How to keep a house clean
When I was a younger mom I filled notebooks and files with color-coded plans, chore charts and complicated systems meant to keep our home organized. The trouble was that once the systems were in place, I rarely followed them. I had made housekeeping far more complicated than it needed to be and I often felt behind, as if the house were slipping toward chaos.
Over time I evaluated what I wanted to bring into my life and what I wanted to leave behind. I want a beautifully decorated, clean and organized home, but I also want to spend time on relationships and enjoy life. I want order so I can live well, not so I become a slave to routines.
So how do I balance everything? I keep it simple.
Over the years I discovered four basic daily routines that reliably keep our home in order. Some ideas came from FlyLady, others from books I read when I was newly married, and some are things I developed myself. By focusing on a few practical habits that fit my life, my home supports my family rather than overwhelming it.
Here is what I focus on every day:
1. Morning routine. A simple morning routine sets the tone for the whole day. For me this means a bit of quiet time, making the bed, taking a shower (and hanging up the towel), putting on light makeup and getting fully dressed, shoes included. I also start a load of laundry while getting ready. Beginning the day with these small, consistent actions gives me energy and momentum.
2. Clean sinks. One of the simplest and most transformative habits I adopted from FlyLady (and from my mother) is to keep sinks clean and shiny every night. In our house we finish the day by putting away dishes, running the dishwasher if needed, wiping counters and polishing the sink. Waking to a clean kitchen makes mornings feel calmer and prevents small messes from becoming big ones. I apply the same rule to bathroom sinks so they don’t become discouraging spots filled with hair or toothpaste.
Click HERE for my secrets and tried and true tips for cleaning a white sink (without harsh chemicals!)
3. Cleaning frenzies. My husband and I use short, focused cleanups we call “cleaning frenzies.” These can last ten minutes or up to an hour, and everyone pitches in, including the kids. We either concentrate on one room or tackle a task across the house—dusting, clearing surfaces, or cleaning toilets. A quick coordinated effort makes a big difference fast and prevents clutter from accumulating. Even one ten-minute frenzy a day removes a lot of frustration.
4. A little laundry each day. Doing at least one load of laundry daily and taking it through to folding and putting it away keeps laundry from piling up. A steady, small effort is far less overwhelming than letting it accumulate into a mountain of clothes.
If I maintain these basic routines, our home stays “clean enough” most of the time. Daily upkeep prevents that exhausted feeling that comes from tasks left unattended. When these habits are in place, it’s easy to add occasional deeper cleanings or organizing projects without feeling overwhelmed.
Of course my house isn’t perfect, and I’m fine with that. The goal is a livable, comfortable home, not perfection. These four simple routines are dependable and realistic for our family. They keep our home functioning and free me to focus on the things that matter most.
What are your tried and true routines? What is your biggest area of frustration in keeping your house clean?
RELATED POSTS:
How to Clean A White Sink (3 Secrets, Without Harsh Chemicals)
How Do You Keep a Clean House with Dogs?
How to Clean Up Your House in Five Minutes
The Toxic Secret Hiding in Your Clean House
If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy my NYT Bestselling book on homemaking and being content with your home, called Love the Home You Have.
And my book Make Room for What You Love dives into daily schedules, simplifying, decluttering and organizing your home and life.
