Everyone wants a clean house. We all know the embarrassment of opening the door to unexpected guests when our house is less than visitor-ready. Deep cleaning takes time and energy. Let’s face it, those are two things most of us are short on.

Keeping your house clean does not have to be a time-consuming burden. By developing some simple habits that are as easy as making your bed, your house will always be ready for company.

Happy family cleans the room. Mother and daughter do the cleaning in the house. A young woman and a little child girl wiped the dust and vacuumed the floor.

Nightly Clean-Up

Make it a point to never go to bed with a messy house. Make this a family affair. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Kids should pick up their toys, pack their school bags for the next day and straighten their rooms. Adults can finish cleaning the kitchen and do general tidying up. You won’t believe how much better you will feel when you wake up to a tidy home.

Convenience

Keep cleaning supplies close to where you use them. Each bathroom should have its own supply of cleaning products. If you notice the toilet bowl needs cleaning or the sink needs to be wiped down, do it. It will only take a minute. It doesn’t have to wait until your scheduled bathroom cleaning day.

Clean as You Go

This sounds like common sense, yet it is an often ignored habit. Hang up your clothes or put them in the laundry as soon as you take them off. Clean as you cook. Put dinner dishes directly into the dishwasher rather than stacking them on the counter.

Never leave a room empty-handed. Pick up trash or dirty dishes before you leave a room. Adopt the “one touch” rule. Put everything you hold in its proper place.

High Traffic Areas

Focus your energy on the high traffic areas. These will typically be the messiest places in your home. Sweep the floor. Give the carpet a quick vacuum. Remove unnecessary clutter. It will make dusting faster and less intimidating. Have a designated place for shoes. A scattering of discarded shoes makes an entire room look messy.

Embrace the Clean Enough Concept

This does not imply that you should throw your hands up in surrender. However, at some point, you need to be realistic. Let’s face it, nobody is going to literally eat off your kitchen floor. Sometimes you need to give yourself permission to declare your house “good enough.” Go to the park with your kids. Walk the dog. Enjoy your life. The dirt isn’t going anywhere.

You can clean 24/7, but if your home has a pest control problem it will still feel dirty. Consider contracting a pest control company like Turner Pest Control to service your house on a monthly basis. This will bring you peace of mind until your unwelcome guests are eradicated.