Keep the House Clean All the Time

Do you clean your house only to find the next day it's a mess all over again? Keeping a house clean is a challenge but it's not one person's challenge alone––it takes teamwork.

Steps

Small to large chores

  1. Start small. Simple tasks, such as vacuuming the lounge, cleaning the counter tops, can all make for an easier lifestyle. When you have done a few small tasks, move on to bigger chores. Mowing the lawn, cleaning windows and mirrors, organizing bookshelves and similar chores help to keep everything in order.
  2. Don't spend one entire day tidying and cleaning. Do a little every day, here and there, instead. That way, it won't feel like a huge burden each time.
  3. Clean weekly, don't put it off otherwise the mess will be much worse.

Chore list

  1. Set a chore list. If you work for long hours during the day, and people stay at home, create a "Chore List." It's like a simple rota: At a certain time of day, one person that stays at home will do a chore. All chores that need to be done must be done on time, so when you arrive home the house will be neat and tidy, and ready to sit down in and watch that new drama on TV.
    • No one person in the household should bear the sole responsibility for cleaning. It is the responsibility of every person who lives in a place to contribute to keeping it clean. If you are in the position of having to do all of the cleaning, put an end to this arrangement. Tell them that they are all responsible and that the house always needs cleaning.
  2. Dust, vacuum, and organize each room at a time. Don't all rush to your rooms. The whole house needs cleaning, not just bedrooms.
    • One person can dust, then another can vacuum, another tidies generally (for example, putting the cushions neatly in the living room) and another can organize bookshelves, etc.
  3. Don't fight over the chores. Make it easy for everyone, rotate the chores each week. You may want to keep a record of it all.
  4. Elect a family 'head'. This person has to check each room on the house and make sure it is clean and tidy. Change the head of cleaning every month or so.

Rewards

  1. Provide motivation for cleaning. If you have children, promise them a treat that the whole family can enjoy after cleaning. This might be going somewhere, eating a homemade pie, watching a favorite TV show together, etc. Just make it clear that the cleaning happens first, then the treat. Then look forward to that family treat.
  2. Make cleaning more fun. Use games, music and even races to make cleaning fun for everyone, no matter your age.
  3. Give yourself a break! Whether it's a shopping spree, a night in front of the television, a walk on the beach, or just a lie in, you need to rest. Do something you enjoy. It could be every night, every weekend, or any time that suits you.
    • Don't buy things that need dusting!

Tips

  • If you have children, tidy your room, and only your room. Let the children tidy their rooms to show that everyone has a part to play. Let everyone be responsible for themselves - for their own personal growth and to avoid them growing a sense that somebody else will take care of their needs.
  • Try to stay on top of everything in your household. Although this can be difficult for working people, it pays off in the long run.
  • Have a positive attitude when it comes to persuading your family to stay tidy as well.
  • If you live alone, things should be easier, as nobody else is moving things around on you. All the same, seek to stay on top of the cleaning with a regular routine. Avoid too many "I'll do it later" excuses as the mess soon builds up.
  • Clean rooms one at a time before you move over to the next one.

Warnings

  • Don't let cleanliness take over your life. There may be more important things in life than keeping everything tidy, but it's a start.
  • Repeat this mantra: Most things will never get so dirty that they won't come clean.
  • Cleanliness and tidiness are two different things; mess is unsightly but won't kill you. Grime, mold and gunk harbors germs and should always be your first target when cleaning.

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