We look around and it seems like the house messes itself up, doesn't it? Between work, family, and daily unexpected events, finding time for deep cleaning can be a real challenge. However, the secret is not to spend the whole weekend scrubbing the floor, but rather to adopt small daily habits.
In this article, we will share simple and realistic strategies to keep the house clean without giving up your precious free time, including an alternative for when twenty-four hours are simply not enough.
The secret of the 15-minute rule to keep the house clean
Before moving on to the corners of the house, change your mindset about cleaning. If you try to do everything at once, you will end up giving up out of exhaustion.
The best way to keep the house clean is to implement the 15-minute daily rule:
- Set an alarm on your phone.
- During that time, focus only on quick tasks.
- Clear the dishes from the counter, pick up clothes left around, or run a quick mop through the living room.
- When the alarm goes off, your mission for the day is accomplished.
Room-by-room routine to keep the house clean and organised
To avoid getting lost in the clutter, divide your attention among the critical areas of the house. Focus on these pillars:
In the kitchen:
- Avoid letting dishes pile up in the sink overnight. Waking up to a clean kitchen changes the energy of the day.
- Used a cutting board or a spoon? Wash them right away while you wait for the water to boil.
In the bedroom:
- Make your bed as soon as you wake up. It takes less than two minutes and instantly gives a sense of order.
- Avoid the famous "clothes chair". If the item is clean, it goes back in the closet; if it is dirty, it goes into the basket.
In the bathroom:
- Run a squeegee over the shower doors after every bath to avoid limescale buildup.
- Always keep a microfiber cloth in the cabinet to quickly clean the sink after brushing your teeth.
3 golden strategies to make your life easier
If you truly want to keep the house clean with minimal effort, apply these three rules to your daily routine:
- The "since I'm already" rule: Since you are already getting up to go to the kitchen, take the glass of water left on the living room table. Since you are already going to the bathroom, take the towel left in the bedroom.
- Declutter frequently: The fewer objects you have on top of your furniture, the faster it is to dust. Put away what you do not use and clear the surfaces.
- The 2-minute rule: If a task takes less than two minutes to be done (like taking out the trash or putting away shoes in the hall), do it immediately. Do not delay.
Outsourcing tasks to manage to keep the house clean
If your work or family routine is too intense and the 15-minute strategy is not enough, do not blame yourself. Outsourcing the cleaning — meaning hiring a professional or a company to do it — is an investment in your quality of life.
Hiring someone brings great advantages:
- Gain free time: You can use your weekends to rest or be with your family.
- Deep cleaning: A professional ensures that those harder-to-reach corners look spotless.
- Stress reduction: It eliminates that constant guilt of seeing things that need cleaning when you lack the energy to do them.
See how small changes make all the difference? Whether you decide to create your own routine or prefer to invest in a professional's help, having a cozy and sanitised home does not have to be a headache.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the essential products to keep the house clean?
You do not need a cabinet full of chemicals. For daily maintenance, it is enough to have:
- A multi-purpose cleaner.
- A glass cleaner.
- A disinfectant for the bathroom.
- Microfiber cloths, which trap dust instead of spreading it.
How much does it cost to hire someone to help with the cleaning?
The cost varies depending on the region of the country and the hiring model:
- Private professional: Average rates usually range between €8 and €15 per hour in Portugal.
- Cleaning company: Hourly rates can be slightly higher, but they typically include cleaning products and insurance against damages.
What are the health benefits of a well-cleaned house?
A sanitised environment goes far beyond aesthetics:
- It drastically reduces the presence of dust mites, dust, and mold.
- It prevents allergies and respiratory issues.
- It reduces stress levels and improves sleep quality and concentration.