How to Keep Your Home Clean Every Day: Practical Tips That Actually Work

We all want a clean and tidy home, but let’s face it: with busy schedules and endless tasks, keeping up with cleaning can feel overwhelming. There’s a heap of advice out there, but what really works?

I want to break it down into simple, actionable steps to make daily cleaning manageable and even enjoyable - and include a few tings I've done which have really helped.

Here’s the secret... a clean home starts with eliminating excess clutter and building habits that stick.

1. Eliminate Clutter to Save Time

Decluttering isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about making your cleaning routine faster and more efficient. When your home is clear of unnecessary items, cleaning becomes a breeze.

For example:

Benchtops: When your kitchen benchtops are free of clutter, it’s easy to wipe them down quickly, and they stay looking neat.

Floors: Keeping your floors clear of piles of laundry, shoes, and books makes sweeping or vacuuming a simple task rather than a chore.

Bathrooms: With fewer bottles in the shower, it’s quicker and easier to wipe down surfaces and prevent soap scum buildup.

TIP FROM A PRO CLEANER: Start small. Tackle one area at a time, like a single benchtop or drawer. Once you start to see the difference, you’ll be inspired to keep going! I love to put things on marketplace to make some extra $$ aswell!

2. Adopt Small Daily Habits

Creating a clean home doesn’t mean scrubbing for hours every day. It’s all about consistent, small habits that make your space feel good.

Here are a few habits to try:

Sweep or vacuum after meals: A quick sweep or zoom around with a stick vacuum after dinner keeps crumbs at bay and prevents buildup.

Wipe the stove after cooking: Cleaning spills while they’re fresh is much easier. Save the deep cleaning (like taking apart stove elements) for once a week.

Load the dishwasher immediately: Instead of leaving dishes in the sink, put them straight into the dishwasher. It instantly makes your kitchen look cleaner and prevents odours. When they're clean, take them out instead of letting them sit in there (which leaves a free dishwasher to put dirty dishes in).

Make the bed each morning: A made bed sets the tone for a tidy bedroom. You’ll be less tempted to pile up clothes or clutter on it.

3. Create a Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Trying to clean the entire house in one day can feel impossible and exhausting. Instead, spread the work out over the week to make it manageable.

Here’s an example weekly schedule:

• Monday: Dust surfaces in living areas.
• Tuesday: Vacuum and mop floors.
• Wednesday: Clean bathrooms (sinks, showers, and toilets).
• Thursday: Tidy bedrooms and wipe down surfaces.
• Friday: Wipe kitchen cupboards, sink, benchtop and appliances.
• Saturday: Change bed linens and towels.
• Sunday: Rest or tackle any missed tasks like folding washing etc.

By doing a little each day, your home stays clean without overwhelming yourself with an hours-long cleaning session.

PRO TIP FROM A CLEANER: clean the shower while you are in it! I usually do this while I am leaving my shampoo and conditioner in for a little bit to "do its' thing".

4. Be OK with Imperfection

I think we can all agree, life is busy, and homes get messy (even moreso with kids and pets). It’s okay if everything isn’t spotless all the time! Focus on building habits that make you feel good and let go of the pressure for perfection.

For instance, mop the floors weekly unless there’s a spill. Deep clean the stove once a week but wipe it down daily. These little adjustments make your routine sustainable and stress-free. Get your kids involved in tidying at the end of each day too - I find this really helps!

5. Incorporate What Brings You Joy

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. Turn on your favourite playlist, light a candle, or set a timer and make it fun. Celebrate the small wins... like clear benchtops or crumb-free floors, because they’re worth it! 

The Key to Success: Start Small and Stay Consistent

By decluttering your home and incorporating simple daily habits, you’ll find it easier to keep your space clean every day. Remember, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about creating a home that feels good to live in!