Maintain A Clean Home With These Quick Daily Tasks

by Ann Hayward 04/14/2019

Sometimes it can feel like we spend all of our free time cleaning. Especially, when we cohabitate with children, animals and/or a particularly messy partner. Creating quick habits that become second-nature helps to keep a clean, inviting home. Here are a few things that are (relatively) simple enough to do (almost) every day.

Put coats away in an orderly way. If you don’t have a closet in your entryway make sure there are hooks installed either to the nearest wall or schedule a weekend project to make a classy, stylish storage bench. Creating a storage bench has the added functionality of a place for everyone to stop and take their shoes off and even place them in a designated cubby underneath.

Wipe down counters daily. Even in the bathrooms. Keep disposable cloths or, for an eco-friendly option, a microfiber towel on hand to quickly wipe down surfaces. This not only keeps them crumb/gunk free but also keeps them cleaner for longer. Which means less elbow grease when it comes time to do your weekend deep clean.

Empty the dishwasher every morning and fill (and then run) it each night. Keep dishes off of counters and from building up in the sink. The sooner you get it in the machine the easier everything comes together so you can just hit “run” before heading off to bed. By allowing dishes build up throughout the day and then choose to load them we unwittingly create an enormous, daunting task.
Create a tidy way to hang towels after a shower. If you only have two hooks but multiple family members using the same shower it’s time for an upgrade. Hooks along the wall with frames overhead creates a stylish setup. For those lacking wall space, seek out an over-the-door hanger with more breadth to accommodate every family member.

Eat at your dining room table most nights. Life happens and sometimes we just want to kick back with takeout while binging on Netflix after a hard week. However, make this an occasional exception to a rule. Avoid spills, crumbs and piled up dishes throughout the house by keeping meals restricted to a table. This comes with the added bonus of spending quality time with your family catching up on the day's events before getting caught up in your favorite shows.

Use psychology and the senses to your advantage. Pull back the curtains and open the blinds, let in as much light in as you can! It brightens up the room and puts everyone in a great mood. And on that note, light some candles, diffuse oils or spritz some linen smells. Light, fresh scents make us feel like we are in a clean environment… even if you forgot to dust!    

Cleaning Tips
How To Clean
Home Cleaning
About the Author
Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]