10 Tricks for Keeping Your Home in Shape
In the midst of hectic school and work schedules, it isn’t always easy to keep your home neat and tidy. But getting organized should really be part of your normal routine. Here are ten helpful habits for keeping your home in shape.
- Don’t Let Laundry Pile Up. Make it a goal to do a load of laundry each day. Run the wash before you get into bed, so it can run while you sleep, or right when you wake up in the morning for while you’re getting ready. It’s not hard to fit this task into your schedule, and ensures you’ll have the clothes your family wants to wear when they want them!
- Trim the Yard. Your yard may not be where you spend most of your time, but it’s the first thing people see when they visit your home. Trees and shrubbery should be trimmed and neat, and make sure snow and leaves are removed from your yard and walkways throughout the changing seasons. Your neighbors will also appreciate it!
- Make Your Bed. Probably something you’ve been told since you were little, but it really does make bedrooms look so much neater and can set the tone for the rest of the day. Put everyone in charge of their own bed, so that all the rooms can look nice and tidy in just a couple of minutes. Plus, there’s nothing like climbing into a nice, made bed at the end of the day.
- Put Things Away After Use. This practice is so simple, but one of the hardest to make a habit. As soon as you wait to put things back in their place, they end up lost or creating a bigger mess than necessary. When you take off shoes and jackets, put them back in closets, and make sure all other items are back where they belong after you’re finished using them.
- Remove Dishes from the Sink. When you’re finished eating, give dishes a quick rinse and toss into the dishwasher, so it’s easy to run it more regularly. Once the dishes pile up, you’re left with caked on food that requires more scrubbing than your dishwasher can handle. Your counters will look clean and organized, and everything will be ready to go for the next time you cook.
- Test Smoke Alarms. Check your smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries yearly to make sure everything is up to date and functioning properly. It’s too easy to forget about this very important safety feature of your home, so make it a habit. Every 10 years, the entire unit should be replaced.
- Replace Furnace Filters. Furnace Manufacturers recommend swapping out your filter for a new one about 3-4 times a year. This habit will help extend the life of your HVAC, preserve the quality of your air and keep energy costs down.
- Wipe Down Surfaces After Use. Whether you’re cooking, putting on makeup, getting ready for bed or whatever it may be, do a quick sweep of the countertop to prevent grime and dirt from accumulating and ruining your surfaces. It only takes a few seconds and makes a big difference.
- Clean Out the Gutters. About every 6 months, clean out leaves and other debris stuck in your gutter. A back up can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the inside or outside of your home.
- Daily Pickup. Devote a couple minutes every day to having every member of the household tidy up a few things. It’s inevitable there will be items left out or not cleaned from time to time, so before bed or when you wake up, take the time to do so. Doing this regularly will keep your home much more organized, and give you a fresh start in the morning or when you get home from a long day.
Getting your home in shape isn’t a once and done undertaking. By making some of these tasks habits in your daily routines, you’ll enjoy a much cleaner, efficient home for you and your family.