Don’t try to tidy around clutter, get rid of it. The only way to keep a home clean and tidy is to remove all the unwanted things that are taking up space. The easiest way to do this is to identify the items that are no longer wanted or used, are broken and cannot be fixed, or simply do not “spark joy” anymore. After decluttering, a final tidy-up is essential to maintain the freshly cleared space, helping to keep it clutter-free for longer.

Decluttering often results in bags full of unwanted possessions, which need recycling or donating. It’s easy to stuff them at the back of a cupboard and put off dealing with them. But that only results in a cluttered and untidy home. The worst-case scenario is everything gets sent, either accidentally or on purpose, to landfill! Deal with the issue in the most eco-friendly way by making regular trips to drop off these items before they become a problem. Knowing where the local recycling centre, or nearest clothing bank or tip is useful for making short work of dropping off donations.

When everything has a place, it’s easier to keep a home tidy. Once everything has been decluttered, all that’s left to do is to organise. Instead of items being left on countertops and coffee tables where they take up space and look unsightly, finding a place for everything makes maintaining a tidy home a whole lot easier. Put items in or near the places they get used the most so they’re not only easily accessible but quick to tidy away. When an item has a very obvious place it belongs, you’ll not only know exactly where to find it but you’ll be much more likely to put it back after use!

This daily habit will keep most homes looking clean and tidy with minimal effort. A quick 10-minute tidy before bed ensures everything gets put back in its place, eliminating the clutter that tends to build up throughout the day. This is much easier to do when your home is free of clutter and everything has a place - so make sure to do those steps first! Doing a 10-minute tidy every evening means waking up every morning to a tidy home. There’s much less cleaning to do at the weekends and much more time to spend on more fun activities!