What are some easy steps to become more organized without becoming a clean freak?

Answer 1

Use a timer when you do housework. Set if for 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, stop that section of the house and move on to a different room. Keep a garbage can for all junk mail right at your front door. Buy a shredder and use it. For all other paper use the R.A.F.T. system (read, act, file, toss.)
I personally signed up for Flylady which is an online housework coaching website. Every day they send you little missions that take 15 minutes each. A little every day helps a lot.

Answer 2

Have a "basic" cleaning routine and stick to it... I'm mainly a SAHM of two toddlers but, I DO work part-time in the evenings so when I get up in the AM I do the following. I go into the bathroom and wipe all the surfaces down with an antibacterial wipes and clean the mirror... 2-3 times a week I'll clean the toilet really well.. Also, once a week I'll gather the towels/rugs and give them a washing. Same goes for the tub/tile surround about once a week. Take the laundry bin downstairs and sort/start a load of washing.

I get the kids up, start breakfast.. While they eat I unload/load the dishwasher.. Wipe all surfaces/appliances etc. w/ antibacterial wipes.. Then I go into the livingroom and tidy up and vacuum the floors.. I do this EVERYDAY.... It keeps dust/dirt down. I send the kids downstairs to play.. Switch the laundry and pretreat/soak the next load of clothing.

I make the beds (3 bdrm) and once a week or so I dust all my wood furniture/clean glass. My home is NOT cluttered so it takes me about 2 hours to do a through cleaning IF I keep up with things during the week ! My husband is in charge of folding and putting away most of the laundry while I'm at work. I also run my dishwasher only when it's a full load on time delay so it runs around 3 or 4 am when the water is HOT but, not being used this saves a good amount on our electric bill !

I also run only one major appliance at a time- IE. The washer OR the dryer but, NOT both this also helps reduce the electric bill.. I simply soak the load of wash or pretreat the next load while the dryer is running. I also vacuum my livingroom furniture once a week and strip all the bedding once a week, usually on a Wed.

*the best advice is to find a system that works for you and stick to it.. Also, have your family "pitch in" whenever available.. My little guys ages 1 and 3 know that it's time to pick up toys at the end of the night before bed... While I'm cleaning up dinner dishes they tidy up the livingroom... !!

I'm definetly NOT a clean freak but, my home is tidy and smells good... Despite having 2 children/dog and a husband ! GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

First of all declutter. This makes cleaning and keeping your home tidier & streamlined.
Work on 1 room each day, say bedrooms, bathroom(s), kitchen, lounge, laundry & study. Allow say 30 minutes each day per room.
Do small things and often is the easier way. Have routines, like on the 'Flylady' website. I am currently sorting out my home and it sure helps to have a routine.

Answer 4

Ikea has pretty cheap stuff, and seems to offer a lot of ways to get organized and gives you ways to make the best use of the space that you have.

The best way I have seen to get organized and and save space is to make your furniture double as storage if you work it right. For example, using a trunk as a coffee table. You can even get dining room chairs that have a hinge on the seat and you can store stuff in them as well (sort of like the way a piano bench works.)

Also, you can buy some of those bed raisers/lifters to help give you more space to put containers of stuff.

Answer 5

hurray for flylady. check out the site. www.flylady.net. it doesn't cost a cent. but without becoming nuts about cleaning, you are able to enjoy a tidy home and life.