I’m often asked how we keep our house feeling clean. It isn’t always perfectly tidy here (no paid help), but we rely on simple systems that make the home feel fresh and manageable—despite dogs and visiting toddlers.
Below are seven practical ways we keep our home clean enough to feel welcoming and calm.
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One: The Steps
We sweep the stairs regularly. A quick sweep a couple of times a week makes a huge difference in how tidy the whole house feels. It only takes a few minutes, and keeping the stairs free of dirt and pet hair immediately lifts the look of the main traffic areas.
Two: The Furniture
Cover furniture and bench seats with washable tablecloths, quilts, or blankets. With pets and little ones in the house, throwing a washable layer over sofas and benches simplifies life. Instead of constantly scrubbing upholstery, these covers can be tossed in the wash as needed.
The trick is to choose attractive blankets and quilts that coordinate with your decor so the room still looks intentional. If you don’t like the covers, you won’t enjoy the result—so buy ones you love.
Blanket ideas we use and recommend:
- Reversible blankets in coordinated colors for sofas and chairs.
- Plaid cotton throws for benches and layered styling.
- Simple white coverlets for daybeds that wash easily.
- Tassel-edged tablecloths for bench seating and dining benches.
Three: The Toddler Messes
We welcome babies and pups first—cleanliness comes second to family. Still, a few protective items keep messes from taking over. When a little one is eating or crafting, we use small, washable tarps or protective covers that drape over benches and can hang down to protect cabinets and rugs.
After the activity, the tarp goes in the wash and the area underneath still looks tidy. It’s an easy way to enjoy time together without worrying about lasting messes.
Four: The Floors
Clean floors make the whole house feel clean. We rely on a robot vacuum for daily upkeep on the main floor; it navigates rugs and furniture so crumbs and pet hair don’t pile up. Upstairs, a lightweight, easy-to-store vacuum handles fluff and finer debris quickly.
Regular sweeping, spot-mopping, and running the robot vacuum each day or every other day keeps floors manageable and the home feeling fresh.
Five: Spills and Accidents on Fabrics and Rugs
For spills on fabrics and rugs we keep a portable spot cleaner on hand. It’s effective for pet accidents, food spills, and other spots that need immediate attention.
Using washable rugs wherever possible makes cleanups much simpler—remove, wash, and replace to restore the room quickly.
Six: The Dust
Dust is another common concern. Two habits help us stay on top of it:
1) Quick, regular dusting of surfaces. Use a versatile duster that reaches light fixtures, shelves, and stair railings to remove dust before it settles. Short, frequent sessions prevent buildup.
2) Seasonal refreshes. Each season we tidy and refresh decor and shelving, which is a natural time to dust, declutter, and polish items. That seasonal reset keeps everything looking cared for year-round.
Seven: General House Cleaning
General habits and tools that help us maintain a clean home:
Keep window and mirror cloths handy to wipe pet nose marks and splashes quickly. Store scrub brushes and old towels near the sink for fast daily cleanups—little spot-cleaning routines prevent bigger chores later.
We also use toxin-free household products on a regular schedule so our home is both clean and healthier for our family. Simple, consistent supplies make upkeep feel easy instead of overwhelming.
If you want more ideas for creating a calm, tidy home, consider joining The HomeBody House—a quiet place to learn, find ideas, and be inspired to make your home a sanctuary.