For many of us, getting organized is manageable but maintaining the organization is a challenge. Whether you spend your weekend binge organizing or outsource your organizing projects to a professional, the organization systems need to be maintained. As a busy mom of four, dog mom of two pooches, wife, and business owner, I want to share my 10 favorite personal tidy tips that help me keep sane when the day is hectic.

  1. Make Your Bed
    Make your bed right when you crawl out.
  1. Put Your Stuff Away, Right Away
    Remember how it takes time and resources to get organized? Now you need to put your things away to keep your home organized.
  1. Make the Rounds
    Make the rounds through your house to collect and put away miscellaneous items daily or twice daily.
  1. Run the Dishwasher
    Empty the dishwasher first thing in the morning. This will start your day with a clean slate in the kitchen. Load the dishwasher throughout the day with soiled dishes. Run the dishwasher nightly. Repeat this process every day to prevent a dirty dish pile-up.
  1. Clean-Up as You Go
    Wipe the countertops after each meal. Wipe the bathroom counter and faucet after you brush your teeth. Squidgy the shower walls and door after a shower. Wipe spills and splatters as they happen.
  1. Have a Schedule
    Have a day scheduled for larger tasks, even if you cannot dedicate a full day to these tasks. Focusing time on just one task will get it done more efficiently than juggling all the tasks unsuccessfully at one time.
    • Grocery day
    • Meal prep day
    • Laundry day
    • Cleaning day
    • Additionally, use a deep clean schedule to help rotate through deep cleaning areas of your home. Schedule one area per week.
  1. Think Tidy When You Walk Through the Door
    • Leave your shoes at the door
    • Put your bag on its hook
    • Keys go where they belong
  1. Leave Nothing on the Floor
    • Keep toys, papers, blankets, and dirty clothes off the floor
    • Hang up clothes you will re-wear right away
    • Place dirty clothes go into the hamper
    • Towels get hung on the hook
    • Toys get put away when not being used
  1. Take Out the Trash
    Take out the trash when you leave the house for the day. This will keep odors out of your house while you are gone. It will also feel good to see an empty garbage can when you get home from a busy day. Don’t forget garbage collection day. All trash and recycling need to go out on trash day.
  2. Deal with Mail Daily
    Collect, sort, purge, and file mail daily. Removing the junk mail daily will make your mail opening day more manageable. File important mail in one location so it is gathered together and ready when you need to open it. Open the mail when you are ready to address, pay, and file it.

Establishing and maintaining a routine will help your home stay tidy.  At Top Shelf Home Organizing, we love to help busy households get organized. If you are looking for guidance on getting your home or office organized, reach out to Jayme.