8 steps to keep your home clean & clutter free everyday

 

Hello, 2018! A new year has begun and the month of January for me is always very exciting. I’m all about embracing the fresh start, regrouping my thoughts, focusing on new goals, building new dreams and creating plans for how we are going to achieve those big (or small) dreams… I’ve come to realize over the past years and especially after having kids that I am much more productive, focused and efficient when I stick to a routine. For me, to perform best in every aspect of my life I need to be in a clutter free and clean environment. Or else I’m completely off focus, I try to do 1000 things at the same time and let’s face it, it puts me right in a bad mood if the house is a mess. In order to have the house clean looking and to help me keep a little bit of my sanity, there are 8 quick & easy steps that I do every day (WE, actually, my hubby participate in these steps daily!)

 

1. MAKE THE BEDS & QUICK BEDROOM TIDY UP

First thing first, making the beds is a simple way to help keep the room tidy. I make all the beds as soon as we get up and try to get the boys to help and participate in tidying up their bedrooms.  Dirty pajamas are toss in their laundry baskets and all toys go back in their toy chests before heading to the bathroom, to get ready.

2. WIPE DOWN THE BATHROOM

I keep a box of cleaning towelettes under the sink and as soon as we are all groomed and ready for the day I do a very quick bathroom wipe down. I clean off the countertop of any personal products, I wipe the counter and around the sink with my towelettes and I do a quick wipe on the toilet seat (lots of boys around here, this needs to be a daily chore lol).

3. ONE LOAD OF LAUNDRY WASHED, FOLDED, AND PUT AWAY EVERYDAY

If I go one day without doing at least one load of laundry, the clothing piles can quickly add up. Often I will put one load in the morning, put it in the dryer as soon as the cycle is done and I will fold & put away when the kiddos are sleeping later at night.

4. KEEP THE KITCHEN COUNTERS CLEAN

Rule of thumb in our house is clean as you go! Sound crazy, but it goes a long way and helps us stay organized and clutter free. I will wipe and clear our kitchen counters throughout the day and always clean as I go when I’m cooking. It makes the experience more enjoyable and helps me stay on track with the different steps that I need to do in my meal prep.

5. LOAD, RUN, AND EMPTY THE DISHWASHER

As soon as breakfast, lunch, and dinner are over, I immediately clean the dishes and load the dishwasher. I Can not stand dishes lying around in the sink or on the counters for more then … 5 minutes? It really is my pet peeves and I need to clear dirty dishes asap! I also try to unload the dishwasher before bed at night so its something less to do in the morning.

6. ARRANGE THE COUCH PILLOWS & TIDY UP THE LIVING ROOM

We spend a lot of time in our living room and it can quickly get cluttered. We have a few throw pillows and comfy throws on the couches that can really look messy once they are all out of place or… on the floor. I tried to tidy up the couches & pillows a few times during the day and night, just so our living room stays cozy and inviting and tend to wait towards the end of the night to pick up toys and books.

7. QUICK VACCUM (OR BROOM) & MAIN FLOOR CLUTTER SWEEP THROUGH