The 10 Habits That Keep
Habit #1. Dont put it down, put it away.
So much time is spent just putting things awayor where they belong, that it makes sense to remind yourself to put things away, dont put them down. Repeat the dont put it down, put it away mantra every time you or one of your family members have something in your hands that youre tempted to put down, rather than put away.
Habit #2. Clean as needed.
Why wait four more days to clean the toilet if it needs to be cleaned now? By cleaning on an as-needed basis, the house will stay cleaner longer, and this will help you reduce those marathon cleaning sessions.
Habit #3. Pick up as you go.
Walking from downstairs to upstairs? Take that basket of laundry thats been waiting to go to the bedrooms upstairs. Make every trip through the house worth something by bringing items from one room to the next. Leaving the living room for the evening? Straighten up. A lot of cleaning can be done in just 60 seconds. On the phone? Get rid of the crumbs in the silverware drawer or wipe down the microwave while you chat.
Habit #4. Clean when you see it.
Dont keep walking by those finger smudges on the door trim or the cake splatters on the kitchen cabinets. Clean as you soon as you see the smudges and spots and youll be amazed at how clean your wall paint stays and how long your wood work looks good.
Habit #5. Buy good cleaning products.
Most people use an old t-shirt for a dust rag and hang on to bath towels for odd jobs around the house. Dusting with an old, dirty undershirt wouldnt make anyone feel like cleaning. But, quality cleaning products and tools, such as microfiber towels will help keep you motivated to clean. Stock your home with microfiber towels and a good multi-purpose cleaning product, and youll clean more often.
Habit #6. Designate an entry area.
Establish a point of entry for the family, where everyone leaves dirty shoes, books, and purses. Set up this area with hooks for keys, purses, jackets, shelves for mail and a trash can. A simple area can be created inexpensively. This keeps everything together in one place so the clutter doesnt go all over the house, and you can find your purse and keys when youre ready to leave.
Habit #7. Everyone helps.
Assign duties to everyone in the house. Or, assign rooms to everyone in the house, in addition to their bedrooms. If the children play in the living room with toys, then assign them the living room to keep clean. Everyone lives in the house, so everyone can help. Too often, household chores and tasks fall on one person. Make it everyones job and everything stays cleaner.
Habit #8. Leave shoes at the door.
One of the quickest ways to prolong the life of your carpets and keep carpets and floors cleaner longer, is to adopt a no-shoes policy in your household. From Russia to China to Hawaii and back to Japan, the custom of not wearing shoes in the house is common in most homes throughout the world and for good reason. Keeping your shoes confined to the entry doors will also help keep unwanted chemicals, bacteria (from pet waste, public restrooms), dust and dirt out of the house.
Habit #9. Create a schedule.
Cleaning the bathrooms, changing the sheets, clearing out cobwebs, dusting baseboards, getting carpets steam cleaned, all these household activities are ones that should be on a regular schedule. Keep a schedule of all the activities you need to do and by sticking to the schedule, your house will stay cleaner easier and longer.
Habit #10. Declutter.
Yes, every home has junk and its got to go. Spend 5-15 minutes every day getting rid of junk and clutter and youll find that over time your house gets cleaner and cleaner and easier to keep. Be sure to clear off the tops of surfaces (counters, islands, dressers) every chance you get.
You may find that these simple, easy steps keep your house cleaner for a longer period of time and you spend less time on your home.
Kathryn Weber is a decorating and lifestyle columnist and the publisher of RealHOME E-zine, the e-zine with ideas and tips for todays real families. To subscribe, log on to realhomeezine.com and get this free special report, The 10 Habits that Help You Keep a Cleaner House.
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