Tag: cleaning

  • The LAZY Day Cleaning Routine

    The LAZY Day Cleaning Routine

    A Lazy day? Yes, many of us have been there. Yet some might be wondering what I mean by that.

    A lazy day can be both planned and unplanned.

    A planned inactive day is when you take a day off from the workload you have been tied up with for days.

    While an unscheduled dull time – when you’re fatigued.

    As I said, a lot of us go through laziness. Nothing wrong with that. It’s natural to feel lazy when we are exhausted (thanks to greater responsibilities), stressed, or ill.

    I agree, cleaning can be overwhelming when the mess is huge (since it is labour-intensive).

    But what if it only takes 15 minutes to get the house back in order?

    Then it might sound doable.

    Yes, spending barely 15 minutes of your entire day to get a small portion done ensures your tomorrow is a little comfortable. That you won’t get weighed down with the previous day’s chaos.

    Here’s what you can achieve in just 15 minutes to prevent regret and stress later on after enjoying your lazy day.

    This is a quick 3-step tidy-up routine that can help restore order and peace in your home while still relishing your lazy, relaxing time.

    1| Load/unload dishwasher

    Empty the dishwasher (if you haven’t yet). Load dirty dishes.

    Get the sink cleared of any pots and pans. Wash them quickly and get them out of the way.

    2| 2-minute pickup busy areas:

    Here we are mostly going to focus on the main living areas — the living room and the bedroom.

    Set the timer for 2 minutes per room. Try to round off as much as you can.

    Put away toys in the toy bin.

    Collect dirty laundry in one place.

    Carry a basket/bag with you to collect out-of-place items.

    Quickly straighten up the cushions and blankets on the couch.

    For the bedroom, set the bed.

    3| Sweep/Vacuum:

    Lastly, sweep or vacuum crumbs on the kitchen and living room floor, real quick.

    That’s all.

    If you follow this brief 3-step tidy-up routine, you will no longer regret being lazy.

    In fact, things will be in check. You can get on with your day and won’t have to deal with the older messes.

    You can surely modify this routine to as your tidying tasks preferences.

    Never forget – something is always better than nothing.

    Today’s teeny-tiny steps can prevent things from piling up. It makes sure the workload stays under control and does not intensify.

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

  • DAILY CLEANING CHECKLIST

    DAILY CLEANING CHECKLIST

    In all sincerity, this daily cleaning checklist has been working wonders for my home and I’m sure it’ll help you too.

    With this less than 30-minute daily cleaning routine you can expect your home to function smoothly.

    Bonus, if you finish this quick and easy daily cleaning routine in the early hours you’ll be all done for the day. Plus, you won’t fear welcoming a surprise guest.

    All these years of homemaking I tried many systems and routines for my home. However, household routines cannot be the same for everyone.

    I observed certain things and learned from my mistakes.

    There were some teeny-tiny cleaning tasks that I used to miss out on, and I wonder why my home still doesn’t feel up to par.

    Those tasks were so small that they never hit my to-do list (I never felt like mentioning them on my cleaning list).

    And because I didn’t write them they got neglected and my house never felt good even after cleaning religiously.

    Lately, when I started to put those tasks on my to-do list, it transformed everything.

    SIMPLE DAILY CLEANING CHECKLIST

    Wash dishes:

    Dishwashing and wiping the countertops are crucial things. They eliminate odors, splatters, and pests, and prevent disease and ensure good sanitation.

    Washing the dishes routinely keeps your kitchen and also utensils clean and free of bacteria. We’ve heard this several times yet we never succeed in keeping at it.

    If you own a dishwasher then it’s pretty easy for you — unload and load the dishwasher. But even handwashing dishes isn’t that hard as long as you are disciplined.

    With constant routine dishwashing becomes just a matter of minutes. You feel so much in control of things when your kitchen is in check.

    TIME: 5-10 minutes

    READ: How To Keep Your Kitchen Clean In 10 Minutes Or Less

    Wipe down:

    Coffee and dining table.

    I know that sounds minute but this small act makes a remarkable difference.

    Dinner & coffee tables are heavily used areas in our home. Yet we often overlook cleaning them.

    Both dinner and coffee tables serve more than just eating purposes. They usually end up being study and play areas for kids.

    Having a basket beside each table to quickly gather things in one place makes wiping down easier.

    A thorough wipe using a rag/microfibre cloth and all-purpose cleaner is all you gotta do.

    Also, wipe the Kitchen countertop after washing dishes.

    As I said it looks good when unlikely guests arrive. It shows that you are dutiful and care for your family and home.

    TIME: 1 minute each

    Pick up:

    living room and bedroom.

    Usually, (most) homemakers begin their day by making beds, which is a perfect way to start the morning. But what about the living room, where your family spends their entire day?

    When you come to your living room first thing in the morning take a moment to instantly fold blankets, fluff and straighten up the cushions, gather toys in one place (if any), and put things back in their place.

    Once you make the bed, take another minute to straighten up the nightstand immediately, fold any clothes lying on the chair or take those coffee mugs (if any) with you as you head out.

    With these teeny-tiny practices you’ll be set for the day.

    TIME: 2 MINUTES PER ROOM

    Quick dust:

    This step is for homemakers living in dust-prone regions.

    I find quick dusting helpful because when I clean it daily, it’s just a single swipe job.

    You just sweep/brush; run duster or microfibre cloth once over the surfaces and things and you are all done.

    Most of the time you don’t even need a cleaner/solvent.

    But when you plan to dust on weekends it becomes a full-blown event.

    TIME: 2 MINUTE EACH ROOM

    Sweep floors:

    Speedy sweeps across the busy places in your home make your home look so much nicer.

    I prefer to sweep (and mop) in the morning post-pickup. This lets you start your mornings fresh and eliminates constant nagging (all day) that your house is a mess.

    TIME: 5 MINUTES

    Tackle laundry:

    Although laundry isn’t necessarily a part of this cleaning routine, keeping on top of it can help control the overall functionality of your home.

    No matter how well you keep your home if clothes are sitting around they will surely clutter up the space.

    Just 2 steps of throwing load into the washer and putting away fresh clothes make a big difference.

    TIME: 5 MINUTES

    Swish and swipe bathroom:

    Nobody likes to use a dirty bathroom. Not even kids. They notice grime too.

    As I keep saying, you can maintain a guest-ready bathroom spending less than 5 minutes daily.
    Find out more about How To Keep Your Bathroom Clean In 5 Minutes A Day

    TIME: 5 MINUTES

    This simple daily cleaning checklist will help you keep most of your home clean and tidy in no time.

    Also, this quick and easy cleaning routine will ensure less frequent and painless deep cleaning sessions.

    Be sure to share your suggestions and thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • 10 Tips To Keep Your Home CLEAN And ORGANIZED

    10 Tips To Keep Your Home CLEAN And ORGANIZED

    Overwhelmed by a messy, cluttered home? The secret to keeping your home clean & organized all the time is doing a little bit of cleaning and tidying up more often.

    Consistency is key.

    Cleaning and organizing the house is not as scary as it seems.

    What is dreadful is improperly performing the tasks. Since inaccurate methods can only make cleaning or tidying jobs — lengthy, laborious, difficult, and time-consuming.

    For me, cleaning is fun when it is short and sweet. Meaning, that it takes less time and minimal effort.

    I love dusting when everything gets clean in just one swipe; washing a few dishes; doing a small load of laundry; and mopping floors without special efforts to scrub dried-up spots and spills.

    Because, then it’s easier to clean and takes little time.

    How do you get to this point? By doing things regularly.

    Today I’m sharing the top 10 habits that help me keep my home clean and organized (all the time).

    These powerful habits have worked wonders for me. They have made cleaning and tidying the home a breeze.

    I practice these tips and tricks daily so it never gets to the point when my home desperately needs cleaning or deep cleaning.

    10 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN AND ORGANIZED ALL THE TIME

    1| Declutter every now and then:

    Whether you notice or not cluttered, unorganized spaces cause a lot of stress and anxiety.

    Decluttering is a powerful habit that provides clarity.

    Including the many health benefits decluttering is great for your mental health.

    Decluttering from time to time essentially reduces chaos and frees up physical space.

    It allows better organization and brings peace.

    Decluttering increases productivity.

    Decluttering may seem daunting in the beginning or after a prolonged time. But when you get started, set attainable goals, and keep at it every so often it is rewarding.

    Purging unnecessary items once or twice a month for 15-20 minutes is a good place to start.

    2| Do one load of laundry:

    Doing at least one load of laundry daily is a wise thing to do to prevent mountains of dirty washing.

    If not more, washing daily wear, underwear, activewear, socks, towels, and dish towels can make a huge difference. It is not advisable to keep sweaty, stinky, stained clothes for a longer time.

    It takes 5-10 minutes to sort clothes, wash, dry, fold, and put away but it makes a considerable difference.

    3| Make beds:

    I love to straighten up my bed foremost every morning.

    In India, we are taught this in childhood. So it’s a deeply ingrained habit.

    Making bed first thing in the morning provides a sense of accomplishment. It sets you up in the right mindset.

    It not only promotes cleanliness but also enhances mood and productivity.

    4| Tidy up entryway:

    The entryway is the first impression of your place and so it shouldn’t be neglected.

    This super simple task takes as little as 2 minutes but can make your home look neat and clean.

    The simple action of getting rid of unwanted stuff, wiping down surfaces, having a good storage system, and setting up some rules for people in your family can make all the difference.

    5| 10-minute kitchen clean up:

    Honestly, if you determine you can finish your daily kitchen clean-up in under 10 minutes.

    Yes, you heard it right.

    Putting things away once you finish cooking, wiping spills and spots, wiping down surfaces and appliances, loading/unloading the dishwasher, and shining your sink can be done in a bit.

    If you set the timer every night and move around quickly, you can get your kitchen back in order in minutes.

    6| Speed dust one area:

    Dusting was a pain for me before I discovered how to speed dust.

    With the right tools and methods, you can master speed dusting.

    You just need appropriate cleaning tools and solutions (all-purpose cleaners).

    If you want to speed dust you have to do it daily or on alternate days depending on the situation.

    Check out my earlier article to learn the easiest way to speed dust your home.

    7| Vacuum key areas:

    Vacuuming is important in maintaining a clean and inviting place.

    With tons of germs, skin cells, hair, food particles, and dirt accumulating vacuuming high-traffic areas often becomes crucial from a health point of view. Neglecting this important cleaning step can cause a foul odor.

    The rooms you tend to spend more time in — living room, bedroom, kitchen, and dining area should be vacuumed regularly.

    Again if you’re doing it frequently it won’t take you more than 5 minutes.

    8| Tidy up the bathroom:

    Bathroom cleaning is an annoying task for many of us.

    Because of its moisture content, it is the complete spot for bacterial growth and is considered the dirtiest place.

    Since deep cleaning isn’t possible daily tidying up a little bit helps to keep it fresh, clean, and germ-free.

    The chances of having molds and mildew (harmful to health) are higher when there is a longer gap between deep cleaning.

    Daily swishing and swiping your bathroom ensures a lower risk of infections and sickness.

    9| Empty trash:

    Garbage left for longer decomposes and causes harm. It is a breeding ground for bacteria.

    A 1-2 minute task of emptying the trash regularly is essential to keeping a clean and healthy environment.

    Doing this removes all the nasty odors in your home, prevents insects/pests, and keeps it smelling fresh.

    10| Neaten one trouble zone:

    Zone cleaning for a few minutes a day can be life-saving.

    It is important to keep your home clean and organized all the time.

    Many trouble areas in our home need special attention.

    When we cannot set up good storage solutions, certain areas in our homes get out of control. And over time they become a trouble zone.

    Devoting just 5-10 minutes a day can help transform the place.

    Set the timer for 5-10 minutes. Tackle one small area at a time or divide bigger tasks into little parts so that it’s easier for you.

    Final words:

    With these simple steps, you can keep your home clean and organized all the time.

    What I have learned through years of experience is that —  when you carry out the same tasks regularly, over and over again they become a breeze.

    Because when you clean an already clean space you don’t need to clean it you just have to MAINTAIN it. Maintenance is always much easier than cleaning/deep cleaning.

    Focus on rhythm (regularity).

    So to keep your home clean and organized (all the time) you must focus on repetition rather than heavy labor.

    Even if you’re a beginner, I suggest following these tips and tricks. Don’t go all out. Start small. Begin with these steps and get your home in order first then tackle big projects.

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

  • 5 Steps To A Cleaner Home

    5 Steps To A Cleaner Home

    Want to learn simple steps for a cleaner home? You’re in the right place.

    Cleaning, as much as we hate the process we admire the results. We all value a neat & clean home.

    An uncluttered home with a shiny kitchen sink and counters, dust-free furniture, and clean walls and floors is something we dream of and intend to have. But the process of achieving the same seems daunting. It not only seems daunting it is a lot of time.

    5 Steps To A Cleaner Home

    We’ve got to simplify the cleaning tasks and split them into micro-segment daily routines for us to keep motivated.

    Housework becomes less challenging when essential chores are taken care of daily. And when daily cleaning tasks are built into habits.

    It becomes our second nature as we get accustomed to seeing things a certain way.

    Example: when you form a habit of putting things back right after use. You may feel uncomfortable seeing things scattered. And you would be inclined towards straightening up as soon as possible. The same goes for dishwashing, laundry, bathroom cleaning, and other areas.

    In this fashion, cleaning can be put on autopilot.

    Dividing the chores into morning-evening routines make things less laborious.

    Daily cleaning routines are important because who wants to spend the weekend cleaning when you should be relaxing or enjoying your holiday?

    Your work day off should be your official rest day, you should get a break from cleaning and housework as well.

    Here is the list of daily cleaning tasks:

    “Cleaning and organizing is a practice not a project” -Meagan Francis.

    5 STEPS TO A CLEANER HOME

    Step 1. Wash the dishes every day:

    I know how tempting it is to leave the dishes in the sink (or wherever there are) after meals and do some fun stuff like scrolling through social media feeds, watching television, or napping a bit.

    I mean, let’s face it, no one wants to do the boring job of doing the dishes when there are so many other interesting things in life?

    Even though I am writing this article I am in the same boat.

    But letting the dishes pile up is the only recipe for a massive mess to deal with later on.

    To make the job simplest I have discovered some ways. Here’s your ultimate dishwashing guide.

    5 Steps To A Cleaner Home

    Step 2. Do one load of laundry every day:

    Have you noticed that half of the clutter in the house is caused by the unsorted clothes lying around? Whether small or full, doing a load of laundry every day really helps control this clutter.

    Try to complete the whole cycle — washing, drying & putting the clean laundry away. It is so satisfying to have a clean pair of clothes available whenever you need them.5 Steps To A Cleaner Home

     

    Step 3. Quick tidy-up session:

    A good tidying-up session involves things like:

    • putting toys and other things back into their place
    • making the bed
    • quick bathroom clean-up
    • arranging things in order
    • dusting furniture
    • wiping down the coffee/dining tables and counter-tops
    • sorting mails

    These steps are important for the house to look aesthetically pleasing.  Doing a bunch of these 5-minute activities will save you hours of work on the weekends.

    Related Topics:

    Step 4. Sweep and mop/vacuum:

    Never underestimate the power of a good sweep and mop. The messy floors make the house unclean however well-kept it is. Therefore, weeping & mopping are vital tasks. It makes the home look more presentable in case of unexpected visitors.5 Steps To A Cleaner Home

    Step 5. Daily 15 minutes activity:

    This includes:

    • decluttering a cabinet or a junk drawer
    • decluttering or rearranging closets
    • vacuuming upholstery
    • cleaning kitchen cabinets
    • organizing pantry
    • cleaning refrigerator
    • Deep cleaning bathroom and toilet,
    • Cleaning windows, etc.,

    Start clockwise in a room, taking care of one thing at a time. Set the timer for 15 minutes & stop once the timer goes off. Leave the work just there and continue with the same, the next day.

    In that way, you don’t need to do too much and can still achieve pretty much.

    Final Words:

    So those were 5steps to a cleaner home.

    This daily cleaning routine is sure to help you run your home smoothly.

    Having said that, the tasks here are clearly not enough and a further setup of weekly/monthly deep cleaning is required.

    However, practicing these 5 steps every day has helped me keep on top of housework and I’m sure it’ll help you too.

    Cleaning the house takes regularity, not perfection. As The Flylady says “housework done incorrectly still blesses your family.” So Just put on your favorite music & get started.

    Thanks so much for reading. Be sure to share your secrets to a cleaner home in the comments section below. Happy Cleaning!

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