Tips for Keeping a Clean House

I've had a couple of friends ask lately about my housework routine. Keeping a tidy house is something I am very passionate about. At times it is frustrating because with three small children it is impossible to keep it as spotless as I would like.. but in saying that I manage to keep on top of things by following a simple but effective routine with some golden rules and tips thrown in for good measure. Here are some of mine. Please let me know yours too, I'm always looking for new ideas.

Hallway Basket

I have little ones who drag heaps of bits and pieces from their rooms into the living area during the day so I have a basket down the end of your hallway to throw things into it that are underfoot then I re home stuff in one go at the end of the evening just before the girls go to bed.

Clean As You Go

My golden rule is tidy as I go and I try to teach the girls the same philosophy with their toys. Often pre-schoolers feel overwhelmed when parents ask them to clean up their toys, so a tip that works well for me is to work along side Bianca and point out specific items - "Can you put your butterfly wings in your dress-up box" this breaks it down for her, I then respond with praise and before long cleaning up turns into a game.

One Hour a Day Rule.

I started my 'one hour' cleaning rule when Bianca was a baby. During her afternoon nap I would do one hour of housework and have the remainder of the time to myself to enjoy a coffee or computer time. In an hour I would clean my kitchen cupboards or vacuum or clean the bathroom. Basically throughout the week I was able to keep on top of all the household cleaning. It was a lot easier than having it accumulate and looking for a 3 hour window of time to get it all done or ending up with a little helper that makes more mess than you started with!

Never Go to Sleep with a Messy House.

This speaks for itself really. Spend the extra five mins tidying the lounge and kitchen before bed, load and start the dishwasher, so its ready to be unloaded in the morn. Put the load of washing by the front door so you remember to get it out early. Starting and ending my day organised, helps me to keep it that way.

Keep on-top of the Washing.

Having separate baskets for your towels another for your clothes and baby clothes etc.. keeps sorting time to a minimum. As soon as one basket has a load worth, put it in the machine. Make a goal to not have more than one load waiting. If you can't fold your washing as soon as you get it off the line, do it while your watching your favorite TV programme and my golden rule put it away in drawers as soon as its folded. (My girls seem to be drawn like moths to a flame to my folded washing and take delight in messing it up!)

A Cleaning Bucket.

Have all of your preferred cleaning products in a bucket, easily at hand. Keep it well stocked.  Take time to experiment and find the products you like the most and have good cleaning cloths and plenty of rags.

Make the Beds in the Morning.

If you can only manage one household task in the morning before you leave the house, make the beds, if beds are made a room looks tidy.