Ways to Keep Your House Cleaner Longer

Cleaning the house is a necessity for everyone, but it doesn’t always have to be a time-consuming, backbreaking task.  By making a few simple changes, you can maintain a clean home, which means cleaning less often and working less hard.

Reduce clutter

1. A little bit of clutter is inevitable, and sometimes unfinished projects have to be set aside.  So designate one room or area where it’s okay for clutter to accumulate a little bit – a place to leave your half-finished puzzle, that book you’re in the middle of reading, or your kids’ arts and crafts projects.
2. Place containers where ever clutter seems to collect the most, such as a toy box in the playroom or a file box for the mail, that way things aren’t left on the floor or dropped onto the coffee table and forgotten.
3. Install hooks or shelves for every day items such as coats, hats, and shoes, and put them away as soon as you get home. 
4. Make sure each room has a wastebasket.
5. Sort through your things a few times a year and get rid of anything you haven’t been using.

 Reduce the amount of dirt that gets inside.

1. Place doormats inside and outside your doors.
2. Leave muddy footwear in a tray by the door, or in a mudroom if you have one.
3. Whenever necessary, sweep walkways or steps that lead into your home.
4. Regularly change the filters in your air conditioners and furnace.
5. Have your heating and ventilation ducts professionally cleaned once a year to prevent dust and allergens from being blown into the air.

Clean as you go.

1. Put things away when you’re done – put your coffee cup into the sink or the dishwasher after you’ve taken your last sip, put the laundry away right after it’s been folded, and stick your book back on the shelf when you finish reading it.
2. Keep disposable cleaning wipes next to the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
3. Clean up spills immediately so you don’t have to deal with the stains later.