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Keeping your home in pristine condition doesn’t require back-breaking work or spending a fortune. Everybody wants to feel proud of their home, living in a comfortable, clean environment that brings them happiness and peace. But those who neglect to look after their property will quickly find the dirt, clutter, and grime building up.

A well-maintained home looks good, is comfortable, and is far more valuable if you end up putting it back on the property market. So it’s important you put in some effort to keep it this way. This is all about small, consistent habits that you follow every day. With the right approach to cleaning, maintenance, and organization, your home will be in a constant state of perfection.

Build simple daily habits

Too many people leave the cleaning until the state of the house is impossible to ignore. But this makes it seem like an arduous chore. Consistency is much more important. Rather than waiting for a deep clean every couple of weeks, adopt some positive daily habits that keep your home neat and tidy for longer. This may include washing dishes and wiping down surfaces after meal times, making the bed each morning, and tidying up the living room before bed. This prevents mess from building up and keeps the home looking fresh at all times.

Have a weekly clean

Dirt and dust accumulate quickly, so your home really needs to be cleaned every week. You can either tackle the entire property all at once on the weekend, or you can divide the cleaning into individual jobs to tackle throughout the week. This latter approach makes it seem more manageable, and also allows you  to create a rota that your entire family can help with.

Your weekly clean should focus on high-traffic areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. Tasks should include, vacuuming carpets, mopping hard floors, dusting surfaces, and cleaning sinks, baths, showers and toilets. These jobs maintain hygiene and keep your home spotless for longer.

Deep clean every few months

How often you deep clean depends on a few different factors, such as the size of your home, the number of people living there, your lifestyle, and how quickly it gets messy. As a rule of thumb, a deep clean should take place every three to six months, to keep first, dust and grime from building up too much.

A deep clean tackles the overlooked areas of your home, such as behind furniture, inside cupboards, windows, skirting boards and the tops of tall items like fridges and bookcases. A deep clean is a step up from your weekly schedule, as it creates a truly pristine environment. Again, don’t feel you have to tackle it all at once. Rotate tasks throughout the year to prevent it from building up and causing overwhelm.

Keep clutter under control

Clutter makes a big difference to how clean and tidy your home feels. If you have items strewn across the floors and littering every surface, your living environment will feel like a mess. Fortunately, clutter is one of the easiest problems to solve. Making sure every item has a place is the best place to start. If all of your belongings are stored in a designated location, that makes it easier to keep them out of the way, and find them when you need them. You may wish to invest in some additional smart storage solutions such as shelves, plastic containers, or even underfloor storage.

Schedule a designated declutter of your home every few months, getting rid of any items you no longer need. This might include old documents, unused kids’ toys, books you’ve read, and appliances that are broken beyond repair. Anything you get rid of can be either discarded, sold, or donated to charity. It’s also a good idea to adopt a one-in-one-out rule to prevent clutter from accumulating and imprint more mindful habits on you and your family.

Maintain your appliances

Homes are full of appliances, from fridges and dishwashers to vacuum cleaners and tumble dryers. It’s important to keep these in good working order, as this will prevent the risk of them breaking down and the subsequent disruption and costly repair job. Performing regular yet simple maintenance jobs will make a big difference. This might include cleaning filters, defrosting your freezer, and checking seals and hoses. For the most important appliances like your boiler, it’s a good idea to have them serviced and inspected regularly. 

Appliance repair and maintenance is important, as it allows you to address issues early before they become costly. It also extends the lifespan of your appliances and improves efficiency and safety across your home.

Protect surfaces

The surfaces of your home, whether it’s walls, floors, or countertops, are constantly exposed to all kinds of spills, scratches and impacts. Preventative care is essential to minimize long term damage and unsightly mess. WIpe down kitchen and dining surfaces after meals, and clean any spills quickly with the appropriate cleaning products. Use coasters and mats for drinks and crockery, and generally try to take good care of your surfaces. This will make a huge difference to how the interior of your home looks and feels.

Look after the exterior

The outside of your home is just as important as the inside. Curb appeal makes a big difference to the perceived and actual value of any home, so keep your exterior walls, driveway, doors, windows, and garden in good shape. If paint is peeling, get the ladder out and stick another few coats on. Keep your driveway neat and tidy, pulling weeds and trimming any bushes and trees that get in the way. Mow your lawn regularly to keep the grass short and prevent overgrowth, and clean doors and windows every few months to ensure they are sparkling clean. 

Following these tips will improve the aesthetics, comfort, and practicality of your home, while also increasing its value at the same time. Keeping up your good habits does require some consistency and planning but the results will be worth the effort in the end.