3 Tips to Help You Keep a Clean House

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It’s springtime, and many people are starting to get the cleaning bug. I have to preface this post with the fact that my house is NOT the cleanest. However, I think everyone is happier with a clean house. So I do try.

When we first moved to Albuquerque the demands of keeping a clean house were overwhelming. We nearly tripled our square footage. And I had a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old. My methods of cleaning our old apartment (hello, one morning a week) just didn’t work. I still haven’t “hit my stride” in keeping a sparkly clean house, but I’m also thinking that’s ok in this season of life.

3 Tips to Help You Keep a Clean House

Here are 3 tips for keeping a clean house.

1. Don’t be a Hero.

We’ve all been there. Once you start cleaning, you start noticing all sorts of things that desperately need it. All of a sudden you’re knee-deep in some extensive project which you don’t really have time for. What started out as cleaning a spot on the outside of the refrigerator turns into cleaning the whole exterior, which then turns into noticing how dirty the inside is. And before you know it all of your groceries are on the counter, and you’re bleaching the inside. Your fridge will sparkle after this (if you’re lucky enough to finish). But chances are the rest of the house is still a mess.

Or the flip side is that you know something really, really needs to be cleaned, but you keep avoiding it because it’s overwhelming. (This is my current relationship with my oven.)

Set a timer, and prioritize. Decide how much time you have, what is most important, and then do what you can.  If I only have 10 minutes, I may only be able to spot clean the fridge instead of giving it the deep cleaning that it needs.  My entire oven may not get cleaned. But I can get it cleaner than it was. And, chances are, if I waited until I had the hour that I needed to deep clean the oven, it wouldn’t get cleaned for another couple of months (at least). Something is better than nothing.

2. Norwex it!

I was recently introduced to Norwex products and absolutely love their microfiber cleaning cloths. I have some for my kitchen, bathrooms, and windows. Initially, I was skeptical. But I was persuaded that their microfiber does a good job cleaning simply with water. This has been a game-changer for me! With three little helpers, cleaning without chemicals is huge. And it’s easy for my kids to help. The other day I gave them a spray bottle of water and the window cloth. It entertained them. And by the time they were bored my windows were cleaner than they were to begin with. (Not perfect, but significantly cleaner.)  Also, during bath time I can clean the bathroom while they play. (Hello, multitasking!)

3. One Thing at a Time.

It’s so easy to move from one area of the house to the next without finishing a thing. You’re like Hansel and Gretel leaving a trail behind you. (Except instead of a trail of crumbs you have a trail of unfinished tasks). When you buy groceries, finish and put the bags away before you start making lunch. When you’re done with lunch, finish picking up the table before you go outside to play. If you have to move away from an area before you think you’re finished, just decide that you’re finished (at least temporarily).  

If you get interrupted in the middle of cleaning the kitchen, at least finish something. You could clear and wipe the table and have the dishes neatly stacked next to the sink. Sure, it’d be better if you could wash them. But life happens when you have littles, and one clean area is better than lots of partially cleaned areas!

These are three things I’ve found to help me keep up with the everyday messes of life. But I’m always open to new suggestions. What’s your top tip for keeping a clean house?

Originally published March 2022.



The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Great ideas, Rebecca! I try to always “leave a room better than when I entered it.” A little wipe here, a handful of toys or laundry picked up there really adds up!

    Also, running the dishwasher at night (and emptying it before bed – if time). Or emptying it in the morning and filling during the day saves me loads of time.

    We are planning to move to ABQ at the end of May! Really glad to have found this site.

    Sarah from VA

    • It will be great to have you in Albuquerque, and welcome to our site! 🙂 I hope your move goes smoothly.

      That’s a great idea to leave the room cleaner than when you entered. I’m sure it would really start adding up!

      I’m slightly jealous that you can empty your dishwasher before bed…mine takes hours to run so it’s never done, but I also notice that the next day goes much smoother if I ran it the night before and can empty it in the morning.

  2. I take ten min after I put the kids down for nap to clean up and then about twenty after they go to bed to really pick up, put dishes away, etc. I also taught my toddler from a young age to throw his own trash away 🙂

    • It will be great to have you in Albuquerque, and welcome to our site! 🙂 I hope your move goes smoothly.

      That’s a great idea to leave the room cleaner than when you entered. I’m sure it would really start adding up!

      I’m slightly jealous that you can empty your dishwasher before bed…mine takes hours to run so it’s never done, but I also notice that the next day goes much smoother if I ran it the night before and can empty it in the morning.

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