All or nothing mindset doesn’t feel good, and it doesn’t deliver long-term results. You don’t need to deep clean your entire home every week or keep every inch of your space spotless every second of the day. What you do need is a better way to build small habits that help you stay ahead of the mess before it becomes a mountain.
If you’re ready to create a calmer home and a lighter mind, keep reading. These practical, realistic cleaning strategies straight from Module 2 of my digital course, From Chaos to Calm: Cultivate Home and Life One Space and Step at a Time are the game changers you’ve been looking for.
Let’s take a look at some simple, easy to implement cleaning systems / habits that save time and reduce overwhelm, no worries you wont be cleaning all day, because nobody wants that.
Why Small Cleaning Habits Work
Remember don’t aim for or expect perfection.
Small actions create momentum, and momentum is what leads too consistency and ultimately, results. The truth is, doing just a little bit more than you were yesterday puts you on the right track. It’s not about cleaning your entire house in one day. It’s about picking one task, one habit, and doing it regularly.
If you Want extra support as you build new systems? Grab my course here and get step-by-step guidance to finally create a home that works with you not against you.
Hit the High-Touch Areas
Are you raising a bunch of adorable germ-spreaders or is it cold and flu season? Focusing on high-touch surfaces makes a big difference.
These often overlooked spots are quick to clean and can help keep your family healthier:
Light switches
Doorknobs (especially bathroom, entryway, and garage doors)
Garbage can lids
Fridge handles
Cabinet knobs
Toilet flushers
I’ve included these spots in my printable cleaning checklist inside the course, but during seasons of illness or extra busyness, it helps to take two extra minutes and give them a quick disinfecting wipe. Thank goodness or antiseptic wipes, they are easily accessible and convenient.
Gamify Cleaning with Kids
Most kids don’t love being asked to clean up. But with a little creativity and encouragement, it can become a fun, empowering habit.
Here are a few ways to gamify daily tidying:
“Let’s see how many toys you can put away before I count to 10!”
“Can you pick up 10 things before the timer goes off?”
“Who can get all the play dishes into the kitchen the fastest?”
Praise and encouragement go a long way. Remember: your goal isn’t to create a perfect child or a perfect home. It’s to help your kids feel confident and capable in contributing to your home’s harmony.
Realistic Expectations = Less Stress
We often overwhelm ourselves with unrealistic expectations both for our kids and ourselves.
Some kids need more time, encouragement, or repetition to pick up cleaning habits. That’s normal. Some adults need that too.
Focus on what works for your family.
Try This:
Young kids? Limit how many toys stay in their room at one time.
School-aged kids? Try assigning just one or two responsibilities they can build mastery over.
Teens? Invite them to participate in family clean-up sessions, then give them freedom to manage their personal spaces.
And for yourself? Pick one area to stay on top of. Your bathroom, your bedroom somewhere you can win daily. Make the bed. Hang your clothes up. Put the dirty laundry in the hamper. Those small tasks stack up and help you feel in control.
Use Systems
Systems help humans thrive.
Here’s what worked for our family:
We cleaned up together regularly.
Each child had a few clearly defined jobs like keeping their rooms tidy or cleaning their bathroom weekly.
Allowed flexibility, like leaving train tracks or LEGO builds out for a few days if they were still being used.
When a toy or activity stopped being used, it was time to clean it up.
This approach helps kids feel empowered instead of micromanaged and it helps avoid unnecessary power struggles.
A 10-Minute Cleaning Challenge for You
One of the best ways to stay on top of your home is to do short bursts of focused cleaning. It’s amazing how much progress you can make in just 10 minutes.
Try this challenge:
Set a timer for 10 minutes and see how much you can get done. Pick one area the kitchen, bathroom, or living room and just go.
You might:
Wipe the counters
Throw away trash
Put items back in their homes
Empty the dishwasher
Sweep a small area
Keep it simple. Keep it doable. The goal isn’t to “finish” but to take one more step forward.
Clean As You Go
When the kids are down for naps, take five minutes to reset the room. If you’re cooking dinner, clean up while things bake, return spices when you’re done with them. Learn about the one touch method in From Chaos to Calm: Cultivate Home and Life One Space and Step at a Time.
This “clean as you go” mindset makes it easier to stay on top of your space and keeps your energy from getting zapped by giant messes.
It’s not about being perfect it’s about building a rhythm.
Limit the Clutter to Make Cleaning Easier
Here’s a secret: Cleaning is so much easier when you own less.
Decluttering your home even just one drawer or cabinet at a time makes organizing and tidying feel way more manageable. When everything has a home, and you’re not constantly fighting clutter, cleaning becomes easier.
Set your kids up for success, too. Create simple systems in their rooms:
A bin for dolls or action figures
Shelves for books
Labels on drawers or bins
If a space is constantly messy, it might have too much stuff. Try removing some of the clutter to see how much that helps.
Are you ready to declutter but need a little help, check out this blog post. All the encouragement you need to get the ball rolling. Or check out this 5 week declutter guide. It will motivate and encourage you to live with less stuff.
Shift the Way You Think About Cleaning
I want you to hear me clearly:
It is less work to stay on top of things than it is to dig yourself out.
Climbing a mountain of chaos feels exhausting. But when you do a little each day, it’s more like walking up a small hill. It’s manageable. It’s empowering.
This mindset shift is everything.
If you’re trying to change your habits, be patient with yourself. Start small. Honor your effort. Celebrate the little wins. Choose one area maybe your bathroom or your car and build a habit around keeping it tidy.
When You Feel Tired and Tempted to Give Up
There will be nights where you’re exhausted and the toys don’t get picked up. That’s okay. Just don’t let the lower brain take over with “it’s all too hard” or “I’m too tired.”
Give yourself grace, but also honor your future self. Do one small task that sets you up for success tomorrow.
Maybe that’s:
Setting out clothes for the next day
Starting the dishwasher
Putting away just five things
These little actions matter they shift your energy toward calm, not chaos.
Final Thoughts: Build a Life, Not Just a Clean Home
Your home doesn’t have to be magazine-perfect. But it can be peaceful, functional, and life-giving.
The key is consistency, simplicity, and grace.
You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. You’ll be amazed by how much these small steps add up.
Ready to Take It to the Next Level?
If you’re tired of starting over, trying systems that don’t work, or feeling overwhelmed by mess and stress, my course is here to help.
Get the support, strategy, and encouragement you need inside
From Chaos to Calm: Cultivate Home and Life One Space and Step at a Time
This digital course walks you through:
Building habits through habit stacking
Decluttering without overwhelm
Creating simple systems for your home and family
Shifting your mindset to reduce guilt and frustration
It’s quick. It’s empowering. And it’s built for real life.
Click here to grab it now and give yourself the gift of calm.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
What’s one cleaning habit that helps you stay on top of things?
Have you tried any of the tips above? Share your wins in the comments!
And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and TikTok @CultivateHomeAndLife for daily inspiration, encouragement, and real-life strategies to build a home you love.
