It’s easy to neglect your space when life gets busy, but keeping your home organized and clean can go a long way to help you maintain your sanity. Studies have shown that your environment is linked to your cortisol levels and that messy or cluttered homes can add to everyday stress.
In fact, the simple sight of a clean and organized home can be necessary for people to unwind and destress after an overwhelming day. But while we all adore beautiful homes with clutter-free tabletops and sparkling floorboards, it can be challenging to maintain everything in perfect order day by day.
So how exactly do some people manage to pull it off, and what’s their secret to having a clean and tidy home? Here we will give you some quick tips to incorporate a cleaning routine and habit into your life.
Keeping only the Essentials
Having fewer items is the key to keeping things tidy. Nowadays, many people are adopting minimalism as a simple living lifestyle to minimize clutter in their life.
That’s why the first step to having a clean and tidy space is to get rid of the clutter. Go through each room, closet, and drawer to separate the essentials from things you no longer need. To take the guesswork out of what the essentials are, ask yourself these few questions.
Do you use the item regularly, occasionally, or never at all? Is it an important memorabilia, and in the words of Marie Kondo – does it spark joy? The items you keep should only add value to your life, be it through functionality or emotionally.
The thing is, we often hold on to things we no longer have a use for. Ditching the clutter will not only free up space, but as a bonus, you don’t have to dust or wipe as many things.
Plus, do not be afraid to remove larger objects from your house. You can always employ junk removal companies to help you take unwanted items off your hands quickly and efficiently.
The next best thing you can also consider doing is to donate them. Go through all your items and separate items that are still perfectly functional. Give them away to your friends and family, or donate them to your local charity.
Create a Space for Everything
Once you clear out everything you don’t need, you are left with only the important stuff. Now is the time to create a dedicated spot for them. Though this might sound simple, having a proper place to put your items away can drastically reduce the amount of clutter in your home.
This will go a long way and make things easier for you to keep your home space and mind space tidy and clean. For example, many often misplace their keys and can spend hours hunting for them.
If that is you, here’s an easy solution. Install a key rack or place a bowl anywhere near your front door, make sure it is in view, and you will save all the hassle.
Drawer organizers, storage bins, and wardrobe storage systems can revolutionize your space for the better. Once you have an efficient organizational system in place, you’ll be truly amazed at how much easier it is to stay organized and tidy.
Allow Yourself One Messy Drawer
Though we prefer tidy spaces, it’s tough to maintain everything in order every day. There are just those days when you come back from work exhausted, and you feel like slumping on the bed right away.
For those who would like a cheat day, you can have a ‘messy drawer’ or a single space where you can keep unorganized.
This is also great for people who have a hard time letting go of items they may need in the future or would like to stack up against your messes until the weekend. However, make sure to clear out your junk drawer when and don’t let it pile till you overflow.
Do Your Cleaning Regularly
There’s no other way about it. To keep your space clean and tidy, you need to perpetually clean your home and work hard to keep it that way.
Form good habits and make sure you keep things today regularly. Folding your blanket, putting things back where they belong, and cleaning dishes right after eating are all good habits you need to adopt.
A simple rule is that if it takes 2 minutes or less, do it immediately. If you get in the habit of doing small things right away, it clears your mind for the more significant tasks on your list, which will help you to be more productive in your day.
Additionally, designate a specific day each week as your cleaning day. This is the day where you vacuum the floors, change bedsheets, wash towels, clean your bathroom and do more tedious cleaning tasks.
Ultimately, the goal is to make cleaning a routine and lifestyle, so you won’t feel it is a workout to keep your space tidy.