Constant cleaning is exhausting, but living in clutter is also unpleasant: it steals energy, attention, and mood. The good news is that there are simple, almost lazy ways to keep your space tidy without much effort. Below are tips that will definitely work.
Walk Around and Pick Up Small Things on the Go
On days when you lack the energy or time for cleaning, make it a habit to pick up clothes from the floor, put away cups, or organize items as you pass by. These actions take almost no effort and prevent clutter from growing.
Store Items Where You Use Them
Items that are placed far from where they are used almost always remain where you eventually dropped them. To avoid chaos, place baskets, boxes, and organizers closer to the "action points" — this will make it easier for you to maintain order without much effort.
Use a Basket for Collecting Unwanted Items
Buy a special basket for items you often use but are too lazy to put away immediately. Once a day, simply walk around the apartment and place everything that is not in its proper place into the basket. This will help if you need to quickly tidy up before guests arrive or just declutter the space.
Wipe Surfaces Right After Use
Immediately after cooking or washing up, take a damp cloth or sponge and wipe down the countertop or sink. Since dirt won't have time to dry, you'll spend just 10–20 seconds, and you'll avoid the need for a deep clean later.
Implement the "Five Minutes Before Bed" Rule
Every evening, before going to bed, take 5 minutes to walk around the room, put away clothes, close cabinets, and place shoes in their proper spots. These simple actions create a sense of order and prevent you from waking up to chaos in the morning.
Sort Items as They Accumulate
Place a box for items you want to throw away or donate in your wardrobe or simply next to your closet. Once a week, check the box and make a final decision about at least one item. This way, you will not only avoid chaos in your belongings but also spare yourself from having to conduct large decluttering sessions.
Cover Problem Areas with Cloths or Mats
If there are areas in your apartment that get dirty quickly, such as the floor under your pet's bowls or the table where you have breakfast, use mats and placemats. This makes cleaning easier, as you only need to wipe the tablecloth or mat with a cloth.
Make Your Bed Right After Waking Up
This action takes less than a minute but significantly changes the overall appearance of the space. A made bed makes the room look tidier and sets the right mood for the day. Moreover, order around you fosters order in your mind and helps you maintain cleanliness more easily.
Don’t Keep Excess Decor in Plain Sight
Analyze how many items are stored on open shelves. If there are too many, it’s no wonder you have to dust every day. To avoid this, clear surfaces of excess items. Use opaque containers with lids for storage.
Fold Items Vertically
Vertical storage helps you find what you need faster, reduces rummaging through the closet, and prevents chaos. Plus, when you see items neatly arranged, it motivates you to keep things in order.
Keep a Minimal Set of Cleaning Supplies Handy
Store one essential cleaning product in each area. In the bathroom, for example, you can keep a mirror spray in plain sight, and in the kitchen workspace — a surface cleaner for grease. Once you do this, you won’t have to search for the right bottles around the apartment just to remove a small stain.
Use "Lazy" Containers for Small Items
Baskets for chargers, cosmetics, receipts, and small accessories will save you from having to sort each little thing individually. You will not only eliminate unnecessary visual clutter but also be able to maintain order effortlessly.
Empty the Trash Can Daily
Check daily if the waste basket is full and empty it immediately. This will help you avoid unpleasant odors in the apartment and spare you from accumulated trash that is hard to take out later. Combine taking out the trash with your usual routes: going to work, shopping, or evening walks.
Place a Pack of Wet Wipes in a Convenient Location
Keep wet wipes where messes are most likely to occur. Periodically wipe down countertops, door handles, shelves, and small areas of the floor — this way, you won’t let dust and dirt accumulate. Unlike a regular cloth, wipes are more hygienic, and one pack usually lasts several weeks.
Make Your Appliances Work for You
It’s great if a robot vacuum has long been your helper, used for both dry and wet cleaning. To make your life even easier, also buy a steam cleaner — it will help you get rid of ingrained dirt in just 10 minutes, a glass cleaner, and a drying machine. The latter is especially needed if your home is crowded and has pets.
