Real talk: keeping a clean house can feel overwhelming, especially if you were never taught how to do it. It’s a skill just like anything else. Maybe your grownup did everything, or maybe things were…a little messy, and now you’re trying to figure it all out on your own. Either way, if you’re feeling stressed, frustrated, or just plain defeated when it comes to keeping your home together, I want you to know something really important.
It’s not your fault.
You’re not lazy. You’re not failing. You just need someone to give you a little guidance. That’s what I’m here for. Think of me like your cleaning bestie who’s about to share a few tips that make cleaning feel not just possible, but actually manageable.
This isn’t about being Miss Perfect Housewife, this is about doing the basics, feeling more in control, and maybe even enjoying your space a little more. Cleaning is a life skill we all need, and I’m going to show you how to keep up today.
Sound good? Okay, let’s go.
Step 1. You Need a Routine (It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy)
I know the word “routine” can sound intimidating. You might be picturing a color-coded chart or some elaborate schedule that takes up your entire day. Yeah, no thanks. This is about having a basic plan, nothing fancy, just a way to streamline the daily chaos and stop feeling like you’re always playing catch-up. You know…so you can actually enjoy your rent (or mortgage!).
Here’s my super-simple daily cleaning routine. It takes a little effort but isn’t overwhelming, I promise.
- Air Out the Beds: Start your day by pulling back the covers and letting your bed breathe for a few minutes. It keeps things fresh and makes making the bed later so much easier.
- Throw in a Load of Laundry: Listen, laundry will eat you alive if you don’t keep it in check. I assign certain loads to each day (like Monday is for whites and lights, Tuesday is delicates/baby clothes, etc.). BUT guess what? You don’t have to follow my laundry schedule unless you want to. (Find it here)
- Empty the Dishwasher: I do this first thing in the morning so it’s empty and ready to catch the dirty dishes throughout the day. After dinner, I finish loading it up, start it, and it’s ready to go for the next day.
- Tidy for 5 Minutes: Set a timer, grab a basket or box, and do a quick walk-through of the house, picking up all the random stuff that’s out of place.
- 15-Minute Weekly Chores: Each day, has one task assigned to it. For example, Tuesdays are for cleaning the bathroom. Wednesdays, I clean out the fridge. Fridays, I vacuum or mop. I set a timer for 15 minutes and stop when it goes off. Done is better than perfect! (Find my weekly schedule here)
This isn’t about deep cleaning every corner of your house. It’s about keeping the day-to-day under control so things don’t spiral. And guess what? If you don’t follow it perfectly, that’s fine. It’s about progress, not perfection.
But sometimes, even routines can feel hard to stick with, right? That’s where something like my Domestic Daydreams Radio membership can help (and spoiler alert, it’s kind of amazing if I do say so myself).
A Little Help to Stay on Track
Here’s why I love this membership. With Domestic Daydreams Radio, you don’t have to wonder, What’s next? What should I clean now? The system is already built for you. Just hit play on one of my podcast cleaning routines, and I guide you step by step through your cleaning routine while listening to binge-worthy 1950s radio shows. It’s nostalgic, it’s entertaining, and it keeps you focused (even when you’d rather nap on the couch).
Plus, there’s more! ;P You’ll get morning and evening cleaning guides, Power Hours for bigger messes, and even a kid-friendly “Cowboy Cleanup” routine to make cleaning fun for the whole family. Imagine turning on a show, following along, and getting your house under control without stressing about what needs to happen next.
It’s such a game-changer for busy moms who need straightforward solutions. If you want to check it out, click here to learn more. You can also try some free cleaning routine episodes here!
Okay, back to tips you can start using right now!
Step 2. Stop Buying Every Cleaning Product
Here’s the truth no one tells you: you don’t need a separate spray for your windows, counters, floors, and whatever else. That’s just marketing to convince you to spend more money. AND it can get dangerous because you can easily mix chemicals by mistake and end up with a total HAZMAT situation.
All you really need are these basics:
- All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix water with a tiny bit of dish soap in a spray bottle. Boom. That’s your do-it-all cleaner for mosts surfaces. Just make sure, before you clean, you “dust” the surface first with a dry cloth or paper towel. This way you don’t smear dirt around with the cleaner.
- Disinfectant: If you need to sanitize (cooking surfaces, cutting boards, bathrooms, illness), high-proof vodka works great. It’s effective, non-toxic, and not a hassle to use.
- Microfiber Cloths: OR Swedish dish towels. They are reusable, washable, and way better than paper towels. Get a few. Trust me.
- Scrub Brush or Toothbrush: For those annoying little spots, like grout or the edges of your sink.
Seriously, that’s it. Don’t get sucked into thinking you need 50 different sprays, scrubbies, and powders. Simplicity is your best friend here.
Step 3. Get the Kids to Help Without Losing Your Mind
If getting your kids to clean feels like an uphill battle, you’re not alone. It’s frustrating, it’s exhausting, and honestly, sometimes it feels easier to just do everything yourself.
One trick I swear by? Make it fun (or at least not miserable). You can find my blog post on viral hacks moms are using to get their kids motivated to clean here. I even have a podcast cleaning routine for kids--yes I made them. It’s silly and entertaining, but it also walks them through a super-simple cleaning routine without you having to nag. You can try some episodes here!
But here’s the thing. Your kids need to learn these skills—not just so the house doesn’t fall apart, but so they can grow up knowing how to take care of themselves.
They’re a little more likely to clean up without complaining, and you can spend less time repeating myself. Win-win. You can find my blog post with my bedroom cleaning routines for kids here.
Step 4: Set Your Environment (and Yourself) Up for Success!
You know how fitness gurus always say to lay out your workout clothes the night before and toss out the junk food if you want to actually get in the habit of working out and getting fit? The same thing applies to getting into a cleaning routine. You’ve got to make it as easy as possible to just… do the thing.
Here’s what setting yourself up for cleaning success might look like:
- Pick out your cleaning power outfit. Yes, this is a thing. Lay out a cute outfit to clean in at night! You can get a cute activewear set, a pair of pretty colored scrubs, a mom uniform (I love a black tee and jeans or jean shorts moment), or a comfy house dress. Lay it out along with a pair of designated cleaning shoes-preferably ones that lace up-so they make it hard to get comfy on the couch or bed when you really need to be cleaning. Having it ready to go? It’s a reminder of your goals, and one less thing to worry about in the morning.
- Make an easy grab-and-go cleaning kit. Get a half apron or a little caddy and load it up with the essentials I mentioned earlier. All purpose solution, disinfecting spray, cloths, and scrub brush. I highly recommend adding a timer as well. Lay it next to your bed, before you go to sleep. (If you’d prefer a cleaning cart, my post on how I set mine up is here!)
- Prep for motivation. Plug in your phone next to your bed and set out some good headphones. Go one step further and print a QR code that links straight to your favorite cleaning playlist or a podcast episode you love. Pro tip: If you’re in my Domestic Daydreams Radio membership, you already know where the good stuff is—I’ve got those podcast cleaning routines featuring binge-worthy 1950s radio shows (from comedy to true crime) that guide you through your cleaning tasks as you listen! Anyways, hang the QR code next to your bed. Then just scan the code in the mornings, motivation follows action.
- Get visual. Set yourself up with a printable cleaning routine. You can laminate it or buy dry erase folders, and use a marker to mark it off. (You can find my printable cleaning routine here, and it’s also included in my Domestic Daydreams radio membership). Hang your clipboard with the routine, right by your bed. You wake up, you see your plan, you’re ready to roll.
- Don’t skip the snacks! Cleaning takes energy. Lay out a protein bar or something small to grab and fuel up before you start. Cleaning on an empty stomach is a recipe for losing energy.
Okay, I get it, this might sound extra, but trust me, it works. When you set everything up the night before, you don’t have to fight morning-you trying to make excuses. You literally just wake up, put on your outfit, grab your kit, scan your playlist or one of my routines, and boom. You’re cleaning on autopilot, before you’ve even had time to argue with yourself.
Like I said earlier, you can try some free episodes of my routine here!
Final Thoughts
Listen, this isn’t about creating a Martha Stewart level pristine home or spending hours scrubbing floors like Cinderella. It’s about finding what works for you. The key to these tips is that they are doable. And they help.
Start small. Pick one or two ideas, give them a try, and see how you feel. Even a little progress can go a long way. And remember, this whole cleaning thing? It’s a skill you can totally learn. You’ve got this.
Oh, and if you have any tips or hacks that save your sanity, drop them in the comments! We’re all figuring this out together.