Let’s face it, busy lifestyles and other things on the mind make it easy to slip up and let your home turn into a “disaster zone.” Then you’re left scrambling to clean up on the weekend, and it feels like nothing truly ever gets done. So instead of admitting defeat or running yourself in circles, try organizing your home with a routine.
We’ve got several tips to help you schedule cleaning time throughout the week so you don’t become overwhelmed or fall behind. Just a few minutes a day on smaller tasks can make a huge difference in your overall home organization, especially in the long run. You’ll thank yourself when the clutter is gone, and you can go back to binging your favorite shows in peace.
Clear Counters and Tables Daily
Step one is to set up a cleaning routine that’s simple to maintain. Counters and tables are clutter hotspots. It’s so easy to place things down and leave them—your mail, purse, dirty dishes, you name it. Problem is, all that stuff looks super messy and is in the way when you need to use your counter or table, usually at an inconvenient time.
Save yourself the hassle by clearing these surfaces, ideally after each use, but at least once per day. (Honestly, your dishes should automatically go in the sink or dishwasher when you’re finished eating anyway.) One trick is to make decluttering and organizing these surfaces part of your nightly routine, just like brushing your teeth. Wipe everything down while you’re at it, and the table or counters will be ready the next time you need them.
Don’t Leave Clothes on the Floor
Convenient as it may be to strip off your coat and shoes and leave them wherever after a long day, taking literal seconds to hang your jacket up and put your shoes away means one less mess to pick up later. If carrying everything to your closet is proving to be difficult, one organization idea is to try installing a couple of wall hooks or a coat rack. A shoe mat by your door does wonders, too, especially if your shoes are wet or dirty. There are also coat trees with shoe cubbies if you have the space in your entryway for larger furniture.
The same goes for your laundry. At the end of the day, dirty clothes belong in your hamper, not a pile on your floor. Though this habit might be hard to break for some, you’ll feel a lot more organized when you can actually see your floor. Plus, it’ll make things easier when it comes time to wash everything at the end of the week.
Go Through Your Closet(s)
We all do it, shoving things into the closet and telling ourselves we’ll deal with it later. Well, later has passed, and the task has probably turned into more of an organization project than you bargained for. It’s ok if you don’t do it all at once, but dedicate at least one day each week to hanging up clothes, putting the things that belong in the closet back where they go, and taking the things that don’t belong out.
It’s also the perfect time to go through and get rid of items you don’t use or need. Unleash your inner Marie Kondo and make a point to hang onto only things that bring you joy or have value. After all, having less stuff means less clutter and less you need to clean up again.
Do a Room-By-Room Sweep
A quick sweep of each room in your home can really help in the long run. This can quickly be done after work every day or even every other day, depending on how messy your space gets. Spend about fifteen minutes discarding trash or picking up small messes. You can do one room per day or split the fifteen minutes across multiple rooms. The point is to contribute to every room at least a little during the week.
And if there’s no garbage in sight, clean up something else. Putting away your toys when you’re finished is a rule of thumb for adults, just as much as it is for kids. If you see you left something out, take a moment to put it back where it belongs. Small storage and organization steps that take very little time include putting away cosmetics or taking care of the dishes.
Keep Your Papers Organized
Easier said than done, but organizing paperwork saves you a lot of headaches in the long run. For example, if you’re someone who likes to let their mail pile up, set aside time—one or two days per week—to sort through everything. Separate your important mail from your junk and recycle the latter. The last thing you want is to get stuck with an overdue bill.
Take the time to shred anything sensitive that you no longer need and file away important documents. Preferably in a labeled folder so you can easily refer back to them if needed. And if you tend to have papers or mail scattered around the house, dedicate one space to keep everything together. This will make it much easier to sort through.
Try Meal Planning
Hear us out; meal planning isn’t as daunting as it may sound. It can help you keep your kitchen more organized by dedicating one day (usually at the beginning of the week) to a grocery store run and prepping food for the week. In addition, by planning your meals, you can gather your grocery list ahead of time. This way, you know exactly what you need and spend less time shopping around at the store.
Once you prep your meals, clean and put your cookware away, so it’s ready for the next use. You’ll have a fridge full of ready-to-make food and a sink clear of dishes. Plus, you’ll save so much time during the week without digging through your freezer to find something to throw together at the last minute.
Use Weekends for More Intense Cleaning
By staying on top of things and learning how to organize during the week with a routine that works for you, you give yourself more time to tackle larger tasks and clean more thoroughly on the weekends. That’s more time dedicated to dusting, vacuuming, mopping, etc. because you don’t need to constantly stop to clear the floor or other surfaces. So, say goodbye to exhausting days of non-stop cleaning and hello to enjoying other activities (as long as you clean up after).
And if you’re still struggling with motivation during the week, try setting a timer for fifteen minutes. This is called the Focus 15 method and allows you to set aside time to work on a single task within that time frame. Fifteen minutes may not seem like a lot, but it adds up. You’ll start to see a difference in your frame of mind and your workload if you maintain this routine daily.
Declutter with Self Storage
It’s incredible how much more refreshed you can feel with a tidy living space. But if you have too much clutter and little room, try your hand at home storage solutions with Prime. Our self storage units are perfect for the items you don’t have room for but aren’t ready to get rid of. Some things to consider include seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, patio furniture, hobby supplies, and more. If you think self storage is a good fit for your needs, give us a call or find a facility near you!
We also offer tips on Organizing Your New Storage Unit and Determining What to Keep. So you can take the necessary steps to keep your new storage space neat, just like at home.
