Keep Up With Daily Tidying
After a big spring cleaning session, it’s important to implement small daily tidying habits to maintain the newly sparkling home. Here are some tips:
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Make the bed every morning. Straightening the sheets and blankets sets an orderly tone for the rest of the day.
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Clear clutter immediately. Don’t let mail, keys, and random items pile up on counters and tables. Put things away as soon as you’re done with them.
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Do a quick tidy before bed. Straighten throw pillows, clear dishes, and pick up any items left out. This prepares a clean slate for the next day.
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Assign chores to each family member. Rotating daily and weekly tasks teaches everyone to contribute.
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Put things back where they belong. Always return items to their designated spots so clutter doesn’t accumulate.
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Do a 30-minute tidy as needed. Set a timer and quickly organize problem areas like entryways, bedrooms and office spaces.
Maintain a Cleaning Schedule
To prevent messes from building up again, stick to a regular cleaning routine. Schedule time each week to tackle these cleaning tasks:
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Laundry – Wash clothes once or twice per week. Fold and put away immediately after.
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Bathrooms – Scrub showers, wipe surfaces, clean mirrors and mop floors weekly.
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Floors – Vacuum high-traffic areas every 2-3 days. Mop tile and wood floors weekly.
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Kitchen – Clear and wipe counters daily. Clean appliances, sink and backsplash weekly.
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Furniture – Dust surfaces and vacuum upholstery weekly.
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Windows – Clean inside and out monthly or as needed.
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Electronics – Wipe down devices like phones and tablets weekly. Dust TVs, keyboards, etc. monthly.
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Bedding – Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly. Rotate mattresses and wash duvet covers monthly.
Organize Problem Areas
Certain spots tend to attract clutter again quickly after cleaning. Make these problem areas more functional to maintain tidiness.
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Entryway – Install hooks for coats and bags. Use a bench or shelving for shoes. Have bins for hats, scarves and gloves.
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Kitchen – Use drawer organizers and turntables to neatly arrange contents. Store lesser used items out of sight.
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Bedrooms – Fold and store clothes right after laundering. Use storage beds and shelves to minimize surfaces.
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Bathrooms – Store bathroom essentials in cabinets and drawers. Usehanging shelves or over the door storage for linens.
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Garage – Label and organize tools on pegboards or shelves. Use storage bins and racks for sports gear and seasonal items.
Declutter Regularly
Allowing clutter to build up again after deep cleaning defeats the purpose. Set aside time each month to declutter:
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Paperwork – Sort through mail immediately. Toss junk mail and file away important documents.
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Kitchen items – Donate unused gadgets and dishes. Organize food pantries and get rid of expired items.
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Toys and games – Have kids sort through which toys they still use. Donate the rest.
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Closets – Try on, repair or donate damaged clothing items. Discard or repurpose broken hangers.
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Furniture – Rearrange furnishings to dump bulky or unused pieces. Repurpose them to new uses.
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Garages and basements – Hold a garage sale or donate unused tools, equipment and furniture taking up space.
Reward Yourself
Maintaining order after a big clean takes effort. Celebrate keeping your sparkling space by treating yourself.
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After a month of staying tidy, get a massage or have dinner out.
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Display photos of your newly organized rooms and accomplishments on social media.
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Place fresh flowers or scented candles around the house and really enjoy the clean backdrop.
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Have friends over to appreciate the decluttered space.
Staying consistent with small daily tasks, regular cleaning, decluttering and organizing keeps the sparkle alive after spring cleaning. Be proud of your home and make tidying up an ongoing family habit. The effort pays off in comfort and peace of mind all year long.
