Favorite Cleaning Hacks - Little Things

I truly believe that if you keep chipping away at a large task, it will work itself out more easily than trying to do everything at once.  I'm just like the Tortoise who kept plodding along, slowly and steadily, and who won in the end!

Here are some quick little habits I have that make a big difference in my house.

1. Corral mail and papers in one spot.  If you have mail, bills, magazines and coupons spread out on all your counters and couches, it's impossible to manage, and the stress of the clutter will weigh you down.  Have a designated spot for mail and bills.  You won't be late on a payment again!

2. When you have a rag in your hand, multitask!  If I'm washing a dish in the sink, I take a minute and use that rag to wipe spots on my counter, around the doorknob, a smudge on the fridge...

3.  Look for the details.  Have you ever wiped around the rim of your dishwasher?  How about the windowsill above your kitchen sink or the base of the faucet and the knobs? These are places where grime builds up and gives an overall look of "dirty" even when you've decluttered and cleaned.

4.  Start with one drawer.  If you think you have too much to tackle, then focus on one drawer to start.  Just one.  You'll be surprised how much incentive you will derive from organizing one surface, one closet, one room.  

Celebrate every small success that you have with your home cleaning and organizing.  Don't focus on the negative, be thankful for what you've done that's helpful!