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The best part of summer is enjoying more opportunities to get outside. Baseball games, running through the sprinkler, grilling on the patio with family, and sipping on some wine while relaxing in a POLYWOOD Adirondack.
But, more time outside means tracking extra messes into our homes, and if you don't stay on top of cleaning, dirt can easily be transferred to every corner of the house.
We recently asked our friends at The Tidy Maids for some helpful tips to help combat the mess and maintain a clean home this summer.
1: Make it a point to de-clutter
Extra items around your home only serve to crowd your rooms and make it harder to keep the dust bunnies at bay! Take the time to sort out your items and donate anything you don't need or use to your local thrift shop. Once you do away with things you don't need in your home, you'll reduce hiding places for germs, dust, and allergens.
2: Keep your cleaning supplies organized and handy
With kids and pets around, you're at a higher risk of experiencing accidental spills or pet messes. Most stains stick firmer if left unattended for long, so keep your cleaning supplies in one handy spot so you can easily tackle any mess as soon as it occurs.
Some of the essentials you may consider investing in include disinfectant wipes, cloths or paper towels, an all-purpose cleaner (try our homemade cleaner), and a supply caddy to keep them organized in one spot.
A lightweight, handheld vacuum cleaner is an excellent item to have on hand too. It's perfect for spot cleaning your couch, baseboards, and other awkward spots.
3: Get the family involved
It's not a secret, but if you want your housecleaning exercise to feel lighter, get everyone in the house involved.
Those with kids can attest that getting your children (or grandchildren) excited about picking up is easier said than done. But, if everyone in the house can get in the habit of putting the cereal back in the pantry, placing their dirty clothes in the hamper, and picking up their toys before moving onto the next, the house will remain picked up and quick cleans will be much more attainable.
4: The 10-minute clean-up
Illustration Credit: Michael Robertson
You can even try the 10-minute clean-up. Set the timer for 10 minutes each day and have everyone in your household pick up/clean as much as they can in that allotted time.
This is a great opportunity to focus on refilling the soap dispensers, dusting off your dresser, loading the dishwasher, taking out the trash, sorting the dirty laundry, etc. Once your time is up, you can pick up where you left off tomorrow. By the weekend, your list of chores won't be as long and you can get right into a deep clean, as needed.
5: Find a convenient way to organize items
Everyone is more motivated to help when they understand where each item is supposed to be. Designating an easily accessible spot to store papers, bills, menus, and other paperwork is a great way to keep excess clutter and mail sorted, yet off your kitchen counters. Even an organized "junk" drawer is an excellent place to keep batteries, pens, and loose change close at hand.
What tips/tricks do you use when cleaning? We'd love to hear if you have a favorite cleaning item or homemade cleaning recipe!
Big thanks to Beverly Jenkins from The Tidy Maids for the tips in this post. Beverly is proud of her staff at The Tidy Maids house cleaning service in Raleigh, NC, and has 24 years of experience in house cleaning, customer service, and business operations. She knows all the tips and tricks and do-it-yourself hacks when it comes to cleaning–her clients' homes are the best proof for that.
Great post, quick tips for maintaining tidiness in home is something I needed! The tip number 3 reminded me to buy a doormat. Since I didn't like our old one I didn't have any in front of our door, but that is something I definitely need to get. I think it will make a big difference, when all the dirt will be kept out of the house. Thank you!
I have for a long time considered making a special room for all the cleaning supplies to keep our family more cleaning motivated. I could see that would help us keeping our cleaning routines in check alot better. One tip to make the cleaning more efficent is to always start from top (countertops etc.) to bottom (the floor). This way the same dust particles wont be flying around twice.
-Thanks for the quick read!