It’s easy to neglect household tasks, and life gets busy. Chores may seem endless, but if you can get on top of them, you’ll feel a huge difference physically and mentally.
1. Keep it Manageable
Part of the issue is that cleaning incorporates so many tiny tasks. You might feel like your kitchen is clean after you’ve emptied the dishwasher, scrubbed the sink, wiped down the counters, and taken out the trash, only to realize the floor still needs to be swept, and something in your fridge smells like it’s expired.
When you tidy your closet, everything can be perfectly organized until you look down and realize you still need to fold and put away a stack of clean clothes. Before focusing on keeping your home clean, be kind to yourself, and nobody’s perfect.
2. Understand the Dangers of a Dirty Home
Living in a dirty house is not only unpleasant, but it can also be dangerous. Harmful bacteria can grow throughout your home, and mold is hazardous to your lungs. Also, dust can give you a chesty cough that is often hard to shake. Whether you have small children or live alone, you shouldn’t let it get so bad that you’re feeling the effects of it in your body.
3. Prevent a Pest Infestation
Pest infestations are every homeowner’s and renter’s worst nightmare. Mice love food, and if you’re leaving dirty dishes, uncovered trash, or crumbs on surfaces, they’ll think it’s an open invitation to have a midnight feast. They can climb through tiny holes, and once they’ve made themselves comfortable, they multiply at alarming rates.
You usually won’t know you have a mouse infestation until you see one or evidence they leave behind, like chewed wrappers or bedding. Gross as it is, they also leave a trail of droppings wherever they go. If you keep seeing something moving from the corner of your eye or hear scurrying at night, you could already be dealing with an issue. While traps and exterminators are available, avoiding an infestation is always the best way.
Refrain from letting food sit out. It’s tempting after you’ve eaten dinner to put your dishes in the sink or even leave your unconcealed snacks on the coffee table, but it’s not worth the repercussions. When you make a mess, clean it up quickly. The more automatic these actions become, the easier they will be to maintain.
Rodents aren’t the only pests you might deal with. Cockroaches and other bugs also thrive in environments where they have a food and water source. Therefore, you should cut both off immediately. Remember, the pest control industry is booming more than ever, with 29,535 pest control businesses in the U.S. as of 2022, an increase of 3.6% from 2021.
4. Keep the Outside Where It Belongs
If you’re a part of the 90% of Americans that prefer to live in homes surrounded by grass lawns, remember that dirt will easily be dragged in through the house. Whenever someone enters, either have them remove their shoes or wipe them on a mat. It’s a small action that will save you a lot of time cleaning and vacuuming later.
5. Prioritize Your Health
Your health comes first. Sometimes people can’t maintain their homes due to illness, or it slows them down. Up to 41% of those receiving pharmacist care received a flu shot compared to the 10% of those not receiving care from a pharmacist. Before you do anything else for your overall well-being, regularly seek medical care so that a messy house doesn’t become a symptom of a far more serious problem.
No matter how much work it is, your home’s cleanliness is a priority. Don’t let it become unmanageable and harmful to your physical and mental health. Be sure