WAKE UP TO A CLEAN HOME
Who likes having a clean home? I think it’s safe to say that we all enjoy having a clean space. If I neglect our home, I can’t run away from it or go off to work and forget about it. It’s in my face all day long.
Over the years, I’ve found that certain night time habits help me cut back my daytime cleaning. None of these things take up an extraordinary amount of time and the benefits they yield are well worth it.
Pick up the main living areas.
Every night before I call it quits, I do a quick pick up of the main living areas. This typically takes me 5-10 minutes max since most of it is small items the kids left out. I just gather all the items and get each child to put away their own stuff. I also fluff up the pillows and adjust the cushions. This small habit enables me to wake up to a clean living room space every day.
Wash the dirty dishes.
For some reason dirty dishes gives me mild anxiety. I can’t focus or function with a sink full of dishes sitting nearby. Each night my goal is to wash all dishes, so I can start fresh the next day. This enables me to wake up to a clean slate and not have to worry about dishes first thing in the morning. This simple step will make your mornings easier and help you get started on breakfast without any distractions.
Clean the kitchen counters.
Before going to bed, I like to put things away that were left out and wipe down the kitchen counters. I start by getting rid of trash and spraying everything down with a surface cleaner. Since I keep my kitchen counters clutter free, this step is pretty simple. I also do a quick sweep to get the floors cleaned up. The kitchen is the heart of the home, so I try to stay on top of it as much as possible. By doing this daily, you won’t have to worry about doing a cleaning overhaul.
Wipe down the bathroom surfaces.
At night while you’re in the bathroom brushing your teeth, spray down the sink, counter and toilet. I like to keep cleaning supplies under the bathroom sink, so I don’t have to go searching for anything that I need. This simple step will save you a ton of time in the future and you’ll wake up to a clean bathroom space.
Put clothes away.
Scattered clothes will make even the cleanest space look messy. So instead of tossing clothes over a piece of furniture or on the floor at night, place it where it belongs right away. You won’t have to worry about dealing with it the next day and won’t have to second guess if something is clean or not.
Don’t eat in the bedroom.
This was a terrible habit of mine for many years. I would get in bed and crave a snack or a bowl of cereal, so I would bring in the bedroom with me. The following day I would have to deal with my dirty dishes or trash. It may not seem like a big deal, but even small habits like these can add stress to our mornings. Instead, treat yourself to a late night snack in the kitchen and keep the bedroom food free.
Remember that at the end of the day, you have to decide what’s important to you and your family. Perhaps you’re in a season where dirty dishes are the least of your worries. Or maybe you find that starting a load of laundry is where you should put forth your efforts. There’s no right or wrong way of doing things, and only you know what works best in your home.