The Secret To A Low-Maintenance Home: 14 Easy Habits That Make A Big Difference
We all love that fresh, just-cleaned feeling, but let's be real, deep cleaning can be a daunting task. The good news is, you don't have to scrub every nook and cranny every day to maintain a tidy home. We've gathered 14 tried-and-tested hacks that will help you keep the shine between those deep cleans.
These simple habits and clever tricks will make tidying up a breeze, so you can spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your sparkling space. They are all brought to you from Pandas who know their stuff, and probably used to hate cleaning just as much as you! But just like death and taxes, cleaning is unavoidable, so we better learn to live with it! Here's how...
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"It turns out that it wasn't vacuuming that I didn't like, it was dealing with the electric cord for the vacuum cleaner. I bought a cordless one just because it was on offer when I needed a new vac and it seemed like a better deal than plugin ones, and apparently now I like vacuuming. Who knew?!" - Virtual-Two3405
Switched to a battery mower - Granted buying it all outright is more expensive than the petrol mower but I had the batteries already and all the hassle of spring maintenance and fuel is gone.
I've been a robot vac fan for YEARS, but in just the past few years they came out with the one I've been waiting for: the one that vacuums, empties itself, then fills with water, goes and mops (fairly well) and then empties that too. Or really any combo you want. Completely self-sufficient save for little reminders to empty the dirty tank, add clean water, etc (some even hook up to your water, etc). We've got 3 dogs, and I've got a kid and hubby who somehow drop some form of sauce or sticky substance on the floor daily. This thing is AMAZING.
"I have a trash can and laundry basket in every room. The trash can is obvious. The laundry basket is where "things that don't belong in this room" live. I empty the baskets and put stuff up a few times a week" - thatsnotgneiss
But let's not stop there! Keeping your home clean isn't just about wiping down surfaces and vacuuming the floors. It's about creating systems and habits that make tidying up a seamless part of your daily routine. These next few tips will help you streamline your cleaning process and prevent messes from piling up in the first place.
I thought I invented this! To do lists overwhelmed me and left me feeling guilty of I didn't get to it all. So task paralysis would kick in hard. But a "done" list... Writing down things as I do them is quite motivating and makes.me feel proud of how much I got done.
"Paper towels in the bathroom. This way I can wipe up counters and toilet often. We also keep a spritz bottle of rubbing alcohol in the bathroom for quick cleanings between deep cleanings." - Head-Drag-1440
This is a HUGE tip for ADHD, pretty much in every room. Have what you need where you need it, and you're more likely to do it (and/or not get distracted leaving to actually GET it). This extends to things you wouldn't think of, like just having a pair of scissors in every room. I can't tell you how many times we've left the room for scissors and the task never got done as we got distracted on the way there or back doing 7 other things🤣
"I also enjoy cleaning with some vinegar and different scented oils. It's nice being able to pick my own scents and it cleans all my surfaces so I'm not overwhelmed" - Aggressive-Problem65
Ready to unlock the secret to a low-maintenance home? These final few hacks are the ultimate cheat sheet for keeping your space sparkling without sacrificing your precious free time. By incorporating these simple habits into your daily routine, you'll be able to enjoy a clean and tidy home without the stress and overwhelm. Happy scrubbing!