Keeping a clean and orderly house its not always at the top of your list of priorities, but for some people it is. And for those that don’t prioritise it, getting your house in order might take less effort than you might think.
Laundry and dishes seem to be the bane of my existence, especially since we are all spending so much time at home at the moment. But there are a few things you can do to get your house in order that will also help you get your life in order.
1. Make your bed
Whether you throw the covers back over the bed or smooth our every wrinkle and add 12 decorative pillows, making your bed means that you can be proud for already having achieved something for the day. And I know it’s only a small accomplishment, but an accomplishment none-the-less. It sets the tone for your day, helping you realise that you can do anything you set your mind to.
It can be a difficult habit to get into, especially if it’s something you have never really done before. From a young age, I’ve always made my bed. I still even put my folded pyjamas under my pillow and have been teaching my daughter to do the same.
2. Assign your chores a day of the week
There is a good chance you already do this in some way but haven’t noticed it. Think about your grocery shopping. Most people do that on the same day each week. Often it’s on payday, your day off from work or even at the start of your week. So why not do the same thing with some of the household chores? So you and everyone else in your household know when the sheets get changed, when the towels get changed and when the bathroom gets cleaned.
3. Enlist some help
My daughter is now able to help me dry some dishes and put away the cutlery. She is also taking some responsibility when it comes to her washing, helping me hang up smaller items like socks and underwear. She also knows where most of her clothes go when its time to put the clean clothes away. I think she likes folding the face washers most. So while I’m putting away the rest of the washing, she is happy to fold those and put them where they belong.
4. Take some time for yourself.
You can even incorporate this into spending some one-on-one time with each of your kids. I only have one child, so time to myself is a little bit easier to come by. And when I’m by myself I like to take a hot bath while watching Netflix or listening to a podcast. I also like to exercise, whether it’s going for a walk, taking a yoga class or playing Ring Fit Adventure. Another thing I like to do that I can do while my daughter is watching a movie is to read a book.
5. Get some fresh air
If there is no time to take a walk or go to the park with your kids, even just sitting outside in the backyard while the kid’s play can be a great help. The fresh air will also help your kids, and it doesn’t hurt to try to tire them out a little bit more!
By opening some windows you’ll also improve the air quality, get rid of that stale stuffy room smell and add some air circulation. As I live near the beach I can sometimes smell the ocean which is a nice treat!
6. Open the curtains and blinds
As well as opening some windows, opening the curtains and blinds can change the energy of a room. Along with the fresh air, I know that sunshine also has quite an impact on my mood. So I like to sit in the sun when I can, even if it’s just sitting inside in a sunny spot.
7. Clear the kitchen
In the kitchen, clear the main area of the bench, most likely where you prepare or eat meals. Put any dishes in the dishwasher and other dishes in one sink or next to the sink. You probably only want to do the dishes once each day, so set these aside to do later (after lunch or after dinner).
8. Every day is laundry day
Do a load of washing if the baskets are full. I like to set different days for different types of laundry, so I know that it is going to get done. And I’ve only pretty recently developed more of a laundry routine. Wednesday is clean sheets day, so one week I will change and wash (weather permitting) the sheets in the master bedroom then, the other week I will do the same for my daughter’s sheets.
9. End the day with an empty sink
Waking up to an empty sink is one of my favourite things. After making my bed, it’s a great feeling to be able to walk into a clean kitchen to fill up the kettle to make myself a hot drink.
10. Rinse and repeat to get your house in order
And keep repeating all of this until it becomes a habit and feels like a normal part of your everyday life. I know it can be hard to try to start doing so many new things at once to get your house in order. So perhaps pick one that you think will make the biggest impact for you and your family. Start there and try to make it a habit before building on the next one. I really do think the most simple one to start with is making your bed. You really only need to throw the covers over it.
