It's not secret that keeping a clean and tidy house can be challenging, especially when you're a busy mom like me. With work, family, and other obligations, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to keep up with daily cleaning tasks. Additionally, it can be challenging to motivate yourself and your family to maintain good habits and stick to a cleaning routine. Life can be unpredictable and hectic, and unexpected events or emergencies can disrupt your plans and make it harder to stay on top of household chores. Despite these challenges, it's important to prioritize a clean and organized living space for the health and well-being of you and your family.
While deep cleaning your house regularly is important, there are simple daily habits you can adopt that can make a significant difference in keeping your home looking neat and organized. I used to think that I could only keep my house tidy by cleaning everyday, Nope, that's becomes too overwhelming & not realistic. But, there is one powerful task that keeps my home simplified and organized. By doing a few things daily, you can avoid having to spend hours cleaning up. This one task, will help you not only help keep your home organized, but a home where you can find things and clean less. In this blog, we’ll explore a simple daily task that can help you maintain a clean and clutter-free home, so let’s get started.
So what's the big secret? Its the number one thing that can change your life to help you and your family manage the clutter daily. That number one task is.....
Always put things away when you are done using them
It sounds so simply right, But believe it or not putting thing away immediately after using them is extremely common. There could be several reasons why people don't put things away when they're done using them. Some people may not have a designated place to put things, so they leave them out because they don't know where else to put them. Others may simply be forgetful or in a hurry, and they don't take the time to put things away properly. Some people may also have a tendency to procrastinate, thinking that they'll put things away later, but then forget to do so. Additionally, some people may struggle with clutter or hoarding tendencies, making it difficult for them to let go of things and keep their space organized. Whatever the reason, not putting things away when you're done using them can lead to clutter and disorganization, which can contribute to stress and a lack of productivity.
Putting thing away immediately after using then has numerous benefits that can help keep your home simplified and organized, including:
Reducing clutter: when you put things away immediately, you prevent clutter from accumulating in your home. Clutter can make the space feel messy and overwhelming, and it can also make it difficult to find the thing you need.
Saving time: Putting things away immediately saves time in the long run because you won’t have to spend extra time cleaning up later. When everything has a designated place, it’s easier to find what you need when you need it, which can save time and reduce stress.
Reducing Stress: Living in a cluttered and disorganized space can be stressful, whereas living in a simplified and organized space can have the opposite effect. When everything is in its place, you can relax and enjoy your home without feeling overwhelmed by mess and clutter.
Improving safety: Putting things away immediately can also help improve safety in your home. For example, leaving toys or other items on the floor can create a tripping hazard, whereas putting them away can prevent accidents.
Here are some tips on creating systems to put things away in your home.
Designated storage spaces: Create designated storage spaces for different items in your home. For example, use a shelf or drawer for books, a basket for magazines, or a bin for toys. Make sure everyone in your household knows where each item belongs and encourage them to put things away in the appropriate spot.
Keep it simple: Keep your storage system simple and easy to use. Don't make it too complicated or time-consuming to put things away, or you and your family may be less likely to use it.
Make it visible: Keep your storage system visible so you and your family can see where everything belongs. For example, use open shelves instead of closed cabinets or drawers, or use clear bins so you can see what's inside.
Use organizers: Use organizers like bins, baskets, and drawer dividers to keep items sorted and easy to find. For example, use a hanging organizer in your closet for shoes, or a utensil organizer in your kitchen drawer. This will make it easier to put things away in the right spot.
Labeling: Labeling can be a useful way to keep track of where items belong, especially if you have a lot of storage containers. Use labels to mark bins or shelves, or use a label maker to create custom labels for specific items.
Examples of items that are commonly left out and tips for putting them away properly:
Mail: Mail is often left out on kitchen counters or dining tables. To put it away properly, create a designated spot for incoming mail, such as a mail holder or bin. Sort the mail as soon as it comes in, tossing out junk mail and recycling envelopes. Place bills and other important documents in a file or folder and put it in a designated spot.
Shoes: Shoes are often left by the front door, in hallways, or on closet floors. To put them away properly, create a shoe storage system near the entryway. Use a shoe rack or cubby system to keep shoes organized and encourage family members to put their shoes away as soon as they come in the house.
Dishes: Dishes are often left in the sink or on kitchen counters. To put them away properly, create a system for cleaning and storing dishes. Immediately rinse dishes and place them in the dishwasher or hand wash and dry them. Put clean dishes away in designated cabinets or drawers to keep them organized.
Laundry: Laundry is often left in hampers or on bedroom floors. To put it away properly, create a system for sorting and storing laundry. Have separate hampers for lights and darks and encourage family members to put their dirty clothes in the appropriate hamper. Once laundry is clean, fold it and put it away in designated drawers or shelves.
Shopping items: When you get home from shopping, take a few minutes to unpack your purchases and put them away. Don't let bags and packages sit out for too long, as they can quickly create clutter and take up space. Remove excess packaging from items before putting them away. For example, take food out of boxes and put it in a container or jar. This will save space and reduce clutter.
Toys: Toys are often left out on living room floors in kids' bedrooms or playrooms. To put them away properly, create a system for toy storage. Use bins or shelves to organize toys by type, and encourage kids to put their toys away in the appropriate spot at the end of the day.
Always putting things away is a simple yet effective task that can help keep your home organized and clutter-free. By taking a few seconds to put things away after you're done using them, you can prevent items from piling up and creating unnecessary messes. Not only does this help maintain a clean and tidy living space, but it can also reduce stress and increase productivity by eliminating visual distractions and promoting a sense of order. While it may seem like a small task, the habit of always putting things away can have a big impact on your daily life. So, make it a priority to put things away as soon as you're done using them, and enjoy the benefits of a clean and organized home.