Use these 20 hacks, and your home will never be dirty.
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Stack tasks
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Stacking tasks is a great productivity hack, and it’s especially helpful for keeping your home clean. If there are tasks that can be done simultaneously, like listening to a presentation for work and dusting, do them simultaneously.
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Alternate tasks
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When you’re dedicating some time to cleaning, alternate tasks to be more efficient with your time. Run a load of laundry while you’re scrubbing your tub, for example. If it takes you less time to keep your home clean, you’ll be more likely to stay on top of it.
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Wear mop slippers
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Wearing mop slippers is a true hack. All it takes to clean your floors is walking around in a special pair of slippers. At the very least, they’ll pick up dirt and dust while you’re wearing them.
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Keep cleaning supplies in every room
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You’ll be more likely to take care of a mess right when you notice it if you have the proper supplies on hand. Keep cleaning supplies in every room so that you don’t put off messes just because you have to walk downstairs to get what you need to clean.
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Clean a little bit each day
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Cleaning a little bit daily might seem daunting, but it’ll be worth it. And it’ll be far less daunting than the one day you have to dedicate to cleaning your entire space.
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Run the dishwasher at night
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Running your dishwasher at night will save you so much time during the day. In the morning, unload your dishwasher. Then, you’ll have an open space to put all of your dirty dishes throughout the day. They won’t pile up in the sink, and you’ll have clean dishes each morning.
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Do a load of laundry every day
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It’s so easy for laundry to pile up, and having piles of laundry sitting around the house makes it feel cluttered and messy. Do one load of laundry every day to avoid that mess and keep your house in order.
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Have containers for everything
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It’s easier to put things away when they have a dedicated place to go. Get containers for everything, especially the random items you don’t know what to do with. If you know where something goes, you’ll put it in its rightful spot and know where to find it next time.
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Keep a squeegee in every room
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Squeegees are an amazing cleaning tool, and you should keep one in every room of your house. Yes, they’re great for showers, but they’re also great for cleaning countertops, cabinets, and other surfaces.
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Clean right when you get home
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Psychology says that it’s easier to initiate a task when you’re standing. Before you sit down and relax, clean up. Put everything away and tidy up before you feel how nice it is to sit down.
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Wipe surfaces immediately after usage
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Cleaning as you go really is the trick for keeping a tidy house. Wipe all your surfaces immediately after you use them, whether it’s your bathroom counter, stovetop, or kitchen table. It’ll make a world of difference.
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Stick to a schedule
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Following a cleaning schedule will also make a world of difference. Have a room to check each day and attend to any messes. You could also schedule according to surfaces or type of task. Do what works for you; just create a schedule so it’s easier to keep track.
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Follow the two-minute rule
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The two-minute cleaning rule is easier to follow than you might think. If the task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it right away instead of putting it off. It helps keep tasks from piling up and keeps your place clean.
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Make your bed right when you get up
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Make your bed every day, and make it right when you get out of bed. Having a made bed sets the tone for your day and your home, and it’s an easy task to incorporate into your morning routine that makes a huge difference.
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Put folded laundry where you like to sit
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If you want to force yourself to put your laundry away, don’t fold it and put it in a basket - put folded laundry where you like to sit. If clean laundry is blocking you from sitting, it’ll force you to put it away so you can utilize the spot.
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Spot mop
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Mopping is a task most people don’t enjoy, but it’s easier if you stay on top of it by spot mopping. Whenever you notice a mess on the floor, mop it up. You won’t have to mop your entire floor nearly as much.
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Utilize time-saving tools
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Don’t be ashamed to use time-saving cleaning tools. They may seem gimmicky, but if they help you keep your home clean, they’re worth it. Mops and brooms are time-saving tools, as are electric toothbrushes and squeegees.
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Turn cleaning into a game
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If you have kids that struggle to clean after themselves, turn cleaning into a game. If simply playing a game doesn’t motivate them, have a reward available, too.
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Tidy up before bed
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Dedicate a few minutes before bed each night to get things in order. Even just five minutes of tidying up each night will make a huge difference in keeping your space consistently clean.
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Reward yourself for keeping clean
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Cleaning isn’t a particularly fun task for many people, but it’s necessary. If rewarding yourself is helpful, do it. Treat yourself for accomplishing whatever cleaning hurdle you struggle with.
Acacia Deadrick is a South Dakota-based writer who has written for sites such as Nicki Swift, The List, and Glam. She loves music and all things pop culture, and she can be found watching TV, completing a crossword puzzle, or reading in her spare time.