Keeping It Tidy

Since we are all quarantined at home, now -more than ever- is an ideal time to start some tidy housekeeping habits. As I've gotten older, I've developed an extreme aversion to clutter. Also, being a dog owner, I've become paranoid about being "that" person, who has the dirty house overrun by dog hair and paw prints! I think the best compliment I can get is when people ask me how I keep my house so clean with 4 dogs! Over time, I've found manageable ways to keep a tidy home without feeling like it requires an entire team of people to overhaul my house! Here are some of my best practices on keeping it tidy.

Do it daily

This may be the biggest key to tidying. It might also sound the most intimidating, but it's true! Tidy people don't rely on binge-cleaning. Putting off chores tends to lead to a pile-up of daunting responsibility which makes you less apt to get to it. Instead, doing daily things which don't take much time will save you so much work in the long run. For me, I find that it's helpful to make sure my short list of things is done each night and it's incorporated into my routine. Do the dishes (whether it's loading the dishwasher or at least cleaning them and putting them in the drying rack). Wipe down the counters. Sweep or Swiffer the floors. For pet owners, run a handheld vacuum over the couch. Wipe down the bathroom counter after you've finished brushing your teeth. Doing little things along the way will allow for you to use your extra time on the weekends to focus on the deep cleaning. I've found that waking up to a tidy house in the morning makes for a much better day. You'll be glad you did it.

Make the bed

Speaking of waking up, make your darn bed! Even if your bedroom isn't squeaky clean, you'll be amazed at how much neater it looks with a freshly made bed. It's that simple. Take the extra 2 minutes, and just do it.

Don't let counters become catch-alls

I don't know about you, but I cannot stand a cluttered kitchen counter. Don't make your counters or table a catch-all. Get in the habit of putting everything away when you get home from the grocery store. Designate a spot for your keys, sunglasses, purse, etc. Sift through the mail every day, throw away the junk, and put the action items in a place where you'll remember to take care of it. Clear counters and tables set the tone for a tidy space.

Everything has a place

Before buying something new, ask yourself, "Where will I put this?" This has been a struggle for me, since I find myself to be someone who wants "all the things." What I've found helpful is to really take a close look at which items I'm ready to part with. As I bring in new things, I force myself to make a conscious effort to pre-determine whether I already have a place for it, and if not, what will go? If your answer is that it will sit on the kitchen counter, on the floor, or on your nightstand, then you might want to rethink it! On the same note, think about where you're storing things. Side note: one of my BIGGEST pet peeves is a closet with no doors. Not many people have the most organized closet, admittedly, I'm one of them. Designating places to store things (and keeping it confined) is key to being tidy.

Always have cleaner on hand

Okay, this might seem like a no-brainer, but there's nothing worse than looking at a smudge on a window, mirror, or wall, and not having the proper solvent to clean it! As part of your daily routine, make a point to touch up surfaces as you go, and the results will be worth it!

Staple cleaners that I always have on hand:

• Blueland, The Clean Essentials kit, which is super nice because it consists of resuable bottles and tablets that just need to be mixed with water

• Good old-fashioned equal parts water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle

• Lysol Multi-surface in Lemon

• Pledge Multisurface in Rainshower

• Windex, though Blueland has a great alternative

So, there you have it - my tips for being tidy. Pretty simple, right? Of course, it all boils down to what works for you, your schedule, and your routine. Take a moment to think about what small changes you can begin to incorporate to get you on your way to a tidy home.