Cleaning Hacks for Busy Households

A lived in home is a loved in home, right?  But that doesn’t mean having regular clutter doesn’t start taking its toll.  Long workdays plus family commitments can sometimes mean that the daily chores move to the bottom of the priority list.  Before you know it, “spring cleaning,” now suddenly includes pressure washing and maybe even things like weeding…and the daily cleaning pile up on top of it…well, it can start to really pile on to your mental load.    

Have no fear!  You’re not alone.  Everyone feels this way sometimes.  That in mind, I wanted to share some of our family strategies for keeping things tidy without spending all your free time cleaning. 

Step One: Stop the Clutter Before It Starts

I have four kids and I honestly do not know how I ever lived without a mud room!  I’ll tell you how…I used to have piles of stuff all over the darn place.  The baby’s 32 stuffed animals, the teenager’s tennis equipment, the husband’s Amazon returns, the 3^rd grader’s crumpled up papers from his backpack…you name it, I have it. Constantly.   

So, one thing we created to avoid this constant problem was to create storage spaces and designated spaces for the regular “stuff” that comes with daily living.  In my house, we have a mud room:

Here are some ideas you can implement in your home if you do not have a mud room:

1. Install coat hooks and shoe bins in the entryway for easy access.
2. Add a key caddy and shelf for essential items (like your wallet/purse) by the door.
3. Hang a letter bin to capture mail.
4. Place a donation box in a closet for items you no longer want or need.

Don’t get too bothered when you have to remind everyone about the designated areas.  When my kids come in the front door, they sometimes forget that all their stuff needs to go to their mud room locker, so just like with everything, Mama has to remind them.  Developing habits takes time and practice, but once you do, staying on top of clutter will become far more manageable, I guarantee it!

Step Two: Set Yourself Up for Success

For the LONGEST time, I just didn’t sweep my upstairs hallway until cleaning day because, well, the broom was downstairs.  Ha! Isn’t that silly?  Perhaps you might think it’s silly to have an upstairs broom AND a downstairs broom.  But I think it is genius.  Whatever is stopping you from tackling the task, arm yourself with the solution. 

Here are a few ways to make cleaning make more sense:

1. Place extra bags beneath the liner of your trash can, so you’ll have a replacement ready when you take out the trash (my teenager loves this hack).
2. Have disinfecting wipes under every sink for an easy wipe-down.
3. Store a broom and/or vacuum on each floor of your home so they’re easy to access.

Strategically placing tools and supplies in the locations where you’re most likely to need them makes cleaning less of a chore and more of a habit. Enlist your family members to help, and it becomes a breeze!

Step Three: Tackle Smaller Tasks Right Away

Speaking of making tidying up a habit, if you begin a “make a mess, clean it up” philosophy, you’d be surprised at how cleaning can go from a pain to just part of the process.   

Here are some suggestions to add to your routine:

1. Bring items with you when you leave a room. For example, if you have your coffee in your home office each morning, when you leave the office, bring the cup with you.  
2. Clean as you cook, rather than piling it all up for later. As you wait for water to boil, wash the bowls and utensils you used for prep.
3. Hang bath towels on a bar immediately after use. By allowing them to properly air dry, you can cut down on the frequency of laundering. Score!

Step Four: Put Your House “To Bed”

One thing my family and I started doing was to put our house to bed before we go to bed.  We have family dinner almost every night together, and that means that after dinner cleanup is also done together. In this nightly routine, we have also implemented that all belongings that don’t belong in the common areas must be in their respective rooms.  Don’t get me wrong, sometimes those belongings start piling up in my room or my kids rooms, but at least there’s not 247 Barbies or Squishmallows taking over the living room. 

Here are some simple steps that will help you and your home rest easy:

1. Load and run the dishwasher every night so you can empty it the next morning.
2. Do one load of laundry a night.
3. Wipe down all surfaces including countertops and sinks before you turn in.
4. Keep the common areas clean (aka, put your stuff in your room).

I know it can be hard to find the energy for chores in the evening. But if you complete these small tasks each night, especially if you can divide the labor between family members, you’ll start the next day off ready to roll.

Step Five: Schedule Spring Cleaning

One of the common themes of my life is that “if it isn’t on the calendar, it doesn’t happen.” I have four kids, and thirty employees, and several industry related businesses.  So, if I don’t make a point to put something on my calendar, it will absolutely be missed.  My husband and I actually schedule “spring cleaning” on our calendar.  We enlist the help of our kids so that we can get it all done in the same day and/or weekend.

Here are a few tips for success with spring cleaning:  

1. Schedule any large tasks on a weekend day where you have no other events.
2. For things that may be out of your wheelhouse (like for us, it’s cleaning windows), hire out in advance. -à Give us a call for a list of our recommended service providers!
3. Have a list of to dos as well as a plan to tackle them. Be sure any larger tasks are done on separate days.
4. Reward yourself when you are finished!

We Are Here For YOU. For ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE. 

Remember, we’re not just here to help you buy or sell a home. Please reach out if you need referrals for house cleaners, window washers, or other service providers that can help you make the most of your space.

And, as a reminder, because we have experience with real estate sales, lending, and title, if you are considering a larger organizational upgrade, like a custom closet, pantry, or garage system, we can show you how leveraging your home’s equity to make your life easier might be easier than you thought.  Plus, we can also discuss how the investment could impact the value of your home!  For #AllThingsRealEstate, let our TEAM WORK for you.

Much Love, 

Amanda aka The Marketing Mama