Daily Debris:

Tip No. 36: Tidy Up in 15 Minutes

There’s nothing more discouraging than spending an entire Saturday cleaning and organizing, only to find your home in a shambles again by Wednesday. Set aside 15 minutes each day to maintain your living space, and you’ll minimize clutter buildup as the week marches on. Use the chart below as a guide for keeping your house together throughout the week.

Steps

1. Get the whole family to participate in daily home maintenance by assigning one small, quick job to each family member. Good tasks for kids include setting the table or vacuuming the main entry area. Post a reminder list with daily check-off boxes in the kitchen.
2. Avoid going from one floor of your home to another without returning something to where it belongs. Keep a basket next to the stairs. Make putting things away a routine.
3. Use superabsorbent microfiber cloths to trap dust and dirt. Feather dusters and rags often just blow dust and dirt around.

Monday

• Put away videos, games, DVDs, CDs and books.
• Sweep, mop or vacuum the kitchen floor.

Tuesday

• Take newspapers, magazines and catalogs to the recycle bins.
• Check the supply of toilet paper, paper towels and tissues.

Wednesday

• Pick up stray clutter and put it back to where it belongs.
• Dust all flat surfaces in living areas.
• Clean all mirrors and glass tops.

Thursday

• Clear the clutter from dresser tops and put away items to be kept.
• Put away videos, games, DVDs, CDs and books.
• Vacuum all carpeted areas of the house.

Friday

• Pick up stray clutter and put it back to where it belongs.
• Sweep, mop or vacuum the kitchen floor.

Saturday and Sunday

• Return shoes from the entry area to the bedroom closets.
• Return stray clothes to bedrooms or laundry.
• Clean the bathroom sinks and toilets.
• Vacuum the main entry areas and halls.

Tip

Keep a small caddy in each bathroom, filled with cleaners and paper towels, for quick cleanup when unexpected company drops by.