and virtual organizing to help you turn your home into a clutter-free sanctuary in Fairfield, New Haven, and Westchester counties.
