We all have a lot on our plate. In the winter months, especially during the holiday season, it is easy for housework to fall by the wayside. In an effort to help get back on track without becoming overwhelmed, we’ve got some quick tasks you can work into your busy life to keep your home in tip-top shape.
5 min.
Clear the clutter.
It takes just a few minutes to go through your living area and organize the clutter that has found a home on your surfaces. Put the book back on the shelf; take the empty glasses back into the kitchen and hang your keys back on the hook. Quickly putting things back in their place can make your space look much more organized.
The quick switch.
Washing all your bedding can be a hassle. Keep a clean set of sheets on hand and slip them onto your bed when it needs a little refresh. This is an easy way to make your space feel clean in just a few minutes. You can tackle the wash later.
Load the dishwasher.
Before you toss everything in the sink to tackle later and call it a night, rinse off your dinner dishes and put them away in the dishwasher. If it's full, go ahead and hit start!
10 min.
Out with the old.
Leftovers, old produce and empty condiment containers can really take up space in your fridge. Go through it and throw away anything old. Give the shelves a quick wipe and then load it back up with all the good, fresh food you still have. The next time you reach for a snack, you will be relieved to be looking through a clean, organized refrigerator.
Wipe it all away.
Grab a pack of disinfecting wipes and take a trip around your house, swiping all the surfaces that are touched frequently. This might include doorknobs, the television remote, tabletops, counters and sinks. Each room will feel fresh and clean, and your surfaces will shine.
The window wash.
The glass on your windows can easily get smudged, dirty or foggy. While you may not realize it, the buildup may be decreasing the amount of light coming into your home. If you do not have any glass cleaner on hand, you can make your own solution by combining water and vinegar. Be sure to use a microfiber cloth when cleaning so as to not scratch the glass.
15 min.
Make the floors sparkle.
Floors are often the first thing to get dirty in a house. Between footprints, pet hair and tumbling crumbs, it’s a surface that’s hard to keep clean. Take it one room at a time. If there is carpet, start with a vacuum, then consider shampooing it. For tile floors, fill a bucket with hot water, vinegar and dish soap and mop with this solution to really break through the grime. Hardwood floors are more delicate; dry mopping is the best option. If you need a deeper clean on your hardwood floors, special cleaning solutions are available that will not ruin them.
The digital declutter.
While keeping your physical space clean is important, we often overlook the clutter on our laptops and phones. Take the time to delete old files, pictures and applications. Reorganize the homepage on your phone and laptop to have everything you need front and center. You will love the feeling of getting work done in an organized digital environment.
