hi certified adult™️ here. these are some household tips and tricks i’ve picked up over the years.
stop using liquid laundry detergent. it’s mainly water which means a) you end up using more of it and b) it doesn’t get your clothes as clean. powder detergent is cheaper, lasts longer, and actually cleans your clothes.
while on the topic of detergent, use the measurements on the scoop. especially if you have a high efficiency machine. using more detergent than you’re supposed can mess up your machine.
i also recommend powder detergent for your dishwasher, too.
get an apron. it helps keep cleaning chemical off your clothes. it also prevents your clothes from getting wet if you’re doing the dishes.
this is related to the apron thing. i like wearing one bc it makes me feel like a tavern owner. cleaning is easier when you make it into a game.
if you’re okay with wearing shoes in the house, wear them while you’re cleaning. if you don’t like wearing outside shoes in the house, get a pair of inside only shoes. wearing shoes inside activates what i call “go mode.”
“go mode” is activated when i’m wearing clothes i didn’t sleep in, shoes, and an apron. it tricks my brain into doing things bc getting ready like im going to leave the house makes it easier for me to do tasks.
stop buying all purpose cleaner. get a spray bottle and fabuloso, or some other concentrated cleaner. you add it to your spray bottle and dilute it with water and bam! it’s cheaper and it lasts far longer. and it smells better.
if financially able, get viva paper towels or something similar. they work far better than regular paper towels in terms of absorption and ability to clean dried sauces or what have you. the texture is a bit odd, so if it causes sensory issues, try cheap wash cloths instead.
stop. using. sponges. get a bristle brush. you don’t have to replace them nearly as often, you can actually wash them, and they don’t get stinky if your mental health keeps you from doing dishes for a bit.
i almost exclusively buy generic brand products because i really can’t tell the difference, but if financially able, buy name brand toilet paper. that’s one of the things you can tell a difference with.
stop thinking about cleaning as “cleaning.” that word carries a negative connotation for a lot of folks in a lot of different ways. you’re not “cleaning,” you’re resetting your space.
when it comes to tidying up, remember that you live there. your space is allowed to look like it has someone living in it.
if it’s been a little bit since you’ve tidied up, and you’re overwhelmed, that’s okay. we’re human. shit happens. life isn’t pristine. pick a room, pick a corner, work outward from it, and remember things are gonna look worse before they look better.
sometimes i use a timer system. i set one for 30 minutes and clean until it goes off. then i set another one for 10 minutes and take a break. and then another 30 minute timer with another 10 minute break. etc., etc. sometimes the timer goes off and i’m in the zone so i don’t need the break or another 30 minute timer. sometimes my 30 minutes end and my brain or body tells me i’m done. sometimes i can do 20 minutes or 10 and that’s what i can do for the day. each of these scenarios are okay. progress is progress.
different people have different ideas of what clean looks like. sometimes clean looks like not a single thing out of place. sometimes clean looks like all the trash being picked up and thrown away and no science experiments growing in the kitchen. both ideas are okay.
if you have pets, especially cats, and you’ve got pet smells, especially cat pee, that feel impossible to get out, all hope is not lost. those smells aren’t permanent. borax and vinegar can get the smell out of clothes, but you’ll need to wash them twice. once with the borax and vinegar, and then again without them to get the residue out. this is when an apron is handy again because borax is caustic. so be careful with it. this combo also helps with mildew smells, or just any other hard to get out smell.
if financially able, an enzyme cleaner and oxyclean are great for getting those smells out, too. i like to use “nature’s miracle” enzyme cleaner. it’s super concentrated, so a little goes a long way. i’ve attached the link for it.
got litter boxes? got cat pee smell you can’t get rid of? got another icky smell? “angry orange” is industrial strength AND pet safe. the link for that is included, too. plus it can be diluted to make it last longer.
get a broom with soft bristles that are tightly packed. they do a great job at picking everything up. there’s another link. you don’t have to get that one, it’s just an example.
wear a mask. especially if you have pets. tidying up can stir up a lot of dust and hair. keeping those allergens out helps you a) not feel like shit if you have allergies and b) helps you keep going longer.
if you’re overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. you have nothing to be ashamed of.
if you don’t want to ask for help, for whatever reason, that’s okay, too. make a to do list. break your tasks down step by step. need to clean the living room? start by picking up and throwing away trash. then pick up out of place items and return them to their home. if they don’t have a home, make one. clean the windows if you have them. clean the space around the doorknobs if there are knobs to clean. dust if you need to. wipe down any surfaces: coffee tables or end tables or tv stands or what have you. and then vacuum or sweep. it doesn’t have to be perfect. it’s okay if you’ve gotta take breaks. but it’s a starting point.
be kind to yourself. you’re busy and human and the internet lies. most people’s homes don’t look like show homes or magazine worthy. it’s okay if things get out of hand. no matter how daunting, the space can be reset. it may take a couple of hours. it may take a couple of days. it may take a couple of weeks. but it can be done.
