5 habits for a clean home

It is often said Goddess Mahalakshmi resides in a clean home. So, here are the top 5 habits for a clean home.

Create a Daily Cleaning Routine
This is the first and foremost step. Set aside 10-15 minutes each day for essential tasks like dusting, sweeping, and wiping surfaces. While a fixed cleaning timing is great, it is really challenging to implement. For example, we might get an important call during that time, wake up with a bad headache, we might need to go out somewhere urgent, etc etc. So, you can be flexible with the time. But have a routine like I will clean the dishes before 2.00 PM, I will finish cleaning the house before 11.00 AM and so on. That way, chances are that you will actually finish the chore the assigned time and enjoy a sense of accomplishment.

Some people also have fixed routine for not-everyday tasks like washing the bedsheets, deep cleaning the cupboards, and dusting the windows. While it is a great idea again, it is difficult to stick to it. So, be flexible with these tasks like “once a month, once a week, or once in 15 days and follow that.

Declutter Regularly
Clear out items you no longer use or need. Decluttering makes spaces easier to clean and creates a more organized, visually appealing environment. No, here I dont mean to discard one for one new thing that you buy as many suggest. It is not possible for middle class people like me. Instead, you can have easy access to things that you regularly use and put all the things that you don’t use on a regular basis inside a storage bin.

For example, baking items like measuring cups, electric beaters, tins, etc can be put inside the carton box and kept aside inside the kitchen or in loft. Same with dresses. Raincoats, sweatshirts and rain jackets can be put aside during summers inside a suitcase and stored safely. However, remember to add some silica gels and naphthalene balls into it to prevent damage to fabrics particularly woolens.

An even easier way is to buy only the needs and occasionally some “wants”.

Assign Specific Places for Everything
Designate storage spaces for frequently used items to avoid clutter. When everything has a place, it’s easier to keep rooms tidy and organized. Keys in keystand, helmet in some designated place(above or inside the shoestand), or under the bed or any place of your choice. Similar to cutleries in the kitchen and the cooker whistles. There are so many many organizers available in Flipkart, Meesho, Amazon, Dmart, and Vishal Mart at super cost-effective prices. So, invest in some sturdy organizers so that all the items in your home have their own “home. This is super useful for small daily-use things like nail cutters, keys, cooker whistles etc.

Please be noted that your job does not end with buying these organizers as the objects will not go to their homes by themselves. Make it a point to leave it in their designated places as and when you see that lying stray.

Clean as You Go
In the first point, we saw that it is important to have a cleaning routine. But that does not mean that you will wait until the next day to put a comb that is lying on the floor at night in the center of the living room. You should also make it a point to tidy up things as much as you can as and when you see things lying here and there. While cooking , wipe counters, put items back after use, and wash dishes immediately to reduce the time spent on deep cleaning later. As you watch your favourite serial or reel, just do a quick clean. Trust me, your house will not be clean when you watch cleaning videos. So, roll up your sleeves!

Use Multi-Functional Cleaning Products
Invest in versatile, high-quality cleaning products that can tackle various tasks, from disinfecting surfaces to wiping down glass and wood. Buy a good mop that is easy to use or even two three mops for different purposes. While some find spin mops a great choice, my personal favourite is the flat spray mop. Similarly you can save hours by using toilet cleaners like Harpic to clean buckets than regular ones like Mr.Muscle. (assuming you dont sensitive skin. If yes, please do not touch Harpic with bare hands). If you have enough budget, get a dishwasher or vacuum cleaner to ease your job.

Having a clean house is a continuous and endless task. Needs to be done everyday for a lifetime. Despite the burden, cleaning giving you a sense of accomplishment. A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that individuals with cluttered homes were more likely to experience fatigue and depression compared to those with organized spaces. Having a clean and tidy home brings in lots of positivity and removes negativity.

So, gear up and start cleaning.

You might also be interested to know how salt can remove negativity from homes.