Episode description

It's taken me years to figure out the logistics of creating and maintaining a clean home. Today, I'm taking you through the very practical aspects of how to declutter and how to clean.

• Getting rid of things does not equate to having a tidy home space.
• Creating a home for each thing (read: containers) helps the space feel neater. The Dollar Tree is a great option to find cheap containers.
• Use containers to help support your habits and routines.
• Find a routine for a pick up time at some point in your day. (We like 4pm) It lets me ignore a lot of the mess and enjoy the moments of the day knowing that there is a set time that things will be put in order again.
• Find one small step at a time for keeping an area clean. Start with practicing having everyone clear their plates after breakfast. Then add it loading dishes in the dishwasher. Then add in unloading the dishwasher. Adjust locations of things so kids can complete tasks. Adjust the time you have your meals so you have energy to handle the set up and clean up of the meal. Etc.
• Link a new habit to an existing one. If tooth brushing is well-established, add a "tooth brush tidy" and clean up their room when they finish brushing teeth. In our house, this includes (1) put away clothes that are out, (2) put away books, (3) put away toys, (4) put trash in the trash can.
• Hannah Rust teaches all about homemade cleaners and store-bought cleaners and real time cleaning in her course (see resources). It took away my paralysis surrounding cleaning.
• Having enough cleaning cloths makes it possible to have enough to last cleaning all week so you only have to wash towels once a week.
• Wipe down spaces as you're using them. Keeping cleaning supplies in the bathroom makes those spare moments usable.

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Simple Green Cleaning Course Use Discount Code THRIVING15 for 15% off!

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Cotton Washcloths