Do you enjoy keeping your sink clean each day? I began developing simple housekeeping habits about twenty years ago. After our third child arrived, I had to rethink how to maintain a home while juggling a busy family. The busier life gets, the more important it is to work efficiently. Over time I developed four daily routines that changed everything for me.
These routines have appeared in variations on the blog and in my books, but at their core they are:
Make Your Bed.
Clean Your Sink.
Do Cleaning Frenzies.
Do a Daily Load of Laundry.
I call these “domino” housekeeping habits because each small task often leads to another. When you complete one simple routine, you’re likely to happily do a few extra things, and your home begins to feel more like a sanctuary. The cleaning frenzies are especially flexible: they let you adapt to each day’s needs while still providing structure. When you follow them, even imperfectly, you end the day feeling accomplished.
Over the next few weeks I’ll share more about the cleaning frenzies and walk through each of these daily routines in detail. I hope these ideas inspire you—take what works and leave the rest.
If you don’t already clean your kitchen sink every day, try a 30-day experiment. It can be surprisingly uplifting for how you view your home and how you feel about yourself. A simple routine frees you from feeling overwhelmed by housework so you can enjoy being at home.
Below are practical tips to make daily sink cleaning feel pleasant and sustainable.
Consider a clean sink a gift to yourself.
Avoid thinking of these routines as “chores.” Caring for your home is a way to care for yourself. My aim is to have the sink clean before bed. Whether I wash the dishes myself or a family member helps, everyone here knows I’m happier with a clean sink. If needed, I would do it alone because a tidy kitchen brings me peace.
Try to keep the sink tidy throughout the day or at least empty it before dinner. Starting dinner with a sink full of dishes makes evening cleanup harder. If you clear the sink before you begin cooking, the end-of-day cleanup goes much faster and gives you more time for the things you enjoy.
- Play music you enjoy while you work to make the task more pleasant.
- Add small decorative touches—fresh flowers, a pretty dish towel, or a plant—to give you something lovely to look at when the sink is clear.
- Use dishes you love. It’s more satisfying to put away attractive plates and mugs than stacks you dislike.
- Choose non-toxic cleaning products to protect your health. Avoid cleaners that require warnings, gloves, or excessive ventilation. Use gentle dish soap and household cleaners so daily tasks don’t expose you to harmful fumes.
- Instead of candles or aerosol sprays, use a quality diffuser and pure plant-based oils to scent your kitchen safely. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to homemade cleaners for a fresh aroma.
- Make a ritual of it: pour a cup of tea or your preferred beverage and sip it while you finish the kitchen. Turning cleanup into a small ritual makes it more enjoyable.
- When you finish, dry and polish the sink. Keep a small towel handy beneath the sink so it’s easy to wipe the basin dry. Those final touches make mornings feel nicer.
Do you have a sink-cleaning routine?
If you want more daily routines and home inspiration, follow my stories on Instagram at The Inspired Room and check out the Dwell Well Collective. If you’re interested in switching to toxin-free cleaning products, oils, and diffusers, consider products that support a healthier home.
If you need help finding safe cleaning supplies or want suggestions for making your home both clean and healthy, feel free to reach out.
If you have questions about ordering products or need assistance, email [email protected] and I’ll be glad to help.
Related posts:
My daily routines + puttering
How to keep your house clean with dogs.
My Bestselling Decorating + Homemaking + Organizing Books