For almost 6 years, Scott and I lived in a less than 700 square foot condo. Last summer, we doubled our square footage when we moved into a house down the street, and to say that our cleaning routine has shifted would be an understatement! (Not to mention, we’ve been renovating room-by-room ever since, causing quite the dust storm on the daily.)
During this transition, our little family grew from a three pet household to four, and between juggling full-time jobs and everyday life, we’re often asked how we’re able to keep things looking clutter-free and feeling fresh while keeping pet fur at bay. Here are five tips and shortcuts that work for us, allowing us to live our lives and not be a slave to the chore list.
CONTAIN THE CLUTTER
In our former condo, we used an old cigar box to hide our jumble of keys in the foyer, and you’ll find an apple crate in our home for stashing blankets and overflow pillows. Simply by containing the “stuff,” you’ll find that your house will feel visually lighter, and by using atypical outside-the-box bins, you’ll add style with function. Think: oversized woven baskets for toys and board games or a vintage plate for resting your rings, earrings and bobby pins.
MIND YOUR PETS
Maintaining our pets’ fuzzy coats is huge for us. Not only is it obviously beneficial to their health, but your home will thank you for it! We love the Furminator for brushings, and we wipe off our pups’ paws after walks or outdoor playtime.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Too many chemicals can linger and feel harsh on the nose, so we opt for lighter pet-friendly solutions such as Mrs. Meyers, J.R. Watkins or good old vinegar + water. For our home’s textiles, we’ll spritz them with our homemade fabric refresher, a solution of distilled water, essential oils and vodka. And as silly as it may seem, we like to “reward” ourselves by lighting a softly scented candle at the end of a quick cleaning spree. Tip: When kicking up dust during a cleaning session, open those windows and allow that allergy inducing dust to escape!
USE THE RIGHT TOOLS
Gone are the days when you’ll need feather dusters, paper towels and old socks! As simple as this may seem, knowing the right tools to use to get the job done can cut your cleaning time in half. We swear by microfiber cloths and floor pads for virtually everything, as the material allows for dust to be truly trapped within the fabric with virtually no debris left behind. Not to mention, it’s better for the environment; just throw ‘em in the laundry when you’re done! (Below, Jack monitors our progress as we clean up demolition dust.) Newspaper is a great vehicle for steak free windows, and for bathroom cleaning, we swear by Magic Erasers. Fun fact: Magic Erasers are simply melamine foam, an open-cell foam that acts similar to the finest sandpaper for tough jobs!
CREATE NEW HABITS
The best way to avoid an entire weekend devoted to cleaning your home? Fall into daily, healthy habits that show your home you care. Load the dishwasher before bed and fold your throw blanket when you’re done using it. Pick up the least expensive floral bundle a couple times a month and spread the blooms around your home. Remove small pet fur build up using a lint roller on your bedding as a part of your morning routine. And don’t forget – make your bed in the morning! These small tasks take only a minute (if not seconds), yet they’ll save you from a few days or a week’s worth of build up and dust. I promise you’ll be amazed at how much quicker your deeper cleans will go.
With so many of us having a full plate, so to speak, cleaning your home shouldn’t feel daunting. Allowing yourself 15 minutes every other day to break off manageable chunks will set you up for success! My biggest piece of advice? Know thyself. If you’re a list maker and love checking off to-do items (like I do!), perhaps sticking to an easy to follow cleaning schedule would be most beneficial to you. Do you work best to your favorite playlist and setting aside a couple hours once a week? That’s okay! Find a groove that works for you, but most importantly, stick to it.