Getting started is probably the greatest tripping stone of housekeeping. Looking at the house that hasn’t been cleaned in a while and just thinking about everything that needs doing is enough to get everyone demoralized.
Fortunately, there is a workaround – and we’re not talking about hiring house cleaners from Happy Valley, OR, although that is the best option. No, we’re talking about small organizational tricks that make a huge difference. Let’s find out what these are!
Where to start tidying a messy house?
Tidying a messy house can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re a busy individual with a packed schedule. The trick here is to maintain a healthy balance of work time and free time. You can achieve that goal by breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps – and it all starts with creating a plan.
1. Set your mindset, set your goals
Before anything else, it’s crucial to establish a positive mindset. Tidying a home will take time, especially if it hasn’t been cleaned for a while – and the sooner you realize that the faster it’ll get easier. Therefore, set realistic goals for what you want to achieve, decide whether you want to tackle the entire house in one day or break it down over several days, and create a timeline to stay organized.
2. Progress, not perfection
This! This is where most people hit a brick wall – often after only a few minutes into cleaning. Perfectionism suffocates progress, which is why you want to focus on the latter. In doing so, your home will start feeling more organized and livable – and that’s exactly what you’re aiming for.
3. Start with decluttering
Whether you’re speed-cleaning or deep cleaning, you should always start with decluttering. The reason for this is quite simple, really: the decluttered space is much easier (and safer) to navigate, saving you precious minutes during each session. And, believe us, those minutes quickly add up!
Pro Tip: Work through one category of items at a time (e.g. clothes, books, kitchen items, etc.) or tackle a single room in its entirety before moving on to the next.
4. Prioritize high-traffic areas
Did you ever wonder why you never see professional maids start cleaning from the laundry room or attic? It’s because these areas are low-use and, therefore, low priority (unless specified otherwise, of course). Therefore, take a page from their playbook and focus on tidying the spaces that see the most use first.
In most homes, the kitchen, living room, and bathroom are the “hotspots” – areas that are the most used and where mess tends to accumulate the fastest. Tackling these rooms first will not only make you instantly feel more comfortable but it will give you a sense of accomplishment early on, boosting your morale and energy levels for new victories.
5. Organize as you go
While you declutter, you should take the time to make sure everything has a designated space. Yes, this does seem a bit counterintuitive. Up until now, it was all about saving time, whereas now you’ll have to waste more of it to create organized spaces. The reason behind doing this is a long-term gain: spend a bit more time now to make all your future efforts easier and more time-efficient.
6. “One-room-at-a-time” vs. “whole-home-at-once” method
There are arguments for both housekeeping methods and the choice will ultimately come down to your preference:
- The “Whole-home” method allows you to bring the entire space to a desired, uniform level of cleanliness, without having to restart and re-setup every time. However, it can be overwhelming, especially in larger homes;
- A “One-room” method, while a bit more time-consuming, isn’t nearly as intensive. This, and the fact that there’s always a sense of progress and accomplishment, can help prevent burnout, which is why most people prefer it over “whole-home”.
Who are the top house cleaners near me in Happy Valley, OR?
If you’re looking for some of the finest cleaners in Clackamas County and beyond, then NW Maids is the place! We specialize in helping individuals like yourself find the ideal housekeeping crews – competent, experienced, and well-equipped to get the job done, and done right. Reach out to us today to find your perfect match!
