So how far down is dusting on your list of most-dreaded chores?  If it’s so far down it’s towards the center of the Earth, join the club. Dusting is one of the least favorite chores out there.

How do I know? Because it’s the 2nd most requested task clients ask for when booking cleaning services from my company. (Can you guess what the #1 request we get is? Floors. Young, old, single, grande sized families and everyone in between hates cleaning the floors.)

So the real question is how long can you really put off dusting without crossing the ewww-your-house-is-kinda-nasty line?

To sum up dust in one-word, it’s gross.

Since dust is primarily composed of human skin cells, pet dander, fabric fibers, pollen, and dust and debris from outside, you probably want to dust more often than you currently are (sad fact: about 80 percent of the particles you see floating in a sunbeam are dead skin cells).

According to one study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the composition of most household dust is significantly grosser than you might imagine, combining dead skin, fungi, and bacteria ranging from the benign to the potentially-harmful, including Staphylococcus aureus.

If you live in a dusty zip code… 

A few factors contribute to the amount of dust collecting in your room, including where you live (clearly, the Arizona desert is dustier than a rainy Oregon forest), how often you open your windows, the season of the year, and how many pets you share your home with.   To name a few.

If you live in a dusty-ish terrain, you should aim to dust weekly.

If your house is hairy, you should dust (and vacuum) every day-ish

And then there’s hair…long hair, pet hair, human hair, fake hair, remy, curly, silky, straight – it doesn’t matter. I know hair isn’t dust, but if you’ve got a lot of thick-haired carbon-based beings that shed in your home, you’ll need to dust your home more often than others.

Now this seems like a tall order, but you really only need to stay on top of high traffic areas. And then bathroom floors. Why? Because dry hair is a lot easier to clean up than wet hair. Trust me.

All you need is a vacuum cleaner to quickly suck up hair – especially in corners and along baseboards – to keep your home looking exceptionally hairless.

Hardly ever dusting your house will make your house look dirtier than it is

Whatever you do, don’t skip dusting altogether.  But I get it. Dusting your entire house can seem a bit daunting but it’s a lot easier to manage when you break the task down room by room. Dusting just one room a day is doable on even the tightest schedule.

  Here are some quick & dirty reasons why you should dust more often: 

• a layer of dust can easily make your place look much dirtier than it is. 
• dust can also cause damage to household surfaces, especially electronics (so pay extra special attention to those!).
• dust can lead to allergy and breathing problems for many people — so don’t forget to get rid of that dust on the ceiling fan, since it’s circulating the air around.

You should dust your house every week – if you’re a neat freak.

And that’s ok.  But you’re on your own. Justin Timberlake leaving N-Sync style.  Unless you live in an apartment, dusting every week is something most of us really just don’t have time for. But there is one little exception…

Common spaces & high traffic areas should be dusted weekly.  But when I say dust, I’m not talking feather dusters.  You need to wipe down furniture surfaces with a damp towel & cleaner so that they are actually clean & dust-free.

Greasy fingerprints, water rings, and all that grimy stuff dulls your shine majorly. And will give your mother-in-law fuel for eons especially if she’s of the nice nasty variety.

• coffee tables 
• sofas just a quick wipe off
• lamps
• dining tables (aka a desk depending on who you ask) & chairs

If you have a life, dusting your house every 2-weeks or monthly is totally ok – and normal

I’m giving you this answer based on my experience as a cleaning service owner & how often most people want their house cleaned. The absolute most popular frequency for our clients is drumroll please – every 2 weeks.

So if you’re looking to create a solid cleaning schedule, want to know how long you can go without dusting – and still be considered a decent human being – or seriously just forget to dust, you can totally get away with dusting anywhere from every 2-weeks to once a month.  

Things in your house you should dust every 2-weeks or monthly-ish:

• common rooms
• bedrooms 
• guest rooms 
• unused spaces
• furniture surfaces you can’t see or reach without a ladder
• ceiling fans
• baseboards (especially in bathrooms or places where pets sleep)
• doors
• televisions
• blinds (you really want to stay on top of blinds because they can be a pain to clean when they get to the point of no return
• wall decor & fixtures

Dust the unreachables & unnoticeables at least every 3-6 months

Out-of-the-way spots like ceilings, corners, high shelves, and door frames only need to be dusted dust every three to six months. But what about those things that you don’t even think about dusting that are absolutely covered in dust? Looked at your outlets lately?

Introducing, the unnoticeables. The items you see & use all the time will never make it onto your cleaning list except by some type of divine intervention. Like you reading this post lol

Thankfully, you don’t have to give these items much of your attention or time which gives you plenty of wiggle room to plan when you’ll dust them. But heed my warning youngling, go any longer than that, and getting rid of dust on those high ledges might require a lot of elbow grease.

Just remember the factors I mentioned earlier that affect how often you should dust. The more factors you have in play, the more often you should dust.

Things you should dust in your house every 3-6 months:

• crown molding
• tops of furniture that you can’t see or reach without a ladder
• outlets
• light switches
• vanity lights
• plants
• curtains (lint roll them)
• mattresses (use the vacuum cleaner hose)
• vacuum cleaner (empty the canister & wipe it out)

Clingy dust needs a little extra push

You ever tried to clean dust that seemed to be a little umm, clingy?  The type that you can’t just dust off.  (When was the last time you got just a little too clingy? Lol )   If it’s like this every time you dust, you should be dusting your house more often for sure.

When dust settles, it begins to take on moisture from the air around it, and if it isn’t removed, it then begins to stick to the surface it settled on initially.  You need to clean – with a damp towel & an all-purpose cleaner – to remove this type of dust.  

Are you making things dustier when you dust

What you dust your house with matters more than you think. Those fluffy feather dusters, while great at getting into small places – and being used as photo props for cheesy pics to post on social media – only scatter dust back into the air. Total fail. 

I have to admit that I use high-dusters with heads just as bad or worse than those duck feathers but hear me out.  I use them to dust all those out the way things like ceilings, super unreachable lights and sometimes even blinds.  All I do is knock the dust off, then wait about 15-20 minutes for the dust to settle on lower surfaces.  Once the cost is clear, I go through dusting as usual with no issues. 

What you’ll need to dust your house if it’s super dusty – or to keep it up

If we have a home to clean that’s super dusty, there will be a lot of vacuuming going on.  So we may do a round of vacuuming surfaces, then a round of dusting with a microfiber, followed by another round of vacuuming to get it all out the room. 

Ahhh, finally, a reason to use those vacuum attachments that have become that special kind of clutter you just don’t want to throw away.  

Dusting tools – that are actually good for dusting:

•  microfiber cloths (it’s what I use at home and in my cleaning service all day everyday)
• high dusting kit for those unreachable things that get super dusty
• good ol fashioned Swiffer dusters – I actually avoided them for a long time thinking they were gimmicky but presently, I totally use them to clean blinds. 
• a vacuum cleaner with a Hepa filter to get the dusty edges of the room and along those baseboards

Once you have some good tools in hand, all you have to do is grab your headphones, clear the clutter & dust away! 

Plan how often you want to dust your house

If you’re like most people, you often don’t realize it’s time to dust until you randomly swipe the blinds, turn your palm over & reveal fingers covered in a layer of thick ick…

If you’re only dusting your house when you see something that kinda grosses you out instead of cleaning regularly, you’ll always stumble upon areas that have been neglected & send you into panic mode. Hello 7-hour long marathon cleaning session. Or maybe you’ll ignore it because you just can’t deal. Hey that’s life.

If you want a simple way to stay on top of what needs to be dusted – and when – along with all your other dreaded housekeeping chores so you feel like you’ve got your house under control & clean is always within reach, you should check out my Clean Vibes Planner Kit.

In addition to a ton of mess eliminating templates & resources, it includes a Master Cleaning Guide + template for you to use to create the perfect cleaning schedule & easily maintain your home. No matter how crazy your schedule is.

And of course, if you loved this post, do a me a mini-sized favor & repin this. It’s like giving me a virtual high-five which will kinda make my day! See ya in the next post…

The post How often should you dust your house *for real* appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

Kids can also bring unapologetic destruction of your home (and tummy) in every way shape and form!  Ok, maybe not that much destruction but enough to make you want to cry yourself to sleep – sometimes.

That’s why I put some serious thought into this question, looked at my own household as well as my clients and created some fabulously simple ideas, tips and hacks you can use to keep your house clean – most of the time! 

17+ Realistic Ideas To Keep Your House Clean With Young Kids

1 // Keep Baking Soda On Hand

For all the random markings on the wall, to get their dirty little clothes super clean, to keep your house from smelling like a diaper pail odors and more! Baking soda is my number #1 favorite thing to keep on hand for all the weird messes kids make!

Let’s talk potty training accidents – every parent’s worst nightmare. I clean the carpet with an enzyme cleaner, either a DIY or store-bought solution to get rid of the stain and odor. Then I sprinkle a little baking soda on the stained area as a backup to make sure there’s not a trace of funk left behind! Let it sit overnight and vacuum.

My Odor Busting Kit // Baking Soda + Vinegar or Enzyme Odor & Stain Remover + Small Brush

2 // Get Your Children Involved In Cleaning ASAP

Kids, especially when they are young, are constantly categorizing things and organizing the world in those big heads. *lol*  They won’t take offense if you enforce boundaries for them by having designated areas just for them and their toys.  But it doesn’t stop there.  

Make it easy for them to help clean up.  Get baskets with labels and teach them which toys go into which baskets. From there, have them bring their own dishes to the kitchen once they finish eating.

Cleaning up after your kids is a real drag because you can find yourself cleaning all day long. And you’ve got too much other stuff to do. So imagine if your messy kids could clean up behind themselves? How much time and energy would that save you? Hmmm…

My kids are 3 and 4 y/o respectively and when they spill something, I get multiple towels. One for me and one for them so we can clean up messes together. The sooner you get them in the habit of doing these simple things, the stronger and more independent they’ll be. #Amen.

Simple & Effective Drool-Worthy Solutions To Organize Your Children’s Toys // Storage Cubes With Labels + Large Woven Baskets + Beautiful Wood Storage Organizer With Bins

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ // The Smart Girls Guide To A Clean And Organized House | 10 Actionable Tips for more ideas on how to create and keep your house clean and organized! 

NEED A SIMPLE BUT COMPLETE CLEANING CHECKLIST FOR THE ENTIRE HOUSE? // You should check out my  Room-By-Room House Cleaning Checklist For Year Long Clean Vibes!  Realistic weekly cleaning, deep cleaning & spring cleaning checklists for every space makes it even easier to keep a clean house!

3 // Become A Permanent Marker Stain Removing Ninja

It’s going to happen. Someone is going to take a permanent marker and leave their mark on – clothing, wood furniture, a wall, the carpet, a leather sofa – basically anything that can’t run! There’s no need to panic. There’ s a ton of great hacks out there to remove permanent marker, ink pen, highlighter, crayons, nail polish, etc.

Just keep a few of these items on hand to get rid of these stains. But remember you need to dab the stain, don’t rub it!

Remove permanent marker stains from almost anything with one of the following you probably already have at home //

• Rubbing alcohol
• Hand sanitizer
• Aerosol hairspray
• Nail polish remover
• WD-40
• White vinegar
• Cream of tartar
• Lemon juice
• Regular toothpaste (not gel)

4 // Be More Intentional With Your Time

You’re busy but you have got to make time to clean your house point-blank.  There’s no way around this one but luckily it’s easier to do than you think. Just 30 minutes before you go to bed and 30 minutes in the morning before everyone wakes up will go a long way towards keeping your house clean. 

But you have to adjust your schedule – find home, life & work balance – so that you’re not overextending yourself to make this happen.  

My Super Effective Hack To Keep Up With Everything? I Write Everything Down! // Simple but effective! There is really something about writing. I keep my planner out where I can see, which is super important and as a backup, I add reminders to my phone to make sure I don’t forget anything!

IF YOU NEED A SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE, 5-STAR PLANNER // Try The Circle Studio Planner This planner has pages for all the right things including a water tracker! After all, who isn’t trying to drink more water?

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ // The Ultimate Fail-Proof Cleaning Schedule For Working Moms.  Why?  Because if you follow it right, your house will stay clean most of the time –  even if you don’t have time to clean!

5 // Sometimes You Need To Fake A Clean House

When you have days like that, you need baskets in all the right places so that you can quickly toss – hide –  toys, clothes and all the random things that your kids dumped out the diaper bag for no apparent reason.   Oh you thought you were the only one huh?

If you’re having unexpected guests, quickly fake a clean house by doing the following //

Tidy up by throwing items into baskets.

Fresh vacuum lines: the one thing that will really make your house look even if it isn’t.

Open windows to let fresh air in.

Clean the toilets.

Use These To Quickly Hide Messes Anywhere // Large, Super Cute Woven Storage Basket + Unique White Plank Storage Chest

BONUS TIP

In the spirit of getting rid of or hiding messes quickly, here’s a peek at how I basically eliminated having to spend lots of time cleaning up potty training accidents throughout the day.

My Potty Training Set-Up For Quick & Easy Clean-Up // disposable puppy pads or washable pee pads + realistic potty + spray bottle with a 50:50 mix of vinegar and dawn to wash the potty down at night

6 // Wake Up 15 Minutes Earlier

This one may sound strange but do you notice how the day seems to flow so much smoother when you get up early – or on time – and have a moment to think about the day and what’s ahead?   Having that quiet time before the start of the morning chaos can help you get into a good mental space.

Use that time to unload the dishwasher, tidy up an area or just have a cup of coffee in peace.  It’ll go a long way towards helping you keep the house clean.

Umm, I feel like I should mention that in order for you to have a fighting chance at waking up earlier, you should plan to go to bed a little earlier than usual. The Netflix show you want to binge can wait until the weekend.

THERE’S POWER IN GETTING UP EARLY // The Super Simple Morning Cleaning Routine For Moms if you’d love an easy to follow plan that will help even the busiest mom keep a house spic and span!

7 // Meal Prep Every Weekend

This is another tip geared towards helping you make smarter use of your time so that you’re not always running around like a chicken with its head cut off.  The more you meal prep, the less you have to cook, the less the kitchen gets destroyed and the less you have to clean.

All that translates into one huge win.  Especially if you’re already strapped for time. I typically plan & cook my meals on weekends so that I only have to cook a few items during the week. And when I do cook during the week, it’s nothing epic which makes kitchen clean super quick!

Keep Your Fridge Nice & Neat When Meal Prepping //  Drool-Worthy Glass Tupperware  + Plastic Meal Prepping Kit

8 // Take The Headache Out Of Doing Laundry

One load of laundry is a whole lot easier to fold and put away than say 10 loads at once don’t you agree? What I like to do is start one load in the morning before I leave, and then when I get back home, dry, fold and put it away that evening.  But wait, there’s more…

I keep a separate basket just for towels and linens because I don’t sort those items by color. Whenever that basket gets full, I wash it and to be honest, this has also helped me keep my laundry under control in a major way.

Use These To Save Loads Of Time When Doing Laundry // Heavy Duty Laundry Cart With Hanging Bar + Dryer Balls to reduce drying time and prevent wrinkles + Dye Catching Sheets to safely wash mixed loads together

NEED SOME POWERFUL LAUNDRY TIPS?  You may want to read 7 Laundry Tips You Can Use To Get Laundry Under Control.  These tips are perfect for busy moms and those that are absolutely drowning in laundry!

9 // Banish Small Annoying Toys

Nothing makes me want to pull my hair out more than picking up small toys so you know what I do?  I aggressively limit or deny them entry into my home altogether. Anything cheap, small and annoying that makes it into my house gets the boot if I have to pick it up. 

It takes soo much time picking up lots of small toys so unless you really have the time or just don’t mind cleaning up those types of items, don’t even go that route.

I’ve never heard an adult say their life was ruined because they weren’t allowed to have toys from McDonald’s so I think the kids will be okay!   

10 // Declutter While Folding Clothes

Instead of decluttering the closet, declutter the laundry basket!  When it’s time to fold laundry, grab an empty box. As you fold clothes, remove the items your children can no longer wear – anything that’s too small, worn, stained, etc. – and throw it in the box. 

From there you can decide what to donate or sell and what to toss. Once Upon A Child and Goodwill are my usual destinations. 

Where Can You Donate Or Sell Clothing  // Goodwill + Salvation Army + Once Upon A Child + Facebook + Have A Yard Sale + Let It Go + Local Consignment Shops 

11 // Bedtime Is Life 

I put my toddlers to bed around 8ish every night and I must say, as soon as I close that door, the entire house seems to let out a sigh of relief.  Ahhhhhh… While your kids may not go straight to sleep, at least they are finally out of the way, letting you pull yourself and the house together!  

I also use a sound machine to serve as a bit of buffer so that I can run the vacuum, clean the house or do whatever without disturbing my kids once they are down.  The ones I have are not fancy but they are a must-have. If you are in a small home or apartment it will be a lifesaver – believe me!

Use This So That You Don’t Wake The Kids // The Dohm Sound Machine

YOU SHOULD READ // A Simple Nighttime Cleaning Routine For An Ultra Clean House if you want to keep your house clean, mornings stress-free and actually sit down for once without feeling guilty!  Use this post as a guide or inspo for your daily cleaning routine.

12 // Clean The Kitchen While You Cook

This is probably one of the most important things you can learn to do when you are a busy mom.  While you’re cooking in the kitchen, you should be cleaning out the fridge, wiping cabinets down,  washing the dishes, etc.

This is called cleaning as you go!

By the time the last item is finished cooking, the kitchen should practically be clean.  When you hop into the shower, spray the walls down with a non-toxic cleaning product and wipe everything down before you hop out!   You can do it everywhere if you think about it…

13 // Use The Touch Rule

If you’re pulling your hair out trying to keep the house clean, make sure you are the living example of what you want everyone else to do.  The Touch Rule is very simple: basically, when you touch something, put it away…simple right?  Instead of focusing on what everyone else is or isn’t doing, focus on yourself and what you can do.  

Think about it, are you putting your shoes away when you walk into the house?  Are you leaving your personal items in places where they shouldn’t be? Remember, if you want your house to stay clean, changes will have to start with you.  Now repeat after me, “When I touch something, I will put away.  Once you get it down pat you can get everyone else on board!

14 // Place Cleaning Products In Strategic Locations

The same way Starbucks made it a point to be everywhere you are just in case you might want some coffee, you need to make sure your cleaning supplies are always right there in case you get an itch to clean something! 

It’s easy to do, just make sure your cleaning supplies are easily accessible in the areas that need it most.   So instead of storing your cleaning supplies in a random closet or the laundry room, store cleaning products in each bathroom for example.  Keep a vacuum cleaner on each level of your house. Easy right?

 My Epic Fail-Proof Cleaning Caddy // all-purpose cleaner + apron + bucket + caddy + disposable gloves + extension cord + floor cleaner +  furniture polish + glass towel + high duster + microfiber towels + mold & mildew remover + mop + pumice stone + scour sponges + small trash bags + soft scrub + stainless steel polish + tile & grout brush + vacuum 

15 // Plan Outfits The Night Before

And here’s another tip that will indirectly help you keep your house clean.  By planning your outfits in advance, yours and your children’s, you limit the amount of clothing that’ll be thrown on the floor or around the room in search of outfits in the mornings.  This, of course, helps keep things nice and tidy and translates into one less mess you have to worry about.  

One thing I like to do is keep a large basket in my closet just for clean clothes that I tried on but didn’t work.  I just throw the clothes into the basket and take care of them in the evening. That’s my hack for getting rid of random piles of clothing all the room aka morning chaos!

16 //  Stop Using So Many Dishes

Coming home to a mountain of dishes is depressing!  If you stay at home, washing dishes all day sucks! So what’s a girl to do?  It’s simple, stop using so many dang on dishes! *lol*   Not every snack for the kids needs a plate – a napkin will work just fine for things like crackers and sandwiches.  

Paper plates or even napkins work just fine! Be smart about the meals and snacks you provide. Dry foods tend to make for easier clean-up so keep that in mind.

Here’s An Eco-Friendly Idea For Using Fewer Dishes // Biodegradeable Plates + Forks + Spoons + Knives Set

17 // When You Have No Time To Do Anything, Wash The Dishes

With kids, your plans are always subject to change. But no matter how crazy the day was, before you go to bed, there is at least one thing you should do. Since most families revolve around the kitchen, the one thing you should do is make sure the dishes are washed and the sink is clean. That’s it.

18 // Get Outside Help

There is seriously no award given to moms for trying to do it all.  You’ll only end up burnt out, overwhelmed and looking older than you really are!  With that being said, remember that you are still capable of having everything you want in life – even if all you want now is a clean house with kids!  You just have to be more deliberate about how you spend your time and understand that getting help isn’t you failing – it’s you being a boss!   

Your new favorite word should be delegate – and you should try to do it whenever possible!  

Let people you trust or a daycare watch your children so that you can get caught up. If you can afford to pay someone to come in and do the cleaning, hire them. Setting up subscription services so that you spend less time shopping, is the same as hiring someone to do your grocery shopping.   Smart right? You betcha!

Skip The Lines & Save Time & Delegate // Amazon Prime Subscribe & Save + Order Online At Most Major Grocery Stores +  Hire A Cleaning Service

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ // The Smart Girl’s Guide To A Clean & Organized House – 5 Drool-Worthy, Must-Have Things You Need To Get Now!  Who should read this?  Anyone that wants to learn smart ways to set up their home so that it stays clean.

Recap // Here’s a list of the smart mom hacks you can use to keep your house clean with small children!

1| Keep Baking Soda On Hand

2 | Get Your Young Children Trained Now

3 | Edit Your House

4 | Be More Intentional With Your Time

5 | Sometimes You Need To Hide Messes

6 | Wake Up 15 Minutes Earlier

7 | Meal Prep Every Weekend

8 | Do One Load Of Laundry A Day

9 | Banish Small Annoying Toys

10 | Declutter While Folding Clothes

11 | Bedtime Is Life

12 | Clean As You Go

13 | Use The Touch Rule

14 | Place Cleaning Products In Strategic Locations

15 | Plan Outfits The Night Before

16 |  Stop Using So Many Dishes

17 | When In Doubt, Wash The Dishes

18 | Get Outside Help

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later and so others can see you’ve got all the good stuff!

The post 17+ Smart Mom Hacks To Keep Your House Clean With Kids appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

In case you’re wondering if these tips and ideas will be a waste of your time, let me tell you how I know for a fact that they won’t be!

I have twin three-year-old boys and a two-year-old daughter – that means we’ve been knee-deep in poo diapers and potty training misfires for the past 3 years. *lol* Yet anytime I have guests, one of the first compliments I receive is “Wow, I did not expect your house to smell soo, not like children…what’s going on here?” That’s how you know these tips work!

 1 // Clean Out The Fridge 

We’ve all opened the fridge door and had to ask “what is that smell!”  Unfortunately, that terrible smell is released into the air each time the fridge is opened which is no bueno. 

As a rule of thumb, anything more than 10 days old needs to go straight into the trash can. Be sure to wash the shelves off with your favorite dish detergent or all-purpose cleaner.  Use airtight containers with foods that “stink!” And please wash those bins out regularly.

Prevent The Fridge From Stinking // Utopia Kitchen Glass Tupperware + Super Popular Hinged Glass Tupperware + Better Than Baking Soda Fridge Deoderizer

2 // Use Baking Soda

It’s a powerful odor absorber and ridiculously affordable.   While most of us grew up seeing a box of baking soda in the fridge, it is great for cleaning and absorbing odors all over the house! I actually didn’t start using baking soda to deodorize until around 2016 – when my twins were born and I had a constant flow of poo diapers! *lol* I have not looked back since and use it as my go-to odor buster!

Here are a few ways to use it. Pour some into the garbage disposal and let it sit overnight. Sprinkle a bit onto carpets prior to vacuuming to deodorize the room. Add baking soda to your washing machine when washing stinky laundry to give your detergent an odor-fighting boost!

Purchasing Tip // I get my baking soda from Sams – they have the hands-down best price on this stuff!

READ | How To Have A Clean House For Life.  It’s a huge list of simple ideas & habits you can start using literally today to help you have a house that virtually stays clean forever!

 3 // Keep Small Amounts Of Fresh Produce On-Hand

If you want your home to smell enchantingly fresh, trust me on this one.  Keep an eye on your fresh produce. Once these items go bad, the smell can be off-putting to put it mildly. Try to buy as much fruits & veggies that you’ll need for a week – not enough for two or three weeks. That way you can have a chance to eat it all before it has the chance to go bad.

In general, make sure to keep fruits and vegetables where you can see them.  One time, I placed potatoes in a cabinet and completely forgot about them. Two months later, my entire family searched our house for an assumed dead animal–it was the potatoes.  *smh*

Check Out These 5-Star Gas Absorbers // Produce Preserver Packets + Bluapple Produce Saver + Veggie Life Extender

4 // Clean Upholstery More Often

Believe it or not, upholstered furniture and fabric hold on to odors.  Think of things like your sofas, snuggle blankets and curtains. Luckily, most of these items can go into the washing machine.  And anything else can be wiped off using your favorite cleaner and water.

I like to get a warm, damp towel, lightly spray it with a cleaner, and wipe my sofas off on a daily basis. I have small children so yes, daily *lol*

Noteworthy, Natural Upholstery Cleaners // Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner + Huntson Stain & Odor Remover + Saving Grace Carpet & Upholstery Deoderizer

5 // Keep The Bathroom Fresh

Yep, you read that right.  While the entire house needs to be cleaned regularly, keeping the bathroom clean will go a long way towards making your house smell clean.  (Afterall, a lot of smelly things go on there.) 

Easy Ways To Keep The Bathroom Smelling Fresh

• Scrub the toilet bowl daily. Then make things smell amazing by pouring a bit of your favorite all-purpose cleaner into the toilet bowl.

• Wash the bathroom rugs every two weeks or at least monthly. If you have fabric curtains throw them in there too!

• Get rid of any urine odors with vinegar. Just spray, let it sit 20-30 minutes and then wipe!

• Let’s get very personal for a sec. If it’s that time of the month *ladies* make sure your sanitary items are wrapped up tightly and disposed of daily! The blood being exposed to air is what causes that funky odor.

Here Are Things I Love For The Bathroom // Poo-pouri + Dawn & Vinegar For Cleaning + Dried Lavender Flower Buds

6 // Keep Air Moving

Walk into a house that’s been closed up for a while and the first thing you want to do is get some fresh air inside the place! Make sure you are allowing your house to breathe so that terrible smells are not trapped inside. Thankfully, it’s way too easy to keep the air moving in your house!

Run the air conditioner. Open the windows daily. Turn your ceiling fans on. Or get fancy & buy an air purifier! I don’t have one yet, but I’m doing my research right now. They remove allergens from the air including pet dander as well as odor so I’m really interested in getting one. I’ll link to the three I’m looking at & will give an update later once I purchase one.

Top Rated Air Purifiers On My Wishlist // PureZone Air Purifier + Dyson Pure + Alen BreatheSmart Flex

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ // The Smart Girls Guide To A Clean And Organized House | 10 Actionable Tips for more ideas on how to create and keep your house clean and organized!

7 // Keep Your Trashcan Clean

Trash cans are a major source of odor so aside from taking out the trash every day, be sure to clean those bad boys regularly.  The inner linings of most are plastic which means they hold on to odors. Rinse out the inside regularly or just replace your trash can if you feel like it is beyond saving.

I used to use odor absorbers in the boys’ nursery, our trash cans and in diaper pails throughout our house. Basically, the fragrance was kind of strong at first but would disappear in about 24 hours if I’m not mistaken. From there, I’d smell nothing. No fragrance & more importantly, no lingering poo smells from all those diapers.

You may want to toss a few into your trash can if you have a lot of smelly items going into your trashcan.

A Natural Odor Absorber Worth Looking Into // Bamboo Charcol Odor Absorbers + Fresh Wave Odor Absorbers

8 // Get Rid Of Pee Odors

My twin boys are 3 and my daughter is 2 which means we have potty training issues – like lingering “pee” smells. I use vinegar since it’s nature’s enzyme cleaner and I must say it works just like store-bought products. I wash the potty with vinegar and dawn every 2-3 days and clean up pee spills with vinegar in a spray bottle.

If you want something store-bought, get an enzyme cleaner specifically for urine odors. Regular household cleaners don’t have the enzymes needed to break down urine molecules that cause odors. I almost forgot to mention if you go the vinegar route, spray it on the area, let it sit for 20-30 minutes & then clean the area.

Products You May Want To Check Out To Get Rid Of Urine Odors // Nature’s Miracle + Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Remover + Vinegar, Water & A Spray Bottle

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ //  How To Clean Your House In 2 Hours (Or Just Super Fast!)  Perfect for people that ironically, never have time to clean!

9 // Clean Your House

While this isn’t the most clever or glamorous hack, it is the single most effective thing you can do to get rid of odors. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed by this one but trust me! If you are not regularly cleaning your home, thick, unpleasant odors are to be expected.  

If you could literally only clean three things to make your house smell good, I’d say clean your floors, the kitchen sink including the garbage disposal and the toilet bowl. Oh, and if you’ll let me sneak one more thing in there, take out the trash! *lol* But let’s get one thing straight – you need to be cleaning the whole house for it to smell clean!

My Favorite Delicious Smelling Cleaning Supplies // Almond Scented Wood Cleaner + Mrs. Meyers Lavender All-Purpose Cleaner

10 // Add Drops Of Essential Oil To Air Filters

All of the air in your home passes through an air filter. It’s the perfect place to infuse something that smells wonderful that’ll cover the entire house. As with everything, quality counts!

I used to sell oil diffuser jewelry and from that venture, I can tell you that not all essential oils are created equal. Avoid the knock off department store essential oils and use one with zero fillers or additives.

Crowd-Pleasing Essential Oil Brands // Natrogix Bliss Oils + Cliganic Essential Oils + DoTerra Essential Oils

11 // Use Essential Oil Diffusers

Ok so if you have never tried an essential oil diffuser you have to put it on your bucket list! You just fill it with water, pour a few drops of essential oil in, and turn it on. Then sit back, relax and let the scent carry you away! You can use one essential oil or try a recipe to make all sorts of tantalizing aromas – the possibilities are absolutely endless.

Amazon’s Top Pick For Oil Diffusers // Beautiful Bamboo Oil Diffuser

12 // DIY Fabric Refresher Spray

If you don’t have a diffuser, here is another quick and easy way to improve the smells in your home with essential oils. Lavender is a natural choice because of it’s calming properties, but citrus oils like lemon, tangerine, sweet orange, and grapefruit are a great way to get a natural energy boost! This tip courtesy of One Good Thing!

A Fabric Refresher Recipe // Spray Bottle + Water + A Bit Of Baking Soda + Essential Oils // Shake Well, Spray & Enjoy!

13 // Scentsational Stovetop Simmers

If you want that “magical” smell in your house, try this! I’ve personally tried a few random recipes that and boy oh boy did they deliver. For a stovetop simmer, all you need are a pot, water and herbs (or just things that smell good lol).

Use This Amazing Aroma Recipe Inspired By William & Sonoma // Rachel Shultz’s Homemaking Blog.

14 // Natural Odor Eliminating Spray

If you want something that’s not a DIY, yet non-toxic and without harsh smells, you may want to try Fresh Wave odor eliminating spray. It does smell strong at first, it’s plant-based so it smells a bit “natural”, but it will disappear leaving nothing but fresh air. Personally, I like their pods but a spray is a great option. if you want something different.

A Fan Favorite Odor Eliminating Spray // Fresh Wave

15 // Candles Are King

Nothing can transform a room like candles! The soft glow really sets a relaxing mood but the drool-worthy scents you can choose from are absolutely endless. Technically, you can throw wax melts into the mix too since they are basically just candles without a wick!

When I am cooking, I like to use candles in the kitchen to keep the house from smelling like “food”. The wonderful thing about candles is they work fast! If you have guests coming over with little to no notice, whip out the candles and hide the clutter!

Drool-Worthy Candles Brand That I LOVE // Lulu Candles! + Soft Glow Wax Warmer + Farm Raised Wax Melts

A Few More Tips You May Find Useful To Make Your House Smell Amazing //

• Deodorize the whole house. Mopping floors is something everyone hates but it is the one chore that can make the entire house smell amazing!

• Spray and wipe all of your doors – this is something I teach my staff to make sure you smell “freshness” as you walk throughout the house.

• If even after thoroughly cleaning you still smell bad odors, the next move should be to clean or replace the carpets, wash walls and clean your vents.

• To get rid of pet smell, use all the tricks above. In addition, wipe off your pet’s paws when they come back inside, dry them as much as possible when they get wet, and wash everything they touch at least weekly!

Quick Recap //

If your house stinks, simply spraying air freshener will not help at all. Here’s a quick recap of the things to do and things to get to make your house smell somewhere between good and amazing!

1 | Clean Out The Fridge

2| Use Baking Soda

3 | Get Rid Of Rotten Fruit

4 | Clean Upholstery

5 | Keep The Bathroom Clean

6 | Keep Air Moving

7 | Clean Trash Cans Regularly

8 | Get Rid Of Pee Odors

9 | Clean Your House

10 | Add Essential Oils To Air Filters

11 | Use Essential Oil Diffusers

12 | Try DIY Fabric Refresher Sprays

13 | Make Stovetop Simmers

14 | Use A Natural Odor Eliminating Spray

15 | Candles Are Scentsational

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later and so others can see you’ve got all the good stuff!

The post Make your house smell good naturally with these fabulous (and cheap) ideas! appeared first on 🙌 House Cleaning Service In Columbia, SC | The Cleaning Club.

Discover How To Easily Keep Your House Clean With 70+ Ideas /

I know you want and, more importantly, deserve a clean house.  Who seriously wants to walk into a messy house after a hard day of work or life? Absolutely no one! 

So guess what?  I’m going to show you what you need to do in order to keep your house clean and tidy — for life.   

But before I tell you how to get a clean house, I’m going to tell you what the number one issue is that’s keeping you from having a clean house.  Are you ready? 

the problem is – take a deep breath – you. 

Your house is a mess because you are working against yourself. You want a clean house but your habits say otherwise. And by not lining up how you live with your goals, your house will always be messy & you will spend the rest of eternity looking for cleaning tips & hacks to clean your house.

So take a deep breath. This is a hefty list of places you can start right here, right now to get back control of your home. All you have to do is choose one.

By making simple swaps, following routines & stopping certain bad habits, you’ll be amazed by how easy it is to ALWAYS have a clean house!   

Lifestyle Changes That Need To Be Made

1 |  Purge (#Declutter)

If you’ve ever moved, then you know what it’s like to start going through your stuff and realize how much of it is actually random crap that should have been thrown away a long time ago.

ACTION PLAN:

• Every 3-4 months, make it a point to go from room to room looking for items to give away or trash. 
• This includes items in excess, that are broken or simply no longer work.
• Do not forget to declutter drawers, closets and kitchen cabinets.

2 | Embrace The Spirit Of Minimalism

The true spirit of minimalism is making an intentional effort to only posses items that bring value to your life.  If you had to leave your home forever but could only take one carload of items, what would make the cut?

The 50 coffee mugs in the pantry or all the random papers & bills probably won’t make it. What else is in your house that really is either excessive or simply serves no purpose? Look around — you’ll be surprised.

Some people have made minimalism technical & centered on having a specific number of items in the home which is unnatural in my opinion. However you practice minimalism, it should be a reflection of your personality & done in a way that brings you happiness.

3 | Don’t Live In The Entire House 

Think of it this way – the fewer areas you use, the less you have to keep clean.  It doesn’t matter whether you live in a one-bedroom apartment or an eight-bedroom mini-mansion, the same principle applies.  

ACTION PLAN

• Create dedicated spaces that you enjoy for everything from eating to crafts & hobbies. 

• Make some areas off-limits or only allow certain activities to take place in designated areas. 

4 | Buy Cleaning Products & Tools You’ll Enjoy Using

If you hate cleaning, this is especially for you. You can make the actual experience of cleaning more enjoyable by buying products & tools that are high-quality or even fun.

Kinda like riding in a car — a Honda will get you where you need to go but a Ferrari will have you speeding down the highway, whipping your hair back and forth and enjoying every second of the ride!

CLEANING ITEMS YOU WON’T REGRET SPENDING A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY ON: 

• vacuum cleaner

• broom (just don’t buy a 6-inch wide broom!)

• floor mop (get one that has a washable mop head)

BUYING TIP:  Make sure you are buying floor tools that are appropriate for the size of your home.  And be sure to have the right tools based on the condition of the floors you’re cleaning! 

5 | Keep Your Cleaning Supplies Close

Let’s face it, if you keep your toothbrush in the laundry room, will you really brush your teeth twice a day?  I seriously doubt it.  It would be too far away — a total inconvenience.  Location (or accessibility) is everything!

MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES:

• Keep cleaning supplies for a specific area in that area.

• For example, store your bathroom cleaning products in the bathroom.  Make things easy on yourself & keep a toilet bowl brush in each bathroom.  

• Keep extra trash bags in small trash cans so that you can quickly remove trash & replace the liner without extra effort.   

6 | Cleaning Routines Actually Work

Supercharge your cleaning efforts by building mini cleaning routines into your day.  The more small routines you have, the easier it’ll be to keep the whole house clean.  

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE A ROUTINE WORK FOR YOU: 

• Follow a schedule!  You need to plan out when you want to perform your routine & stick to it!  If you’re interested, I have a 3-in-1 daily, weekly & monthly cleaning schedule that you can swipe!

• Think about how long your routine should take from start to finish.  Remember that when you first start, you’ll probably take a bit longer than you want until you get the hang of it.  

• 60 days makes a habit!  Practice makes perfect!  You get the idea!  Perform your routine as often as possible so that eventually it becomes second nature and not a chore.  

7 | Get Everyone Involved 

If you have a family, this is a powerful idea that will change your home for good —  everyone that lives in the space cleans!  No exceptions!  

No amount of activities, homework or resistance changes this requirement!  These days, everyone is busy but by working as a unit, you can accomplish more with less effort.  

IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED: 

• If there are 4 people in the home and everyone spends 15 minutes cleaning, that’s literally an hour’s worth of cleaning done in 15 minutes!

• A great time to try this technique is when it’s time to clean the kitchen!  (You can actually use this technique in any community area.)

• Grab a timer and really put the pressure on & make things kinda fun! 

8 | Mix Style With Functionality

You’ve heard this before and it’s smart – buy furniture that does more than just look good!  You want it to double as hidden storage or serve another useful purpose around the house.  The key here is to do more with less.  Just remember extra storage is not for storing more junk.

GREAT IDEAS FOR FUNCTIONAL FURNITURE

• Hidden storage coffee table

• Behind the door storage cabinet

• Foldable storage ottoman/bench

9 | Create Landing Zones aka Command Centers

Keys, mail, random papers – where do they all go? Create one designated area for these items to be temporarily stored. 

GETTIN STARTED WITH A LANDING ZONE

• It can’t be a drawer!  Drawers have a tendency to turn into the upside-down (junk drawers) and that’s not what we want in our lives. 

• A cute basket or some sort of shelving system will be perfect for these random items.

• Return to the landing zone regularly to sort through all the items you dropped off.  The last thing you want is for this area to become cluttered!

10 | Clean As You Go

After you brush your teeth, wipe out the sink.  Just finished eating?  Go ahead and wash your bowl and spoon.  After you use the toilet, swish the brush around with a little cleaner. You get it right? None of these tasks take more than one minute to complete.

The more you clean after yourself in the midst of creating the mess, the less you have to do later — point-blank.

Set Rules For Yourself & House To Keep It Clean

11 | Don’t Half-A** Laundry

Wash, fold & put away in one day – no exceptions guys.   Now on the bright side, you don’t have to do all of the laundry in one sitting.  If you can only handle one load, then one load it is.

LAUNDRY TIPS

• Not everything needs to be washed after one wear or use.  This is especially true for jeans, pajamas & outerwear.  

• Bath towels can be used for 3-7 days, but you must be sure to hang your towel after use so that it dries properly between uses.  

• A routine or laundry schedule will keep your laundry from getting out of control. I hate doing laundry so the smaller amounts keep me motivated to see it through.

• How much time do you spend sorting laundry? Use a laundry sorter to save a ton of time! This is super useful if you have a family and lots of laundry. You can find durable, drool-worthy laundry sorters on Amazon!

12 | Do Not Leave Dirty Dishes In The Sink Over Night

You never want to leave dishes in the sink overnight.  But I get it, sometimes you have to. Instead of just leaving the dishes in the sink as-is, take 30 seconds and blast food off. This one step will make clean up a whole lot easier in the morning!

I think that having a high-pressure kitchen faucet is game-changing! I could blast cement off a sidewalk if I wanted to – yeh, my faucet is ridiculous. If you have a low-pressure faucet, fix it & thank me later! This swap will save you so much time in the kitchen.

13 |  Clean Spills, Stains & Spots Immediately

If you’re not already doing this, what are you waiting for!?! Sticky floors & unsightly stains on your carpets & upholstered furniture can make your house look dirty even when it’s not!

GOOD WAYS TO PREVENT STAINS

• If you have small children, when they spill something, grab a cloth or some paper towel and sing the clean-up song.  Make it fun & they’ll love it — and become responsible human beings at the same time for the win!

• Keep a good stain remover on hand. There are plenty of good options in stores as well as some solid DIY options. I’ve found baby wipes to be pretty darn good at removing stains on the fly!

• Treat your upholstered furniture with a stain repellant to be proactive. With three toddlers running around, this has saved me soo many times!

14 |  Children & Toys Stay In Certain Areas

If you let your children have free reigns to your house, you will pay for it later.  Just think of the amount of time you waste having to clean crayon off the sofa or gathering toys from all over the house.   

IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED

• Not only are boundaries good for them, they are good for you and your house!  Toys should stay in the room they are stored. Use large baskets for quick clean-up!

• I’m not a huge fan of meticulously organizing toys. I think it takes a lot of time & small toys drive me crazy. Once playtime is over, I want everything thrown into the large, loosely organized baskets so that we can move on.

• Even washable crayons & markers don’t always clean up easily so limit where your children color. Color at the table or on hard floors to make clean up cinch!

15 | Empty All Trash Cans Daily To Prevent Odors

From food to diapers to lady products, trash cans are an obvious source of major odors. You may want to check out this post all about odors & how to make your house smell good!

Anyone that comes to your home will get a good strong whiff of whatever you’ve left brewing in your trash cans as soon as you open the front door if you’re not emptying trash cans on a daily basis. 

HOW TO PREVENT TRASH CAN ODORS

• Keep trash bag liners in all of your trash cans, not just the one in the kitchen!  Doing so will keep the actual trash can free of dirt and grime so that it looks clean as well as prevents odors from absorbing into the trash can’s surface.

• When something spills in any of your trash cans, you must wipe it out!  Especially in the kitchen. 

• If your current trash can is in bad shape, replace it with a new one but commit to keeping it clean inside and out.

16 | Eat In One Place

I am guilty of indulging in a bowl of ice cream on the couch only to have the special moment ruined when I look down and see a big chocolate ice cream stain looking back at me.  #BuzzKill

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

• If you have small children, keep them at the table when it’s time to eat. Don’t let them roam & eat. That’s crumbs everywhere guaranteed!

• If you are going to stray from the dining table, take precautions like using a small portable table.  

• Use a fabric protector on your sofas and couches so that when you spill red wine, you won’t sweat!

17 | Create A Legit Entryway

If you don’t have a mudroom, focus on sprucing up your entryway so that you can collect & organize shoes, bags, jackets, etc., easily. You’ll also be stopping dirt, sand, and grime from being tracked all over the house which will shave minutes off your cleaning time and extend the life of your floors and carpets.  

A FEW TIPS TO FOLLOW

• Make sure the doorway does not turn into a mountain of shoes by either investing in a shoe rack or some other organization system.

• Baskets are your best friend. A few baskets at the front door are a great place to hide & store big bulky backpacks and jackets!

• A welcome mat on either side of the door will also help to contain dirt brought in on shoes. 

18 | Vacuum Carpets Weekly

When you see fresh carpet lines, the room immediately screams clean!  For an instant pick me up, set aside 15 minutes to vacuum your carpets and rugs. Carpets can become downright disgusting & stinky if neglected so don’t ignore this one.

GET STARTED VACUUMING

• Vacuum high traffic areas daily if possible. 

• Low traffic areas should be vacuumed weekly and unused areas of the home should be done on a monthly basis.

• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets before vacuuming to absorb odors and amp your vacuuming game!

NEED A SIMPLE BUT COMPLETE CLEANING CHECKLIST FOR THE ENTIRE HOUSE? // You should check out my  Room-By-Room House Cleaning Checklist For Year Long Clean Vibes!  Realistic weekly cleaning, deep cleaning & spring cleaning checklists for every space makes it even easier to keep a clean house!

Quick Cleaning Routines Work If You’re Always Busy

No matter how busy you are, you always have time for the things you want to do! And if you want a clean house for life, short cleaning routines are a great way to achieve that.

I like cleaning routines because they keep you focused & productive which is very useful if you get distracted easily.

Is the bathroom a major headache for you? I wrote an awesome post that teaches you how to clean your bathroom – and how to do it fast! If you want to read the post, click here to read: How To Clean Your Embarrassingly Dirty Bathroom Fast – And Keep It Clean!

BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF A SIMPLE 30-MINUTE CLEANING ROUTINE | ITEMS 19-23

19 | Declutter The Living Room (10 minutes)

Grab a basket or a box and collect everything that is somewhere it doesn’t belong!   Think of this as an intensely rapid decluttering session.

20 | Fluff Pillows, Fold Blankets, Straighten Objects (10 minutes)

Take the pillows on your sofas and beat them together like tambourines!  This will put a little life back into worn down pillows and make the sofa more inviting.

DON’T FORGET THE FOLLOWING

• Blankets in the living room make things cozy but they can make a room look messy if not placed properly.  Either hide your blankets or fold them when not being used.

• If you are not the best decorator, simply straighten objects so that they are lined up – think of a military formation.  It’s pleasing to the eye.

• If pillows are a little too deflated, simply replace them or stuff them with filling from any craft store.  

21 | Sweep/Vacuum Floors (10 minutes)

Floors are one the most neglected parts of the home but they really need more attention than almost anywhere else! You ever noticed how much better your house smells after cleaning the floors?

ADVICE FOR CLEANING FLOORS

• Whether you are vacuuming or sweeping, always clean the corners or the edges first, and the inside of the room last.

• Please do not use floor polishes — they are often more work than people expect. And can make your floors look horrid if not maintained properly.

• Most hardwood floors are finished so you can actually mop them with water. Just use a damp mop. Too much water & they streak.

22 |  Clean Toilet Bowls (5 minutes)

It’s super quick to do & will definitely deodorize the bathrooms & house. I like to leave a little cleaning product in the toilet after I clean it for long-lasting freshness.

TOILET CLEANING TIPS

• Make sure you have a toilet bowl brush for each bathroom.

• Use a pumice stone for stubborn stains.

• If you have time, grab a cleaning towel and be sure to wipe off the seat and around the hinges.   

23 | Empty Trash Cans (2 minutes)

Empty every single trash can and be sure to put extra liners inside the trash can. Simple enough right?

You may want to check out my very popular Daily, Weekly & Monthly Cleaning Schedule With A Simple Morning Routine (built into the schedule).

Spring Clean One Thing Every Week

Instead of waiting for some magical time of the year to do a huge spring cleaning of my house, I make things easy and slip in spring cleaning tasks every week. I may literally have a few minutes and will use that time to wipe down, not just dust, baseboards or something in one room. Then the next week I may clean the windows in that room. Breaking the big cleaning up into smaller tasks makes it more manageable and doable even for the busiest person.

24 | Sweep Or Vacuum Under Furniture Once A Month (10 minutes)

When you sit down at your dining room table, make it a scan your house – what do you see on the floor under your furniture? Chances are, there will be dust bunnies, trash and just random crap if you get down on all fours and take a peek. Either shift the furniture to the left of right for easy access to the floor or use a broom or a flat mop to clean that area.

25 | Seriously Declutter Paper, Books And Magazines (30 minutes)

Grab a shredder, get an idea of where you can donate your books and magazines and then get to work! Scan and upload papers, then toss or shred them. Gather up the unread books and mags, and send them off to a new home!

26 |  Dust For Cobwebs Along The Ceilings & Corners

You’ll be surprised at how much dust you’ll see when you look up & when you look down!  Once those high areas are done, you can concentrate on the low areas. Grab a high-duster or broom and run it along the ceiling & corners of every room followed by the baseboards.

Get a little momentum going by just doing the whole house at once! Just hold the duster or broom up to the ceiling and walk…it’s that easy!

27 | Tighten Kitchen Cabinet Knobs (3 minutes)

Very small things can make a huge impact on how your house looks. Plus keeping your house in tip-top shape will make you feel proud of your home – and actually want to keep it clean. All you need is a screwdriver – or a pair or scissors will work as a hack to tighten the screws. While you’re at it, be sure to knock out the bathroom cabinet knobs as well!

28 |  Clean The Inside Of Your Dishwasher To Keep It Smelling Fresh (10 minutes)

Luckily the dishwasher doesn’t need much since it’s constantly getting washed. But with that being said, you do need to do a little to keep it from stinking. Don’t worry, it’s super quick and easy to clean.

Remove the bottom rack, and wipe the floor of the dishwasher. You want to remove any food that may be lurking causing it to stink. Remove the filter, rinse it off and put it back. Spray and wipe down the inside of the door, sprinkle some baking soda inside and run it. And you’re all done!

29 |  Declutter Clothing While You’re Folding Laundry (20 minutes)

Decluttering your closet can be a huge undertaking. Make the task easier by decluttering on the fly. As you do laundry, you see the clothing that’s too small, stained or worn right then. Don’t put those clothes back in your room!

Just make two piles – one for donation and one for trash. Socks with holes and worn clothing go straight into the trash pile. Other, gently worn items can be donated. Be sure to put the clothing ready to be donated in the car and drop them off within 24 hours!

30 | Clean The Frames & Glass Of Pictures (2 minutes)

Once a picture gets hung on the wall, it basically becomes invisible — so to speak. I’ve seen epic amounts of dust on frames and the poor glass is so not HD quality! But never fear, really make your house shine by first, dusting the picture frame & glass, then actually cleaning the glass. Just use your favorite glass cleaner & paper towel.

Remember, you only have to clean a few pictures a week – you can do one room at a time. Once they are done, you don’t have to do it again for another 1-4 months!

Clean The Whole House Fast

31 |  Unplug When It’s Time To Clean

I’ve seen so many people spend the day cleaning only to realize they could have finished hours sooner had they not been distracted. Set a timer for however long you want to clean. It’ll help you stay focused.

YOU SHOULD READ // How To Clean Your House Super Fast if it takes you all day and night to get your house cleaned!  You’ll learn the strategies and techniques you need to get the job done faster!

32 | Work Task-By-Task Not Room-By-Room

Because there is an endless number of tasks you can complete when cleaning, you need to make a hit list of the things you want to clean.  And then pick a task and stick to it until the end!

STAY FOCUSED

• Do not jump back and forth from cleaning bathrooms to dusting and back to cleaning bathrooms for example.  Either dust all the rooms or clean all the bathrooms first.

• The completion of one task in its entirety will be a huge morale booster which will help push you along to your next task.

33 | Use A Timer When You Clean

Bet you weren’t expecting that were you!?

Seriously, if you want to clean your bathrooms in 1.5 hours and you have 3 bathrooms, set a timer and give yourself roughly 30 minutes per bathroom. The timer puts the pressure on you to move and helps you stay laser-focused on the task at hand!

The key to keeping your house clean isn’t cleaning it for hours every weekend. By following short, daily & weekly routines, you don’t allow your house to become messy.

Cleaning In The Morning Is Powerful

YOU MAY WANT TO READ // The Super Simple Morning Cleaning Routine For Moms if you’d love an easy to follow plan that will help even the busiest mom keep a house spic and span!

34 | Make Your Bed As Soon As You Get Up (2 minutes)

Making your bed first thing in the morning is a terrific way to start your day! It’s like your very first act of the day is a productive one which can set the tone for the rest of the day.

WHAT I DO BEFORE I MAKE MY BED

The very first thing I do before I get out the bed is I think about everything I should be grateful for – and I do that for 1-2 minutes. This is really helpful when my mood is crappy. Then I chug an entire bottle of water. Now that wakes me up! I’m not a morning person, but I’m working on small changes to eventually become one. My days are just soo much better when I get up early – after getting a good amount of sleep of course.

35 | Tidy Your Night-Stand

The night-stand has a tendency to turn into the upside-down if we don’t keep it clean.  Remove trash, take dishes to the kitchen and straighten the other items on the night-stand surface.

36 |  Get Up 5-Minutes Earlier Than You Usually Do

I know you’re already struggling to get up but I’m telling you, it is totally worth it if you can do it! You don’t need to get up super early in order to do impactful cleaning. Part of being able to wake up earlier is going to bed on time so, let’s set a decent bedtime, get 7-8 hours of rest and get up ready to rock-n-clean a little before the kids get up!

37 | Skip The Dishes & Opt For Disposable Products

In the morning, things tend to get a little crazy no matter how detailed and thoughtful of a planner you are! Make life easier on yourself by doing grab-and-go style breakfast options more often and using paper plates or napkins so that clean up is a cinch! You don’t want to come home after a long day at work to dirty dishes from breakfast, do you?

38 |  Empty The Dishwasher (7 minutes)

Don’t huff – it has to be done at some point.  While you’re making coffee, start unloading the dishwasher.  When you come home in the evening, you’ll be so glad it’s already done!

Just think, the same amount of time it takes to brew coffee is about how much time you’ll need to unload the dishwasher!

You may want to read my post How To Clean Your House Like A Pro if you don’t know where to start cleaning your house or if you’re unorganized and need a little direction.

Wrap Up the Day With A Little Bit Of Cleaning In The PM

39 | Clean While You Cook

Ok, get your game face on!  Everything goes straight from the stove into glassware or plasticware.  And yes you heard me right!  This means you will be washing the pot not sitting it in the fridge!  

HOW TO CLEAN AS YOU GO

• While you’re waiting for your food to finish cooking, you should be at the sink washing the utensils and tools you’ve used.

• Cleaning counters or even better, cleaning out the fridge to make room for this evening’s leftovers is a fantastic idea! Get rid of anything you don’t recognize that’s hiding in your fridge or freezer.

• Oh and if you didn’t empty the dishwasher this morning, now’s the time to do it.

40 | Vacuum One High-Traffic Areas

Ok so how often should you really vacuum?   To answer that question, I have to ask you another question.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU VACUUM

• How many people are in the house? 

• Whatever that number is will tell you how many times per week you should vacuum high traffic areas.

• If you have 4 people in your home, the high traffic areas should be vacuumed 3-4 times a week.

• Low traffic areas only need to be vacuumed once per week or even every 2 weeks. 

41 |  Run The Dishwasher

It is very easy to forget to start the dishwasher so make it a point to always start the dishwasher at the same time every day. Set a reminder on your phone – that’s what I do because sometimes things get hectic around here but I don’t want to forget to press that start button!

Make sure you are not putting dishes with food on them in the dishwasher!  That’s a one-way ticket to a clog and Stinkville! 

42 |  Prep Anything You Can The Morning

Planning in the evening gives you the early morning win you need to coast throughout the day!

THINGS YOU CAN PREP FOR A MORNING WIN

• Every evening, scrub your schedule to see what’s on the agenda for tomorrow. Oh and check your bank account.

• Locate your purse, car keys and any other items you’ll need when you head off in the morning. Put them in the car or by the door.

• Meal prepping is always a bonafide win!  Whether you’re single or have a family, cooking ahead & dishing everything out in perfectly sized portions will give you insane amounts of extra time during the week. If you need containers, check out this set that I got for my husband. 

• We already talked about planning your outfits but here’s one more mention for the road.

43 | Fold One Load Of Laundry

All it takes is one load of laundry a day to keep the doctor away! Seriously, the bigger your family, the more overwhelming laundry can be. One load a day is easy and manageable for most people. Be sure to get your family involved – spouses & older children – to make the task even quicker!

44 |  Take The Trash Out

Once it’s time to shut the house down for the evening, let’s take the trash out so that we can start fresh in the morning. Waking up to a fresh house will definitely give you a little pep in your step throughout the day.

Have Mini Cleaning Sessions In The Bathroom To Keep It Clean

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ // How To Clean Your Dirty Bathroom Super Fast – And Keep It Clean for my advice on cleaning thoroughly in the fastest, smartest way possible.  It also comes with an ultra-deep cleaning routine + checklist that will transform your bathroom!

45 |  Clean At Least One Thing In Your Bathroom Every Day

The bathroom must be cleaned regularly to keep it in order. But like you, I get busy sometimes and have to do what I can when I can. If you can set aside just 3-5 minutes to clean something while you’re already in there, it’ll make a world of difference.

46 | Get Rid Of Urine Smells

If you notice your bathroom smells like urine you only need one thing to clean it. Not an all-purpose cleaner and not bleach. You need vinegar.

Urine needs an enzyme cleaner to break up the molecules responsible for the smell and thankfully, vinegar is nature’s answer. Using straight vinegar or a 50:50 mix in a bottle, spray the area that smells like urine & let it sit 20-30 minutes. Then wipe it clean. That’s it!

And don’t worry, the vinegar smell will disappear as well. Whenever there’s urine, grab vinegar!

47 |  Clean 1 Toilet Bowl Every Day

A lot goes on in this spot – it only takes 10 seconds to scrub away any evidence you were ever there.  Plus a fresh bowl really freshens up the entire bathroom. 

If you have unsightly rings in the toilet, a pumice stone is the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed.  Easy to use and non-toxic, it’s full of surprising uses for around the house!  

I actually use the pumice stone frequently in my cleaning business. It’s our go-to for toilet rings and a total lifesaver when cleaning inside ovens!

48 |  Clean The Shower While You’re In The Shower

If it’s in the shower, you can easily spray and wipe down surfaces when you hop in. Of course, it’s best if you use something non-toxic since you’ll be in the middle of all that cleaning action!

GOOD THINGS TO DO IN THE SHOWER

• Remove product bottles once they are empty.

• Consider getting a hair catcher or at least wipe the hair out of the shower once you finish.

• A squeegee is great to use on the shower for glass doors to prevent scum build-up.

• Run the ventilator in the bathroom or open a window to remove excess moisture which leads to mold.

49 | Clean Hair Off The Bathroom Floor Daily

Hair is like a gift and a curse!  And while we’d all prefer to keep our hair on our heads, unfortunately, quite a bit can be found on the bathroom floor graveyard.

THIS IS HOW YOU SHOULD DO IT

• Keep a small vacuum cleaner or broom close by to remove hair.

• Vacuum or sweep the floor before you get into the shower or get the floor wet.  Wet hair is almost impossible to clean up!

• Hair falls from the counters to the floors so knock hair off the counters before cleaning the floor.

50 | Wash Bath Mats Every 3 Months

Shake them out regularly, vacuum them if possible and replace them when needed. Bath mats are overlooked but if you give them regular TLC, you’ll extend their life greatly.

51 | Wash Shower Curtains & Liners Monthly

You can always clean shower curtains and liners by hand – which is a hassle even for pros, or…you can put them in the washing machine! All you need is a minimal amount of detergent, a normal spin cycle & then you’re done.

52 | Swap Bar Soap For Liquid

If you use bar soap, you’re making your life harder than it has to be!   If you wonder where the thick film in your shower is coming from, that’s the main culprit.

Swap the soap bar for liquid soap to help prevent excessive soap scum in your bathrub or shower ASAP! 

53 | Get A Hair Trap For Your Shower

Hair in the bottom of the shower is not only unsightly but leads to clogs which are no fun!  Hair traps are an easy way to collect and remove hair.   If you know someone living in a dorm, this is a must-have!

54 | Prevent Mold & Mildew In The Shower

No matter how clean you are, mold and mildew do not discriminate – it loves warm, wet places and unfortunately, your shower is the perfect escape!

HOW TO STOP IT

• Buy a mold inhibitor and treat your shower regularly. 

• Another alternative:  hand wipe surfaces dry in the shower or use a squegee.

55 | Wipe Out The Sink After Brushing Your Teeth

Yes, I know you will be rushing in the morning, but if you can take just 5 seconds, grab a paper towel and wipe excess toothpaste out of the sink.  Doing this on a daily basis will help keep your sink from turning into a bowl of grossness.

Oh and totally skip the charcoal toothpaste if you want to keep your bathroom cleaner. Let’s just say charcoal toothpaste splatter is not as forgiving as regular toothpaste splatter.

56 | Declutter Beauty Products & Other Items In The Bathroom

If your counters have lots of loose items, there’s a strong possibility that things can get a little unsightly from time to time.  Plus, it can make cleanup difficult or even impossible.

If you want to do some serious decluttering, check out this post. It’s a refreshingly pragmatic method for decluttering the whole house!

If You Can Keep The Kitchen Clean, You’ve Won

57 | Follow The Kitchen Rules

First, you have to make a few rules & then you have to follow them. Staying motivated is the key here. No one typically likes “rules” but just remember, you are only doing this to get rid of bad habits that are making the house dirtier than it has to be.

58 | Get Rid Of Old Crap In Those Cabinets Monthly

Always, get rid of anything that is peeling, chipping, broken, or solo. That means old pots and pans, dishes that you can’t eat off of, plastic containers without lids or plates not in a set are all items that can go on the chopping block. I don’t know anyone that isn’t wishing for more cabinet space so purge monthly to make some!

59 | Empty Out The Fridge & Freezer Weekly

The contents of your fridge are like an expression of your life.  If you look inside and realize it’s a mess, you’ve got some work to do my friend!

Keeping your fridge clean will reduce random odors and waste, help you stay on your food plan and make you feel good in general. I’m a huge fan of using natural odor absorbers in my fridge in addition to wiping it out a few times a week, just to keep things sparkling clean.

60 | Change Dish Towels Often

Do not leave dirty dish towels or sponges filled with food and grease balled up on your sink. Rinse them out after each use so that they are clean. Then fold them and hang them on the sink to dry – or just place in the hamper if they are dirty.

61 | Run The Garbage Disposal Every Day

Another major source of odor is the garbage disposal.  Simply rinsing dirty dishes is how a lot of the food ends up just sitting there, so be sure to run the disposal regularly. 

A FEW GREAT TIPS TO FOLLOW

• Be careful to keep silverware and other small objects from falling into the disposal so that you can avoid having to make costly repairs. 

• I also like to use garbage disposal cleaners from time to time just to make sure things are nice and clean down there.   

62 | Scrub The Sink Clean

Don’t wipe it out. Keep a scour sponge & soft scrub (my favorite product for this is Bar Keepers) close by to easily scrub the sink clean in the evening. I promise you, scouring makes a day and night difference in your sink.

SIMPLE ADVICE

• Keep the drains clean and clear by running hot or pouring boiling water with dish detergent down the drain.

• Run the garbage disposal daily to make sure food isn’t building up in the disposal which may lead to a clogged sink.

63 | Swap Carpeted Kitchen Mats For Rubber Ones

Carpeted surfaces in a kitchen hold on to everything from grease to odors.  The best way to clean them is to wash them regularly. But most of us don’t have time to do that so let’s just swap the carpeted mats for a rubber mat that can easily be wiped clean.

64 | The One Floor You Must Mop At Least Once Per Week

So much happens in the kitchen!  Just look at the floor! By not cleaning it daily, you’re just spreading crumbs & gunk throughout the entire house. This is definitely a high-traffic area so you should sweep the kitchen floor every day and mop it weekly at a minimum.

65 | Keep The Oven Clean – The Easy Way

One of my secrets to keeping a clean oven is a pumice stone. When I need to do a light cleaning, I just use that stone and in 1-2 minutes, the oven is perfectly clean without the use of heavy fumes or lots of scrubbing.

And my other favorite oven cleaning hack? Just run the self-clean option! Be prepared to wipe out a little ash after the cleaning cycle completes. Run it regularly to keep the oven maintained.

Let’s Talk About Laundry

66 | Establish A Laundry Routine

Whether you’re going to do all of the laundry on Saturdays or dedicate Tuesdays & Thursdays to this task, having a routine will definitely keep your laundry under control. Personally, I aim for a load a day and use Wednesdays as my catch-up day! That’s when I wash an extra load or two.

67 | Keep A Separate Hamper Specifically For Towels

Towels are bulky so they take up a lot of space plus they can make it seem like you have much more dirty laundry than you really do! Keep a separate hamper just for towels because even though they take up a lot of space, they are super easy to wash, fold and put away compared to clothing.

68 | Wet Clothes Need To Be Washed ASAP

Let’s have a moment of truth here – have you ever smelled your workout clothes?  Do it once and you’ll never wait to wash your gym clothes again. Wash workout clothing or sports uniforms as soon as possible because the longer you wait, the stronger they’ll smell.

69 | The Laundry Room Needs To Be Decluttered & Cleaned Weekly

The laundry room can easily become the eye-sore of your house if don’t put energy into keeping it clean, organized & decluttered. If you are using your laundry room as a catch-all with no organization, here are a few simple things you can do to clean that space up a bit.

START HERE IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM

• Identify the items you’re putting in there that have nothing to do with “laundry.” Is there a better place for these items?

• Once identified, remove everything that should have a new home or be trashed.

• Organize what’s left & be sure to clean your laundry room every two weeks.

70 | Swap Powder Or Liquid Detergent For Pods

If it’s normal to have powder or liquid detergent spilled everywhere in your laundry room, you should switch to pods which are 100% mess-free. I alternate between all 3 but I can say pods save me so much time since I can’t make a mess with them.

71 | Officially Organize The Laundry Room

Getting this room organized is a great way to kinda get your feet wet when it comes to organizing! A laundry room is a small space so if you can get this space organized, the rest of the house will be a piece of cake. Best advice I’ve heard when it comes to organizing? Invest in baskets that are similar for a seamless, designer look without much effort!

BONUS TIPS | Other things you can do to keep your house clean forever!

• What do you have a lot of in your house? Things in excess mean you probably have more than you really need. Getting rid of excess items keeps your house helps your house look tidy.

• What are you doing with excess papers, mail & bills? Collect papers every week and have a shred day. Stores like Staples shred papers for a fee so that’s also an option.

• Have a hard time getting rid of items because of their sentimental value? Wearing gloves may help block your sense of touch & trick your brain into believing the items aren’t so important after all.

SUMMARY

Guys, this is a big list so do not try to do all of these tips at once! (That would actually be impossible!) Instead, simply choose 1-5 to ideas to follow every week and build on that over time.

If you fall off the wagon (and everyone does), figure out what happened but don’t dwell — keep moving forward! By changing your habits, little by little, you will truly be able to enjoy a house that stays clean!

Good things are meant to be shared! Save this to your Pinterest account so you can actually find it later and so others can see you’ve got all the good stuff!

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