Category: Homemaking

How to be a good homemaker? What do homemakers do all day? How can you enjoy homemaking? How to become a successful homemaker? What makes a good homemaker? How to treat homemaking like a job |Responsibilities of a homemaker| Qualities of a good homemaker | Homemaking inspiration| homemaking ideas & tips | homemaking skills | Modern homemaking | Modern housewife duties | Tips to become an efficient homemaker | Day in a life of a homemaker | House cleaning tips | Kitchen tips | Cooking tips, Budget-friendly home decor tips | Homemaker tips and tricks | Quick & easy recipes, and more

  • 10 Responsibilities of a Homemaker

    10 Responsibilities of a Homemaker

    Being a homemaker is more than cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. Today let’s have a look at what are the responsibilities of a homemaker.

    Ever wondered what a home without a homemaker be like?

    How life would be if you worked day and night only to come home to a sink full of dishes, a stinky bathroom, dirty laundry, and personal belongings scattered all over?

    Home is the primary place in our lives. When it is in good order, all the other stuff makes sense.

    A homemaker is a person who makes a home.

    What does making a home or being a homemaker means?

    A homemaker is a chef, therapist, teacher, grocery buyer, cleaning lady/housekeeper, pet caregiver, and so much more.

    No matter what we think or what social media tells us, the truth is there’s no perfect marriage/family. There is no perfect home or life in this world. So instead of comparing our lives to others, why not try our best and be better homemakers?

    That truth is uplifting and appreciative enough to work diligently and persevere in our calling — homemaking.

    10 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A HOMEMAKER

    1| Cook meals:

    Enjoying warm home-cooked meals with my husband is my favourite part of my day.

    As a homemaker serving hot, healthy scratchmade meals must be our priority.

    Food is a vital requirement. Letting your family eat something out of the package and neglecting your duty to prepare meals for them is something unwelcoming.

    Despite saving money (also a responsibility of the homemaker) and time, preparing meals from scratch (using natural and safe ingredients) is the most caring job you can do for your family’s health and well-being.

    Homemade food costs considerably less than takeout.

    By preparing meals at home, you’re in control of the ingredients.

    You serve nutritious meals that are easier to digest.

    Unlike takeout or processed food, home-cooked meals are wholesome (low in salt, sugar, and oil).

    Home-cooked food taste so much better. Stay fresh longer. And can be prepared in different ways.

    With little planning and preparation, cooking at home is easier.

    Just pick 5-6 dinner recipes for the week. Make a list of ingredients required for those recipes. Get groceries. Do a little prep work, and you’re all set.

    2| Wash dishes:

    Keeping the kitchen clean is essential to maintain good hygiene.

    You must invest time and effort in cleaning and tidying your kitchen as you don’t want the place where you prepare, consume, and store your food to be messy and cluttered.

    A clean kitchen will not only save you time and money but have a positive impact on your family and visitors.

    No matter how much you drudge this task, washing your dishes lowers stress and protects you from harmful bacteria and allergens.

    Leaving dirty dishes in the sink for longer largely grows bacteria all around the place.

    Even the (widely used) soaking method doesn’t work as the grimy, greasy water is a breeding ground for bacteria too (really unsafe for homemakers handwashing dishes especially those not wearing gloves).

    In case you fail to wash your hands thoroughly you’re going to spread foodborne bacteria all over the place.

    It’s a homemaker’s responsibility to clean the utensils, stove, and worktop surfaces regularly.

    Get rid of the trash regularly, keep on top of the dishes, wash the sink at least once a day, and discard rotten food periodically to prevent a stinky refrigerator and kitchen.

    Besides this, organize your kitchen in a way that is efficient and safe to work.

    3| Do laundry:

    After humble food and abode, clothes are a third basic need of human beings.

    Doing laundry can feel like having no end.

    But as a keeper of the home, it is your responsibility to see to it that the people in your home don’t run out of clean clothes.

    Depending on how large your family is, commit one day of the week to laundry or wash one load every day.

    Having a proper system in place can help keep laundry under control.

    However, doing one load each day would keep things manageable. You don’t have to put in efforts as much as you think.

    Earlier I would never run a smaller load.

    But I figured the stains and sour smell of clothes get tougher when they sit for a long. Such clothes take extra time and effort, therefore consuming more water and energy.

    Make an effort to finish the process — wash, dry, and put away clothes right away.

    Along with regular clothes, it is also important that you wash sheets and towels periodically to be able to put out fresh ones whenever required.

    Read How To Create A LAUNDRY SYSTEM That Works

    4| Iron clothes:

    Ironing gives your clothes a fresh and polished look.

    Pressing removes wrinkles, creases, and folds, and adds a slight sheen to the clothes.

    It’s the job of a homemaker to ensure that her kids and husband look slick at school and work.

    Assigning an ironing day is worthwhile. You can listen to your favourite music, podcast, or watch your favourite tv show to make this job bit interesting.

    5| Clean the house:

    Having a cleaning system in place is crucial.

    Ensuring a safe environment is another crucial duty of a homemaker.

    All of us love having a neat and tidy space but many of us find keeping home clean out of control.

    Well with little ones it is a tough job. But you can still play a more effective role.

    Clutter and mess can create disturbance and distraction and keeps you from concentrating on the importat things.

    It makes life difficult when you can’t find your everyday-use stuff while getting ready for office/school.

    Routines are your friend.

    A daily, weekly, deep cleaning routine will really help reduce stress.

    Having good cleaning routines in place will ensure you spend less time cleaning.

    Because you know regular maintenance versus washing/scrubbing when it’s too dirty. For me, the former is simpler.

    If you spend few minutes each day maintaining a clean home, you’ll never have to overdo it to get it back in order.

    Plus, you’ll be able to cook, read a book, do something you love, and relax without having to think about all the chaos.

    Maintaining a clean space means you’ll never have to freak out when surprise guests visit.

    6| Plan meals + grocery shop:

    I know that sounds like another chore but trust me it’ll make your life easier.

    As homemakers, what to cook for dinner is constantly on our minds. Memorizing things consumes a lot of our energy.

    Even if you come up with a recipe, ingredients might be missing.

    And even if you know what you’re going to cook, and you have all the ingredients, you may be bored to start preparing the meal right from the base.

    I suggest sparing 15-20 minutes (every week) to plan meals and create a grocery list. Try not to spend more than 20 minutes. I can’t tell how relieved you’ll feel. It will take a huge pressure off your mind.

    Buy groceries and spend another 5 or 10 minutes prepping a little bit before popping the ingredients in the refrigerator/pantry. You’ll be sorted for the week.

    All these efforts will be rewarding, I promise.

    Feel free to reuse the same meal plans and grocery list a couple times a month.

    Planning meals and taking inventory before grocery shopping helps prevent the wastage from the forgotten food items.

    7| Manage finances:

    Yes, as a homemaker you may want to draw up a budget and save your husband’s hard-earned salary for several reasons.

    It can be for financial independence, building an emergency fund, paying off debt, buying a home/car, paying medical bills, planning for retirement, travel, and so on.

    It’s our responsibility as a homemaker to get spending under control and contribute as much as we can.

    No matter how productively we work in our homes, the person (our husband) working outside has significant responsibilities, and a more challenging job.

    A good homemaker supports her husband financially. It can be done through budgeting, living off one income (if you’re earning a little with your hobbies/working at home), using deals/coupons, finding free entertainment, and so much more.

    8| Run errands:

    Together with housework, there are tasks outside of the home that you do need to take care of, as a homemaker.

    That includes getting grocery, car fuel, medicines, bank work; picking up dry cleaning, doctors/other appointments, etc

    Since we stay home it’ll be really helpful if we do these jobs and let our husband focus on his work.

    9| Stock a pantry:

    It is a wise move on a homemaker’s part to have a well-stocked pantry.

    A well-stocked pantry not only helps you prepare for emergencies but also saves time and money.

    It is a great way to ensure you won’t be out of stock of main food ingredients, personal care products, and cleaning supplies. Because that can be frustrating.

    Also, when you have healthy food and snacks at home you’re more likely to avoid pre-packaged stuff.

    10| Care for family:

    Along with physical care, the emotional well-being of our family relies upon us.

    Regardless of the size of our home and all the luxury, if we can’t make it a sanctuary, it would be of no value.

    A little effort here and there makes all the difference.

    Some thoughtful gestures like getting a hot meal on the table before your husband arrives, a quick backrub, putting clothes and belongings out for him.

    A picked-up home, decently dressed kiddos and yourselves, everyone sharing fun stories at the dinner table, and caring for each other is all that matters.

    The numbers continue. But this list of responsibilities of a homemaker pretty much has you covered.

    Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • How To Be A Good Homemaker [Your Ultimate Guide]

    How To Be A Good Homemaker [Your Ultimate Guide]

    How to be a good homemaker without sacrificing yourself? Is it even possible?

    The answer is a BIG Yes!

    Let’s find out how.

    A homemaker usually doesn’t prefer to work outside. She chooses to stay home to care for the family.

    A person (mostly women) who is in charge of all regards or details of the household.

    What makes a woman a homemaker?

    Many women believe in managing their homes instead of pursuing a career or working outside.

    The main reason that we come across is raising kids.

    Some moms don’t find it safe to send their babies to daycare and prefer to stay home to care for them.

    A homemaker is a woman who manages her home; carries out household chores; nurtures her family, and makes her home a warm, welcoming place.

    What makes a good homemaker?

    A good homemaker is a hard worker. Someone who treats homemaking as a full-time job.

    A good homemaker is productive, attentive, sincere, and enthusiastic.

    She ensures her house runs smoothly. She sees that her family eats healthy, timely meals and that her pantry is well-stocked. Besides this, she rechecks that her family doesn’t run out of clean clothes and that her house is picked up regularly.

    She is well-organized and can manage finances really well.

    How to be an efficient homemaker?

    To be an efficient homemaker, you need some sort of training or you at least need to figure out what to do (around the house). You should learn to get things done, and some basic homemaking skills that would make your job easier.

    You don’t want your husband and kids to live in a house that is a total mess. Your husband to cook meals for you and your kids or wash dishes after a long work day only because you don’t know how to cook and clean.

    To be an efficient homemaker, you must be disciplined and know how to use your time sensibly.

    Create a schedule or routine (if you prefer flexibility) for your daily household chores.

    Because having a good schedule or routine can help you get things done on autopilot.

    What to do as a homemaker?

    Being the keeper of our home, your average time may look like cooking meals, washing dishes, doing laundry, ironing, grocery shopping, cleaning the kitchen, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning the house in general, changing bed linens, removing the trash, and paying bills.

    How much does a homemaker get paid or can you get paid to be a homemaker?

    A homemaker usually does not get paid for her work.

    That said, there are a lot of costs in running a household including the cost of food (eating out), cleaning service (daily as well as deep cleaning), daycare/childcare, and work-commute expenses that can be around or bigger than a person’s salary.

    The sum of all these costs is the money a homemaker saves/earns through her hard work.

    Also, a homemaker works full-time without a day of rest.

    Is it okay to be a homemaker?

    This is a challenging question and individual call.

    Whether it’s okay for you to be a homemaker is not a common approach as it entirely depends on how things stand. It relies on your financial conditions, priorities, and necessities.

    Being a homemaker is also a case of individual interest or purpose.

    Some people appreciate staying home caring for their family and performing household duties. Others have to stay home for a certain period. Maybe a few years until their kids grow up before they go back to work. Also, others lack interest in homemaking and go back to work more willingly.

    And out of most, finance is the only reason to work outside no matter how much a woman wants to stay home for her family.

    What does it mean to be a good homemaker?

    So before we jump into the steps, let me tell you I’m NOT an expert/perfectionist. I don’t have it all together. I have learned this through trial and error, and I’m still learning every day. Yes, homemaking may seem plain and simple but you learn so much every day.

    Many times things don’t go as planned even after a lot of effort. You need smart homemaking skills and techniques to make the most of your time.

    HOW TO BE A GOOD HOMEMAKER | Be A ROCKSTAR HOMEMAKER |

    1| Wake up Early:

    I know that sounds terrible but this one step will make your life so much better.

    If you manage your time well, you’ll hardly run short of it. What another good way to add extra hours to your day than waking up early.

    How early is again something that may vary based on where you are in life? If you have little ones for whom you were up all night, waking up early would be really difficult.

    But if you have grown-ups or don’t have kids, then waking up before them or your husband is really going to help.

    You can utilize the early hours of your day in quite a few ways.

    • You can exercise, meditate, write a journal, practice gratitude, simply slow down to have your cup of coffee or practice some mindfulness before you begin your day.
    • You can freshen up and get started with prepping up your meals, planning your day, and prepping up other necessary things.
    • Thirdly, you can utilize your morning hours to do your power-hour home cleaning routine so that you get housework out of your way first thing in the morning even before family members wake up.

    Anyways is a win-win. And I can assure you, you’ll have a more productive day with this simple step of waking up a little early.

    2| Simplify your life:

    Not talking about minimalism or simple living here. Although that would do wonders for your homemaker life.

    We are talking about choosing what’s important in life and getting rid of anything that no longer adds value to your life. Like things that demand your attention and care but don’t positively serve you. Things that simply clutter your home and life.

    This ranges a lot of things —  from physical objects to cleaning tasks to complex recipes to bad habits to spending time with toxic people.

    How To Be A Good Homemaker [Your Ultimate Guide]
    Here’s an article on how to simplify homemaking that would help you streamline housework.

    3| Prioritize:

    If you ever feel you had a busy day but didn’t accomplish much as you hit the sack, prioritizing the tasks would really, really help.

    From now on, every day, write out 5 tasks that are constantly on your mind. 3 out of 5 are crucial/urgent/must-do tasks and another 2 are urgent but helpful if they get done.

    This will narrow down and allow you to focus on what actually needs to get done.

    4| Cook and serve tasty meals:

    Capsule menu plan: I will highly recommend homemakers create a capsule menu plan of the only recipes your family truly enjoys. Discard everything else. You can keep on updating the list as you find better recipes. This step will simplify your meal planning job.

    Meal plan: Planning ahead is always a great way to ensure you eat healthy and yummy meals at home.

    Grocery shop: It is important to see what you have on hand and what needs to be stocked up. Meal planning and grocery shopping are two major things that would simplify your homemaker’s life like never before.

    Prep up: Cuts cooking time in half and you help avoid last-minute orders from the restaurant especially when life happens. You’re more likely to cook at home because you know half of your job is already done.

    Go for easy-peasy recipes. Keep the meals simple. One side dish with the main dish. Try new recipes for a relaxing day.

    Related: How To Meal-Plan — in 3 Easy Steps

    74 Frugal Foods To Build Your Pantry On A Budget

    5| Have a cleaning routine:

    Having a routine is key to being organized and productive. Following a routine is a great time management technique.

    Everyone’s routine may look different so it’s always better that you create your own.

    Routines/rhythms are better than schedules because they are flexible.

    There are certain must-dos for a smooth-running home. Those are keeping on top of dishes, and laundry, and having a tidy living room/bedroom.

    Related: How to Clean Your Kitchen In 10 Minutes or Less!

    Quick Morning Cleaning Routine For Busy Moms

    Quick & Easy Night-Time Cleaning Routine — For Relaxing Mornings

    6| Have fixed/determined working hours:

    Utilize either the morning hours or late evenings. Morning hours before other people in your family wake up or at night, when everyone is in bed — the best time to quickly get the house in order.

    Things like getting breakfast ready, prepping dinner, putting things straight, sweeping/vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, or tidying the bathroom.

    Having determined working hours (just like a 9-5 job) would allow easy hours in case of emergencies.

    Just like 9-5 career women, who work for 8 hours and have a life outside of work. Their specific time frame allows them to focus on themselves, their families, their friends, and the things they love.

    Homemakers should determine their working hours too.

    Knowing that you’re going to work for a fixed period only — will help you stay focused and motivated toward your household duties. And homemaking will never seem like an endless job.

    I love it when things are easy and consume little time. Ever since I have set limited working hours, I appreciate housework and happily look forward to it every single day.

    7| Create a joyful sense:

    Home is where love resides, memories are made, and laughter is shared.

    Being the keeper of our home, it’s our responsibility to try to create a place our family enjoys and appreciates being in.

    Even though it isn’t possible to have the best life all the time, aiming to create at least 3 best memories each day can help you create a loving home for your family.

    8| Dress up:

    When a woman works outside, she pays attention to her looks but when we stay home her appearance gets overlooked.

    Believe it or not, doing yourself up makes you feel confident and makes a better impression on others.

    Never forget how important your job (as a homemaker) is. Never downgrade or undervalue your role as a homemaker.

    You have courage.

    Every night, set something nice aside to wear the next day. Wear a good pair of earrings. Find a cute hairstyle that suits you. Be sure to put on your favorite lipstick and some nice fragrance before you start your day.

    9| Decorate your home:

    Most of the time, a good homemaker is well-organized and puts effort into making her home look decent if not stylish and trendy.

    10 Responsibilities of a Homemaker: ROLE OF HOMEMAKER

    Some statement decor pieces here and there. Some fresh curtains, sofa/bed/pillow covers, runners/table mats, floor mats, plants, and good fragrances. A little thoughtfulness in the products you use for organizing household stuff really goes a long way in creating a cozy space.

    You’ll definitely receive compliments on your efforts to make your place pleasant and hospitable for those who walk in through the door.

    Read 11 Inexpensive Ways To Beautify Your Home

    10| Be skillful:

    Utilize the internet to the fullest. Learn clever cleaning techniques; better ways to teach new things to your kids; time-saving kitchen tips; decor stuff; home improvement hacks, find helpful apps; stay up to date; and find easy-to-incorporate exercise techniques.

    Remember, you HAVE TO change people’s outlook on homemakers. You should at least work as much on yourself as anyone who meets you is amazed by your looks, confidence, and attitude.

    Bonus tip:

    Have some time out of your home and family life.

    It can be 30 minutes of exercise. Learning a new skill. Learning a new language. Continuing your academic studies. Swimming. Singing. Painting. photography. Gardening. Learning a new dance form. Anything you love. Just be sure to make time for yourself.

    Maybe baking and selling goodies. A cooking blog/YouTube channel. Selling garments. Sewing clothes. The kind of hobby that earns you some money. Even a little financial independence would do wonders (for your own gratification).

    Have food on time. Drink water when thirsty. Get enough sleep. Never neglect your health. Your next chore can wait for some time. Your health should always be your priority.

    Final words:

    No matter what people think, being a homemaker is a challenging job. You can try to be your best but also accept that you may not always get it right. Sometimes, you make errors or fall short. And sometimes you may have little ones to care for or a work-from-home job that demands attention.

    All you can do is focus on action and not results.

    Aim for progress, not perfection.

    Always remember — one step at a time.

    Every baby step counts.

    Gradually, with time you’ll get asked for your tips and tricks to be a better homemaker.

    Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • 4 Essentials of a Good Evening Routine [for Homemakers]

    4 Essentials of a Good Evening Routine [for Homemakers]

    Whether your day starts with a frenzy or a peaceful state of mind, it all relies on what you do the previous evening. Today let’s have a look at the essentials of a good evening for homemakers, divided into 4 simple steps.

    A better nighttime routine assists you to relax and end your day perfectly. Something imperative to a homemaker or stay-at-home mom life.

    To start let’s first see — What your evening routine seems like?

    Before you even start wondering whether you have an evening routine or not?

    Let me tell you, realize it or not, most of us do.

    We pick up certain practices. They may be better or worse, but they form our everyday routine. Which may or may not be productive at the moment, but there’s always room for improvement.

    With this list of essentials, you can tweak your evening routine anytime and make it work for you.

    How well you set things up the night before will ascertain your morning goes calm, effortless, and as expected.

    A little prep-up goes a long way. You can look ahead to a peaceful morning.

    That said, a good evening routine should be quick, simple, enjoyable, and restful, so it is easier to follow.

    Evenings much like early mornings are relaxing. When kids are in bed, you get time to look after yourself and prepare ahead.

    4 Essentials of a Good Evening Routine for Homemakers

    What should be included in an evening routine?

    A good evening routine comprises activities that promise productivity, comfort, better sleep, and well-being. It also aims to break bad habits and replace them with good ones.

    Things that must be a part of the evening routine are managing morning chores, planning and prepping, resetting home, making time for hygiene, journaling, reading a book, taking a warm bath, getting enough sleep, and so on.

    What is a simple evening routine?

    Your evening routine should be simple and easy peasy.

    A simple evening routine is when you spend very little time executing morning duties. And slightly more time unwinding and relaxing after a busy day.

    It ensures your mornings are stress-free and no rush.

    It is crucial that you start small. Below are 4 essentials of a good evening routine. Just pick those that are beneficial to you.

    First, just grow used to the habits you own, then keep adding on.

    How can I make my evening productive?

    Your evening routine is the core of your morning routine.

    An evening routine is an effective way to slash your morning routine in half for great success.

    Make it your very own. Find a happy medium.

    It’s just fine if you couldn’t cut fruits for a side dish with a breakfast wrap or sandwich. Somedays, simply make a smoothie (smart choice) and call it a day.

    We happily eat breakfast for dinner on days I cannot cook a full meal. And, it’s perfectly well for you to do so.

    Truth is, in modern times, time-saving methods, hacks, and tricks are so important to keep going.

    How long should an evening routine be?

    An effective way to maintain a good evening routine for homemakers is to keep it short and sweet.

    It should be somewhere between 45-60 minutes at best. Not more than that in order to be persistent.

    So you just set the timer for 30 minutes. Quickly get housework done. Then plan your day and allow yourself the rest of the time and a few more minutes to slow down.

    Here’s what your usual evening should look like for you to experience a calm and pleasant morning.

    One thing to remember is that routines are tightly individualized and invariably tailor-made. Don’t get trapped into creating a routine that is not for you.

    Instead, prioritize what’s important to you according to where you are in life.

    4 ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD EVENING ROUTINE [FOR HOMEMAKERS]

    Planning:

    Planning for the following day is an essential part of a good evening routine. It prevents wasting time guessing what to do.

    However, a plan is workable and varied for individual days of the week.

    But before you plan identify your present regime. You may want a pen and notebook for this.

    Jot down all the activities — productive as well as senseless actions. This is a wonderful way to ascertain what to hang on to or reestablish.

    To establish a good evening routine, you should reflect on the next day’s activities.

    Make A To-Do before going to bed. Add only 3-5 activities that need your closer attention. But while writing your to-do be reasonable. Keep it short and sweet.

    Also, quickly reflect on your breakfast and dinner plan for the next day.

    Clean up:

    Gather dirty laundry. Put it into the washer.

    Tidy up the main living areas. Especially your and the kids’ bedroom. Make sure they are tidy enough to feel relaxed.

    Quickly go over the house and put toys and things back in their places. Wipe down the breakfast table, and any spills, and spots.

    Quickly load and start the dishwasher or handwash dishes. Wash remaining pots and pans. And quickly wash your sink too. Wipe down the countertops. Sweep the floor.

    Get the kitchen ready for breakfast.

    Prep up:

    This is another step to make your evening more productive.

    Your mornings will be much more stress-free and buy you some time if you do a handful of tomorrow’s work today.

    Prep up not only breakfast but lunch/dinner as much as you can.

    Set out the coffee maker. Lay out breakfast ingredients like bread, cereals, bowls, plates, and spoons. Turn off the lights if everything looks good.

    Fold and put away clean laundry and while you’re there set out clothes and other belongings (exercise kit) for the next day.

    Get the school bag completely ready.

    Read Homemaker Morning Routine: My Morning Routine As A Housewife

    Reward/Self-care:

    As a homemaker, you have many roles. Trying to be an excellent mother, wife, daughter, and keeper of the home, your own needs are put on the back burner.

    Enjoy the relaxing moments after all your efforts to make your morning more peaceful and productive.

    A little ‘me-time‘ will serve great to rejoice yourself and, sleep gratified. That’s because you made efforts to fill up your cup.

    Do your nightly rituals – light a nice scented candle, do your skincare routine, take a bath, do some light stretching, read a book, have a light snack, or so.

    Be sure to hit the hay at a decent hour. Yes, that should be part of your self-care routine too.

    Those were the essentials of a good evening routine for homemakers. I’m sure this helps you make the most of your evening hours.

    Don’t forget to share your thoughts and tips in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • 10 Effortless Ways To Create A Minimalist Home

    10 Effortless Ways To Create A Minimalist Home

    Want to create a minimalist home? You’re in the right place.

    You love viewing minimalist home decor on Pinterest. You know you can spend hours looking at them.

    After spending a great deal of time scrolling through the pictures, you turn around and see that your own house is a total mess. Every nook and corner is crammed with loads of stuff and an overwhelming number of decorations!

    You long for a minimalist home but have no idea where to start.

    Let’s have a look at the steps.

    While checking out these minimalist homes, did you notice – what about these houses appeal to you?

    What is it that you like in these minimally decorated homes?

    How do you feel looking at minimal aesthetics?

    Why do you wish to own a similar home yourself?

    And more significantly, what does a minimalist home mean to you?

    That may sound like too many questions.

    Maybe they’re.

    But you know what, those questions are crucial for you to savor the true essence of a minimalist home.

    Let’s see how you can create a minimalist home.

    Prior to this, I would suggest creating a minimalist home decor inspiration board on Pinterest to come up with ideas for your home.

    That way, you’ll have pictures on your phone while shopping, or when you want to go back for easy reference. Also, it would be easy to discuss with your interior designer.

    10 EFFORTLESS WAYS TO CREATE A MINIMALIST HOME

     

    1) Declutter as much as you can:

    It might appear plain. But declutter ruthlessly — all the broken, unused, outdated, and unwanted stuff to start with a clean slate.

    Decluttering is step one in creating a clutter-free minimalist home.

    While decluttering, overlook the cost of items. Just ignore them and know those belongings have either fulfilled their purpose or are not worthy of your time and effort.

    2) Paint the walls:

    Another way to give your home a minimalistic vibe is by adding a fresh coat of lighter/pastel color.

    Pick a color scheme from your home decor inspiration pictures.

    Off-white, Ivory, and grey are great to create a softer and more relaxing sense.

    3) Shiny detailing:

    Instead of a monotone color pattern, try adding some metallic finishes to cabinets, furniture, wall decor, minor decor items, etc., to brighten up the space.

    The silver finish goes really well with white paint. It just perks up your mood.

    At the same time, black and gold, or bronze detailings are trending these days.

    White, brass, and copper make for great traditional sanctuary home decor too.

    4) Classy light fixtures:

    Natural light, as well as interior lights, are crucial to unwrap the attributes of your place.

    Luminosity optically maximizes the form of an extended, cheerful place.

    5) Multi-functional furniture:

    Opt for pieces of furniture that besides extending utilization, preserve space.

    Wall-mounted bedsides, mirror cabinets, and desk-embedded bookshelf, to name a few.

    (You might find this article helpful on how to organize your home in Korean style by my friend Adriana)

    6) The rule of odds:

    Not just in photography, the rule of odds is a terrific decor rule too.

    Set of 3 specifically.

    Speaking of interior design figure 3 does wonders.

    Next time try out arranging 3 decor pieces on the shelves, showcase, coffee/side/night tables, etc.

    Let me know how it goes.

    7) Bring in nature:

    Use lots of natural houseplants for a touch of positivity and serenity in your home.

    It is economical home decor that will help your place gain vitality.

    8) Hide Hide Hide:

    An important thing you’ll notice in minimalist home decor pictures is that the surfaces and countertops are nice and clear. A very crucial feature for that elegant feel.

    Once you declutter and give each thing a place, try putting all you can in baskets or containers and stack them nicely inside the cabinets and drawers to eliminate petty knick-knacks.

    9) Splash of color:

    Aqua, turquoise, and teal hues symbolize the sea.

    Since these are cool colors they are soothing to the mind.

    They pair nicely with white and gray shades. They are indeed wonderful pop-up colors.

    A little splash of these colors will take your home decor to another level.

    10) Quality over quantity:

    Lastly, creating a minimalist home doesn’t define purchasing cheap, thrifty decor.

    Consider getting some statement decor to add richness.

    The concept of keeping it minimal is to avoid cluttered spaces and make your home feel cozy.

    Extra Tips:

    • In order to truly indulge in the beauty of a minimalist home, decorate the whole house in the same fashion. This will help find a rhythm in each room.
    • Focus on keeping your home smelling fresh and be sure to add a distinctive feature to give the house a homey feel.

    Final Words:

    Now you know, consumerism is a catch. You’re never going to have enough of anything. The styles and trends will keep changing at a high speed. See that you are vigilant.

    Be sure to share your tips and tricks to create a minimalist home? I would love to have your thoughts in the comment box below. Thank you so much for reading! Remember, less is always better!

  • Quick NightTime Cleaning Routine – FOR RELAXING MORNINGS

    Quick NightTime Cleaning Routine – FOR RELAXING MORNINGS

    No more feeling overwhelmed and disorganized every morning. Get ahead of your home cleaning game with this quick and easy nighttime cleaning routine.

    Today I’m going to take you through a list of cleaning tasks that you can carry out each night for peaceful mornings.

    Of course, some days are different than others.

    However, if you make daily cleaning a priority, and accomplish these 4 simple tasks every night, you’ll be able to start your mornings slow. And have some free time to spend with your family or do things you love.

    Starting up your day in a clean home makes you happier and more productive.

    Everyones’ nighttime cleaning routine may look different. Because you know when you have little kids your house is going to get too messy compared to those with grown-up kids or with no kids.

    That said, doing these four tasks will help you reset your home. You can go to bed peacefully and set your day up for success.

    Nighttime can be more conducive for cleaning as kids are in bed and your husband is enjoying his ‘me’ time watching tv or reading a book.

    Quick & Easy Night Time Cleaning Routine - FOR RELAXING MORNINGS

    Let’s get started.

    QUICK & EASY NIGHTTIME CLEANING ROUTINE – FOR RELAXING MORNINGS

    1| Deal with the laundry:

    Starting off in the kitchen after a long day can be daunting. Hence, sorting laundry and loading the washer is a good first step.

    To make my mornings more manageable, I simply get ahead and put my laundry detergent (powder) in the dispenser too. So, in the morning, I’ll just turn on the washer, and bingo.

    If you haven’t already, fold and put away the fresh load too. Don’t let it sit there until tomorrow. Set the timer for 5 minutes and get it cleared off right away.

    2| Load the dishwasher and get it running:

    Now that you’ve gathered momentum, let’s tackle the kitchen.

    Rinse off the dishes, load the dishwasher, and get it started.

    Put things back. Take care of the leftovers.

    Wash off pots and pans. Give the sink a good scrub.

    Wipe down the countertops and appliances.

    Take everything off the dining table and give it a good wipe. Wipe down the highchair and other chairs. Straighten up. Quickly put things away.

    Time to sweep or vacuum the floors. You can go ahead and spot-mop if necessary.

    Quickly take out the trash and place a new garbage bag.

    3| Quick pickup — living room, bedroom, kids’ room:

    Spend a couple of minutes in each room getting it back in order. 

    Fold the blankets, gather all the toys, put things away, and straighten up.

    Quickly vacuum, if needed. 

    4| Tidy up the bathroom:

    If you haven’t done it already (in your morning cleaning routine) spend a few moments in your bathroom tidying it up.

    Nothing much. Just clear out things on your vanity. Put them back. Straighten up things.

    Quickly wipe down the mirror, counter, sink, and toilet with the disinfectant wipes.

    Place fresh towels.

    Read: How To Keep Your Bathroom Clean In Just 5 Minutes A Day

    Final words:

    That was all about the quick and easy nighttime routine.

    The benefits of this nightly cleaning routine?

    You’ll have clean pair of your favorite clothes to wear whenever you need them.

    You’ll have a great time cooking in the clean kitchen.

    Getting ready in a shipshape bathroom will be relaxing.

    Your family will truly appreciate a neat and calm living space.

    This 4-step cleaning routine is all you need to restore order in your home. And to make it a functional, calm, and relaxing place for your family.

    Alike adults, kids thrive in orderly homes.

    For you too, there’s no better feeling than knowing your kitchen, living room, or play area is clean.

    Waking up to clean the house is the best feeling.

    Once you get in the habit of following this nighttime cleaning routine you’ll never want to go to bed with your home messy. And be grumpy from the get-go.

    Work this routine with a good morning and weekly cleaning routine to keep on top of your housekeeping duties.

    Be sure to share your thoughts, tips, and tricks in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Cleaning!

  • How To SPEED CLEAN Your House In Just 30 minutes

    How To SPEED CLEAN Your House In Just 30 minutes

    Whenever your house gets out of control, use this trick to instantly get it back in order. Let’s see how to speed-clean your house in just 30 minutes.

    Before we start, just one thing to remember– speed cleaning is all about SPEED. You just have to speed through your work, that’s it.

    This isn’t about deep cleaning or perfection.

    This is also not about precision or checking off everything on your list.

    Just clean as much as you can in the shortest time frame of 30 minutes.

    This quick cleaning routine is for those working full-time or having younger kids. It also comes in handy when life’s too busy and when expecting company.

    This technique helps restore order in your home in the shortest time.

    All you need for this speed-cleaning method is a timer.

    First, decide which rooms you want to tackle. In general, pick 5-6 areas or rooms that are really out of control.

    It can be your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, kids’ room, and living room.

    Prioritize as per your need — dining room, entry area, laundry room?

    Now set the timer for 5 minutes per room.

    Stop and leave the work where it is (yes, even if it is half done) once the timer goes off. And move on to the next room.

    How To SPEED CLEAN Your House In Just 30 minutes

    Here’s how you can get your home cleaned up faster.

    HOW TO SPEED CLEAN YOUR HOUSE IN JUST 30 MINUTES

    5-minute tidy kitchen challenge:

    I think the kitchen is the most challenging area in any house.

    We’ll discuss in a while why I think starting in the kitchen is a good way.

    • Start putting dirty dishes into the dishwasher.
    • Pick up clutter from the countertops. Put leftovers, veggies, sauce bottles, and spice jars into the refrigerator and cabinets, respectively.
    • Put mail, toys, clothes, or anything that does not belong in the kitchen in a bag or basket. You can deal with it later.
    • Quickly wash any pots or pans in the sink. Wipe down the sink.
    • Sweep/vacuum the floor.

    Often, it’s quite not possible to clean the kitchen in 5 minutes. Even if you’re just two of you and your kitchen is spick and span. It can still be unattainable. So don’t be hard on yourself. Don’t work your fingers to the bone.

    You can come back later and carry on where you left off.

    For now, just focus on working on the next room.

    All you have to do is switch rooms when the timer stops. And come back to the kitchen in the spare moments you get from cleaning any of the targeted rooms.

    5-minute tidy Bedroom challenge:

    • Make the bed.
    • Straighten up the nightstands quickly.
    • Pick up the clothes lying around. If they’re clean toss them in the drawers. No folding and organizing to perfection, please. Just throw them in there for now.
    • If there’s dirty laundry, collect them near the bedroom door. So you can grab them as you head out.
    • Vacuum the floor.

    Remember we’re SPEED cleaning. All you have is 5 minutes for each room.

    If you think you’ve finished early, get to the kitchen and proceed with the remaining work.

    Move on to the next room as soon as the timer turns off.

    5-minute tidy Living Room challenge:

    • Straighten up the cushions.
    • Fold blankets.
    • Pick up things lying on the floor.
    • Toys go into the boxes.
    • Clothes gather in one corner.
    • Dirty plates and cups lay up in one place.
    • Things from other rooms get collected in a basket or bag.
    • A quick vacuum and be sure to grab the plates and laundry.

    Ready for the next room.

    5-minute tidy Bathroom challenge:

    • Take out any dirty laundry.
    • Quickly put things inside the cabinets.
    • Spray the toilet bowl.
    • Let the cleaner work until you spray the mirror, and counter, and wipe them out.
    • Wipe down the sink as well.
    • Take disinfectant wipes and wipe down the toilet lid, seat, rim, and outer area of the toilet.
    • Scrub the bowl and rinse.

    You’re done.

    Read: How To Keep Your Bathroom Clean In Just 5 Minutes A Day

    5-minute tidy Dining room challenge:

    • Collect things that don’t belong there –in a basket and clear up the table.
    • Pick up toys, clothes, paper, fruit peels, or things lying on the floor.
    • Wipe down the table and chairs quickly.
    • Pull the chairs aside to clean underneath.
    • Sweep or vacuum the floor of crumbs or soil.
    • Spot mop spills or sticky food.
    • Straighten up the chairs.

    Usually, this area should take you a lot less time than 5 minutes. You can utilize this time in other areas.

    Final words:

    Post this 30-minute cleaning sprint your home will be a better place.

    This sort of speed cleaning round comes in very handy on a hard day. To beat post-vacation blues, or simply when you do not have enough motivation to clean.

    You will be surprised how much you can get done in such a small amount of time.

    The idea here is — you could spend 30 minutes and get your kitchen clean spic and span. And, your whole house would be messy.

    But by dedicating just 5 minutes to each room, you can tidy up your entire house.

    Working for 5 minutes in every room will give you 6 different tidy rooms in just 30 minutes. Win-win.

    Bonus — you’re going to burn some serious calories.

    Be sure to share your tips and tricks in the comment section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Cleaning!

  • How To Keep Your Kitchen Clean In 10 Minutes or Less!

    How To Keep Your Kitchen Clean In 10 Minutes or Less!

    Yes, you read it right. You can clean your kitchen in 10 minutes or less with this quick kitchen cleaning routine.

    Studies have shown that an average person spends 2 hours cleaning per day.

    That’s a good deal of time when you have so many important things in life. I’m sure cleaning is not one of them.

    You can learn better techniques and cut your cleaning time in half.

    All you have to do is implement smart techniques.

    How To Clean Your Kitchen In 10 Minutes or Less!

    (So, knowing the importance of keeping the important areas of your home tidy and reducing the time and effort of cleaning, I’ve created a series of MINIMUM MAINTENANCE systems that you can implement in your home. These systems will help you keep your home clean and tidy at all times with minimal time and energy.)

    The kitchen is the area that you should really spend time cleaning.

    This is a place you cook your food; it should be clean and germ-free.

    Each day after dinner or before going to bed, make sure to spend as little as 10 minutes tidying up this important area of your home — to prevent it from getting out of control, avoid frequent deep cleaning, and ensure it’s serviceable and welcoming. That also means you can wake up in the morning and get on with your other important work.

    You can follow this routine at any time of the day (as per your needs) if you’re not able to do it at night.

    Let’s just set the timer for 10 minutes and get started. The timer technique really helps me. I do this every time for all tasks. Knowing you’re under time pressure motivates you to move much faster.

    HOW TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN CLEAN IN 10 MINUTES OR LESS!

    Empty the countertops: (2 minutes)

    Remove clutter from the counters.

    Fill the sink with hot, soapy water and start popping the dishes as you clear the countertops.

    Start by chucking fruits and vegetable scraps and peels, empty boxes, or packs, bits of paper, plastic, etc

    See to it that the leftovers — soup, salad, and rice make their way into the refrigerator.

    Restore spice and condiment jars back in their place.

    Have a basket to collect the items that don’t belong in the kitchen. You can go back to putting it in its designated place later.

    Load the dishwasher: (3 minutes)

    Unload the dishwasher —  put away clean dishes, spoons, knives, and bowls into the cabinets if you haven’t already.

    Load dirty dishes. Run the dishwasher if the load is full.

    Shine your stove and countertops: (1 minute)

    Grab an all-purpose cleaner. Quickly spray over the stovetop and wipe it down.

    Now, quickly spray the same all-purpose cleaner on the countertops and then a good wipe down too. Rinse the cloth and repeat if necessary.

    Rinse the cloth and give the refrigerator and cabinet doors a quick wipe.

    Give the microwave a quick wipe-down inside and out.

    Shine your sink: (2 minutes)

    Place a drying mat or drainer and start washing the remaining stuff. Just speedily wash off any pots and pans to be hand-washed. Let them dry off.

    Scrub the sink, rinse it off with hot water, and wipe it off with a dry towel quickly. Wipe the faucets as well.

    Read: No more dirty dishes: 8 hacks to make dishwashing easier

    Take out the rubbish: (1 minute)

    Empty the trash can. And be sure to place a new garbage bag immediately.

    Quick sweep floors: (1 minute)

    It’s time for the floors.

    Dust off the kitchen-floor mat of any crumbs.

    Quickly sweep or vacuum the kitchen floor. Anything you choose.

    Although it hardly takes less than a minute to run a damp mop over the floor, if you want to leave it out, just spot mop any spills, sticky juices, or grease on the floor for a cleaner look.

    Last hand:

    Pop the cloth rags or microfibre cloths in the washing machine. Place a fresh towel. Air out for a couple of minutes.

    And there you go.

    Now, take a moment to feel good about your job well done.

    Cherish the calming results.

    Feel the dust-free, squeaky-clean counters with your fingers. Have a look at your shining sink and stovetop. How relaxing is that?

    Give yourself a pat on the back.

    Final words:

    So, no more dreading the housework. No more long days of deep cleaning. There you have quick tips to clean your kitchen in 10 minutes or less.

    Be sure to share your thoughts in the comment section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Cleaning!

  • Quick Morning Cleaning Routine for Busy Moms

    Quick Morning Cleaning Routine for Busy Moms

    The simplest way to keep your home clean consistently without even realizing it is by following a good house cleaning routine. When your morning, nighttime, and weekly cleaning routines are easier, you’ll have an easy time keeping at them. Here’s a quick morning cleaning routine that’ll help — stay-at-home moms, work-at-home moms, and working moms keep their homes clean and tidy almost all the time.

    Daily morning cleaning routine (for stay-at-home moms)

    • Start one load of laundry
    • Unload dishwasher
    • Make beds
    • Tidy up main living areas (including bathroom)
    • Sweep/vacuum high-traffic areas

    Morning cleaning routine before work (for working moms)

    • Start a load of laundry
    • Unload dishwasher
    • Make beds
    • 5-minutes tidy up (Put things back, straighten up pillows, fold blankets, put toys or things that don’t belong to that room in a basket)

    You can either follow this routine on a daily basis or go for a Saturday morning cleaning routine. (More on this soon).

    Morning cleaning routine (for work-at-home moms)

    • Start a load of laundry
    • Unload dishwasher
    • Make beds
    • Tidy up high-traffic areas
    • Sweep or spot mop

    Here’s what MY MORNING CLEANING ROUTINE looks like:

    • Start one load of laundry
    • Put away clean dishes (I do not own a dishwasher. I prefer to wash dishes by hand. But I always let them dry off so I put them back in the morning)
    • Make the bed
    • Take out trash
    • Swish and swipe the bathroom before taking shower.
    • Tidy up and clean the floors (I sweep & mop all three rooms every single day. My home is really small — 1 bedroom apartment so it’s easier for me)
    • Clean up breakfast dishes
    • Wipe down counters

    Read: Homemaker Morning Routine: My Morning Routine As A Housewife

    Quick Morning Cleaning Routine for Busy Moms

    How to make the morning cleaning routine easier for you?

    1// Prep up the night before:

    A productive morning is a result of a thorough nighttime routine followed religiously.

    In order to make your morning cleaning routine easier make sure you prepare the night before.

    Preparing ahead you won’t have much to do in the morning.

    2// Use timer:

    I have tried both using a timer and setting the same amount of time on the clock.

    But I must say the timer technique does wonder. It eliminates distractions and helps you concentrate on the task at hand.

    Truly, I cannot explain how fast it gets the cleaning job done.

    3// Purge unused items a few times:

    Keep the counters clutter-free for no sweat cleaning.

    Purging unwanted items every now and then allows you to wipe down the surfaces faster and makes the place visually appealing.

    4// Get help:

    Make kids put their toys back in the basket. My dad is a super-organized person. He loves to do the tidying and dusting for my mom.

    Sharing responsibilities and housework, irrespective of age group is always nice and helpful.

    If nobody is willing to help, hold each person responsible for their own mess.

    5// Have good nightly and weekly cleaning routines:

    Aid your morning cleaning routine with good nighttime and weekly cleaning to keep your home clean consistently.

    This will help keep your house clean on autopilot.

    6// Make it interesting:

    Put on some upbeat music, listen to a podcast, watch a cleaning motivation video, chat with your partner, or make it a family fun activity to make it interesting.

    Final words:

    This simple, quick morning cleaning routine will ensure your home is clean and tidy. The further part will be covered in our nighttime and weekly cleaning routine.

    Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Cleaning!

  • Slow Down And Enjoy Homemaking (JUST AS GRANDMA DID)

    Slow Down And Enjoy Homemaking (JUST AS GRANDMA DID)

    I know, today’s life is too busy being a working mom, work-at-home/stay-at-home mom. We remember our grandma fulfilled these roles too. Yet her life never seemed to be so busy or stressful. She, indeed, moved through the duties with effortless grace. What was the heart of success? Today let’s deep dive and learn how to slow down and enjoy homemaking like grandma.

    Today I’m talking about my maternal grandma (a single, working mom of 3 kids, my mom lost her dad when she was 2) and my paternal grandma (stay-at-home mom of 5). So, we can get an idea of both lifestyles.

    Ever thought if grandma needed a weekly off?

    A self-care routine?

    A reward for her hard work?

    The latest and greatest piece of home accessories?

    The newest cleaning tool or appliance in the market?

    By no means.

    She was all around 24×7.

    Her work was her reward in itself.

    She created decor pieces with her own hands.

    Her cleaning tools were her hands, cloth rags, a bucket of water, or whatever little she got.

    Still, her home was warm and pleasant, and she was loving and kind.

    The keys were ideas, techniques, efforts, patience, and lots of love that went into making a home.

    SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY HOMEMAKING JUST AS GRANDMA DID

    SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY HOMEMAKING JUST AS GRANDMA DID

    The power of routines:

    Even now I can tell — my grandma woke up at 5:30 a.m. and my maternal grandma at 3:00 a.m. As I said before she was working outside of the home. They would take showers as soon as they woke up. Just before anyone in the family wakes up.

    Before 8 a.m. the breakfast was wiped away. And the laundry hung out to dry before 8:30 a.m. (they used to wash and dry laundry manually). Of course, my cousin would help her.

    Just so you know, the laundry process involved soaking clothes in warm water with little detergent for half an hour. Then, they would soap and scrub each section of the clothing. They did that for every piece of laundry. After that, they would rinse every piece of clothing in 2-3 buckets of water until the clothes come out soap-free and clean.

    For dishes, they would scrape off the food of the dishes. Take water in a small container and a bucket. Soap the dishes, put them in a small water container, dip them in the bucket (for final rinse), and place them in the drainer.

    Then she would tidy up (do the dusting, pick up, straighten up, and sweep the floors) the house and head out for groceries.

    She would walk to the market, chitchat with her friends (either she would go with her friends or they would meet along the way), and head back home around 10:15 a.m.

    Then she would cut fruits, make lime juice, or give the snacks she had picked up on her way home.

    She would then start preparing lunch, cooking everything from scratch. The meals were elaborate and it took her time (an hour and a half) to cook for 6-7 of us. She kneaded fresh dough (every time) to make — wheat/rice/ragi flatbread, steamed rice, legumes curry, vegetable side dish, fried items, and 3-4 accompaniments (pickles, sauces, salads, raitas). And yes my cousin or someone would help her a bit.

    After that, we would eat lunch together. Post-meal she would do the dishes, leave them to air dry, and tidy up the kitchen quickly.

    Then it was spare time for grandma. She would do knitting, sewing, preserving, and canning alongside her favorite TV show.

    As you can see, I am still able to tell her routine. I still remember what my mom would do at a precise time.

    But, I couldn’t tell what my own routine was a few years ago before I started my morning and evening routine.

    That’s because their lives and routines were steady and predictable.

    They had a daily rhythm.

    Grandma’s life may seem mainstream but they were the happiest and most stress-free people.

    The secret to this harmonious state was that their life was on autopilot.

    They were seasoned in carrying out the same duties every day.

    Their routines were the cornerstones.

    So, the secret to enjoying homemaking lies in simple-to-follow routines.

    Limit pass time:

    People back in the day cherished TIME.

    They adored their mornings; esteemed their evenings; treasured festivities and events.

    My maternal grandmother didn’t have the luxury of watching TV.

    She was a very hardworking lady.

    Devoted to raising good children as a single mom. My mom and her siblings were too young when they lost their father.

    Always on her toes, Grandma never believed in getting rest even for a little while.

    She would clean something, make snacks/sweets/specialty food, or read scriptures in her spare moments.

    TV and radio devices were the only forms of entertainment in those days. People were updated with the news and songs. But that was just a tiny little part during dinner time.

    This might sound harsh but truth to tell — today we’ve too many distractions.

    We have the same 24 hours as Grandma.

    She had the same number or even more children.

    She didn’t have as many modern conveniences as today.

    Even then, she outperformed us.

    And here we are getting tired and stressed doing just half her work. That too with fancy appliances.

    Is this fatigue from too much work or simply because we’re exhausting our mental energy without even noticing it.

    All the decision-making — what to wear, what to cook, how to decorate, how to clean, different kids’ activities, matching the standards, higher self-expectations, all the rush — are depleting our energy.

    This is the main reason for stress; which is considered normal today.

    We hate doing housework because we want to relax and spend our time on social media, shopping online, or watching our favorite stuff on TV, or the internet.

    We spend hours in front of our devices and then rush through our daily duties, criticizing our lives and roles as homemakers.

    Why do we need shortcuts to clean, cook, or do our duties?

    What’s the rush?

    Why so laziness and distaste for homemaking?

    Read: 5 Ways To Make Your Home A Haven

    Deep cleaning=family project:

    People back in the day deep-cleaned their homes once or twice a year.

    Deep cleaning was done during festive times. Everyone (from kids to seniors) was involved and given tasks they can manage well.

    It was a huge family event.

    Between the two deep cleaning sessions, Grandma would wash all the bedding, and quilts (in summer) or sun-dry the mattresses, wash all the utensils/containers, and clean the cabinets or do the required cleaning.

    But other stuff was included only in deep cleaning.

    That freed up her time. The daily and weekly cleaning only needed to be taken care of.

    We can follow this in our life too if we are willing to give up on the idea of picture-perfect homes.

    The cleaning standards and requirements grew lately when people started displaying their ideal homes online.

    You could lower the bar and enjoy homemaking just as Grandma did.

    Another thing is to involve everyone.

    We used to help our mom and grandma bring in plates and cups for dinner and help them clear the table after finishing (P.S. We used stainless steel plates and cups which are unbreakable), and help her fold and put back clothes in the cupboards.

    We also sweep and mop as grown-ups.

    That’s why I mentioned above why my cousin would help Grandma too.

    You can have your family members help you as well.

    This will help train your kids and develop an interest in housework at a young age.

    Embrace imperfections:

    People in the former times cared less about their homes and appearances.

    They hardly bothered if the house was guest-ready, or if they had the best food to serve the guests.

    They would welcome people with warm hearts and serve with love.

    In those days you could feel comfortable visiting any of your friends or relatives without prior notice and no one would mind.

    And you could make yourself feel at home even in their ‘not-so-well-kept home.

    Surprisingly these things seem far off today. We now, visit our close ones to judge them, compare with them, and not share a good bond.

    Grandma never bothered if her home was up to the mark.

    She was busy making the guests feel comfortable, asking about their well-being, and serving them the best food.

    We can implement this by just letting go of perfection.

    If you keep up with your daily cleaning routine your home will be a pretty welcoming place and you’ll not have to worry about it.

    You can then focus on attending to your guests — fun and positive talks, simple homemade food, and an attentive ear. And have a good time with them.

    Next time you have a company coming over don’t beat yourself up. Just try to stay on top of your cleaning routines, forget about the home, connect with the guests, and make your best memories.

    Final words:

    Just slow down and appreciate your role.

    I believe it’s the greatest role of all. Give your family the love and care they await.

    Savor every moment as you perform your duties with your own hands.

    Learn to create a balance.

    There will be more days of a mad rush but be sure to make your home a calm place in the thick of it.

    Take time to stop and smell the roses.

    Truly enjoy your work — create tasty meals, provide fresh laundry, give the dishes thorough wash with hands, and tidy up the living place.

    Do everything with love. There’s no satisfaction like working with your hands!

    We’re fortunate to be blessed with this role of a homemaker. Focus on being a ‘loving mom/wife’ than a ‘perfect mom/wife’.

    Leave a warm print on everyone’s heart as Grandma did.

    Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • 9 Habits Of Women Who Always Have A Clean Home

    9 Habits Of Women Who Always Have A Clean Home

    Learning these habits of women who always have a clean home will help you keep your home clean and tidy (all the time) too.

    To some extent, we all get motivated to clean — when the holidays are here or when a company is expected.

    But keeping the house mostly clean, all the time, amid a daily grind, seems an unachievable thing.

    Especially after the holidays, when you’ve been already cleaning and hosting extensively.

    I have never been a neat freak, be it cleaning or any part of homemaking. Nor do I aim for. I only wish for good enough results.

    I swear by the beauty of a lived-in house.

    A few things make a great deal of difference over others.

    And so today I’m listing out some things that can make a difference in how clean or messy your home appears to someone.

    I love watching YouTube for cleaning motivation videos.

    Moreover, I am more into watching real-life homemaking vlogs and learning tips from them than the “cleaning experts”. I enjoy watching genuine homemakers’ lives. Their daily routines. The way they perform their household duties. I admire their hard work. And I keenly learn homemaking tips, tricks, and techniques from them.

    9 Habits Of Women Who Always Have A Clean Home

    Over time, I’ve observed one thing that all of these women (full-time homemakers and working moms) have in common. They knew what was next. They hardly got sidelined. I think that’s because they grew accustomed to the sequence of tasks. That’s the power of habits.

    Today, I’m putting out habits these ladies had in common that helped them keep their house clean (all the time). Well, in particular, these tasks are more organizational than cleaning. Because they make your home come out more orderly or tidy than clean.

    How?

    We’re not working toward excellence here. So, there’s nothing like hard scrubbing, washing, or purifying — daily. Just executing the tasks, and doing them well. That’s it.

    9 HABITS OF WOMEN WHO ALWAYS HAVE A CLEAN HOME

    Habit #1 Clear sink:

    Clean freak women never let dishes pile up in the sink. They’re just conditioned to wipe off everything in a jiffy. They never mind if things are spic and span. They just devotedly get them out of the way. Washed utensils, clear drain traps, and clear countertops are three mere tasks that keep your kitchen feeling nice and fresh, and easy to operate.

    One habit of women who always have a clean home is deep cleaning. If they had a few spare moments, they would just remove the stuff from the drawers and give it a good wipe; purge unused/out-of-date things, and quickly place everything back.

    They exercise their cooking time. So, they would just put away clean dishes, dust the cabinet tops, wipe down cabinet doors and surfaces, refill food jars, and so on.

    Habit #2 Tidy surfaces:

    Meticulous freaks make time to tidy surfaces every day.

    They discard and clear trash like banana peels, tea or coffee cups, plates after eating; plastic wrappers, and clothes scattered on the bed or floor.

    They place dustbins around the house and encourage kids (and ADULTS) to use them. Something that is of utmost help.

    They pick up as they go. Example: They keep a basket near the stairs to put the items that belong upstairs. While going upstairs they look for anything that needs to go up.

    Similarly, they make sure to grab the basket downstairs.

    Habit #3 Clutter control:

    Neat freak women know clutter can be paralyzing. They declutter and organize from time to time.

    They assign “donate‘ or ‘discard‘ boxes. While dusting or tidying surfaces they review and discard musty, outworn, or things they don’t love or need anymore, then and there. Which helps them keep things super manageable.

    They deal with the paper clutter — mail, newspapers, magazines, brochures, immediately.

    Read: The Secret To Staying On Top Of Homemaking

    Habit #4 Refrigerator care:

    Refrigerator — one more thing that demands attention regularly.

    One of the secrets of women who take care of the house is – they discard molded food from time to time.

    They put placemats in the refrigerator. Quick tip — to make your fridge look clean instantly you can remove the placemats/sheets and ta-da you have a clean-looking refrigerator in no time.

    Another tip is to keep a bowl of baking soda in the refrigerator. Baking soda absorbs the odor and makes your refrigerator smell fresh.

    Habit #5 Spot-free floors:

    They have a no-shoe rule.

    In India, it’s a common rule followed by most households. Especially, traditional cultural families. I am one of those. We don’t bring shoes inside the house. And if we do, we have a shoe rack at the entrance. This not only helps prevent soil, dust, or dirt but also bacteria from getting into your home.

    The women with clean homes also make sure to sweep/vacuum/mop the floors each day. They deal with the spots and spillage instantly.

    Habit #6 Dusting/wiping down routine:

    Neat women sense the importance of routinely dusting and wiping down surfaces. They know how to maintain dust-free walls and surfaces. Like removing cobwebs; and dust on walls, windows, furniture, and light fixtures.

    Women with clean homes consider periodically cleaning windows, blinds, ceiling fans, carpets, doormats, upholstery, etc.

    They learn about the newest tools and techniques that provide an effortless dusting and wiping experience.

    Habit #7 Well-ordered bathroom:

    Another habit of women who always have a clean home is they keep bathrooms well-organized. Not squeaky clean but enjoyable.

    They ensure that they wipe off the shower glass and floor with a wiper.

    I can guarantee that these prompt steps — restoring items, and a quick wipe down will make your bathroom clean and appealing.

    Habit #8 Crisp bed:

    While making the bed, I observed one woman — remove the sheets, shake them out well, and place them back neatly. She did that every single day in between the laundry intervals.

    Doing this helps knock off tiny dirt and dust particles and keep the bedsheet looking fresh until cleaning time. Plus, you know how good a crisp bed feels.

    Habit #9 Laundry routine:

    Organized women quickly squeeze in a couple of minutes to start a load of laundry. They stop being lazy and show care. To avoid buildup and to complete the cycle — they wash, dry, fold, and iron right off.

    This is such a helpful tip to keep on top of things.

    Final words:

    Those were the habits of women who always have a clean home. That I’ve learned from some dutiful homemakers. And you guys, they work. THEY’RE. JUST. SO. EFFECTIVE.

    Do try them and don’t forget to share your thoughts. Also, let me know if I missed out on something. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Cleaning!

  • 25 Useful Homemaking Tips That’ll Save Time & Money

    25 Useful Homemaking Tips That’ll Save Time & Money

    In all sincerity—managing a home is no piece of cake.

    It involves learning various skills, hacks, and techniques that would make your job painless as possible.

    I keep saying and I’ll say that again —  it’s those teeny-tiny things that make a whole lot of difference in homemaking.

    Many of you might already be following the homemaking tips that I’m going to share with you today. But quite often we fail to remember them in the course of the day.

    These tips are sure to save you time and money around the house while also making your life a lot simpler. So, here are my simple and effective homemaking tips.

    25 Best Homemaking Tips To Save Time And Money

    25 Useful Homemaking Tips That’ll Save Time & Money

    1) Does your food go to waste a lot of time? Having measuring cups could help prevent cooking excess amounts than what is required. It’ll be easier for you to apprehend the quantity by measuring it a few times. Having an overview of the amount of food each member of your family requires will make cooking smaller/larger quantities easier.

    2) Always stock up on the necessary staples so you don’t run out of the main ingredients required to cook your basic meals. This a very important step to save time and money on a needless grocery visit.

    3) Have a notebook to write out homemaking goals and review the progress.

    4) Bring your grocery bags to the store (every time). Keeping a couple of them in your car will come in handy in case you forget to bring them, like me😀.

    5) Using an excessive amount of cleaning products will only make your cleaning job time-taking. Either it’ll take longer to rinse off or leave soap stains. Too much cleaning product isn’t good for our health as well (in the case of dishwashing and laundry).

    6) List down the not-so-favorite food/personal care/decor items (that you had bought but didn’t like) to avoid purchasing them again.

    7) Utilize reusable cloth rags instead of paper towels. They’re convenient to use, economical and eco-friendly.

    25 Useful Homemaking Tips That'll Save Time & Money

    8) Placing table mats inside the drawers and cabinets can make cleaning easier — just pull the placemat out and wipe it.

    9) A plastic bag holder and dispenser will keep all of your bags orderly and neat.

    10) Buying onions, potatoes, and apples in bulk (from the 10 lbs or so, mesh bags) is relatively low-cost versus buying the loose or regular-sized packs.

    11) Never store onions and potatoes together. The moisture and gases in the potatoes perish the onions sooner.

    25 Useful Homemaking Tips To Save Time & Money

    12) To make onions last longer — sun dry them for a few days until their roots become dry and the skin somewhat crisp. Store them in open baskets or mesh bags.

    13) Stock onions and potatoes in a well-ventilated, cool, dry, dark place.

    14) Store tomatoes and ginger out of the fridge to retain their taste.

    25 Useful Homemaking Tips To Save Time & Money

    15) Store bananas separately from other fruits to prevent spoilage.

    16) The cheese becomes tender at room temperature and is easier to grate.

    17) To avoid pasta from sticking — drain the water by putting it into a big strainer after boiling and running it under cold water.

    18) Thorough sweeping permits postponing mopping sessions or making the mop time — lighter and super fast.

    19) Make a habit to clean spills/splatters straight off since the dried food/fluid is hard to come off.

    20) Have a designated place for everything and make sure everything is in its place.

    21) Practice the one-in-one-out rule. For every item that comes in, something has to go out.

    22) Use a lint-free dry dust cloth to clean the electronic appliances to prevent moisture and fluff build-up.

    23) Airing out the rooms at least for 10 minutes every day can help prevent the accumulation of moisture, awful smell, and therefore, insects and pests.

    24) The cheapest and better way to get rid of unpleasant odors and make your home smell fresh — is simmering orange zest.

    25) The most effective tool for keeping your bathroom clean is a squeegee — a big one for floors and a small one for walls. Just spray some cleaner, once in a while, and you’re good to go.

    26) Store food in metal or glass containers over plastic. Metal containers unlike plastic are non-toxic and durable, and they keep the food fresh for a longer time.

    27) This tip isn’t economical (since it uses more water, electricity, and time) but is very effective to get the best out of your laundry wash cycle — use less detergent and increase the number of rinse-wash rounds. What cleans your clothes off of sweat and dirt really well is the number of times they get rinsed with clean water and not solely the amount of soap used.

    Those were my homemaking tips that would save you time and money around the house. Let me know if you find them useful and want me to add another set of quick household tips that would be helpful in any way.

    Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • The Secret To Staying On Top Of Homemaking

    The Secret To Staying On Top Of Homemaking

    Today’s fast and furious life has made staying on top of homemaking harder.

    Relax, there’s a better way!

    Juggling between work, home, and family is a challenging job. Full of ups and downs. Some days you’re more productive, you — rest well, spend good alone time, eat a healthy breakfast, and make sure everything goes as per plan. Other days are about rushing the soccer day, running errands, or doing church activities.

    One day you’re out for a cause and your house is intolerable. What if you have side hustles or have to be out a few times a week – can you live in your house?

    Will you have something in place to feed your kids when they get home from school/activities? Can you cook today’s meal on top of the mess from the previous night? Will you have a clean pair of work clothes in your closet? Could you find things easily before leaving for the office?

    This is how things spiral out of control.

    If you’re planning to attend an event, without prioritizing and getting your daily-havetos done, thinking you’ll get to it later, you’re setting up yourself for bigger and worsened chaos when you get home.

    How do we get everyone on board?

    What’s the secret, the magical potion to stay on top of homemaking regardless of whether or not you’re a working mom.

    THE SECRET TO STAYING ON TOP OF HOMEMAKING

    THE SECRET TO STAYING ON TOP OF HOMEMAKING

    And the secret is:

    — GETTING YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLE TASKS DONE AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR DAY.

    What are the non-negotiable tasks?

    There are a few household tasks that can directly affect our day-to-day living.

    Like, you cannot cook in a messy kitchen. This makes dishwashing & tidying a non-negotiable task.

    The dirty washing is all over the place because your washer and laundry basket are flooded with the older washing or there are still clothes in the dryer — making laundry a daily-haveto task.

    Everyone will have their own set of non-negotiable tasks. These tasks won’t make your home super clean but homey. And put you at ease knowing that your most significant tasks of the day are done.

    Keeping up with your daily havetos will ensure  — you have a clean kitchen and living space, a fresh pair of clothes, and everything in place, readily available.

    Related:

    One Simple Trick That’ll Transform Your Homekeeping

     5 Ways To Make Your Home A Haven

    As for me, the daily-havetos are having dinner made, breakfast wiped, house picked, and floors swept. I can still manage to give laundry a miss for a day or two.

    So, in case I get an unexpected call from my friends, parents, or in-laws asking me to accompany them somewhere, important or casual:

    I’ll take 30-35 minutes before I leave to quickly throw some rice, and veggies into the pressure cooker (10-15 minutes).

    THE SECRET TO STAYING ON TOP OF HOMEMAKING
    My lifesaving one-pot meal recipe. Super healthy and tastes delicious!

    Speedily clean the dishes and counters (10 minutes).

    Do a quick pickup (5 minutes).

    And sweep the floors real quick (5 minutes).

    I cannot tell you how rewarding it is to return to an orderly home with a meal ready to satiate your hunger.

    You guys, try it and let me know. You’re going to love it, I promise.

    Steps to do this:

    • Jot down 4 of your non-negotiable tasks in the order of their prominence. Duties that have the biggest, most prompt impact on your house. These tasks would have your home functioning smoothly as well as allow you to slow down and relax.
    • Every day, try to get these 4 tasks done in the first one or two hours of your day. Remember, these are your daily-havetos, so learn to do them quickly and well.
    • Identify how much time it takes to get your non-negotiable tasks done. And allot that much time to those tasks only. In between, avoid any deep cleaning and ignore all the messes no matter how noticeable they are. For the moment, focus on your non-negotiable tasks only.
    • Include a 5-minute pickup for the widely-used parts of your home to achieve remarkable results.

    With a planned outing or an unexpected one, while having someone over; on your office day off, on a sick day, or working outside or at home, in all instances — make sure to get your non-negotiable tasks done. And you’ll be well on your way to staying on top of homemaking.

    Final words:

    With this one secret, you can succeed in staying on top of your homemaking like never before. Yes, even on a busy day, regardless of how crazy life is. Accomplishing your daily-havetos will maintain your home between the deep cleaning sessions and keep it presentable and guest-ready.

    Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homekeeping!

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