{"id":2573,"date":"2025-06-25T21:36:55","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T21:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/?p=2573"},"modified":"2025-09-17T17:36:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T17:36:14","slug":"how-to-keep-a-clean-house-when-no-one-taught-you-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-a-clean-house-when-no-one-taught-you-how\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep a Clean House When No One Taught You How"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"How to Keep Your House Clean (Even If No One Ever Taught You How)\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/A4wPJnPoTdo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Real talk: keeping a clean house can feel overwhelming, especially if you were never taught how to do it. It&#8217;s a skill just like anything else. Maybe your grownup did everything, or maybe things were\u2026a little messy, and now you\u2019re trying to figure it all out on your own. Either way, if you\u2019re feeling stressed, frustrated, or just plain defeated when it comes to keeping your home together, I want you to know something really important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">It\u2019s not your fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/5wbhnxMSy5U3QINRjro0Yv?utm_source=generator&#038;theme=0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">You\u2019re not lazy. You\u2019re not failing. You just need someone to give you a little guidance. That\u2019s what I\u2019m here for. Think of me like your cleaning bestie who\u2019s about to share a few tips that make cleaning feel not just <em>possible<\/em>, but actually manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This isn&#8217;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&#8217;m going to show you how to keep up today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Sound good? Okay, let\u2019s go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1. You Need a Routine (It Doesn\u2019t Have to Be Crazy)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">I know the word \u201croutine\u201d 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\u2019re always playing catch-up. You know&#8230;so you can actually enjoy your rent (or mortgage!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Here\u2019s my super-simple daily cleaning routine. It takes a little effort but isn\u2019t overwhelming, I promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Air Out the Beds:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Throw in a Load of Laundry:<\/strong> Listen, laundry will eat you alive if you don\u2019t 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\u2019t have to follow my laundry schedule unless you want to. <a href=\"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/this-laundry-routine-saved-my-sanity-and-my-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(Find it here)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Empty the Dishwasher:<\/strong> I do this first thing in the morning so it\u2019s empty and ready to catch the dirty dishes throughout the day. After dinner, I finish loading it up, start it, and it\u2019s ready to go for the next day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Tidy for 5 Minutes:<\/strong> Set a timer, grab a basket or box, and do a quick walk-through of the house, picking up all the random stuff that\u2019s out of place. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>15-Minute Weekly Chores:<\/strong> 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! <a href=\"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/the-weekly-cleaning-schedule-for-working-moms-that-will-save-your-sanity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(Find my weekly schedule here)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">This isn\u2019t about deep cleaning every corner of your house. It\u2019s about keeping the day-to-day under control so things don\u2019t spiral. And guess what? If you don\u2019t follow it perfectly, that\u2019s fine. It\u2019s about progress, not perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">But sometimes, even routines can feel hard to stick with, right? That\u2019s where something like my Domestic Daydreams Radio membership can help (and spoiler alert, it\u2019s kind of amazing if I do say so myself).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/New-Years-Challenge-YouTube-Thumbnail-1024x576.png?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/New-Years-Challenge-YouTube-Thumbnail.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/New-Years-Challenge-YouTube-Thumbnail.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/New-Years-Challenge-YouTube-Thumbnail.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/New-Years-Challenge-YouTube-Thumbnail.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/join-domestic-daydreams-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"A Little Help to Stay on Track\">A Little Help to Stay on Track<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Here\u2019s why I love this membership. With <a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/join-domestic-daydreams-now\" title=\"Domestic Daydreams Radio\">Domestic Daydreams Radio<\/a>, you don\u2019t have to wonder,&nbsp;<em>What\u2019s next? What should I clean now?<\/em>&nbsp;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\u2019s nostalgic, it\u2019s entertaining, and it keeps you focused (even when you\u2019d rather nap on the couch).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Plus, there\u2019s more! ;P You\u2019ll get morning and evening cleaning guides, Power Hours for bigger messes, and even a kid-friendly \u201cCowboy Cleanup\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">It\u2019s such a game-changer for busy moms who need straightforward solutions. If you want to check it out,<a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/join-domestic-daydreams-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"&nbsp;click here to learn more.\">&nbsp;click here to learn more.<\/a> You can also try some <a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/opt-in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"free cleaning routine episodes here!\">free cleaning routine episodes here!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Okay, back to tips you can start using right now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2. Stop Buying Every Cleaning Product<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Here\u2019s the truth no one tells you: you don\u2019t need a separate spray for your windows, counters, floors, and whatever else. That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">All you really need are these basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>All-Purpose Cleaner:<\/strong> Mix water with a tiny bit of dish soap in a spray bottle. Boom. That\u2019s your do-it-all cleaner for mosts surfaces. Just make sure, before you clean, you &#8220;dust&#8221; the surface first with a dry cloth or paper towel. This way you don&#8217;t smear dirt around with the cleaner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Disinfectant:<\/strong> If you need to sanitize (cooking surfaces, cutting boards, bathrooms, illness), high-proof vodka works great. It\u2019s effective, non-toxic, and not a hassle to use. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Microfiber Cloths:<\/strong> OR Swedish dish towels. They are reusable, washable, and way better than paper towels. Get a few. Trust me.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Scrub Brush or Toothbrush:<\/strong> For those annoying little spots, like grout or the edges of your sink.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Seriously, that\u2019s it. Don\u2019t get sucked into thinking you need 50 different sprays, scrubbies, and powders. Simplicity is your best friend here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DLWQIBsRhwE\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DLWQIBsRhwE\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DLWQIBsRhwE\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Cheyenne | Audio Cleaning Routines, ADHD friendly cleaning hacks (@domesticdaydreams)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3. Get the Kids to Help Without Losing Your Mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">If getting your kids to clean feels like an uphill battle, you\u2019re not alone. It\u2019s frustrating, it\u2019s exhausting, and honestly, sometimes it feels easier to just do everything yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">One trick I swear by? Make it fun (or at least not miserable). <a href=\"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/unhinged-and-brilliant-mom-hacks-to-get-your-kids-cleaning\/\">You can find my blog post on viral hacks moms are using to get their kids motivated to clean here.<\/a> I even have a <a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/free-kids-routine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">podcast cleaning routine for kids-<\/a>-yes I made them. It\u2019s silly and entertaining, but it also walks them through a super-simple cleaning routine without you having to nag. <a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/free-kids-routine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">You can try some episodes here!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">But here\u2019s the thing. Your kids <em>need<\/em> to learn these skills\u2014not just so the house doesn\u2019t fall apart, but so they can grow up knowing how to take care of themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">They\u2019re a little more likely to clean up without complaining, and you can spend less time repeating myself. Win-win. <a href=\"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/ultimate-cleaning-schedule-for-kids-part-1-monday-bedroom-cleaning-routine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">You can find my blog post with my bedroom cleaning routines for kids here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"font-semibold pdf-heading-class-replace text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px] wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Set Your Environment (and Yourself) Up for Success!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\">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\u2019ve got to make it as easy as possible to just&#8230; do the thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\">Here\u2019s what setting yourself up for cleaning success might look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"text-body list-disc list-inside pl-[24px] py-1.5 [&amp;_ul]:pl-4 [&amp;_ul]:py-0 [&amp;_ol]:pl-4 [&amp;_ol]:py-0 wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Pick out your cleaning power outfit.<\/strong>&nbsp;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\u2019s a reminder of your goals, and one less thing to worry about in the morning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Make an easy grab-and-go cleaning kit.<\/strong>&nbsp;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. <a href=\"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/how-to-build-a-cleaning-cart-that-actually-makes-life-easier\/\">(If you\u2019d prefer a cleaning cart, my post on how I set mine up is here!)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Prep for motivation.<\/strong>&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<em>Pro tip:<\/em>&nbsp;If you\u2019re in my Domestic Daydreams Radio membership, you already know where the good stuff is\u2014I\u2019ve 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. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Get visual.<\/strong>&nbsp;Set yourself up with a <a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/offers\/jyhRiQQR\/checkout\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">printable cleaning routine.<\/a> You can laminate it or buy dry erase folders, and use a marker to mark it off.<a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/offers\/YAp9FhVZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> (<strong>You can find my printable cleaning routine here, and it\u2019s also included in my Domestic Daydreams radio membership)<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> Hang your clipboard with the routine, right by your bed. You wake up, you see your plan, you\u2019re ready to roll.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Don\u2019t skip the snacks!<\/strong>&nbsp;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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\">Okay, I get it, this might sound extra, but trust me, it works. When you set everything up the night before, you don\u2019t 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\u2019re cleaning on autopilot, before you\u2019ve even had time to argue with yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\">Like I said earlier, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/radio.domesticdaydreams.com\/opt-in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">try some free episodes of my routine here!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Listen, this isn\u2019t about creating a Martha Stewart level pristine home or spending hours scrubbing floors like Cinderella. It\u2019s about finding what works for <em>you<\/em>. The key to these tips is that they are doable. And they help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">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\u2019s a skill you can totally learn. You\u2019ve got this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Oh, and if you have any tips or hacks that save your sanity, drop them in the comments! We\u2019re all figuring this out together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Real talk: keeping a clean house can feel overwhelming, especially if you were never taught how to do it. It&#8217;s a skill just like anything&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,160,138,78,172,94,1,161],"tags":[150],"class_list":["post-2573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-cleaning-hacks","category-cleaning-motivation","category-homemaking","category-mom-hacks","category-on-the-podcast","category-uncategorized","category-working-mom-hacks","tag-homemaking-for-beginners"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/domestic-daydreams-youtube-thumbnails-1.png?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2573"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2665,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573\/revisions\/2665"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/domesticdaydreams.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}