Let me get one thing clear from the start, in case the title of this post has given you a false impression of me.
I am not a domestic goddess. My home is nowhere near pristine. I’m not sure if there is a single flat surface in the place that is completely clear.
But, I’m trying. I’m trying various schedules and tricks to get on top of the tidying and cleaning.
And there’s one thing I’ve found so far that really does make a difference to the general state of my house:
Don’t leave a room empty handed.
It’s so simple, but it really does make a difference.
Every time you leave a room in your house, have a quick look around and see if there’s anything lying around that belongs in the room you’re going to. If there is, grab it and take it with you and put it back where it belongs!
So, if you’re heading from the lounge to the kitchen, then pick up your dirty coffee mug and take it with you to put in the dishwasher (or to refill if you’re anything like me!).
It might not seem like much, but taking a few seconds to take something with you when you leave a room can save you having to do a big pick-up job at the end of the day, and if you’re heading to the kitchen anyway, why not take that mug with you?
And if you’re heading upstairs, then grab something from the pile that’s built up on the bottom steps (come on, I can’t be the only one who puts things on the stairs to take up later?!) and take it with you to the right bedroom!
Simple isn’t it? When you go to leave a room, just give it a quick scan first and see what you can take with you – don’t leave a room empty handed!
Do you have any other simple tips for getting a tidier home?
I always do this, and it does help. I like to move things about and make piles at the top and bottom of the stairs (in a safe spot that I’m not going to trip over!) and do a bulk move too 😉
Good to know I’m not the only stair-pile creator out there! x
Great idea! What I try to do is give the bathroom a wipe over while the kids are in the bath gives me something to do while keeping an eye on them #Bloggerclubuk
Oh yes, that’s another good one! x
This is a great tip – I always try to do this when going up and down the stairs which makes a big difference but really should extend it to leaving rooms in general. Thank you for sharing. #BloggerClubUK
It really does make a difference, and in my house at least there’s always something waiting to be put back in a different room! x
Simple and easy trick which requires almost no extra effort on our part!
Exactly! x
Good tip, though I must confess, I am frequently known to walk right past the pile of things at the bottom of the stairs that need to go up, without even noticing, until I come down and kick myself for not taking the stuff up with me 😉 #BloggerClubUK
I think we’re all guilty of that from time to time though, aren’t we! x
Genius! And no you’re not the only one to do that bottom of the stairs thing! I do it all the damn time and I swear it must be invisible to everyone else….! 😉 #BloggerClubUK
Oh yep, I’m the only one who ever moves anything from that pile to upstairs! x
That is one great tip!It’s always much easier when everyone cleans after themselves.Than we will have more time for other things,like playing with the kids! #BloggerClubUK
That’s it, who wants to spend loads of time cleaning when we could be playing! x
What a good idea, I’m going to start doing this, I see a lot of trips to my daughters bedroom in my future lol.
#KCACOLS
Hahaha, love this comment! x
that is such a good idea, taking things with you as you go. Having a basket by the stairs is helpful then I remember to take everything with me. Thanks for linking up to #KCACOLS, hope to see you there again next week
I do want to get a few more baskets, they’re fab for making the place look a bit tidier! x
I always have a little pile of things on the bottom stair! I tend to take them up then leave them on the landing, will have to start clearing them away properly!
Thanks for linking up to #BloggerClubUK 🙂
Debbie
Yay, another stair-pile-maker! x
A simple but effective idea! I do try and do this generally but still end up running around later as always seem to have lots to carry or move!! I also create piles on the stairs! I try and do quick washing or tidying up the kitchen when the kids are having a snack / spending hours on their tea in the kitchen! #KCACOLS. X
I think that’s the trick really isn’t it, to do those little jobs when you can, rather than saving it all up and having to do a full-on clean up. x
Genius!
Such a simple idea, but one that really works. I’m constantly running around from room to room so, theoretically, my house should be spotless! And yet… x #KCACOLS
Haha, even with this tip my house is nowhere near spotless, but I don’t want to think about how bad it would look if I didn’t do this! x
I’ve been trying to do this too! Not a habit yet though! Ive also heard it referred to as the ‘one touch tip’ i.e. not just moving it but putting it AWAY! Still trying to train myself…sigh… 😉 #kcacols
Yes! I’m not great at the whole ‘one touch’ thing though, I’m really bad at seeing a letter or something I need to deal with and putting it to one side rather than doing it there and then! x
You’re right – such a simple idea but I can see how it would help keep things tidy. For me I just like to make my bed every day even if the house is a mess as long as the bedroom is tidy we’re doing ok. #KCACOLS
A tidy bed really does make the room feel better though doesn’t it. x
This is a restaurant rule! This was drilled into us as a cook and a server, never leave the front of the house or the back of the house empty handed! And, yes it so helps at home!!! #KCACOLS
Oh that’s really interesting! I had no idea it was a restaurant thing! x
I love this, and yes it totally helps! I try this method, with two teens there is always plates, and glasses everywhere. All they do is eat! (ok half of it is mine but that is not the point. lol) So taking it with you is a great idea 🙂 Thanks for the reminder. #KCACOLS
Oh I remember my Dad always getting annoyed with me for the plates and glasses everywhere when I was a teenager! I have all that still to come! x
My wife does this, she never leaves the room without something. I should probably start doing it too! #kcacols
Haha, I’m sure she’d appreciate it if you did! x
I do try, Madeline! It’s trying to ‘train’ the rest of the family as two hands aren’t enough. I actually make a trip hazard on the stairs so they get the hint but they see it as a challenge to overcome rather than a hint to take something up 😉 #kcacols
Haha, love that Jane, my family seems to see the piles as a challenge too! x
I love this. I used to carry a little basket about with me from room to room, popping things in that don’t belong in that room. Then at the end of the day I would go room to room putting stuff away. Took 5 minutes, I seem to have slipped out of the habit though! Must get back on it!
That basket trick is a good one too, but it’s funny how we fall out of the habit of doing these things isn’t it! x
Great idea – I do try and do this but usually I can’t even remember why I walked out of the room, let alone remember to take anything with me! I am glad to hear that its not just me who piles things at the bottom of the stairs to take up #KCACOLS
Ha, it drives me mad when I can’t remember why I went into a different room! x
I really like this idea. In fact I’m going to start now (takes empty wine glass and chocolate wrapper to kitchen) #KCACOLS
Haha, love this! x
This is a great idea. I do try to do it most of the time. #KCACOLS
It really does help doesn’t it. x
What a brilliant tip! I’m going to start doing this x #kcacols
You really should give it a try, it does help! x
Top tip – I’ll have to remember that one! I’m really trying to be tidier and cleaner at the mo with a newborn on the way and toddler stuff EVERYWHERE so I need all the tips I can get! #KCACOLD
Oh yep, you need all the help you can get with more than one child around, haha! x