Easy Ways To Get More Done Around The House

Cheryl T
Aug 8, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Jul 24

Easy Ways To Get More Done Around The House

"Housekeeping is like being caught in a revolving door." Marcelene Cox

Staying on top of keeping your home clean and organized can be challenging. Sometimes life gets in the way, and we fall behind in our household chores. But we can succeed with some planning and some productive routines. And we don't have to spend hours at a time cleaning.

Make your bed as soon as you wake up. Making your bed sets the tone for your day. You have accomplished something first thing in the morning. It feels good.

Making your bed first thing in the morning. — Make your bed.

Avoid distractions. Put your phone out of reach, and you will be less likely to check for text messages or Twitter posts. Social media can quickly drain our productivity.

Don't let paper clutter pile up. Sort the mail as soon as it arrives, and either shred or file it immediately.

Start your day with a walk around the house, taking note of the priorities for the day.

Forget perfection. Why can't good be enough?

If it's not dirty, don't clean it.

"The only thing I hate more than having a dirty house is cleaning." – Unknown.

Take 5 minutes to declutter. Check your home's hot spots, put away misplaced items, and gather up any trash that may have accumulated.

Make a list of your top priorities for the day. If you accomplish your top three or four priorities, you will have had a reasonably successful day.

Use rugs. Rugs or mats in the entryways or high-traffic areas keep dirt from being tracked throughout the house.

Create a cleaning schedule. Nothing detailed. Maybe certain days for certain chores. Make Monday laundry day, or consider Wednesday as the day to do the vacuuming. You get the idea.

Keep the necessary cleaning supplies readily available in the kitchen and bathrooms.

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Be organized, so you don't waste time looking for things. A place for everything and everything in its place is a good motto to keep in mind.

Put things away. We never stop to think that if we just put things away where they belong when we finish with them, our house would stay much neater. Hang that coat up, rinse that tub, and put the toothpaste away. All those little things contribute to the cluttered look of our home, and it takes just seconds to put them away.

Follow the clean-as-you-go when cooking rule. Save yourself from facing the utter disaster of piles of dirty dishes and cluttered counters. Stay on top of things as you cook.

Vacuum often. This is especially important if you have pets that shed their fur. Use a swifter or dust mop for your wood floors, making sure to get under the furniture.

Turn up the music to make cleaning a little more fun. Listen to some upbeat music and get moving.

Try cleaning as you go. After washing your face and brushing your teeth, wipe down the sink and mirror. Try doing a little cleaning each time you are in the bathroom: Clean the mirror, swish and wipe the toilet, and so on. These things only take a minute or two.

If you pass through the kitchen, wash any dishes in the sink, empty the dishwasher, or drain the dishwasher. Remember, these little chores only take minutes, and keeping up with them will save you time in the long run.

Don't forget to look up. Check your corners and ceilings for cobwebs. They tend to sneak up on you.

On some days, you may need a little motivation to get you going. That's okay. Enjoy your favorite chocolate and a good book. Or enjoy a short nap. Whatever works for you. You have earned a bit of a reward.

It's up to us to determine how clean it is for us. We have to be realistic. Do we think we must have our homes so clean that we could eat off the floors? It has never occurred to me to set a goal of eating off the floor in my house.

I guess I am good as long as we are comfortable in the home and not embarrassed to have visitors, and the Board of Health isn't pounding on our door. Some days are spent picking up and maintaining, while others are spent washing floors and dusting for cobwebs. Sooner or later, it all comes together. Cleaning does not have to be an all-or-nothing issue.

Of course, if you feel you need to do a significant cleaning, host a dinner, or have a get-together at your home, the urge to clean will suddenly appear.