10 Things People with Clean Homes Do Every Day (Ingenious Clean & Tidy Home Habits)

People often ask me, “How in the world do you have white couches? How does your house stay so clean and organized? You don’t have any nanny, childcare, or housekeeper, and yet you work full-time with four kids!” These are questions I get all the time. Now, do I have it all figured out? Absolutely not! But I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. Don’t get me wrong; our mornings and evenings are chaotic, and sometimes the house can look like a complete disaster. However, these tips can help whip your home back into shape. If you’re like me—busy, juggling multiple roles, and not wanting to spend all day cleaning but still want your home to look like it’s Instagram- or Pinterest-worthy (even though that ideal doesn’t really exist)—I’ve got some great tips for you. And even if you hate cleaning, I promise you’ll find these tips super useful. Here are ten things that people with clean homes do every day, and if you remember nothing else from this video, don’t forget tip number ten—it’ll make a world of difference in how the rest of your home feels!

First, let’s talk about the “shoe situation.” If you have more than one person in your home, shoes can quickly pile up and create chaos in your entryway or mudroom. It’s easy to find yourself tripping over them, and they can make the whole area look cluttered. So, start by decluttering your shoes: ask yourself if each pair is still needed or worn. Chances are, there’s at least one pair that can be donated or tossed. Once you’ve downsized, invest in a good storage solution, like a cute organizer. I love mine because it keeps the shoes in one spot and limits the amount we keep, helping keep the entryway neat. And if you have sandals or slippers, a simple bin from the dollar store can keep them contained. For shoes that aren’t used daily, like dress shoes or seasonal footwear, find a designated space in a closet or even under the bed. Trust me, making sure everyone knows to put their shoes away when they come inside will be worth every minute!

Next, it’s essential to vacuum high-traffic areas daily, maybe even twice a day. Have you ever noticed your socks getting dirty just walking around your house? It’s because dirt and debris from outside get tracked in and spread throughout the house. And if you have pets, this is even more important, as they bring in extra dirt. Frequent vacuuming helps your floors and carpets stay closer to their original color and prevents dust and crumbs from taking over. In our home, I vacuum the entry and kitchen area daily—it’s become part of my routine and only takes about ten minutes. Keeping food in designated areas, like the kitchen, also goes a long way in keeping spaces like couches clean, especially if you have white ones like me!

Maintaining a declutter mindset is crucial. Whenever you touch an item, ask yourself three questions: Do I need it? Do I love it? Am I using it? By regularly doing this, you can prevent clutter from accumulating, making your space feel more open and manageable. I know it’s easy to assume that a large house solves clutter issues, but the reality is that people tend to fill whatever space they have. Keeping a donation bag or basket handy helps make decluttering easy and consistent.

Making your bed every morning can surprisingly set a positive tone for the day. Even if the rest of the room is a mess, a made bed makes the space look tidier. I’ve even trained my kids to make their beds daily, which helps them start their day with a small accomplishment. Plus, the benefits of a clean, organized bedroom are priceless.

Another game-changer is the “same-day laundry rule.” With a large family, we end up with at least one load of laundry every day. Instead of letting laundry pile up for the weekend, I suggest finishing each load in one day: wash, dry, fold, and put away. This habit helps prevent wrinkles, saves time, and avoids laundry overload.

Paper clutter can quickly take over any home. Start by sorting through your mail as soon as you pick it up, tossing any junk immediately. For kids’ school papers, go through them each day, deciding what to keep or toss. Having a file folder for important documents can help you stay organized and keep paper clutter from overwhelming your space.

Organizing your refrigerator every night can make a big difference, especially if you’re tired of overpacked shelves. By taking a few moments to get rid of expired items and leftovers, you’ll keep your fridge clean, tidy, and accessible.

Keeping bathrooms clean is another daily routine that helps a lot. A quick wipe-down of counters, mirrors, and toilets each day can keep your bathroom fresh and ready for guests. Store bathroom supplies in accessible places to make this process even easier. A daily hand towel swap in the main bathroom keeps things fresh, too.

Running and emptying the dishwasher every night helps keep the kitchen organized. If you unload it in the morning, you’ll have a clean slate for the day’s dishes, making it easier to keep the kitchen tidy.

Finally, maintain a clear countertop rule. Countertops are one of the first things people notice when entering a home. Clutter-free countertops make the whole space feel more open and organized. Clearing them off every night helps you start each day with a fresh, clean kitchen.

Give these tips a try, and let me know in the comments which ones make the biggest difference for you. And if you want more cleaning and organization tips, don’t forget to like and subscribe!

Here are some common questions people often ask me: “How in the world do you keep your couches so clean?” “How do you manage to keep everything so organized?” “You work full-time with four kids, and you don’t have a nanny, housekeeper, or regular childcare?!” Well, let me start by saying, I definitely don’t have it all figured out! But I have picked up some tricks and routines along the way that make a difference. And don’t get me wrong—our mornings and evenings can get pretty chaotic, and yes, my house can turn into a disaster zone just like anyone else’s. However, these tips help bring things back in order quickly. If you’re anything like me—juggling multiple responsibilities with hardly any extra time—yet still want a home that feels neat and organized (even if “Pinterest-perfect” isn’t quite real!), I hope these tips will help you.

For instance, let’s talk about one of the biggest culprits for clutter: shoes. If you’ve got a busy household, it’s likely that you’ve got an abundance of shoes lying around. Whether it’s seasonal shoes, sports shoes, or just everyday footwear, they can easily take over your entryway or mudroom, creating chaos. My approach to taming the shoe madness starts with decluttering—sort through them and decide what you actually need. Once that’s done, good storage is essential. I use a cute yet functional shoe organizer that not only keeps things tidy but also limits the number of shoes we can have out. This kind of visual limit really helps! And, as challenging as it may be, getting everyone on board with putting their shoes away as soon as they come in is key. Just as they’re taught to organize in school cubes, they can follow a similar routine at home with a bit of prompting.

Now, for those quick daily wins that keep things from getting out of hand: I vacuum high-traffic areas every day, sometimes even twice. That may sound like overkill, but it really helps keep things fresh. And for those white couches that so many people ask about? Keeping all food in the kitchen is my secret. It keeps stains at bay and makes it easier to keep the living area looking nice.

Decluttering is another mindset that can truly transform your home. Frequently asking yourself questions like, “Do I still need this?” or “Does this item add value to my life?” can keep clutter in check and help your space feel more open and peaceful. And yes, I know what you’re thinking: it’s easy to keep a big house clutter-free. But even with a larger space, clutter accumulates if you let it. I keep a couple of bags or bins around the house specifically for items that we don’t need anymore, which makes it easy to donate or toss them regularly.

One simple trick that I swear by is making the bed every morning. It instantly makes the bedroom look more organized, and it’s something I’ve taught my kids to do as well, even if it’s not perfect. It’s a great way to start the day with a small sense of accomplishment.

Laundry is another area where a routine can make a world of difference. With a family of six, I tend to do one load a day. My golden rule is to complete the entire cycle—washing, drying, and folding—within the same day. This approach prevents piles from building up and keeps the process manageable. And believe me, it’s far less overwhelming than letting it all accumulate over the week.

When it comes to tackling everyday paper clutter, I sort mail and school papers as soon as they come into the house, discarding junk and filing the rest as needed. This keeps surfaces clear and helps me avoid that “overwhelming stack” feeling.

Another daily habit that makes a big impact is organizing and cleaning the refrigerator in small steps. Each night, as I tidy the kitchen, I quickly check the fridge for any expired or unnecessary items. It’s a small task but keeps the fridge functional and fresh for the following day.

Bathrooms are another key focus, especially when you want your home to feel visitor-ready. I keep countertops clear and have a quick cleaning routine that I do daily. This makes a noticeable difference, especially in high-traffic bathrooms.

When it comes to dishes, the key is running the dishwasher each night and emptying it first thing in the morning. This keeps the sink clear and the kitchen functional. It’s also helpful to enlist help—growing up, I was in charge of the dishwasher, and I’ve made it a shared task with my family now.

Finally, a clear countertop rule works wonders, especially in the kitchen. Keeping counters free from clutter makes the whole space look cleaner and larger. When you wake up in the morning, a clutter-free kitchen gives you a fresh, organized start to your day.

Let me know which tips have made a difference for you! And, as always, you can follow along on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes and day-to-day inspiration. Thanks for watching!

And there you have it—a few practical tips to bring a bit of order into the daily chaos! Remember, it’s not about creating a spotless home every moment of the day; it’s about creating systems that make life a little easier. With a full-time job, four kids, and everything else on the go, I completely understand how challenging it can be to keep things in check. But by creating routines and involving the whole family, you can make a noticeable difference.

So, if you’re struggling with staying organized, start small. Maybe try one or two of these ideas and build from there. You’d be surprised how a few consistent habits can change the way your space feels and functions.

If you enjoyed these tips, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more home organization and lifestyle content. And, of course, leave a comment below with your favorite tip or any routines that work well for you! I love hearing from you all, and who knows—you might inspire the next video topic! Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you in the next one.

Take care, and happy organizing!