Ok, this post is for me as much OR MORE than anyone else. When my life gets super busy, my house gets super messy. There have been times where I was so tired from running from this event to the next one and back again, that if I had time to tidy up, I just flat out didn't want to.
So here are a few tips to keep a tidy house that I've heard from other people (and that I've recently tried) along with a few things I've done for a long time.
1. Keep the dishwasher in business - Always have a load going. It literally takes <5 minutes to load or unload it, so this should always be going on. It might not empty all your dishes from the sink, but keep the cycle going.
2. Fold your laundry on your bed. Once it's folded, you have a decision to make: Put it up or put it aside. Don't set it aside because it will stay there forever on your dresser if you're like me. Take 5 minutes to put it away.
3. Make the kids stay up on their daily chores. In our house they have it pretty easy. They just have to put all dishes in the sink, feed the dog, take out the trash and put their clothes in the laundry bins. It's amazing how fast things get really messy when they fail to do their chores.
4. Spray down the shower with bleach cleaner every time you leave it. Keep your spray cleaner on hand in the bathroom and spray everything in there daily as you have a few seconds.
5. Commit to ONE, 10 minute chore a day. Set yourself a schedule if you think you'll stick to one. If you're like me, just pick the one that needs the most attention that day. Look at the clock and tell yourself that you aren't going to stop tidying/cleaning for 10 minutes. Who's too tired or lazy to work for 10 more minutes? This one really works for me, because I usually will work for longer than 10 minutes if I just get started.
6. Pay your kids to do extra chores. The older your kids get, the more they can do. Incidentally, the more they usually want money for stuff. I'm pretty cheap, so my kids have to really work for it. I'm building character in them. And getting stuff cleaned. It's good.
7. Buy a vacuum robot. Turn that puppy on as often as possible to keep your floors clean. Realize that it won't be as good as doing it yourself and be ok with that. It'll still be cleaner than not doing anything and will buy you a few extra days before you have to sweep.
8. If your budget allows it - Hire a housekeeper. You'll thank yourself over and over and over if you can do this!
Being in a hectic stage of life doesn't mean we have to be cave dwellers. There's not much better than coming home to a clean house. YEAH?
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