Daily Nightly Chores: Essential Cleaning Duties to Complete Before Retiring
Taking a cue from the professionals in the field, nighttime home tidying has become quite the thing lately. The goal is to wake up to a sparkling, clutter-free space, thus setting the stage for a productive day ahead. We reached out to a gang of pros for their must-do cleanup sessions before hitting the sack. Here's what they shared:
- Michelle Urban, home organizer and owner of The Organized House
- Katie Barton, Cincinnati-based cleaning expert
- Bryan Griffin, founder of Patriot Maids Cleaning Services
- Barbara Bock, professional organizer
Bathroom Love
Give your bathroom a quick once-over every night to keep it germ-free and spotless. Small tasks like wiping down counters with disinfecting wipes or a microfiber cloth can make a world of difference in the morning. "Toothpaste splatters and water spots on the mirror pile up fast, so doing a quick clean at night keeps things looking fresh without any hassle," shares Michelle Urban.
Kitchen Miracle
Run your dishwasher and unload it every day to avoid spending your mornings elbow-deep in dirty dishes. Katie Barton suggests doing this nightly and every morning while kids get ready for school. Waking up to a clean dishwasher always leaves you with room for more dishes and a clear countertop.
Counter Attack
Wiping down your kitchen counters nightly is not only practical but also encourages tidying up. Bryan Griffin, a professional cleaner, thinks this is crucial for preventing food particles from attracting pests and creating unpleasant smells. It's just a simple spritz of your favorite disinfectant and a quick wipe - before you know it, you've got yourself a sparkling-clean kitchen counter.
Trash Talk
If your trash container is full or starting to smell, don't wait until morning. Take care of it nightly, whether it's a small bin in the kitchen or any other room. Regularly disposing of waste helps keep odors at bay and keeps your home smelling fresh.
Family Room Fantasia
Spend just two to three minutes tidying up your family room each night. Picking up toys, magazines, or miscellaneous items and placing them in cute baskets helps to keep the space fresh and welcoming. A bit of nightly maintenance goes a long way towards a tranquil morning.
Strategic Clothing
Clothes accumulate fast in bedrooms and living spaces, leading to a more chaotic atmosphere. Try to tackle this problem nightly by putting away unfolded sweaters or straightening out garments that have been dragged onto the floor. A tidy bedroom not only feels better and makes for a more restful slumber but also sends a positive message for the upcoming day.
Living Area Lift
Professional organizers recommend taking a leisurely stroll through your main living spaces each night and picking up any misplaced items, like dirty clothes, trash, or general disorder. This nightly tidying up will leave you waking up to a more manageable space and have you looking forward to your deep-cleaning weekend sessions.
Additional Tips from the Experts
- Incorporate tidying up into your daily routine, such as cleaning as you go, which helps cut down on the amount of work required at night.
- Make the evening tidy-up process enjoyable with a timer set for just five minutes. The short duration makes it seem like a fun challenge instead of a chore.
- Encourage family members to pitch in by leaving cleaning supplies in easily accessible places around the house, which ensures everyone can contribute without asking for permission.
By integrating a few simple nighttime cleaning tasks into your routine, you'll lay the groundwork for a more organized, tidy, and clutter-free living space.
- According to Katie Barton, running the dishwasher and unloading it every night can help avoid morning chores, leaving you with a clean dishwasher and a clear countertop.
- Michelle Urban, a home organizer, advises wiping down bathroom counters with disinfecting wipes or a microfiber cloth every night to prevent the buildup of toothpaste splatters and water spots.
- Barbara Bock, a professional organizer, emphasizes the importance of regularly disposing of trash nightly to keep odors at bay and maintain a fresh-smelling home.
- Bryan Griffin suggests wiping down kitchen counters nightly as a simple and effective way to prevent food particles from attracting pests and creating unpleasant smells.
