Some giant messes happen in a matter of minutes, like the explosion that can happen when you’re packing for a trip or when you cook and eat a big breakfast in a rush. But many household messes that transpire (the ones that lead to someone shouting, “this house is a mess!”) happen insidiously, the result of many little tasks that we didn’t want to be bothered with at the moment.
One way to prevent these kinds of creep-up-on-you, whole-house disasters is keeping this rule: “If it takes less than a minute to finish, do it right away.”
Here is a mega list of such less-than-a-minute, do-it-now tasks that will keep your home cleaner , forever:
In the Kitchen
Put the dish in the dishwasher.
Wipe up what you spilled on the counter.
Scrub the kitchen sink after washing the dishes at night.
Wipe down the inside of the microwave if your food splatters.
Dry the dish you just washed and put it away.
Wash the cutting board.
Empty crumbs from the toaster oven or toaster.
Take out the trash.
Empty the recycling when it’s full.
Decant pantry items.
Empty the coffee grounds from the coffee maker.
Unpack the groceries.
Straighten up the freezer.
In the Dining Room
Wipe the table after you eat.
Push the chairs in.
Toss the dying flowers as soon as you notice them.
In the Bedroom
Put the earrings back in the jewelry box rather than on the dresser.
Hang the jacket in the closet.
Put the dirty socks in the hamper rather than on the floor.
Make the bed, first thing.
In the Living Room
Bring the popcorn bowl from the living room to the sink after movie night.
Put the sweatshirt/cardigan/sweater away when you leave the room rather than leaving it on the couch.
Take the blanket back to its basket.
Put the remote away.
Put your book in its designated spot.
Put the charging cables back in the drawer when you’re done charging.
Put the DVD back in its case and the case back in its place.
In the Entryway
Break down the Amazon box for recycling as soon as you unbox.
Put your purse where it belongs.
Hang your keys on the hook.
Go through the mail before you set it on the counter.
Put your shoes on the shoe rack (not next to it).
Take the return out to the car.
Take the water bottle out of the car.
Around Your Desk
Shred the sensitive paper.
Bring your mug from your desk to the sink.
Empty your purse of receipts.
In the Bathroom
Spray a daily shower cleaner after you take a shower.
Put the hair dryer away.
Squeegee the shower door.
Switch out the empty toilet paper roll. (Seriously, please.)
Around the Laundry
Dry the front loader’s damp door after a load.
Separate the laundry.
Soak the stained shirt.
Toss in the load.