“Tidy up” are two words that have probably stuck with most people into their adult lives after hearing it everyday throughout their childhood. No matter how much you despise them, you’ll start hearing those very same words come out of your own mouth as you begin the journey of family life. As much as the idea of tidying up may sound like a drag, there are smart ways to do it so that organising and cleaning don’t sound half as bad as younger you felt it did.
There are many benefits to home and office organisation once your living and working spaces have been cleaned, including healthier and less stressful living, which we could all use a little more of. In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to help you achieve and maintain an organised home after you’ve given it a good clean.
Decluttering and Simplifying
The first step to reaching the goal of a well-organised home is to downscale and prepare. By getting rid of items in your home that no longer serve a purpose, you’ll be lifting a huge weight off your shoulders, while also making the process ahead much easier. Follow the two steps below to declutter and simplify.
1. Assessing and Sorting Possessions
Before beginning the organising process for your home, take the time to go through your possessions. Evaluate each item and decide if it’s worth keeping, i.e., if it’s valuable or brings you joy. Categorise your belongings into piles labelled ‘keep,’ ‘donate,’ or ‘discard.’ Letting go of unnecessary items will create more space and make it easier to organise your home.
2. Creating Functional Storage Solutions
Invest in storage containers, baskets, and shelving units to create designated spaces for your belongings. Vertical storage options, such as wall-mounted shelves or hanging organisers, are great because they maximise space. Don’t forget to utilise underutilised areas, such as the space under your bed or the back of closet doors, as additional storage solutions.
Establishing Daily Cleaning Habits
Daily cleaning habits are the key to not letting clutter, dirt, debris, etc., build up and cause a bigger problem down the line. Use the two tips below to form smaller, more regular cleaning habits that will pay off in the long run.
1. Implementing Quick Cleaning Routines
Incorporate short cleaning tasks into your daily routine to maintain a clean and organised home. Spend a few minutes each day tidying up cluttered areas, wiping down surfaces, and doing light cleaning. By tackling small tasks regularly, you prevent messes from piling up and feeling overwhelmed at a later stage.
2. Creating a Cleaning Schedule
Create a custom cleaning schedule that outlines specific tasks for each day/week. Allocate time for deep cleaning, broken up into specific areas of your home. This approach ensures that all areas receive regular attention and prevents cleaning sessions that have no structure. Stick to the schedule to maintain a consistently clean and organised home.
Streamlining and Organising Each Room
Ready to look at organisation in more detail, room by room? Use the helpful guidelines below to successfully organise the separate living spaces in your home, resulting in a tidy overall picture.
1. Kitchen Organisation
Organise your kitchen by creating the following categories: pantry items, utensils, and cookware, and group your kitchenware accordingly. Utilise clear containers and labels to store dry goods, and use dividers and drawer organisers inside cupboards. Keep frequently used items within easy reach to make cooking and meal preparation more efficient.
2. Living Room and Entertainment Area Organisation
Arrange books, magazines, and media equipment in an orderly manner, and store them neatly. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need or enjoy. Storage solutions like shelves, baskets, and media consoles will ensure everything is organised and easy to find. Something that always gets lost is remote controls, so ensure they are kept in a designated space. Finally, group cables together with cord holders to prevent clutter.
3. Bedroom and Cupboard Organisation
Organise your clothes, shoes, and accessories using storage solutions that suit your needs. Sort items by category, and once again, use storage solutions such as drawer dividers, hanging organisers, and shoe racks to maximise space. Regularly declutter your wardrobe, possibly at the end of each season or bi-annually, by donating or selling items you no longer wear.
4. Bathroom Organisation
Utilise storage solutions such as shower caddies, over-the-door organisers, and baskets to organise toiletries, towels, and cleaning supplies. Keep frequently used items within easy reach and designate specific areas for different categories of products. As soon as something is finished or expired, remove it to keep your bathroom clutter-free.
5. Home Office and Study Area Organisation
Establish an organised workspace by organising paperwork, office supplies, and electronic devices. Utilise file folders or digital filing systems to manage paperwork. Use desk organisers, drawer dividers, and cable management solutions to keep everything tidy. Regularly declutter digital files to maintain a clean and organised digital workspace.
Maintaining a Clutter-Free Environment
As always, there are regular habits you can form and practise to ensure an organised home isn’t just a once-off idea that fades away as life happens. Implement the cleaning and organising tips below for long-lasting tidiness.
1. Adopting a One-In-One-Out Policy
For every new item you bring into your home, make space for it by getting rid of one old or unused item. This helps prevent unnecessary accumulation and keeps your space clutter-free. It encourages you to be mindful of your purchases and ensures that your belongings remain manageable.
2. Regular Maintenance and Cleaning
Schedule regular decluttering sessions to reassess your possessions and eliminate items you no longer need. Smaller sessions could be done weekly or monthly, and longer ones on a seasonal basis. Dedicate time each week to tidy up, put items back in their designated places, and clean surfaces. The importance of regular home cleaning cannot be overstated, so try to fit in as many services as your lifestyle requires.
Conclusion
Achieving and maintaining an organised home after cleaning requires a combination of decluttering, creating functional storage solutions, establishing daily cleaning habits, and streamlining each room. Now that you’re ready to achieve all of this, do your best to keep the tips and guidelines given above at the forefront of your daily, weekly, and monthly routines.
If you’re having trouble keeping your home clean AND organised, trust an expert SweepStar to help out. We have a range of convenient SweepSouth cleaning services for all occasions, 365 days a year. Book today and get ready to enjoy a happy, healthy home.
