As the dust settles from spring cleaning, it's time to embrace habits that will keep your home sparkling year-round. After all, who wants to wait an entire year for their space to be back in tip-top condition? With expert advice from Melissa Caverly, the founder of Imagine Maids, discover how a few straightforward tweaks can help you cultivate habits for a tidy home in every season.
1. Commit to making your bed every morning
Start your day by making the bed as soon as you rise. Not only will you return home later to find one task checked off your list, but you'll also be greeted by a visually pleasing and organized space within your room. ‘Making your bed each morning puts you in an organized mindset from the start, influencing the rest of your day,’ Melissa says. Additionally, a well-made bed serves as a practical surface for any tidying endeavors throughout the day, such as folding laundry or sorting belongings.
2. Keep a cleaning bin in every room
You might currently store all your cleaning supplies together, perhaps under the sink in the kitchen or bathroom. However, it could be more beneficial to separate them. Keep bathroom cleaning supplies exclusively in the bathroom and kitchen cleaning supplies solely in the kitchen, and designate a specific spot, like a part of the wardrobe or a storage bin under the bed, for dusters, window cleaners, and other bedroom essentials. This setup encourages frequent cleaning since you won't have to leave the room to fetch supplies, especially for minor messes. It serves as a visual cue to tidy up and minimizes the chance of getting sidetracked while retrieving supplies, ultimately avoiding forgetting to clean altogether.
3. Make monthly donations
Repurpose an old cardboard box as a donation bin and place it in a spot that’s always accessible in your home. Melissa says, ‘Here's the simple strategy: gather the items cluttering your space and place them in the box. However, refrain from taking the box to a donation center until the end of each month. Throughout the month, if you find yourself missing or needing something you put in the bin, retrieve it. Anything left in the bin by the end of the month gets donated.’ Keeping a tidy home becomes easier with fewer belongings. Establishing a regular schedule to declutter prevents clutter from accumulating. Moreover, it ensures that the items you choose to keep are those you genuinely value.
4. Close down the kitchen
Everyone who’s worked at a restaurant has learned the ‘close down’ process, a cleaning routine that ensures the kitchen is ready to go the following day. No dirty dishes or unwiped counters are left behind for the next shift. Melissa recommends, ‘Imagine treating your own kitchen as if it were your personal restaurant and apply the same principles. Establish a close-down rule, such as ensuring all dishes are either in the dishwasher, drying rack, or cabinets—not left in the sink.’
5. Stack your chores
When it comes to taking care of yourself and your home, you can multitask effectively. Melissa suggests a technique called chore stacking. While you’re doing laundry or running the dishwasher, you can utilize the time to keep your tidying momentum going. ‘Consider the timer on appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine as your amount of time to tackle other chores,’ advises Melissa. ‘Use this time to accomplish additional tasks around the house, like dusting or decluttering surfaces.’ If you need a break, take one, but maintain a clean mindset. Use the break to snack on healthy options like nuts, veggie sticks, or fruit, which provide energy to fuel a productive day. Also, remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
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