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7 Cleaning Habits of Neat People

We all know those people whose homes seem to be in a perpetual state of cleanliness, always ready for an unannounced visitor or spontaneous gathering. Entering one of these homes can be like finding a relaxing oasis of calm. For those who’ve ever found themselves wondering how to have a clean house all the time, our experts at Merry Maids® have compiled a list of seven top cleaning habits of neat people. Whether you consider yourself a reasonably tidy person or someone who could use a little motivation, adding even a couple of these to your regular cleaning routine can make a big impact.

Make the Bed

You’ll likely find this on every list of habits shared by neat people, and for good reason. When you start the day with this one simple task, you set an intention for tidiness and productivity that can carry through until bedtime. Even if you only have time to smooth out the comforter and fluff the pillows a bit, your whole bedroom will appear neater by proxy. Have kids? Making your bed models a good habit for them to follow.

Have a Laundry Schedule

Depending on how many people live in your home, your laundry needs will vary. Neat people with a larger household often commit to doing a load of laundry each day to keep it manageable. For those with smaller households, designate a specific day or days each week—Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, for example—for washing clothes and linens. Ultimately, the key is to stay consistent and make sure laundry doesn’t pile up or become overwhelming.

Assess the Fridge Weekly

Make a schedule to take stock of what’s in the fridge and freezer once a week. Toss out anything that’s expired, clean out containers of forgotten leftovers, and wipe up any spills or sticky spots. Creating this weekly habit will keep the task more manageable and will give you a better idea of what you have on hand versus what you need when you go grocery shopping.

Clean While You Cook

For some, cooking requires enough energy that cleaning up gets put off until later. Sometimes later is after dinner, but sometimes it’s the next day or longer. Food left on cookware and dishes can harden and become more difficult to clean or, worse, attract pests.

Try this the next time you cook:

  • Make sure the dishwasher is empty of clean dishes.

  • Fill the sink basin with a few inches of warm soapy water.

  • Keep a damp rag nearby to wipe up any spills or crumbs as you cook.

  • As you finish with a dishwasher-safe utensil or cookware item, give it a rinse or a dunk in the basin and put it into the dishwasher.

  • As you finish with items you hand wash, put them to soak in the sink.

  • If you have downtime while waiting for something to boil or finish baking, wash the dishes in the sink and let them dry in the rack.

This should cut down significantly on post-dinner cleanup. After eating, rinse the remaining dishes, load them into the dishwasher, and start a wash cycle. Put away the dishes you washed while cooking (they should be dry now) and wash any last pieces that couldn’t go in the dishwasher. Give the counter, stove, and table one last swipe with a damp microfiber cloth and enjoy your clean kitchen.

Declutter Regularly

People with neat and tidy homes generally are in the habit of getting rid of what they don’t need. Maybe that means having a one-in, one-out policy when it comes to buying new clothes or books. Or maybe it involves keeping a permanent donation bin in the closet or the garage and making regular trips to the donation center to empty it. When there are fewer things to keep tidy, it’s easier to keep your home neat. (Looking for strategies and motivation? Check out our 12 Minimalist Tips for Decluttering Your Home.)

Tidy Up Before Winding Down

Before turning in for the night, neat people know to make a quick sweep of their home to address any stray articles of clothing, abandoned snack bowls, or rogue toys. When this becomes a regular habit, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes each night, and you’ll wake up to a tidier house. Your future self will thank you.

Hire a Housecleaning Service

You don’t have to do it all. Merry Maids® cleaning professionals can visit once a week—or even just once a month—to take care of those tedious tasks that take up so much of your free time. We can handle dusting, vacuuming, mopping, window cleaning, and more, leaving nothing but a spotlessly clean home for you to enjoy. An unexpected bonus? Once you experience just how clean your home can be, you may find yourself naturally adopting many of the habits listed above. Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can serve you.