Zap the Messes & Live In A Clean House

Zap the Messes & Live In A Clean House

Whether you live alone or you live with a houseful of people – small messes can make it difficult to keep a clean house. Some things can quickly clutter up your space and make it look untidy.

The trick is – finding ways to keep up with the messes. Believe it or not, there are some simple things you can do that will make a big difference. Let’s talk about some of the strategies that you can put to work right away.

It Starts (And Stops) At The Front Door

Think about the things that come through your front door and the clutter that accumulates in that area. Mail can be a real problem. Make it a habit to sort through your mail as soon as you bring it in. Put the junk mail where it belongs and create a special place to organize and store mail that needs your attention.

Are shoes, boots, jackets and umbrellas a problem? Take control. If you don’t have a handy coat closet you can use creative storage options. For instance, you can add a coat tree or a storage bench. Now days there are lots of pretty furniture pieces that offer storage and more.

5 Minute Room-Duty

Although you can’t thoroughly clean a room in five minutes you can do a quick pick-up. For example, it doesn’t take long to straighten a bed cover or to gather the things that do not belong in the space. If you will give each area just 5 minutes a day you will be surprised at the effects.

It’s a good idea to carry a tote or laundry basket with you. This can be used to hold anything that doesn’t belong in an area. As you move through the house you can put things where they go. This saves you steps and time.

Timing Makes It Less Painful

Few people enjoy doing housework, but when we break the work down into small tasks we find that most chores can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less. Determining what you can do in a matter of 10, 15, or 20 minutes can help you get more done. For example, even though you may not always have the time you would like to clean your home you can usually find at least 10 – 15 minutes a day. In that way you can keep up with many chores.

Multi-Task When You Can

Find ways to do more than one thing at a time. A good example of this is doing small tasks while you are on the phone or even when you are waiting on the microwave. For instance, you can put dishes away or wipe down the countertop. Laundry can be folded while you watch TV. Commercial time can be used for various tasks. If nothing else you can use the time to do a quick exercise or two.

Use these tips from Package From Santa to get a clean house in a hurry.

Clear Out The Clutter!

Clear Out The Clutter!

A clutter-free space creates feelings of peacefulness and relaxation - great feelings to have in your own home!

Now that the holiday season is over you are probably looking forward to a new year with a fresh start on things. And ideally, at least for most people, that includes having a goal of being organized and having some control over your time. One way to ensure that will happen is to clear out the clutter.

When you get clutter under control you have an easier time when it comes to being organized and keeping things tidy. Ultimately this will have a positive impact on your time management. For example, you won’t waste time ‘looking’ for the things you need or want – instead, you will know exactly where to find them. In addition, because there is less clutter, your home will feel cleaner and more spacious – and it will be easier to keep it neat and tidy. In the end this will also help you feel more relaxed, comfortable and less stressed.

The Basics

Clearing out clutter sounds simple (and it can be), but there are underlying issues that must be dealt with. First of all, you probably have some emotional attachments to some of the things that are ‘cluttering’ your space. If that is the case careful consideration will be required during the de-cluttering process.

You may want to create bins for things you want to keep, things you are ready to part with, and things you are not sure about. Obviously, you may be able to throw away some things, and sell or give away others.  

How to Start

De-cluttering is a top priority but you should also take a look at the furnishings in your home. Convenient and attractive storage solutions are essential. Now days you can find everything from coat racks and shelving units to storage bins and benches with built-in storage at your local department store. Take advantage of these easy solutions!

Having a place to store items but keeps them out of the way while also keeping them within easy access is essential. Everyone has treasured items they love. And in some cases it is these very things that cause or add to a cluttered look. Even so, that does not mean you want to get rid of those items. The solution is to find a way to store or display them that suits you.

Kid Stuff

Whether it’s toys, books or model airplanes, kids have lots of stuff. Find attractive ways to store or display these items. Simple solutions are available. For instance, a sturdy shoe box can be covered with fabric or decorative paper to create nice-looking storage for small toys and other items.

Label It

Get in the habit of being organized in whatever you do. One way to do this is to label things. This can be especially important when you are storing items. If you are not sure if something is worth keeping but you are not quite ready to part with it – create an intermediate storage solution – label the container or item, and then check back in 6 months or up to 12 months. At that time it should be easier to make a decision about whether the item should stay or go. If you decide to keep it you should look for a long-term storage or display solution.

After you have de-cluttered your home it will be a more vibrant space. This fresh new organized space just might inspire you to make other improvements!

Debbie Allen writes about holiday traditions, including things like personalized letters from Santa and decorating a Christmas tree, but she also shares tips about things related to home life. Keep visiting this blog to keep up with helpful tips and ideas!