Realistic Homemaker

Habits & Productivity

How You Can Start Decluttering Your Home Even When It Seems Impossible

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A house full of clutter can keep us from having the life we want. But doing something about it can sometimes feel impossible.

These tips will help you declutter your home, even when you’re overwhelmed and have no idea how to start!

Stack of towels with basket text overlay 10 tips for decluttering when you are overwhelmed by too much stuff

If you’re tired of living in a house full of clutter, and stressed out by the piles of stuff that are all over your home, I know how you feel.

Clutter takes over our space. It steals our peace. And it can even keep us from participating in the simplest of life’s pleasures.

We know how awesome if would be if the mess was gone. But thinking about tackling all of that stuff is overwhelming.

In fact, right now I am looking at a corner of my office/bedroom that is getting way out of hand and desperately needs my attention.

And it’s driving me nuts.

I might even put a picture of it right here so you’ll understand what I’m dealing with.

stack of clutter on white carpet, boxes, blue tote bag of stuff

But, hey. I’ve uncluttered worse disasters.

And if there’s one sure thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that the key to getting clutter under control is making the process as simple and stress-free as possible.

The trick here is to have some easy and practical strategies to help you along the way.

How to Declutter Your Home When You’re Practically Paralyzed by Too Much Stuff and You Don’t Know How to Start

Whether you’re diving in with a full-on decluttering fest, or taking it slow and one bite at a time, these tips I’m sharing on how to declutter when you are seriously overwhelmed will help you reclaim your space, and your sanity.

This post may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure policy HERE.

1. Identify your clutter

Before you get started, it’s a good idea to take a look around and decide what you’re dealing with.

Do you have a lot of excess items to get rid of?

Or is it really just a matter of cleaning up and shuffling things back to where they belong?

Most of us have a little of both.

But if yours happens to fall into the “things I’m keeping that just need to be put away” category, you may need a good tidying or cleaning up before you start getting rid of stuff.

(By the way, here’s a guided messy house clean-up can help you with that! How to Clean a Really Messy House)

2. Start small

I am a big fan of micro-decluttering.

It’s not overwhelming. And I like how it doesn’t involve making a mess. Or pulling tons of stuff out all at once.

Best of all, micro-decluttering methods don’t require huge chunks of time from your already busy schedule.

Here are a few ideas for you:

  • 5-7-9 Method: Set a timer for 9 minutes and declutter 5 to 7 items from one specific area. This works great for drawers, cabinets, flat surfaces like countertops etc.
  • One Thing Fling: Pick something from one category to declutter each day.This could be knives, mugs, pens, party supplies…narrow it down so it’s simple and doable in a short amount of time.
  • Declutter Dash: Using a timer, set aside 5, 10 or 15 minutes to unclutter as many items as you can from a single room. (Or your entire house if you wish)

Try one or all of the above ideas if you’re short on time or having trouble focusing on the task at hand.

They can help you to see progress quickly and have small wins along the way.

PRO TIP: Once you start filling bags or boxes, donate or take them to the garbage right away so no one is tempted to pull items out again.

3. Skip sentimental items (for now)

Nothing can throw a wrench into a good decluttering session like coming across Grandma’s crocheted doilies or Aunt Mary’s thimble collection.

It’s hard to make decisions around objects that have meaning to us. And it can add stress to an already un-fun project when decluttering. 

So if sentimental things are slowing you down, save them for the second go-round when you have already built up some decluttering muscles.

4. Boxes, Bins and Containers…Oh My!

“You can’t organize clutter.”

It’s a saying said often in the world of minimalism and decluttering, but only because it is always so true.

Putting stuff into containers might feel good for a little while. But even if we make more space by hiding things, that weighty feeling of having all of that stuff always creeps back.

Plus, the added task of organizing at the same time can make us want to quit decluttering altogether.

So hold off on investing in a bunch of plastic bins and organizational tools for the time being.

Instead, take that mental energy and motivation that you’ve been saving up for this project and use it for getting rid of things that don’t add to the peace and harmony in your home.

gold coffee cup, pen on wooden table, words on white napkin, keep, recycle, declutter, trash, sell, donate

5. Don’t be afraid to throw things out.

Why is it that some of us have trouble putting things in the trash? Even when they’re broken, unusable or just plain worn out!?

There are a lot of reasons why people don’t want to throw things away.

We might feel guilty about putting it in the landfill.

Or we might be afraid that we’ll need it for some purpose down the road.

I even know someone who has such a connection with things that it’s hard to throw obvious trash away.

This is your official permission to throw stuff out.

I know it can be hard.

But the fact is, holding on to those things is not going to solve your problem. And it’s certainly not going to make your life easier. Or better.

Toss it and move on.

6. Choose the least cluttered area

If you’re really having a hard time getting started, pick an area of your home where there’s not a ton of work to be done.

So instead of going for the overstuffed closet that you can barely shut, try setting your sights first on a less intimidating project. Maybe your bedside table/nightstand, silverware drawer, or some other space where you’re confident that you could knock it out in a hurry.

Starting in the least cluttered area first can give you little wins sooner than later. And little wins can trigger those mental shifts that lead to BIG WINS!

And then you’re on your way to decluttering victory!

box of stuff, game controls, old clock, clutter

7. Box it up

You’ve tried everything. But you still can’t get started with decluttering.

That’s okay. It happens.

In fact, I’ve been at that place before where I’ve just stood in the middle of a room and said to myself, “I absolutely cannot deal with this. It needs to go. Now.”

So I just put everything in boxes. Or bags. Just boxed that stuff up.

And, guess what happened! NOTHING happened! Well, nothing bad anyway.

Yes, I had to deal with it later when I was in a better place mentally and physically.

But that’s okay. It all worked out.

Maybe, for whatever reason right now, whether it be depression, chronic illness, little ones using all your time and energy… you need a quick fix for a better quality of life.

So, if you’ve been waiting for permission, here’s your chance.

Go ahead and box it up. Label it with a sharpie.

And store it away for a time when you have the energy to take it on.

(Learn how to declutter your kitchen like a boss: How to Quickly Declutter Your Kitchen the Easy Way)

8. Divide it up

Large areas and entire rooms of clutter can be so overwhelming that you want to stop before you even get started.

Make those daunting spaces feel doable by dividing them into sections or manageable tasks that will work for you.

You can do this in your head. But you could also get fancy and sketch out a quick diagram of the room with sections on paper.

Or just make a written list of each zone.

Either way, check off each thing as you go and remember to take brakes in between tasks.

Because decluttering fatigue is real!

9. Recruit help

The thought of asking for help with decluttering your home can be absolutely terrifying.

I get it. Clutter can make us feel incompetent and even ashamed.

And letting people in on our “messy secret” can leave us feeling exposed and vulnerable, making the shame too much to bear.

You could choose to get over all of that and ask your family and friends for help anyway.

But let’s face it. Not all of us are ready for that. (I’m not sure I’ll EVER be ready for that)

Here are some suggestions to help lessen some of the anxiety that can happen with getting a decluttering helper.

  • Have a “runner” that can take items to where they belong as you cull through them. This person doesn’t have to be involved in the actual process of sorting or making decisions. Kids and husbands make great runners!
  • Hire a sitter to watch young kiddos while you concentrate on larger decluttering projects.
  • Ask someone you trust to hang out with you while you declutter… Just for moral support

Get creative and think of other ways that you can lessen your load on days that you put a lot of time or energy into decluttering.

10. Just start

I know. You’re probably reading this and thinking “WELL, DUH. If I could just start then I wouldn’t be reading this page right now.”

But so many of us have this little perfectionist voice telling us we need to have all our ducks in a row before we can even begin to declutter.

And sometimes, to get past that little voice, we just have to grab a grocery bag and start putting stuff in it.

No preparation. No fleet of boxes with labels.

Just you and a plastic bag. Or a paper bag. Or whatever works.

Go for it!

Related posts for you:

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How to Start Decluttering Again When You’re Overwhelmed

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Finding the time and motivation to work on a home decluttering project that has been put on hold can be difficult. Here are some practical tips to help you get back in there and finish what you started.

white shelf with 3 baskets, clear bottle and blue bottle with babies breath and how to declutter your home text

Re-start the decluttering process successfully in your home with these five tips.

Maybe you were really pumped up when you first started decluttering your home. Then, for whatever reason, the project came to a halt.

Whether you just couldn’t find the time to get around to it, or you were overwhelmed by the mess…or maybe there was an illness. Things come up!

Or maybe you just got burnt out. And that’s normal. Because, that happens to all of us. Or, most of us.

At least, it happens to me anyway.

In fact, I launched my own MASSIVE home decluttering project a few years back. I went through tons of bags and boxes, closets, under beds… You name it, I tackled it.

And it was fun while it lasted. But, at some point, I was DONE.

I wasn’t finished….I was just done working on it. Yet, I still desired a less cluttered, more organized home for myself and for my family.

And I could see that the work I had already put in was paying off big time.

But it was it was hard to fit in “decluttering” with the other regular life stuff like keeping house, cooking, and homeschooling that I already felt like I could barely keep up with.

I wish I could say that I jumped right back in there after a short break and started cleaning things out like crazy. But, the truth is I was burnt out. And it took awhile for me to figure out how to get started again in a way that was sustainable.

Maybe you’re overwhelmed and stuck in your decluttering journey like I was.

And maybe, as badly as you want to finish what you started, you just can’t figure out how to get things rolling again.

Here are some tips that helped me (and hopefully will help you) get back on track.

This post may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure policy HERE.

1. Check in with your goals

When you first got into this whole decluttering thing, you probably had an idea of what you wanted your home to look or feel like when you came out on the other side.

Take a look around your home. What were those original goals?

Clear counters? Papers organized so that you can always find what you need, when you need it? Drawers and cabinets that actually shut? (Maybe things aren’t that bad at your house, but hopefully you get the idea)

For some of us, our number one goal is to NOT DIE of embarrassment when someone drops in unexpectedly. Or asks to use our bathroom. Or needs access to our hot water heater or some other broken thing that is currently hiding in the wreckage but needs emergency repair.

Sometimes, just remembering why we started something to begin with gives us the inspiration to keep on going.

2. Finish something you previously started

You probably have one or more unfinished decluttering projects you had started before.

There can be many advantages to tackling a halfway, or even somewhat partially finished project.

  • It probably won’t take as long to complete
  • After you finish, you will have a sense of accomplishment
  • If it was important enough to start before, then it’s probably important enough to finish now
  • You’ll get your head in the game faster by picking up where you left off

Zoom in on one of those areas that you already tackled once upon a time (the smallest one would be my suggestion) and knock that one out for a win!

3. Try the 5-7-9 Gentle Decluttering Method

Maybe the thought of emptying a whole closet full of clothes, or all of the food in your pantry, or just tackling any entire space all at once right now, is just too daunting.

If that’s the case, then you might need a more “gentle” approach to help you get back into that mental space of “I just want this stuff gone and I want my house back”

One way you can do that is to use the 5-7-9 method.

With the 5-7-9 approach, you don’t need to gather boxes and bags before you start. You are simply going to choose a problem area in your home and set a timer for 9 minutes.

Then, during that 9 minutes, you’re going to remove between 5 and 7 items and take each one to the place where it belongs. And that could be in another area of your home, the trashcan, or the donation box.

(I have a donation box or bag going all the time for just this purpose. And other family members know that it’s there if they need to get rid of something.)

One of the great things about this method is that there is no preparation time and there are no props that you have to gather. Nothing to slow you down.

And you’re getting back into that decluttering mindset gradually, while seeing progress along the way. That progress tells our brains “hey, this is working! I can do this!”

4. Start with small projects

Choosing quick and doable projects at first will help you get back into the decluttering habit.

Here are a few ideas:

  • one pantry shelf
  • nightstand
  • one refrigerator drawer or shelf
  • junk drawer
  • under the kitchen sink
  • one bag or tote of miscellaneous “stuff”

You could also choose a space that you partially finished before. For instance, if you previously tackled the laundry room, and it’s kind of starting to look like a disaster area again, then that could be the perfect project to reignite that decluttering fire in your belly.

>> Related Post: How to Clean Your Messy House When You Don’t Know Where to Start

5. Making time for decluttering

If not having enough time to declutter is a problem for you (and let’s be real who doesn’t have a problem with finding time to do things these days) then you might have to get more intentional with taking time for your project.

One way to do that is to simply schedule it in during your day. Write it on your to-do list. Set an alarm on your phone. Or just plan to do it at a certain time when you know you will be reminded.

For example, if you’re working on your laundry room then you might plan a short declutter session after you’ve put clothes in the washing machine.

Another way to work decluttering sessions into your day is to just do it when the urge hits you.

We somehow always manage to pile up a particular closet near the kitchen with random stuff. Lately, I have made that closet my focus to unclutter. So, if I have a few minutes after lunch, or there’s less clean up after dinner than usual, I’ll set my timer and use those few extra minutes to work on that closet.

Those little chunks of time matter. Whether you declutter just a few items. or tidy one small area of your kitchen. That’s one more win!

And it’s one less thing that is holding you back from having a home that you love. 

More related articles:

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How to Re-start a Home Decluttering Project When You’re Overwhelmed

12 Productive Things To Do When You’re At Home

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Staying in your house might have you feeling bored, uninspired, or looking for fresh ideas. These practical tips can help you find purposeful and productive things to do at home.

woman on bed with coffee and laptop

At our house, we are constantly adding to a “mental list” of things to fix, do, or try for when we have extra time at home. However, when we actually get that time, no one can seem to remember what those things were to begin with.

So, I’m sharing a few of the activities my family is doing to keep the ball moving forward while we are spending time at home.

This post may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure policy HERE.

Sort and Edit Photos

Most of us have tons of photos on our various devices. Now is the PERFECT time for editing and sorting them.

I like to do all of my digital photo editing in PicMonkey because of how simple it is to resize pics and add all sorts of graphics, texts, and effects. And in just a few clicks you can download or share to just about anywhere you like.

I use PicMonkey on mobile AND desktop pc.

Got boxes of actual photos? Pull them out and sort, label, or put them in albums so you can enjoy them!

baby pictures hanging on string

Hang Pictures or Artwork

Use this time to personalize your home by creating a decorative gallery wall or updating family photos in existing frames.

Things to frame and display:

  • family heirlooms
  • family portraits
  • kids’ or your own artwork
  • dried flowers and other natural elements
  • art prints or paintings
  • artistic photographs

I find that Amazon has great prices and selection for picture frames. Some styles come in value packs, which is great if you need a bunch of the same design.

And if you don’t love the thought of putting nails in the wall, these command strips are the thing. Just be sure to get the right ones for the weight of your frames and they will hold perfectly!

Practice a Fitness Routine

We all know that exercise is important for our minds and our bodies. But, if we’re accustomed to organized classes or fancy gym equipment, it can be hard to motivate ourselves to get moving at home.

Thankfully, there are at-home exercise options that are cheap or free. YouTube has tons of free content like walk-in-place routines, arm workouts, pilates, yoga, the list is endless. Yoga with Adrienne is one of our faves!

Other totally free activities include jumping rope, throwing and catching a ball, walking, and house/yard work.

(disclaimer: please check with your own doctor before beginning any exercise routine or using fitness equipment)

PIN FOR LATER:

woman writing, get things done, stay productive at home

Try New Exercise Equipment

My family has REALLY been enjoying this mini-trampoline (rebounder).

Rebounding is supposed to help with building bone mass, burning calories, and lymph drainage among other things, but mostly it is just fun and gives you a great, energizing workout.

A few other things I use on the regular are my yoga mat (this one), yoga block (this one) and these hand weights.

Some other ideas:

  • punching bag (we’re going to try this one)
  • weight bench (ours is too old to link, but you can find a selection here)
  • treadmill (again, mine is no longer available, but you can look here for a great selection and reviews!)
  • yoga ball

Organize Your Closet

I did a full-on KonMari style closet clean out a few years ago. It felt so good to get rid of clothing that wasn’t serving me. But lately I’ve noticed that it’s starting to get crowded in there again.

clothes on hangers,organize closet

So I’ve been going through and pulling out things that I no longer wear, or pieces that make me feel “blah” when I put them on. I’m putting them aside to donate.

At the same time, I’ve moved some seasonal clothing around and reorganized some things to make them more accessible.

Catch Up On Home Maintenance

Keeping up with maintaining our homes is important for our family’s health and safety. And it can help save money.

Start by doing a walk-through, and make a list of things that need attention in your house.

A few suggestions:

  • the dryer – clean the vent hose where it connects to the wall and where it enters the machine using a dryer vent brush to get into the hard to reach spaces. This is supposed to be done yearly. It’s a fire hazard!
  • replace HVAC filters. About every 3-4 months is the recommendation, but we change ours every 2-3. We find these to be the best at filtering without putting a strain on our HVAC system. Be sure to order the size that fits your return.
  • clean refrigerator coils – using a vacuum cleaner and a coil brush (which also doubles as a dryer vent brush). This saves on energy and extends the life of your fridge.
  • check smoke alarms and CO detectors

Do Some Deep Cleaning

Things can get REALLY cruddy when you’re busy and don’t have time to clean them. So when you’re hanging out at home, it’s a good time to catch up on the deep cleaning. Here are some ideas to get you started.

  • ceiling fans
  • baseboards
  • windows and window sills
  • vacuum the air vents
  • under the beds
  • refrigerator
  • high shelves, tops of cabinets

Have a big mess and don’t know where to start? Read: How To Clean a Really Messy House When You Are Overwhelmed By The Mess

paint roller on wall, productive things to do

PAINT SOMETHING

Could the paint in (or on) your house use a freshen-up? If the answer is yes, this could be a very good use of your time at home. Around here there are baseboards and walls to be touched up, two bathrooms that need a complete painting, and a kitchen island that I would love to transform. That’s not even HALF of the list.

DIY CLEANING PRODUCTS

Try making your own home cleaning products. There are tons of recipes online and you might have the ingredients for most of them already. A quick recipe to try for glass cleaner is 1 part white distilled vinegar and 1 part water. It’s easy, non-toxic, and cheap!

DIY LAUNDRY DETERGENT

I was excited to find this laundry detergent recipe from CarolineVencil.com. It saves serious money, is SO EASY to make, and it works great!

meal plan master list tips

MEAL PREP

You will thank yourself when meal time rolls around and half of the work is already done. Cutting up veggies is my favorite do-ahead task and it takes just a few minutes.

Other things you can do to meal prep include browning ground beef, cooking rice ( I do mine in the InstantPot), making dressings and sauces etc.

Try my free meal planning tool here: Simple Master Family Meal List with Printable

woman with mug reading,things to do when bored

Catch Up On Reading

Have a stack of books just waiting to be read? Take some time for yourself and enjoy catching up on them. It’s good for the soul!

And, if you’re looking for some new reads, then you might want to check out Kindle Unlimited for their great selection of e-books. They are constantly adding new titles in fiction, self-help, business etc. With Kindle Unlimited, you will NEVER run out of things to read!

Also, you can check with your local library to see if you can check out e-books and audible books for free! Our local library uses several apps to provide this service and gives instructions on how to access them on their website.

Bonus Idea!

Start a blog! Blogging is incredibly popular and the free resources for HOW to start a blog are unlimited! It is a great way to share your passion with the world and make money while doing it.

The first step is to purchase your own domain and hosting. You can take care of both of these steps at Namehero.com.

I have been with several hosts and have settled on Namehero.com based on the advice of a highly respected tech service provider.

Namehero.com is reasonably priced and has the best customer service that I have experienced with a host, which is really important to me as a non-techy person.

For a FREE course and TONS of up-to-date tutorials on how to start a profitable blog, I recommend that you check out Suzi at startamomblog.com (you don’t have to be a mom to get the benefit of Suzi’s experience and expertise!)

Don’t forget to enjoy your time at home. And, don’t feel like you ALWAYS have to be productive. We all need to wind down and have fun once in awhile.

Also read: 5 Simple Habits for a Cleaner Home

How To Make Meal Planning Easy With A Dinner Master List

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One of the simplest things you can do to save time, money, and your sanity is to have a family meal plan. And the easiest way to do that is to start with a Meal Plan Master List.

A meal plan master list is simply a custom catalog of go-to dinners that (almost) everyone in your family likes.

It only takes a few minutes to make one, (here’s a free printable template to help you get started!) and it saves you tons of time by taking the guesswork out when it actually comes to making your meal plan.

And, if for some reason, you don’t actually get around to making a meal plan for the week, you can use the master list as a reference tool when the question arises; “what’s for dinner?”

(This post may include affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy HERE.)

MAKING YOUR LIST

It is super easy to write your list.  Just grab a pen and paper and start brainstorming all of the meals that your family enjoys on a regular basis.

Where to Find Meal Idea Inspiration:

  • Ask each family member to list their favorites for you. (Each time I do this I learn things I didn’t know about what my kids and husband REALLY like to eat!)
  • Check your favorite cookbooks, blogs, your Pinterest boards…anywhere that you might ordinarily look for recipes or meal ideas.
  • Big kids might like to write out their own list and hand it to you. I tell them that it doesn’t matter how weird or unusual the meal is. If it’s something they’ve enjoyed in the past, they can put it on their list.
  • Look in your freezer and pantry. You might get all sorts of inspiration when you see what’s in there!

With all of the ideas that you brainstormed, you can use the free printable family favorites page to categorize your meals. The sections are pre-labeled for your convenience, so all you have to do is fill it in and keep it somewhere handy.

Or, use your own notebook or journal if that is what works for you. The important thing is getting the list down on paper so you can start using it right away.

PIN FOR LATER:

meal planning free printable, how to make meal list

TIPS FOR USING THE MASTER LIST:

  • Print off several copies and assign each page to a different cooking method: InstantPot, CrockPot, AirFryer etc.
  • Categorize multiple pages for Paleo, Gluten Free, Vegan, Whole30, THM, or any other eating lifestyles that you follow in your home. We have some dietary restrictions in our family so we like to mix it up!
  • Have a separate Master List for new meals that the family hasn’t tried yet for those days when you are feeling adventurous.
  • Change up your Master Lists periodically to take advantage of in-season fruits and vegetables, weather etc. Our Family Favorites Summer Edition has lighter fare and grilled entrees. Whereas, Winter Edition is all about comfort foods!
  • Try making separate master lists for categories like 30 minute meals, simple dinners, pantry and freezer meals, etc.
  • I keep my lists in a clipboard with my meal plan. But you might like to use a binder or maybe even just the kitchen drawer or refrigerator if you are keeping things real simple.

Now you have your own custom master list of meals to help you streamline your meal planning!

Get the FREE printable HERE.

More kitchen tips here: 10 Simple Habits for a Cleaner Kitchen

10 Simple Habits for a Cleaner Kitchen

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While the kitchen is the heart and hub of the home, it can also be the hardest room to maintain. These simple, but practical tips will help you keep your kitchen cleaner and more organized.

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When my husband and I were first married and it was just the two of us in our new home, maintaining the kitchen was fairly simple. It was pretty much always clean and uncluttered.

Then we had kids.

And I quickly realized that in a busy household with children, a clean, uncluttered kitchen is as rare as a buy one, get one sale on organic produce.

In fact, I started to dream about how blissful it would be to have my own “Alice”, the iconic loyal and duteous television sitcom housekeeper, to help me in the kitchen.

But, alas. No Alice, nor fairy godmother, nor magical house elf has ever shown up to lend a hand.

And I’m guessing that that hasn’t happened for you either. So I’m going to share some tips to help you keep your kitchen under control. Yes, even without the help of the aforementioned fictional characters.

kitchen with pot on counter, keep kitchen clean

1) GET RID OF THINGS YOU DON’T USE

The fewer “things” you have in your kitchen, the easier it will be to maintain.

Extra serving pieces, mismatched flatware, or the bread machine you purchased right before deciding to go gluten-free. Anything in your kitchen that is not serving you and your family, just let it go.

Even if something was pricey to begin with, if it’s not being used then it’s probably not worth the real estate it inhabits.

Need inspiration? Click here for a free printable KITCHEN DECLUTTER CHECKLIST!

Read: How to Quickly Declutter Your Kitchen the Easy Way

2) HAVE KITCHEN RULES

And make sure that everyone follows them.

Here are a few of ours.

  • If you cook outside of regular meal times, you are responsible for cleaning up.
  • Wipe up spills, crumbs, and other disasters.
  • Use your personal coaster for your water glass during the day. (this helps to eliminate dirty glass demolition derby)
  • If you use a non-dishwasher safe dish, wash it. Yourself. Right away.
modern kitchen black countertop greenery hanging on wall light through window behind sink

3) FOLLOW A DAILY KITCHEN ROUTINE

Dirty dishes pile up crrraaazy fast around here.

By unloading the dishwasher each morning, I have a place to put said dishes as we use them. Then my counters stay clear (somewhat anyway, if I’m being real here) and I can finish loading the dishwasher after dinner.

In the evening, I take care of anything that needs to be hand-washed. I leave those things in a dish rack to dry overnight.

Other tasks, like checking the fridge each morning for “aging” leftovers, wiping the counters after meals, and cleaning the sink every night will help to maintain your kitchen.

4) START WITH A CLEAN KITCHEN

If you’re like me, and you can’t function in a dirty kitchen, this is going to be a no-brainer for you.

If not, then you might relate to my daughter, who can come in right behind a meal, before the clean-up has happened, and whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

By the time she is halfway through, you can’t even tell where one mess stops and the other starts! Drives me a little crazy. (a lot actually)

At that point the mess is so far past manageable that it takes more time and energy to clean everything up.

So, if you want to keep mess to a minimum, start your kitchen endeavors with clear counters and an empty sink. Your later self will thank you.

5) CLEAN AS YOU GO

For some people, this is just another NO-BRAINER.

But not everyone has the intuition to do this (a few members of my own household included), so I’m gonna put it out there.

Just clean up the messes as they happen.

If you wipe the kitchen counter after a spill and wash out the blender right away, you’ll SAVE TIME that you would spend later trying to scrape off the counter or soak, wash, soak, wash, soak, wash…the blender.

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6) CLEAN WHILE YOU WAIT

If your “dawgs are barking” and the sofa is calling your name, by all means take a break. But, while your oven is working it’s magic on that yummy casserole, it’s good to get in there and clean up the mess!

Even if you are in the habit of “cleaning as you go”, there are probably some things in the kitchen that need to your attention. Might as well make smart use of your time and do it while your food is cooking.

Same goes for boiling water, making toast, cooking pasta…Get in the habit of using that time to catch up and keep up.

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7) REDUCE VISUAL CLUTTER

Personally, I would find it a real pain to pull out the coffee maker every time I set it. Or the blender each time I make a smoothie.

So I’m not going to tell you that you should take everything off of your kitchen counters and stow it away.

But appliances, decorative items, and random papers can take up a HUGE chunk of space on your counter top. They reduce your work space, and can make a kitchen look cluttered and uninviting.

If you can find a place for seldom used appliances (the ones that didn’t make it into the donation box) it can REALLY help things visually and can reclaim precious counter space.

Kitchen decor is nice. But too much can diminish the functionality of your kitchen. So, be very selective about what you choose to display. Only set out things that you truly enjoy.

And then there’s the dreaded PAPER CLUTTER. (Raising hand here because…GUILTY!) You have to handle that monster as soon as it comes in the door, if not before. Have a place for what you need to keep, and banish papers from the kitchen. Forever!

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8) DEEP CLEAN SOMETHING EVERY DAY

Each day, I try to give at least one thing in my kitchen a thorough cleaning.

It can be anything. The front of the dishwasher. The toaster oven. Or one of those little thingies from the inside of the refrigerator door.

Other Areas to Deep Clean:

  • dusty appliances
  • areas behind and under dusty appliances
  • toaster oven tray
  • microwave plate/splatter cover
  • around door frame of dishwasher
  • anything in refrigerator
  • oven glass
  • back splash behind sink
  • pantry shelf
  • top of refrigerator

9) “SPOT CLEAN” THE KITCHEN FLOOR

When the kids were little and I was in a hurry to get the house presentable (like when “short notice” company was coming) I would hand them wet cloths and tell them to “spot clean” the kitchen floor.

Cleaning up the visible stuff worked so well at making the entire floor look freshly scrubbed that I eventually incorporated it into my kitchen routine.

Often, by the end of the week, the floor has had so much “spot cleaning” that it doesn’t even need a full on mopping.

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10) SHINE UP YOUR SINK

Hands down one of the best habits I’ve adopted is to clean and shine my sink every day.

Cleaning my sink thoroughly each day not only prevents smelly bacteria and germs from building up, but it also keeps the sink free of clutter and ready to use when it’s needed.

I like to use this twisty brush because it does a really good job of getting down into the drain and crevices. (It is also great for hand washing jars and bottles AND it goes in the dishwasher!) Dish liquid works great for shining the sink. For stubborn messes, I add a sprinkle of this powder. It always gets the job done.

These habits will go a long way to keep your kitchen tidier and more functional in between deep cleanings.

For tips on keeping your entire house under control on the daily, you can check out 5 Simple Habits for a Cleaner Home.

For Meal Planning Ideas: Family Meal Planning Master List & Free Printable

More Related Posts:

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5 Simple Habits for a Cleaner Home

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Keeping a home comfortably clean can be a challenge. But, it is possible! Use these 5 simple everyday tips to help you keep your house cleaner and more organized, so you can relax more and “emergency clean” less.

You know that panicky feeling you get??

The one when someone drops in, and EVERYTHING in your house is a complete and uttter disaster?!?

The racing pulse. The sweaty palms. And the mad dash to hide the clutter and catch your breath before guests reach the door…

I am WAY too familiar with that harrowing experience.

Some some people can’t relate. For them, keeping a home clean and organized just comes naturally.

But, for the rest of us, it can be a struggle.

We want a cleaner home, but we just don’t always know how to make it happen.

But the good news is, it CAN happen! Trust me! If I can do it, than it is completely, 100% possible for you too.

(This post may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure policy HERE.)

So, how CAN you keep your home cleaner on a regular basis without spending all of your time keeping house?

Here are some practical tips that can help.

1) CLEAN UP MESSES AS THEY HAPPEN

Do you ever spot a mess, then walk away and think “I’ll get to that in a minute.”

And three days later, you’ve walked by the same mess so many times that you can’t even see it anymore?

Like that dust bunny that has been on the floor so long the kids have given it a name?

Around here, we seem to have trouble with those hand-wash only kitchen items. No one wants to wash them. So, they just sit, and sit, aaand sit.

And multiply.

Then, I think how much easier it would have been just to wash them right away to begin with. Not only are they harder to clean, but they’ve been cluttering up the counter this whole time.

Then, there are the times I think “well, it’s just a small mess and it can wait.”

But small messes add up to big messes and that adds up to overwhelm.

Try to pick-up, wipe, and clean-up messes as you see them. If you practice it, it will become habit.

Related: 10 Simple Habits for a Cleaner Kitchen

Related: 7 Tips For When You Feel Like a Homemaking Failure

2) GET RID OF STUFF

One way to keep your home cleaner and more organized is simply to have less stuff.

Cluttered spaces never look or feel clean. And too many “things” make it impossible to keep things tidy.

You don’t have to become a minimalist. But, if you have things sitting around that currently serve no purpose, just get them out of the way.

Around here, we purge clothes and shoes, kitchen items and housewares regularly. There is almost always a “thrift store bag” or two by the back door ready for the donation center.

In the past, we had an insane amount of toys and junk everywhere. There was a nearly cataclysmic event that caused us to rethink the whole “more is better” mentality. That is a story for another time.

Just try cleaning out a few things at a time. Lightening your load feels so good.

It will quickly become a habit to re-home things that aren’t serving you and your family.

3) MAKE “SHORT LISTS” OF TASKS

Making a manageable list of housekeeping tasks will help you to keep your home cleaner and more organized.

I find that short lists are easier to tackle than a full-on to-do list. So, it’s more likely that all of the things will get done.

And, our brains tend to thrive on the reward of having finished something.

You can pull tasks from a longer to-do list to make up your short-list, or you can jot things down as you think of them. My list is normally a mixture of both.

I like to these 3″ x 3″ size super sticky notes. You can fit just the right amount of to-do’s on there without it being overwhelming. Plus, the colors make me think of sea glass and tropical island beaches while I’m wiping counters and washing dirty dishes.

For me, getting a few of the next day’s important tasks down on paper the evening before helps to take my mind off of the next day’s to-do’s. Which, in turn, makes it easier to relax and enjoy the evening, rather than worrying about things that need to get done tomorrow.

4) DIVIDE AND CONQUER

You are gathering an armload of towels from the bathroom hamper when you notice that the counter needs to be wiped down.

And the tub. THAT will take awhile. Oh, and you can barely see yourself in the mirror.

“When will I ever find the time to clean that bathroom?” you wonder.

So another day goes by and the grime builds up.

But what if you did ONE of those tasks at a time?

Breaking big jobs into smaller chunks works infinitely better than not getting the job done at all.

Here’s how I break it down for my bathroom:

I do the shower one day ( usually as I am showering.) The counters and sinks another. The toilet gets cleaned randomly several times a week when I have a spare minute.

The tub is actually my least favorite so I do have to schedule that in sometimes so that it gets done. But you get the idea.

If I had to wait for a large enough time block to do the whole thing, it might never get done.

5) START A DAILY ROUTINE

If strict schedules aren’t your thing, I’m with ya!

But, it’s probably fair to say that people with clean houses generally have more routine built into their day than people who have…ahem…less than clean houses.

An evening routine of tidying the kitchen and the living spaces, plus a little prep work, can give you an amazing jump start on the next day.

Have a set of productive tasks that get done early each morning. For me, that includes making my bed, loading the washing machine and unloading the dishwasher. It feels good to get things checked off the list and it helps set the tone for the rest of the day.

Author James Clear writes in his book, Atomic Habits, “We often dismiss small changes because they don’t seem to matter very much in the moment.“

So, don’t underestimate the impact that these “small changes” and new daily habits can have on your home.

What habits or small changes have you made that have had a positive impact on your home?

Read also: 5 Tips for More Order and Less Chaos In Your Home

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5 Things That Have Changed My Life as a Homemaker

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Keeping up with cleaning, organizing, and running a home can be a challenge. These five practical tips will help you to be less stressed, better organized and more productive as a mom and homemaker.

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Homemaking used to be a constant struggle…

Clutter, dishes piling up, not being prepared to fix dinner…these things caused me stress and anxiety.

How could I be a LITTLE MORE organized? Or keep the house clean (presentable, at least)?

And was it EVEN POSSIBLE to get a decent meal on the table, on time, (almost) every night?

Well, with patience, perseverance, and a lot of prayer, I have found strategies that have helped me in ALL of these areas.

Without them, I would probably still be stuck in that sorry pit of despair. (and uncontrollable messes!)

(This post may include affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy HERE.)

1. FIND A ROUTINE THAT WORKS FOR YOU

If a strict schedule doesn’t work for you (raises hand here), try a “routine” instead.

Because routines are flexible, you can easily shift gears if the day doesn’t go as planned. And things often don’t go as planned.

Simply start by making a list of the top priority tasks that need to happen for the day. Include meals, feeding pets, tidying, work at home, etc.

Next, arrange the tasks in the order that they should occur. For some of us, this is enough to keep us on track. If you are working towards a more structured schedule, this is a great place to start!

Having this written “framework” for your day can alleviate the anxiety that happens when you don’t know what to do next.

One thing that helped us A TON was to put a whiteboard in a central area of our home for listing out chores and appointments. This lets everyone knows what is going on and makes is easier for them to get on board.

A whiteboard is also great for quotes, affirmations, and Bible verses to encourage yourself or your family during the day.

Obviously, routines take time to figure out, so be patient with yourself and others as you establish what works.

I promise you. It’s worth the effort and will help to bring peace and calm to your home.

(For more inspiration, visit 7 Encouragements For Struggling Homemakers)

2. PLAN YOUR MEALS

Meal planning used to really intimidate me.

It felt restrictive. Like I could ONLY COOK what was on the list each day.

But I’m going to let you in on a little secret:

A meal plan does not have to be written in stone to work MIRACLES!

In fact, I often change up our meal plan. But having it in writing reminds me that dinner needs to happen each day. And that works for me.

A super simple way is to start by writing down four or five meals that you want to serve for the week. (I like to check my freezer and pantry first, then make a list of what I need to pick up at the store to complete each meal.)

You can make reminders on your meal plan page (aka notebook paper, back of junk mail, etc.) to take things out of the freezer, or to set your Crockpot or Instant Pot on time. I can easily forget if I don’t have those things written down.

Most of my meals center around the Crockpot or Instant Pot because these are appliances that I can set and forget while they do all the work for me.

Breakfast and lunch are normally ffy (fend for yourself) since my kids are older. And I rarely plan out weekend meals as we often do easy things like pizza or oven nachos if we are home.

If we have perishables or leftovers in the fridge that need to be eaten over the weekend, I will make note of those on the meal plan page so everyone knows what is available. Because refrigerator blindness is a real thing y’all.

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3. CLEAN ON THE FLY

I used to think that if I didn’t have time to complete a task to absolute perfection, there was no point in starting it. Honestly, I wouldn’t even wipe the bathroom counter if I didn’t have time to clean the whole bathroom.

Crazy, I know, but that’s how it was. When I figured out that this mindset wasn’t serving me, I adopted a more “cleaning on the fly” strategy.

In our home, cleaning and picking up on the fly means basically just taking care of something when you notice that it needs attention. This can be especially strategic when you don’t have large amounts of time to block out for house cleaning.

For instance, I rarely have to schedule time for cleaning the shower. Once a week, I take microfiber cloths in the shower with me and give it a good cleaning before I get out. DONE!

A few of times a week I clean the toilet right before I get in the shower. Same with the bathroom counter… I just wipe it down as it needs it during the week. It only takes a minute and then it’s done.

You can use this strategy in other areas of your home. It can be a little bit challenging for messies at first. We tend to look beyond the mess in front of us, especially if we have programmed ourselves that way in order to deal with things that are beyond our control.

It helps for me to put sticky notes around to remind myself of tasks until they become habit.

The Chaos Cure  and Sink Reflections, both by Marla Cilley a.k.a. “The FlyLady”, are easy reads that contain tons of helpful ideas for getting and keeping things clean and organized. She discusses a similar method of keeping things clean.

Marla is also a messy by nature, and I can relate to her practical advice. Her books have been helpful and encouraging for me.

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4. DISCOVER YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE

Learning more about yourself and what makes you (and others) tick is truly LIFE CHANGING in so many ways.

In my life, discovering my personality type has helped me to understand why certain organizational skills elude me. It has helped me to know what approaches will work when it comes to completing tasks and why I was never successful at using planners and schedules designed by other people.

Also, now I know that it’s normal for people with my personality to be overwhelmed by huge to-do lists. And I know what I can do instead.

And the BIG BONUS in studying personalities has been learning to relate to my children AND my husband on a level that I never thought was possible. So things are more peaceable on the home front. And more peace is always welcome in our home!

In fact, my whole family has gotten involved in personality discovery and the impact on our relationships with one another has been amazing!

If you have never taken a personality quiz before, or if it has been awhile (especially if it was high school or college), I would highly recommend it.

You can take this one free at 16personalities.com . Personality tests aren’t always completely accurate, so it’s a good idea to do a little reading, either online or with a good book, to make sure that you have landed on the right one.

This book, Type Talk: The 16 Personality Types That Determine How we Live, Love, and Work, is a wonderful read and will give you a better understanding of yourself and what makes you tick.

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5. MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY

The house is finally still. Even the dog is quietly tucked away. You push “start” on the dishwasher and head to the bedroom where you hesitate before entering.

And, that’s when you hear it…the telltale sound. Either husband is watching Ford vs Ferrari or he is seriously asleep!

You contemplate catching up on cleaning. Starting a DIY project. Shaving your legs. The possibilities are endless!

I think many of us can relate to sacrificing sleep for things like housework, business, or quiet time.

I have certainly done my share of it. There’s just something so lovely about that late night solitude , when everyone else is asleep.

Admittedly, it was hard giving that coveted time to myself in the late night and into the early morning hours, but there are bigger payoffs.

Since changing my sleep schedule and getting to bed at a decent time, I feel better during the day. At night I am tired and fall asleep more easily.

Consequently, I get so much more done, as those morning hours are when I have the most energy.

Best of all, my husband and I are way more connected because we are sharing a similar schedule.

As far as quiet time, I am able to enjoy some solitude in the morning, before everyone else is up for the day.

What habits have you adopted that are crucial for keeping the stress and chaos to a minimum at your house?

Need a boost? Read: 7 Encouragements For When You Are Struggling as a Homemaker

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7 Tips For When You Feel Like a Homemaking Failure

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Keeping up with a home and family is not always (hardly ever) easy! In fact, it can leave us discouraged and feeling like we will never measure up.

But whatever shape your household is in right now, if you are depressed or feeling bad because of it then please be encouraged! I have been right where you are, and there are things we can do to motivate and inspire ourselves as we manage our homes.

Keeping a House In Order = Not an Easy Task

The hectic life that we lead these days can wreak havoc on our homes and leave chaos in it’s wake. We have embraced the conveniences of time-saving appliances like washing machines and dishwashers (YAY!)

But, we have also managed to add more to our plates…multiple jobs, kids’ activities, social media. The list goes on and on…

And when we look around at the mess that has been created while life was happening, it’s easy for us to feel inadequate as homemakers.

(This post may include affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy HERE.)

It doesn’t help that we have so much to compare ourselves to these days.

There are the fabulous home makeovers on HGTV. There are home decorating blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram…all with gorgeous photos of perfectly kept homes.

No wonder we are so hard on ourselves!

OK. So there’s probably nothing on the list that will magically transform your home into something worthy of House Beautiful Magazine overnight.

However, there are some practical ideas here that will bring you out of your funk and help you feel better about yourself as keeper of your home.

1) VISIT A MESSY HOUSE

Seriously, this might sound a little strange but go visit a friend whom you know is not a perfect housekeeper. Someone who, for whatever reason, has similar housekeeping standards to yours at the present time.

Hopefully, after your visit, you will feel that you’re not the only one who struggles.

I’m not saying that you can’t visit or have friends who have beautiful homes. In fact, I’ve picked up some of my best housekeeping ideas from people who always keep their homes tidy.

Just be sure that you have some peeps in your squad who, like you, sometimes let go of perfection for a higher purpose.

2) SNAG A WIN (OR 2…OR 3)

Here’s a little to-do list hack when you need motivation. Write down 2 or 3 things that you know you can get done by the end of the day.

These can be really simple tasks, like putting laundry in the dryer or wiping the kitchen counter…stuff you would be doing anyway that will give you several wins for the day and allow you to scratch something off the list.

REALLY NEED A BOOST?

HACK THE LIST by adding a few things that you have already done.

(Yes, I have done this. It is TOTALLY legit!)

Shower…check.

Make the bed…check.

Put towels away…check.

Three Wins!!!

Winning Feels Good!!!

3) GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

Life happens, kids happen, phone calls from relatives happen. You know how it goes.

There is always something happening and some days they just seems to pile on, one thing after another.

Before you know it, there just isn’t enough time in the day to get it all done.

Then there are those days that you just run out of juice before you run out of to-do’s on the list. As someone who is still in the healing process from a chronic illness, this happens to me frequently.

So I rest. My health is important and I am no good to anyone if I don’t pay attention to my own body.

Dishes can wait, the floor doesn’t really have to be spotless, and if I’m really lucky my kiddos will pick up the slack and do a basket of laundry or load the dishwasher.

Whatever is was that kept you from getting it all done today, move on, let go of the guilt and give yourself the grace that you deserve.

4) FOCUS ON PROGRESS, NOT COMPARISON

It’s not hard to fall into the trap of comparison, especially when it comes to keeping house.

Simply visiting a friend’s home that’s neat and tidy can stir up negative feelings about ourselves or our circumstances.

Of course, if we REALLY want to feel inadequate, there’s always Instagram.

Honestly, I still play the comparison game from time to time. I’m only human, after all.

But I have learned to accept that my skills and God given gifts are unique. I don’t need to put others above myself on the virtual housewife scale.

You can learn and draw inspiration from others whose homemaking skills you admire. But avoid getting caught up in the game of comparison. Doing so can only leave you depressed and feeling inadequate.

Find your own priorities and set your own goals accordingly. Let them guide you as you move forward.

Then, look at your progress and identify areas that you feel like you could improve in.

Be yourself and embrace your own gifts!

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5) TAKE A BREAK

Giving your body a rest during the day can restore your energy and mental clarity. This helps you to be more productive and think more rationally.

So, take a break…whatever that means to you.

I know it’s hard, and you might have to get creative if you have kids, but DO YOUR BEST to carve out time for something that gives you a recharge. Maybe a hot bath, some time of meditation, exercise, or talking with a friend?

For me, this can be a few minutes of total solitude, prayer, or maybe even a short power nap while I run my white noise machine in the background.

By the way, try to steer clear of social media during your break. Instead, use this time to give your brain and your body a rest from the craziness of all that is going on in your home and in the world.

You deserve it!        

6) KEEP IT REAL

When I was growing up, my mom kept our house immaculate…like totally magazine worthy.

When I married and left home I carried these standards with me. Well, in theory at least. And they actually weren’t too hard to live up to until my firstborn came along.

It was all downhill from there.

Other things came along that had the same affect. Like homeschooling, raising three children, homesteading and enduring chronic illness.

The ability to change the way I view the state of our environment, through the many “seasons” of our family, has been necessary for my sanity.

Maybe your new definition of clean and organized in this season is that everyone has clean laundry and there’s at least a path to every room.

Even if it’s just temporary.

7) GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT FOR YOUR EFFORTS

How often do we give ourselves credit for what we have done rather than focusing on what we haven’t?

Look around at what YOU HAVE managed to accomplish. Even if you are behind on tasks because you were distracted by less productive activities, give yourself grace, leave it in the past and move on.

Negative thinking will only waste precious energy that you could be using to pour into your own life and the lives of those around you.

Get rid of the guilt that whispers to you that you are not enough…that you are not competent, and embrace who you are as a homemaker.

Need more calm and less chaos in your day? Read 5 Strategies That Changed My Life As A Homemaker

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