- Put it away after your done
In my busy life I tend to set something down nearby instead of walking the extra 15ft or upstairs and putting it away. It only take a couple minutes or less and it save you tremendously later
- Reset the space
If your sitting on the couch cozy with a blanket and the remote. Just fold the blanket and put the remote back, grab your snack dish or cup and hand wash real quick and put away. When you do this in each area of your home it stays clean
- Deep clean once a month
Pick a area of your house to deep clean once a month, spend a couple areas cleaning and rotate to a different one each month. For example, kitchen drawers or cabinets. Take everything out and vacuum out crumbs and wipe it all before putting back. Or the fridge, right before you grocery shop when it is almost empty just wipes out with hot soapy water starting at the top. For stubborn messes I like to take out the shelves or drawers and rinse them with hot water in the sink or tub.
- Drill sergent mode (jk). Get kids involved
They make the biggest a messes but they do copy us. My kids do better cleaning when I am also cleaning. Just telling them to do something then siting on the couch doesn’t work well. Lead by example and teach them lovingly how to do things right. Yes you could do it faster and better but they will never learn if you take over. My 6 year old mops the floor. She kind of does a good job haha. But sometimes I ask her to mop a area again or remix the whole thing. She is learning and I’m patient and I don’t expect it perfect the first time which can be defeating.
- Run the dishwasher at night
After you get caught up on the kitchen and the dishes, have everyone rinse and load their own dish during the day. Run it at night and unload first thing in the morning, or my 12yr does it as a chore. Another option if you have too many kids or dishes and it fills the dishwasher too soon. Everyone has their OWN plate, bowl, fork, spoon and cup, neatly stacked on the table. After each use they hand wash and put it back. This stops the dishes from needing to go in the dishwasher
- Clean while you cook
While I am making dinner I hand wash the cutting boards pots and pans. I like to dish up all the food and/or put leftovers in the storage containers BEFORE we eat. Then I wash all pots and pans. The are easiest to clean then and I don’t want to do dishes after eating. Win win.