Do you ever come home from a busy day at work and feel overwhelmed about everything you have to do at home?

 

From laundry to cleaning – sometimes, it can feel as though you’re moving from one job to another, only you don’t get paid for the second one! However, good organization can go a long way toward making home maintenance and management easier! 

Photo by Kam Idris on Unsplash

 

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to keep your home in good order.

Say goodbye to clutter.

Clutter is more than just an annoyance -it can also have a profound effect on your physical and mental health. For example, clutter within any room of your home can allow dust and other allergens to build up, leading to respiratory issues and weakening your immune system. 

 

Beyond this, various studies have found that those who live in cluttered homes are more likely to deal with stress and anxiety, as they feel as though they are not in control of their home environment. 

 

Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can say goodbye to clutter for good. For example, you can simply strive to be less sentimental when choosing what you keep and give up, or try the Mari Kondo Method, popularised by the Netflix TV show. 

Carry out routine maintenance.

We’re all guilty of leaving maintenance tasks to the last minute, whether that’s a step that creaks every time you stand on it, the need to hire a plumber for a leaky pipe, or an issue with your roof. However, the longer you prolong these repairs, the more expensive (and challenging) they become to resolve. It could also mean that you find yourself facing a never-ending list of maintenance tasks when you finally get around to carrying them out.

 

For example, if you’ve noticed any issues with your split type aircon, it’s crucial that they are resolved right away – especially as this serves an essential function within your home. However, instead of trying to carry out this work independently, you should contact a local hvac repair company, such as Balance Point Heating & Air Conditioning.

Put together a cleaning schedule or routine.

While there’s nothing wrong with arming yourself with cleaning supplies and carrying out an annual deep clean (or spring clean), you must put together a cleaning schedule for your home. This helps you to stay on top of any cleaning-related tasks, ensuring that none are neglected or forgotten. 

 

You can divide the majority of cleaning tasks into weekly or monthly tasks, as follows. 

 

Weekly: 

  • Vacuuming or mopping the floors 
  • Cleaning the bathroom & kitchen
  • Polishing and dusting 
  • Changing bedding 
  • Decluttering

 

Monthly: 

  • Cleaning out appliances 
  • Cleaning windows/mirrors 
  • Cleaning curtains and blinds 

 

When you put together a cleaning schedule, be sure to divide the duties equally between yourself and those you live with (when it is appropriate to do so). This could be a great way to introduce your children to healthy cleaning habits and chores. 

Get organized.

Another way in which you can keep your home in good order is by finding ways to be more organized, which can also come in handy. For example, you may be dealing with an excess of clutter because your home lacks proper storage space. In this case, it’s time to invest in additional storage. If you’re short on space, try to find furniture that doubles as storage, such as sofas or chairs with under-seat compartments. 

Check your alarms. 

Did you know that you are supposed to check your smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarms on a monthly basis? This simple task is something that many homeowners forget to do until the low-battery alarm starts to sound. However, failing to check these devices could mean that you’re putting your health and safety at risk. As such, you should test your alarms once a month – it only takes a few seconds, but it will give you much greater peace of mind moving forward. 

Consider hiring a cleaner. 

If you find that there just isn’t enough time in the day (or week) to keep your home in good order – whether that be due to a hectic work schedule, childcare responsibilities, or even a lack of energy, you may want to consider hiring a cleaner.

 

After all, they will help keep your home in a spotless condition by carrying out the hard work on your behalf. You can continue to carry out your daily cleaning tasks when necessary, only the work will not be as extensive and therefore easier to manage. 

Don’t let dishes pile up. 

Nobody enjoys washing the dishes, but letting them pile up in your sink will not make the task any more enjoyable. In fact, it will only make it more time-consuming as you work your way through a week’s worth of dishes and ground-in stains. This is also a significant health hazard! 

 

As such, you should ensure that dishes are washed up right away. You could even give yourself a head start by washing up any items you used to prep your meal while it is cooking. This way, you feel as though you are spending less time in the kitchen overall, and you don’t have as much to do after enjoying a delicious meal.

 

Alternatively, you may want to use this as an opportunity to invest in a dishwasher. This way, you only need to load your dishes into this each day (or every few days, depending on the size of your household) and turn it on. Not only is this a great time-saver, but it could also save you money. For example, a recent study found that “dishwashers are, on average, four times more water efficient than washing by hand per place setting.”

 

Final Thoughts.

If you want to transform your home in the new year or simply keep it in a better condition, then the above guide is a great standing point. From curating a cleaning and maintenance schedule to sharing duties and tasks among all members of the household, you’ll find that it’s easier than ever to keep your home sparkling clean!