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21 Habits of People Who Always Keep Their House Clean

Learn how to keep your house clean daily with easy habits, quick organization tips, & simple routines. Stay tidy without wasting hours on chores.

A clean home.

You probably have that friend who always has a clean and tidy home. And you’re not sure how they’re able to even keep it that way. They might have kids and/or a busy life, but their home is always spotless.

And then you wonder what you’re doing wrong. You don’t know why you’re struggling to keep a consistently clean house and stay on top of the chores.

But there’s a lot more going on than you think. They’re not just spending hours each day keeping their homes impossibly clean. In fact, they’ve built up good habits that have helped them to maintain a clean house.

They’re delegating tasks, tidying up as they go, and even tackling small tasks throughout the day so that the chores don’t start building up. They make the time for the little cleanups so that they don’t turn into one big cleaning day.

And if you’re curious about their other good habits, I’ve broken down some of the best clean-house habits you can adopt yourself. They’re not hard to try and once you have a rhythm going, you’ll always be one of those people who knows how to keep your house clean.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, a bed that needs to be made first thing in the morning.
PHOTO: EMILIE FARAUT/DUPE

1. They Make Their Bed First Thing

I’m not always so crazy about making my bed first thing in the morning. I’d much rather have a cup of coffee instead. ☕️

But,ย I have found that when I do it (and don’t make excuses), it helps me to…

  1. Keep things clean around the home in general – I’m able to start off the day with a general attitude of just keeping things straight.
  2. Feel so much better about how my space looks – It’s like when this one things is done, the rest of the room feels a lot more put together and clean. And when things feel clean, I end up feeling a lot more relaxed.

And people with consistently clean homes are very careful to keep this morning ritual a part of their daily routine.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, a schedule you can use for cleaning.
PHOTO: KARIN KAUFER/DUPE

2. They Break Down Their Cleaning Schedule

People who always have a clean home don’t do all of their chores at once, they break it down.

So for example, instead of spending a full day scrubbing and cleaning, you might find it easier to do a little bit each day.

You could do vacuuming one day, cleaning the bathrooms a different day, and mopping another.

And by not overworking yourself, you’ll be more likely to stick with a routine and be able to consistently keep your home clean.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, dinner prep that will need to be cleaned as they go.
PHOTO: CANSU KOCBAY/DUPE

3. They Clean as They Go

When youโ€™re cooking, donโ€™t leave the dishes until after the meal or worse, the next morning. Or if you just came in and tracked in some dirt, don’t let it sit there.

Clean up as you go about your daily life.

So if you just used that bowl to mix up a sauce, either quickly wash it by hand or place it in the dishwasher. Or if you just brought in some dirt with your boots, take them off and sweet up the mess before anything else.

That way these little and big messes don’t stack up into one huge cleanup.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, music that can make cleaning more fun.
PHOTO: CORA PURSEY/DUPE

4. They Find Ways to Make Cleaning More Fun

These kinds of people try to find ways to make the cleaning process more fun, interesting, and speedy.

So for instance, they put on some music as they do the dishes, they time themselves to see how fast they can get a certain task done, or they have a small reward they give themselves at the end of a chore.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, cleaning equipment.
PHOTO: GLO LU/DUPE

5. They Have the Right Equipment and Supplies

A major part of making sure that the house is always mess-free is to have all of the right supplies and keeping them in easy to reach place.

So make a list of all the cleaning utensils, appliances, and solutions you’ll need. That way you won’t have an excuse to put off a chore for later and can take care of it right away. 😉

Tip for how to keep your house clean, the chair.
PHOTO: CAMERON MURRAY/DUPE

6. They Donโ€™t Own โ€œThe Chairโ€

Almost all of us are well aware of “the chair” and why it’s a problem. It’s that spot in the bedroom where clean but not super clean clothing gets put and starts to pile up throughout the week.

But clean and tidy people don’t turn any of their chairs into a place where clothes and random items pile up.

They always make sure that there’s no clutter; everything is in its place.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, delegated cleaning tasks.
PHOTO: SONIA PEREIRA/DUPE

7. They Delegate Cleaning Tasks

Cleaning the house is not a one-man job.

And people with a clean house always make sure that everyone in the house has a job to do when it comes to keeping it spotless.

But if that makes you feel uncomfortable because you’re afraid it won’t be done right, then it’s time to start teaching your kids or significant other the way you want something done.

And once you’re past that, you won’t have as much on your plate.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, not entering the day with dirty dishes.
PHOTO: GHISLAINE ENGEL/DUPE

8. They Donโ€™t Enter the New Day With Old Problems

Before going to bed, they thoroughly scan the whole house and make sure that everything is in the right place.

The pillows on the couch are set, curtains are closed, sheets are folded, dishwasher running, and the laundry is put away.

This way when they wake up the next day, everything is taken care of and there’s no need to fix yesterday’s messes.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, shoes that have been removed.
PHOTO: GEORGIE FORGRAVE/DUPE

9. They Remove Their Shoes

Itโ€™s a horrible feeling when you’ve just finished vacuuming or mopping and someone tracks dirt across your clean floor.

It can make you wonder why you even bothered.

But getting your entire household into the habit of removing their shoes by the door will help you to never have that feeling again and keep your floors spotless.

It really is a simple way to get rid of the extra maintenance.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, laundry day.
PHOTO: MATISSE MCMULLIN/DUPE

10. They Have a Regular Laundry Day

I’m going to be honest with you, I’m still working on getting better at this one.

But Iย have noticed that people who are great at keeping their homes straight just keep a regular laundry day.

Yes, it can feel easier to just do it whenever you want. But then those annoying piles of clothing just end up building up and stressing you out.

So it’s a lot better if you can have your own designated laundry day and get rid of that extra stress in the home.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, laundry that should be folded.
PHOTO: ELIZABETH JIRAK/DUPE

11. They Put Laundry Away Immediately

People who have a clean home are great at just quickly doing tasks as soon as they arise.

And when it comes to the laundry, they try to make sure that as soon as the dryer is finished, the clothing is getting folded and put away.

That way there are no piles of clean clothing waiting to be hung or folded and making the space look like a mess.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, a spill that needs to be wiped.
PHOTO: VAIDEHI A/DUPE

12. They Wipe as They Go

This habit is pretty simple. It doesnโ€™t matter if you just spilled a bit of water in the bathroom, got some food on the dining table, or dirtied the kitchen counter while making dinner.

The rule here is always the same; clean it up as you go along.

It’s an easy way to keep up on the cleanliness of your home.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, organized papers.
PHOTO: ANETE LUSINA/PEXELS

13. They Organize Their Papers

Another fun thing that comes with adulthood are papers. 

And one thing I know people with clean homes do well is to keep their papers organized and under control.

They buy folders or binders or anything they need to separate them based on whether they’re:

  1. Recyclable (junk mail)
  2. Important (insurance documents, birth certificate , etc.)
  3. Temporarily Important (bill information, receipts, etc.)

Also, this makes life WAY less stressful when you have a place for easily finding all of these things, and they’re not just lying around in a random drawer. 🤷‍♀️ย 

Tip for how to keep your house clean, organized and clean fridge.
PHOTO: PAYTON BUTLER/DUPE

14. They Keep Their Fridge Organized and Clean

One of the BEST ways to make it look like you have it all together in the first place is to have your fridge organized and clean.ย 

There are no foods about to expire, there are no spills that need cleaning up, and everything you need is easy to find and grab.

Also, it just feelsย soย good to open up the fridge and see how clean and nice everything looks and feels.

So make it a regular habit to clean up small messes, organize, and get rid of expired goods each week.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, a place for coats and shoes.
PHOTO: LETICIA RIBEIRO/DUPE

15. They Have a Place for Their Shoes & Coats

Tired of seeing your kid’s shoes under the coffee table and jackets laid on the bed or couch?

Well when you take just aย couple of minutes to decide where you want the shoes and outerwear to go once you and your family get home, it’s gonna make a big difference.

It’s such an easy life upgrade. I mean, keeping the kitchen clean is a lot more work, but doing this fast and simple task is gonna make you feel so much better and more organized.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, dishes that were cleaned.
PHOTO: LAUREL SEGRIST/DUPE

16. They Get the Dishes Done Before Bed

One of the worst things to wake up to in the morning is a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. 

Like how many times have you woken up and wanted to actually make a nice breakfast only to find that you first have to wash some dishes? Not fun.

But on the other hand, waking up to an empty sink and clean counters is probably one of the best feelings as well.

So definitely adopt this habit and give yourself the chance to start your mornings off right by getting those dishes done as soon as you’ve finished dinner.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, a dishwasher.
PHOTO: GRACE MCCUISTION/DUPE

17. They Empty the Dishwasher Every Morning

People who always have a clean home pay the utmost attention to their kitchen because itโ€™s the easiest place to get dirty.

And a great habit to start is to empty the dishwasher every morning.

It’s just a great way to make sure that the dishes aren’t piling up in the sink. Also, if you do need to do another load of dishes during the day, it’s getting done before you start prepping for dinner.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, a woman cleaning her tool.
PHOTO: COTTONBRO STUDIO/PEXELS

18. They Clean Their Tools

Cleaning your home only works if the tools themselves are clean.

Vacuum cleaners should be emptied regularly, cleaning and dusting cloths should be washed after each use, and your dishwasher should be cleaned every so often.

This way, your home will actually be clean, rather than the dirt just being transferred around. Or appliances will be able to work properly and not break down.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, a home with everything in its place.
PHOTO: OLIVIA HAY/DUPE

19. They Give Everything a Place

People who always keep their home clean also have a place for everything in their house.

Doing this not only keeps their homes looking organized and tidy, but they also have a much easier time finding everything theyโ€™re looking for. So, make sure to use organizers and give everything a home!

Tip for how to keep your house clean, a tidied up room.
PHOTO: LISA CHRISTENSEN/DUPE

20. They Tidy Up the Rooms Before Bed

People who have a clean home tidy things up before going to bed.

They check to see if there are any dirty clothes, shoes, books, or other things that might not be in their place and put them away before finishing the day.

It’s a great way to make sure you’re waking up to a much cleaner house and you’ll feel so much better.

Tip for how to keep your house clean, items in the home that might need to be thrown away.
PHOTO: CORA PURSLEY/DUPE

21. They Regularly Throw Items Away

Sometimes the best cleaning tip is just to get rid of things.

Go through your fridge, freezer, cupboards, drawers, and dressers and remove all of the out-of-date food items, tools, clothes, makeup, toiletries, and appliances you never use.

If your home is in need of a serious clean up, then this might be the best first habit to implement so that you can free up some space and get rid of clutter.


 

Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.

32 thoughts on “21 Habits of People Who Always Keep Their House Clean”

  1. Great tips that I can attest work. The one thing on your list that I consistently struggle with is dusting. I HATE it! But your tip for making a schedule for it is GOOD, and I’m going to try it!
    On another note, one thing not on your list is the bathroom. I have made a habit of taking my bath cloth and wiping the sink and counter after brushing my teeth and washing my face. This really helps keeps the bathroom looking clean in between cleanings and it doesn’t increase my dirty laundry!

    Reply
  2. I totally agree with you about dusting and vacuuming. I swear I have to vacuum every day to keep up with the pet hair and crumbs!

    Reply
  3. Totally agree…never leave dirty things to pile before you clean them. Don’t wakeup and leave your bed to do somethings before you make it up…you can even forget it.
    Thank you very much for your advice.

    Reply
  4. Great list and I’ve stuck to these habits for over 50 yrs. I would add another that my Mom taught me…. Clean as you go while cooking! It’s so much easier and less time consuming when meals are finished. The final clean up is a breeze.

    Reply
  5. Be married 50 years, I do these things too. It doesnโ€™t take long to clean if you follow these tips! Did this when I worked 55 hours a week . Also had 2 children to care for. Every one helped out. Teach kids to help too.

    Reply
  6. I totally love these tips. I have also found that everyone in the family should get in the habit of putting things away when they are done with them, a drop zone near the front door makes sure you always know where your keys and wallet are and you donโ€™t forget anything when you leave the house. I also think dusting once a week can go a super long way!

    Reply
  7. Totally agree on all 8 ways to keep a tidy home
    This is so me Iโ€™ve been doing this since 1980 41 years yes and still happily married to the same Guy we r a good team , love having a tidy home and I donโ€™t mind the time or work it feels awesome having a tidy and organized home

    Reply
  8. Our mom used to force us to make our beds when we were kids (which we hated) so maybe that’s why we stopped when we grew up. I’d be surprised if all my nieces and nephews even know how to do this simple chore. I’m sending your list to my sisters as a challenge.

    Reply
  9. I was amazed that I do 7 out of 8 of those notes. The 8th one, dusting, and vacuuming. Notice I did spell it right! Anyway, I feel so proud of myself. My bedroom carpet gets messy so I bought one of those gadgets with a handle and is round and sticky. Need I say more……
    thanks for the good tips.
    Suzie (I spell mine with an e) ( My husband always called me Suz)

    Reply
  10. That’s a huge NO for the bed making from me. If you make your bed right after getting up you are trapping ALL the moist (from sweating or just from body temperature) under the covers. The sheets and blankets need their time to ventilate so the best you can do is moving them around as much as possible and opening a window for some 3-4 minutes ๐Ÿ™‚ At least. After that it’s more safe to do it. Although when you live in the city it’s questionable how much of a “fresh” air will enter the room ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  11. They are sorted | color coordinated | fixed & peachy sort of vibe in the house …if you do this you’ll start noticing a change in your mind. Clean clothes, less clutter and approximately 15-20 mins to do this. So good luck guys โค๏ธ

    Reply
  12. I agree so much with Making The Bed not to mention The Dirty Dishes. I also make sure that the Bathroom is always clean because they are next to the Kitchen the most frequently used part of the house. When It comes to Paper, I wait until the Bill is officially due then I tear it up and I open the Envelopes right away because you never know what’s inside. On Hoarders a Man had all kinds of Paperwork and lost a chance to cash Two Income Tax Return Checks.

    Reply
    • You air your bed when you wake up in the morning. You pull back the sheets to get the body heat, sweat, smells, to leave the bed. Because you open the window to air the room also. And later you make the bed which will be cold and smell fresh aired. Hygienic. The habits of Europeans when they used to hang the duvets over the verandas to air etc.

      Reply

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