Creating order in the household - tricks

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A tidy and clean household has to be learned. Creating order in the household is not a matter of course. Because you don't always manage to get all the work done immediately, especially not in a big house or with small children. Who does not know it, as soon as you have a room or a corner tidy and clean, the next one is devastated again - you just can't keep up. The dirty laundry is piled up in different rooms, the dishes are waiting in the sink, or tiny children's toys will trip up almost everywhere.

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Chaos is inevitable

If you can't afford the luxury of being able to stay at home as a housewife or husband, chaos is inevitable. Once you have picked up the children from school after a long day at work, cooked the food and helped with homework, you would want to put your feet up briefly in between to relax at least a little from work.

There is not much time and motivation left for the household between the bureaucratic work that still has to be done today, the dogs who still want to be taken for a walk, and the children who want to be put to bed with a bedtime story. Understandably.

You don't learn overnight how to keep your entire home neat and tidy without the next hurdles building up again. Knowing how best to keep which areas tidy and clean - despite a lack of time - comes about over time.

You learn new tricks and methods, meet little helpers and get a lot of advice from others. And over time you learn to keep your own motivation constant. But that also includes a lot of discipline and perseverance in keeping the household tidy.

Unravel the chaos

For all those who want to unravel the chaos a bit and increase their own motivation, there are tons of tips and tricks as well as collected tricks that can help. Basically, “What you can get today, don't postpone it until tomorrow!” And that one or two small cleanups a day can already achieve a lot.

Even those without a spark of motivation and desire can keep their home tidy with just one or two movements a day. For every area of ​​the house or apartment, or rather for every room, you will find some tips and clues here to better organize your home. A tidy and clean home not only has a higher feel-good factor for the whole family, but also brings order to one's own thoughts and clarity and structure in everyday life together.

A tidy home

Even those who regularly receive guests or relatives to visit want to make a good impression with a tidy home and sparkling clean surfaces. The more hectic and stressed you are usually before such a visit, because you want to show everything in perfect order. You can vacuum, wipe, polish and muck out days in advance - but if you keep your home in order, you don’t need to worry about such stress in the first place.

Because well-tidy rooms can be prepared more quickly than a chaotic home. With a relaxed host, guests also feel much more comfortable, and one or two specks of dust don't seem all that important.

Hard-boiled cleaning professionals as well as those who don't like tidying up and laypeople will find exactly the right tips and tricks to improve their order and learn new things when it comes to household chores. After all, everyone can use a little more motivation, right?

However, there is one thing that you should always keep in mind and in the back of your mind: Dirt and disorder are not the end of the world and not something you should put yourself under too much pressure about. With a bit of enthusiasm and a good mood, any chaos, no matter how big, can be easily resolved and Creating order in the household.

Order and cleanliness in the nursery

Let's start with the little ones. Most parents know and fear it, many even despair: the chaotic children's room. Some mothers and fathers have already reached their limits here, while others are quite relaxed about the argument about tidying up. Either way, a tidy children's room not only pleases parents, but is also important for the child's well-being and later sense of order.

But how can you teach the child to keep order? How can post-gaming chaos be avoided? And what about the cleanliness in the children's room with the very little ones? Most parents ask themselves all these questions and probably more sooner or later. But it is not that difficult to maintain order and cleanliness in the children's room and to teach them to the children. Discipline is the magic word here.

Little organizational helpers

First of all, the quality of the children's room is important in order to be able to keep it tidy and clean. For example, furniture with plenty of storage space is an absolute must here. In order to keep things in good order, children and parents need enough storage space in which toys of all kinds can be sorted. Chests of drawers are ideal for this, but shelves with matching baskets or boxes are also ideal organizational aids.

Ideally, such storage boxes or baskets are labeled so that the child can see where and what type of toys are. This makes it easy for them to find out how to sort the toys. Sorting is also made easier for parents by means of labels or even pictures glued to the boxes, because you save yourself having to look into each box first. If children are also allowed to have a say in the box in which they want to stow certain types of toys in the future, tidying up is much easier for them and they feel understood.

If the child has already started school, provided places and storage options for notebooks, books and writing utensils are also an advantage to keep things tidy. A desk with built-in drawers is of course ideal for this.

But not only furniture can be used very well as storage space, there are also, for example, colorful storage spaces made of mesh to hang up (as seen at Ikea), which are ideal as "sleeping places" for families with soft toys or doll collections. The good thing about them is that the child can see what is inside of them. In addition, the colorful hangers offer a lot of storage space without taking up a lot of space in the room.

Rules help even the little ones to keep order

In general, the rule for every child should be that a used toy must first be put away before a new one is taken to play with - this way there is no chaos in the room. It is particularly helpful if you serve the child as a role model, for example tidying up with them. That brings the child more fun into the whole thing and makes tidying up more natural for them (Mommy does it too ...).

Praise should definitely be used as soon as something has been tidied up voluntarily, or something has been cleaned up. This motivates and shows that the child's action is valued.

The playful tidying up is also great for tough refusers. Sorting Lego bricks, for example, is a lot of fun if you just throw them into the boxes. If you land more hits, you can eat the last piece of cake ...

Incentives can also help children become more comfortable with cleaning. "The faster the room is cleared, the faster we can go to the zoo.", Or "The less mess there is here tonight, the more episodes of your favorite series we can watch." A clean-up can also be spiced up with an audio book or music and make it more fun. But beware! Some children are easily distracted by this.

Children need regularity. This gives you a feeling of security and it is easier for you to find your way around. So you can plan in about fixed times of the day, which are dedicated to cleanliness and order. But please not when the child is getting tired. For example, you can plan half an hour at lunchtime in which everyone takes on a small task: the daughter puts dirty laundry in the laundry basket, mom then washes them.

Small tasks that would otherwise simply pile up can be completed quickly. In general, it is worthwhile to plan smaller actions every now and then, rather than a single, big cleanup. Clearly clearing away a large mountain of Lego building blocks looks worse from the start than twice a small one. Timetables and calendars are therefore a great idea to practice routine. These can also be made by the child themselves and are fun right from the start.

Include children

At best, children should also be included in other areas. Mum can often help to load the dishwasher. Of course, it also gets a lot of praise for this. This helps the child to feel recognized and trains their sense of order. Children have to learn to associate order with something positive. Only through a positive feeling about the matter will you develop your own motivation to clean up. However, if you combine cleaning with something negative (for example, that mom and dad always scold or even punish), children will not be very keen on tidying up in the future either.

Regular clearing out actions are also helpful for tidying up children's rooms. At best, the child can choose which toys they want to keep in the room and which can go in the basement or in the rubbish. Sometimes children sort a lot more than if mom or dad simply throw things away that are then mourned forever.

The baby room

Such clearing out actions are also ideal for baby rooms. Due to the rapid growth, items of clothing are piling up in the wardrobe, for example, that no longer fit or are broken. Sorting these out regularly and storing them in labeled boxes helps to create order and clarity. This is also a great way to keep the clothes for the next baby.

Of course, it is advisable for all parents to stay more minimalist in the children's or baby room when it comes to toys and plush companions, as well as clothing. That means not to buy too much right from the start, but rather only the bare essentials. Because toddlers and babies not only grow out of their clothes quickly, but also out of their toys. Small rattles and grasping toys, for example, unfortunately often only remain of interest for a short time, and after a few months you quickly accumulate all kinds of animals and things that need to be stowed away again. Not to mention all the money that could have been saved ...

You can also use some tricks when it comes to bed linen: instead of the baby's or child's bed linen being piled up in cupboards or chests of drawers, it is worth considering creating a cot or cot with storage options in the form of drawers or the like from the outset. So everything is in place and the re-making of the bed is made easier or faster.

Above all, however, you always have an eye on how much bed linen, varnishes, blankets and pillows you actually have for the little ones. So less often new things end up in the shopping basket that you think you might still need (because you can't even see under all the things in the drawer that five bedding sets are waiting to be used).

Stay minimalist

In both the baby and children's room, parents should make sure to stay minimalist. Too many decorative items and things that look cute but have no real purpose can cause chaos. They also make the room look full and messy right away. A beautiful night lamp, for example, is completely sufficient; no second or third purchases are required just because they are so decorative.

You should also be sparing with posters and pictures on the wall so that the room does not appear too crowded. The same applies to larger toys. Children's kitchens and workbenches or dollhouses are great toys. But you definitely don't need several of them in a child's room. A large toy is sufficient and takes up enough space on its own.

Anyone who has too many of these toys is “spoiled for choice” and is more likely to play here and there - and leave everything else in place. Aside from that, such large toys are an added barrier to tidying up (and take up a lot of time in the process).

Babies and young children are not really interested in the decoration of their rooms anyway, that comes later. That is why you can - especially in the beginning - do without one or the other decorative item. This not only saves money, but also time tidying up and cleaning up. Because, believe it or not, decorative parts are usually the worst dust catchers.

Creating consistency and regularity in the household

The most important thing for order and cleanliness in the children's room is to be consistent. This applies not only to compliance with the rules set up for the children and themselves, but also to the cleaning or tidying up plan. Because if you don't really stick to it yourself and keep putting things in order, then the children will internalize that too. Because if mom and dad don't do it, why should they?

Children need role models. So if you learn from the start that parents value regular tidying up, they most likely will too. Regularity gives children a good feeling, which is why it should not be broken for the nursery. No matter how little time there is in everyday life, the children's room should not be neglected.

One or two little things a day can be done easily and quickly and have a big effect. After all, parents want to teach their little ones important values ​​and pass them on when it comes to keeping their own order. It is also important to stick to the rules that have been established.

For example, if the plan is to sort out the broken pens at 16 p.m. sharp, then that should also be done. If you postpone it again and again, other things also pile up that want to be done - and you end up, whether you like it or not, in chaos or disorder (which cannot be remedied very quickly).

A clean children's room is very important, because who wants to play between dust and dirt every day? Children in particular sometimes bring inconspicuous dirt into the house and their own rooms from outside, for example mud, grass, collected twigs or leaves. Parents cannot always prevent such things from creeping into the children's room.

That is why daily cleaning work is very important. They help keep the room tidy and provide the child with a clean and safe environment to play and sleep in. So you should, if it can be set up, vacuum there every day.

This is a must, especially in the baby room, because crawling babies who like to explore everything usually put every crumb they find on the floor in their mouths. If you keep pets, especially dogs and cats, you should vacuum often and thoroughly. Because the beloved roommates distribute both the dirt brought from outside into the house (which you hardly see at all) and their own hair. In terms of hygiene, regular cleaning is therefore a duty that parents should not neglect.

It is therefore advisable not to lay carpets in children's rooms, but rather laminate or parquet. Because carpets catch hair and dirt and give it off again with difficulty. So dirt and especially dust collects there. With a simple vacuum you can therefore usually not completely clean carpets. The risk of staining is also high on carpets, because laminate can be wiped off quickly and easily and stains can be removed with a short wipe with the right product.

Little helpers with a big effect - tidiness in the household tricks

If you are looking for quick solutions for cleaning up your child’s room, you can get hygienic wet wipes. These can be purchased in practical boxes, from which you can easily pull out cloth by cloth, and in which the wet wipes do not dry out. These wet wipes are available in disinfecting versions, which are ideal for children's and baby rooms.

If dust or dirt collects on any surface, you can use the disposable wipes to clean all surfaces quickly and easily, and then throw the wipes away. You don't need a bucket full of water and detergent first. These disposable towels are also very suitable for the kitchen and other rooms.

Special, child-friendly disinfectant sprays are also important for the little ones' toys, on which bacteria tend to collect. If necessary, you can simply spray it on a rag or cloth and use it to thoroughly wipe off all toys. It doesn't take long and can be done without much effort - but it helps to keep everything clean and hygienically clean.

The center of life and relaxation zone - the living room

Even the center of every household's life is often not spared from disorder. Since the living room is the most frequently used room in which all family members spend large parts of the day, it is all the more difficult to keep it clean in the long term. Once the living room has been tidied up, the next mess will start to accumulate again. So it's no wonder that the demand for tidiness aids and simple tricks and tips for cleaning up this room is very high.

Approach the mucking out

If you often find your living room in absolute chaos, you should first ask yourself why. You can Learning to tidy up the householdAre there too many things that have accumulated over the years and that are spread over and over again? Or are items that have not been used for a long time and are being moved from one place to another? Do the children's toys and works of art pile up here or are they your own magazines, newspapers and magazines after all?

If even one of the assumptions is correct, the first thing to do is to sift through the clutter in the living room and then to clear it out. Because often the disorder is created here by many smaller things that are not really needed and are therefore pushed from one side to the next. Even long-outdated magazines and souvenirs can be the main causes of a cluttered room.

Now and then it makes sense to part with things like that. Otherwise these will multiply and continue to accumulate within a very short time. The first victim of mucking out is the living room cupboard. This invites you to unload your own hodgepodge there. Useless things are also gladly hoarded here that one would like to get out of sight (and out of mind) as quickly as possible.

Therefore: Open the closet and remove all items. Once you have the entire mountain of decorative items, collectible figures and waste paper in front of you, it is much easier to part with some of the items. Old magazines that have no value belong to the waste paper or can be used for handicraft projects of the children if necessary.

Decorative items that have not been used for more than a year can either be stored in the basement or, at best, thrown in the trash. Because let's be honest, you usually buy new decorations every year anyway, and clearing out the closet creates space and storage space for other things, such as DVDs, books or photo albums.

Avoid collecting

In general, it is important for any tidy living room to avoid collecting useless things. That means, if you treat yourself to something new, for example, the old should be removed immediately. You should absolutely adhere to this, otherwise more and more will pile up in different chests of drawers and chests of drawers. It doesn't matter whether the old things are thrown away or stored well in the basement. The main thing is that they do not collect in the living area.

For this room, too, it is better to stay minimalist for permanent order. This means that, for example, less decoration is often more. It often makes a room appear full and overcrowded, i.e. messy. Less decoration gives the living room a clearer structure and thus a tidier look. After all, the living room itself should be the focal point of the family and a relaxation zone.

With versatile furniture for more order

Regardless of whether children's toys or your own things cause clutter in the living room, versatile furniture is a good idea in every room. But they are particularly suitable for the living room, as this is used by the whole family.

Storage furniture is therefore a must in every living room. However, furniture with multiple functions is particularly helpful. A base cabinet for the television set, for example, can provide storage space and storage options at the same time through drawers and also carry the television set. The collected films, batteries for the remote control and much more could be stored here.

Tip: Sofas with built-in storage space are very practical for the living room. They can usually be opened in some way and offer plenty of space for pillows, blankets and covers. So you can quickly hide a lot in the sofa during the day and thus provide a better overview.

A shelf with matching baskets is also ideal. Wicker baskets on such a shelf not only look nicer than plastic boxes, they also offer a tidier overall look. You can stow all sorts of things in them: souvenirs, little things and all objects that you don't want to part with. So you don't have to have these "odds and ends" in view. In addition, shelving systems with baskets are much easier to dust off than individual, small items that would otherwise be lined up on the shelf.

Such baskets or box shelves are also ideal for families with small children. The toys lying around can be collected very quickly and sorted here, so that there are fewer tripping hazards. Shelving systems are usually also the best solution for taking up space that would otherwise hardly be used.

This creates a lot more storage space without the need for additional furniture. Some shelf models, such as stepped shelves, also look stylish and act like a kind of eye-catcher in the room, which can quickly distract from small clutter.

For magazines, catalogs and newspapers, there are several solutions for better organization: On the one hand there are coffee tables with drawers, on the other hand magazine holders can be attached to the wall. Both solutions take up relatively little space in the room (most people use a coffee table anyway) and store magazines optimally. The unloved pile of magazines in the living room is eliminated.

Small living room

Flexible furniture is a great help for very small living rooms with little space. An open shelf on wheels can be used wonderfully as a room divider and at the same time as storage space, wherever you need it. For example, it can divide a work area from the rest of the room or create a small reading corner.

If you want more space, it can be cleared out of the way quickly and without much effort. Different versions of available sofas or armchairs come on castors to create more flexibility. If you want to use the living room as a bedroom at the same time, a sofa bed is essential.

Quick help to keep the household tidy

If the living room looks like a bomb has hit, cleaning up shouldn't be postponed. But if you don't have enough time for this, you have to be able to rely on small and quick remedies. These can look very different. For example, damp disinfectant wipes are very useful for surfaces that shine again quickly. These disposable wipes can be obtained cheaply in any drugstore and kept in the household just in case.

If the "emergency" occurs, you can quickly wipe all surfaces with them without first having to prepare a bucket full of water. Good hygiene is guaranteed with the disinfectant wipes, as they are only used once and then thrown away - in contrast to the usual cleaning rags. They also catch dust very easily. These wet wipes enable a clean living room, even if you have to get out of the house quickly.

For smaller spills on the floor - if you don't accidentally spill a cup of coffee every now and then - disposable wipes like these are also quick remedies. Even baby food spills can be cleaned very easily with them. Dusty objects don't always have to be treated with a feather duster. Again, the wet wipes quickly create shiny objects and disinfect them at the same time. Two birds are hit with one swat, so to speak.

Vacuum cleaning made easy

Cordless vacuum cleaners are particularly suitable for those who avoid vacuuming at all costs because of the tangled cables. Some brands even offer versions that can be attached to the wall with the help of a bracket - for example in the storage room. They are usually designed to be particularly light and handy, so that reaching for the vacuum cleaner is simplified. The user does not need to carry a heavy device with him, which he has to connect to the power supply before use.

Tidying away the vacuum cleaner is also easier and faster with such a model. The cordless versions provide more flexibility and freedom of movement during the actual vacuuming - so you get the desired result faster. Many new models also come in flatter versions that are particularly good at sucking through under furniture. This saves you the hassle of moving furniture.

For those who, because of the sheer clutter, do not know where to start vacuuming, a simple ranking of the areas to be vacuumed can help. Carpets are to be placed first in this ranking. Once these have been thoroughly cleaned, they can be moved out of the way to clean the floor underneath. It is of no use to put the dirty carpet aside, to vacuum it, and then to spread the dirt in the room if you repeat it.

In order not to have to vacuum completely every day, you can get a small handheld vacuum cleaner. They are inexpensive and so handy that you can keep them close at hand. If a certain area is soiled - for example under the toddler's high chair - it can be put back in order quickly and without much effort.

Fixed storage locations

Nobody likes to constantly look for things that they need. Searching not only takes a lot of time and patience, it also takes nerves. Usually this can even lead to small quarrels because one blames one another. This does not have to be the case and can be avoided if you identify fixed storage locations from the outset.

Every family member should adhere to this instead of scattering everything haphazardly. If something has been used and is no longer needed, it should always be returned to its intended place. If you stick to it and keep everything well stowed away, things will come back quickly. Everyday life runs more smoothly and your nerves are spared.

Business card of the house

When you remember that the living room is the focal point of the house, you understand why basic order is very important here. Clutter not only makes it harder to relax here, it also makes it harder to receive guests. Because regardless of whether it is a dormitory or a home-style house, guests are often received in the living room.

This makes the living room the calling card of the house or apartment. Guests spend most of their stay in this room. Accordingly, they also have enough time to look around in peace. Who wouldn't want to make a good impression there?

Cooking, preparing and washing up - the kitchen

The dirty dishes are waiting in the sink to be washed, the refrigerator is full of expired food. There is no longer a suitable lid for any pot and Tupperware oozes out of all drawers. Sounds familiar? Then it is high time for a major cleaning in the kitchen!

In the kitchen in particular, there is a great temptation to simply squeeze everything into the many different cupboards and drawers. So you usually hoard more than you actually need. People often shy away from mucking out the fridge, too. For far too long, long-expired food is stored and mixed with newly purchased goods.

Fridge and freezer

The right system for good order

Far too often you find food in refrigerators that either has expired a long time or has simply not been used up. It's a shame for the valuable food and the money spent on it. But above all, something like this can be avoided relatively easily with the right system and more perspective. Once you have the right basic order in the fridge or freezer, you don't lose track of things so quickly. The next time you shop, you can save yourself one or the other product by a little more order.

If you want to create a basic order in the refrigerator, you can first assign its compartments to certain food groups. The top compartment can be used for butter, margarine, yoghurt and quark, the next for sausage and cheese spreads. Fresh food such as vegetables and fruits find their place at the bottom. The refrigerator door can also be divided like this: Drinks come all the way down, jam jars are sorted into the upper compartments.

Once everything has been given a permanent place, it is easier to get an overview. Such an arrangement is also helpful for sorting new purchases, because you know exactly where which products have to be sorted.

Tip: There is also a little trick to use up all food before its expiration date. Food-friendly clear plastic containers are filled with any product that is nearing its expiration date. This is then placed in the center of the refrigerator so that it is clearly visible and provided with a sticky note. This should clearly read something like "Eat first" or "Please use up". The note directly reminds each family member that these products must be eaten first.


Newly purchased items should also always be placed as far back as possible, the food that is already available should be placed right at the front. So these automatically take up better.

More order can also be achieved with glass containers. These are food-friendly and available in different sizes. Some are even available with vacuum-generating lids, which ensure an even longer shelf life. These glass containers can then be filled with sausages and cheeses. On the one hand, it looks more appetizing than plastic packaging, but on the other hand, it is also more hygienic because the containers can be hermetically sealed. Furthermore, these containers can be stacked on top of each other so that more space can be saved. This guarantees a clearer structure and a better overview.

Special plastic containers are available to save space and keep things tidy in the freezer. These are specially created for the icy temperatures and do not run the risk of becoming porous. Frozen vegetables, french fries, etc. can be poured into these containers. In order to know where what is inside, the containers can be labeled legibly with a permanent marker. This means you don't have to fight your way through lots of different bags every time you look for something in the freezer. These containers are also much easier to stack than bagged goods - which creates more space and storage space.

Regular cleaning

If the outside of the fridge or freezer looks unclean and untidy, it is mostly because of the many small magnets and pictures that have been pinned to it. Or the surfaces of the doors are full of stains and therefore do not look clean. In both cases a remedy has to be found. Magnets, pictures and the children's drawings are removed so that the surfaces can be treated with cleaner.

It is best to use universal cleaners such as the one from Cillit Bang for grease, stains and dirt in the kitchen. This attacks stains very quickly and effectively, so that all you have to do is wipe the surface in circular movements with a cleaning rag. The stains disappear without much work.

Once the refrigerator and freezer doors are clean, you can disinfect them if you like. If you consider that every household member touches the surfaces more often a day and leaves germs behind, this step makes sense. To do this, you can use disinfectant gel, for example, which can simply be spread over all surfaces with kitchen paper and rubbed on. Once you have rubbed all surfaces with it, let the disinfectant dry. The whole thing does not take long, is simple and also ensures good hygiene.

The inside of the refrigerator should also be checked regularly when it comes to proper hygiene. Because this is where food is stored that needs to be protected from germs and bacteria as well as possible. The inside of the refrigerator is best cleaned of dirt when it is empty. The universal cleaner is also very suitable for this.

This should be spread over all surfaces with a cleaning rag and then given enough time to take effect. Afterwards, the surfaces are wiped clean (ideally with a fresh cloth). If you want to be on the safe side, you can also put the removable glass shelves in the dishwasher at 90 degrees, or rinse them very hot in the sink.

The same procedure applies to the freezer, but you have to defrost it beforehand.
Disinfection is also very important inside the refrigerator and freezer. You can use the disinfectant gel again and spread it on all surfaces with kitchen paper, or simply spray disinfectant spray on all surfaces and then smudge it.

The refrigerator should be cleaned at least once every two weeks, and the freezer can be defrosted and cleaned once a month. Once both are really clean and tidy, you don't need to put all the magnets and drawings or pictures back on.

This brings unrest to the room and usually looks messy. If you really want to stick something to the fridge, you can use magnetic shopping lists. They usually look beautiful in terms of design and are also practical because they give you a good overview of what you still need.

The right lid for no pot

Let's be honest: everyone in their household has at least one pot or one Tupperware item without a matching lid. Or the other way around: You have a lid flying around somewhere without a matching counterpart. Or worse, the drawers and cupboards are overflowing with too much dishes and Tupperware.
In any case, a major clearing out action is appropriate.

Here it is important to first get everything out of the drawers, cupboards and shelves and pack it on the table. Usually only then does one become aware of what one owns. Then all things are thrown away that no longer have a suitable cover or counterpart and are therefore unusable. Once that is done, they go to the trash.

Then all things are tackled that have not been used for more than half a year. Waffle irons, raclette grills and cookie molds and similar things that are rarely used are put in a labeled box either in the storage room or in the cellar. Even cutlery that is already dull is thrown away. Plates and cups that are only used on certain occasions, such as those with Christmas or Easter motifs, should also be well packed in a cardboard box and brought to the storage room or cellar.

Once the wheat has been separated from the chaff, it is time to sort.

Sorting as the basis for success

If you want to avoid chaos in the kitchen in the future, you can prevent this by sorting them correctly. First of all, you need to think carefully about where which objects should be placed in the future. Things that you often need when cooking, for example, should be placed or stowed near the stove. This avoids long searches while the food boils over.

Pots, pans and the like should therefore be kept in a cupboard near the stove. Those of them who are used less often come to the very back - those who are used every day come to the front. This reduces the need to move back and forth when something is needed quickly.
It also helps to hang utensils. That means spatulas or wooden spoons that you use every day should be hung up directly above the work surface. This allows you to see directly where which utensil is located.

In general, it should be noted here that the same groups should be put in the same cupboard or drawer. Cutlery goes together in one drawer, only cutlery and no other items. Plates have their own compartment in the cupboard, as do cups and glasses. Tupperware, bowls and plastic containers have their own closet as storage space.

Families with small children or babies can confiscate an entire drawer or a complete compartment in the closet just for the baby or children's items in order to keep track of things. There, plastic dishes, unbreakable cups, bottles and bibs will find their permanent place. As a result, you don't have to look for something child-proof among all the adult items in the closets. Everything you need is at hand so quickly.

If you don't want to wash, you have to feel

There is probably no one among us who enjoys washing up with pleasure. Almost everyone prefers to avoid it or postpones it again and again. But that is exactly what leads to a lot more work.

If you have used dishes and they now have to be washed, it is usually worthwhile to do this right away. Because a plate plus cutlery can be cleaned again quickly and once that is done, no dishes pile up in the sink. Once a large mountain of dishes has grown, you have a lot more work to do with washing up. Not to mention that such a mountain of dishes also looks messy, quite apart from that.
Dish sponges are usually the quickest way to get rid of leftover food, whereas dishcloths keep kitchen surfaces clean better.

There is no need for major plastering if you want to create order in the household

In the kitchen, it is a general rule to clean every used crockery or utensil immediately, or immediately after eating, so that no clusters or clutter form in the first place. The work surfaces that are used can also be cleaned quickly with one or two quick movements with the dishcloth. Spray cleaners especially for these surfaces help to get dirty surfaces clean faster. Because they soak dried-on stains and residues so that they can then be easily wiped off. No long scrubbing is necessary and the work is made much easier.

If you would like to avoid the major cleaning, you often have to do smaller jobs in the kitchen in order to maintain a certain basic order and cleanliness. After all, wiping the work surfaces isn't as bad as cleaning the whole kitchen, right?

Crumbs and dust in the drawers can be removed quickly with a handheld vacuum cleaner. Simply empty out the contents and quickly remove the dirt in each drawer with the vacuum cleaner or hand vacuum cleaner. This ensures good hygiene and saves you the hassle of wiping up the crumbs with a cleaning cloth.

The vacuum cleaner method is faster and is therefore easier to do in between than wiping through each drawer individually. Even those with less motivation and desire can bring themselves to briefly pick up a hand vacuum cleaner than the cleaning rag.

Families with small children or babies who eat in high chairs know the daily struggle. The food is not put in the mouth, but thrown straight down. That is why daily floor mopping is often the order of the day.

But you can save yourself that: in drugstores and supermarkets, for example, self-adhesive disposable mats are available that can be stuck to the floor under the high chair. When the child has finished eating, the stained mat is simply removed and thrown away. The floor stays so clean without having to make a lot of effort.

Nobody wants to haul rubbish

The headline says it all. Nobody wants to have to drag large garbage bags out of the house. That is why it makes sense to use smaller bins in the kitchen. They are full faster and therefore have to be emptied more often, but this way the rubbish does not collect in a sack that is difficult to haul. Since there is a lot of rubbish in a kitchen anyway, it is worth emptying small garbage cans more often than one big, heavy one.

This also prevents bad smells. If you have to deal with bad smells in spite of the small garbage cans, you can buy fragrant garbage bags. These are available almost everywhere and their fresh fragrances neutralize any smell.

Kitchen smells

Sometimes, after cooking or baking, the smells in the kitchen cannot be completely removed, even with good ventilation: the room still smells of garlic or cinnamon for hours. If that bothers you, you can help with scented candles. Scented candles are not often considered when it comes to dispelling odors. But they are often the best helpers. Citrus scented candles, for example, help the kitchen to regain fresher air quickly after cooking.

But they are also very suitable against fruit flies, as the fragrances drive them away.
There are many different scented candles with different scents on the market. For people who like warm and cozy scents, there are, for example, those with the scent of vanilla and apple tea. These also help to improve the smell in the kitchen after a garlic dish.

Even with the vacuum cleaner, bad smells can be easily eliminated. Everyone has probably already experienced that the device emits strange smells when vacuuming. This can be prevented by using tea bags! Yes, you read that right, tea bags. You simply take a peppermint tea bag and place it in a dry condition in the vacuum cleaner, preferably directly in front of the filter. The peppermint neutralizes any odor in the vacuum cleaner and refreshes the air expelled during vacuuming.

Fragrance sprays are the best means of quickly remedying unpleasant odors in the air. Many variants can be attached to the wall with a decorative bracket. There they then spray a small amount of fragrances either regularly or at the push of a button. For this reason, they are ideal for quickly driving away any odors, they work practically like a kind of deodorant for the kitchen.

Don't put pressure on

However, one thing should always be kept in mind: sometimes it gets dirty in the kitchen. And no matter how disciplined you are and how often you clean, every now and then something piles up, especially in large families. But that doesn't mean that you should put yourself under pressure immediately - on the contrary. The one or the other evening when you don't clean is not a broken leg either.

The bathroom

Hygiene is a big factor when talking about spaces like the bathroom. After all, it is in such humid and warm environments that most of the germs that need to be eliminated on a regular basis also occur. When it comes to cleanliness, the bathroom is definitely the most sensitive area in a house or apartment.

However, as important as hygiene and cleanliness in the bathroom are, most of them are just as reluctant to go to work here on a regular basis. Unfortunately, limescale deposits and germs form the better the less cleaning is done. It is therefore imperative to ensure good hygiene in the bathroom, especially if it is used by several people at the same time. With a few simple tricks and tips, the work in the bathroom can be reduced and simplified so that the bathroom can always be nice and clean, even with the slightest motivation.

The cleaning schedule for a clean bathroom

A well-structured cleaning plan can ensure optimal order and cleanliness in the bathroom. This does not have to involve a lot of effort, but rather smaller tasks that should be differentiated between weekly and daily tasks.

Daily work

One of the things to do every day is definitely cleaning the toilet, as it is used every day. Germs and limescale are only too happy to settle in the toilet due to the many hidden settlement possibilities and are often as good as invisible to the naked eye.

The glasses, the basin and the cistern should first be soaked with cleaning agents such as abrasives and toilet cleaners, preferably for more than a minute. In this way, larger amounts of dirt and limescale are attacked and cleaning is much easier afterwards. Bacteria and germs also hardly stand a chance against such a cleaning agent cure.

Once the soaking process is over, you can simply wipe and clean all surfaces with a cleaning rag (which is only reserved for the toilet!). The inside of the basin can be easily cleaned with a toilet brush, which of course can also be cleaned afterwards.
For stubborn residues, scouring milk is highly recommended. This contains tiny particles that can remove even the heaviest dirt with little scrubbing than most other cleaning agents.

The sink should also be part of the daily routine. Since it is the linchpin of hygiene in the bathroom, daily use also leaves its mark on the hand wash basin. Even with the greatest care, the hand wash basin often turns into a bacterial spinner every day, which is not only unhygienic, but can also become particularly unsightly. Mostly it is toothpaste, make-up remnants or whiskers that kill every housewife here. A little foam cleaner is enough to quickly show the germs the exit. The best way to drive is by letting it take effect first.

Then wiping is not only easier, but the cleaner also had enough time to adequately attack limescale deposits and germs. The mirror should also be taken into account during daily cleaning. A splash of glass cleaner and a short polish are enough to eliminate traces of brushing your teeth and water stains.

The toothbrush holders, i.e. every cup or container that holds the toothbrushes ready, are very important for daily cleaning. This is where most of the germs and bacteria collect, and because of the moisture, they can multiply well.

If you distribute the daily cleanings in the cleaning schedule to different family members in advance, the tasks are done faster and the work appears much less from the start.

Weekly tasks to keep the household tidy

Shelves and shelves are to be observed during the weekly cleaning. All objects are briefly cleared away and the surfaces are wiped. The objects should also be wiped off briefly before they are returned to their old place. Towels and washcloths should of course be replaced every week.

Bathtubs or shower cubicles should also be integrated into the weekly cleaning. Both must be wiped off and dried over the entire area to avoid limescale. Surface pullers are a great advantage in shower cubicles because they make cleaning easier. If you have wiped all surfaces with a damp cloth, you can go over it again with such a squeegee - and you can save yourself drying. Even water stains after showering don't stand a chance if you use a squeegee after every shower.

What is often forgotten when cleaning the bathroom once a week is the tiles. Unfortunately, unsightly deposits or discoloration can form on them, making the bathroom look unclean - even if it has actually been thoroughly cleaned. To get rid of yellowish or other discoloration, cleaning agents that contain chlorine, such as Chlorex, help. This should be allowed to act for a while, after which it is scrubbed off and properly wiped off with a wet cleaning rag - several times to completely remove the chlorine.

However, caution is advised with such agents because of the toxic fumes: you should definitely ventilate a lot during use and stay as little as possible in the room while the agent is taking effect. Even discolored and dirty grout regains its original appearance with Chlorex. In order to get optimally into the narrow grooves, an old and soft toothbrush is best used for cleaning.

Tip: an old toothbrush can be used not only for joints, but also for cleaning small nooks and crannies that are difficult to clean with a sponge or cloth. If all the tiles are clean, you go over the floor with the mop once a week. So it stays sparkling clean.

To ensure that all drains are always in good shape, it is also advisable to use special granulate cleaners once a week. With the right exposure time, even stubborn dirt in the pipes and their bends will be eliminated.

If you stick to a comparable cleaning schedule in the bathroom as far as possible, longer cleaning days are no longer necessary. On the one hand, because everything is always clean and hygienically clean, and on the other hand, because no large deposits can form in the short time between cleanings. This means that there are no major jobs to be done in the first place, and the weekly cleaning can usually be done quickly and very easily.

Fragrant not only for guests

Once the bathroom is sparkling clean and shiny, you immediately feel a lot more comfortable. With an always clean and hygienic bathroom, you no longer have to worry about any guests. If only there wasn't the smell. Because let's be honest, nobody wants a bathroom that smells of cleaning agents ...

So every time you clean it is a good idea to ventilate at the same time. Also because of the poisonous fumes that can be mitigated as a result. But even the longest ventilation can sometimes not completely get rid of the chlorine and detergent odor. Any remaining cleaning smell can be dealt with quite easily with scented candles. When lit, they bring a pleasant scent into the room, which can be selected as desired beforehand. In summer, fresh and light fragrances are the best sellers, in winter mostly warmer and sensual fragrances. But that can be decided according to your mood and, above all, your personal taste.

If you don't always want to store scented candles in the house just in case, you can also use room fragrances such as those from Air Wick, for example. They usually come in a practical dispenser to attach to the wall, or a decorative stand holder. Many models release the scent by themselves, while others can spray freshness at the push of a button and if necessary.

For a quick fight against unpleasant smells of all kinds in the bathroom, sprays such as those from Febreeze, which have been specially designed for unpleasant smells and are offered in many different scents, are also suitable. Even with the cleaners themselves, you can usually choose between versions with scented additives, most of them contain lemony or other fresh scents.

What is absolutely to be observed

Many cleaning agents for wet rooms such as the bathroom are very sharp and corrosive, which is why they must never get into the hands of children. It is therefore essential to ensure that these funds are stored safely - in such a way that children cannot find them and open them.

Should the agents get into the eyes or mucous membranes of children or adults, they should be rinsed out immediately. If cleaning agent has been swallowed, it is imperative that you consult your doctor immediately. The best thing to do is to take the products concerned or at least their labels with you so that the doctor can quickly identify the toxic substances and treat them more effectively.

Because the health of one's own children and one's own health is not to be trifled with.
For this very reason, it is also advisable to wear cleaning gloves when cleaning and using the cleaners, which protect the skin from chemical burns and dehydration.

The study

The wastebasket is overflowing, papers are piling up in every corner, notes are flying around everywhere - welcome to the home office! More and more people are working from home, as many professions no longer require being in an office. Because of the internet, a lot of work can be done easily from home.

Anyone who has set up a study at home knows that this is not always just the work that needs to be done. Because if you work a lot, you also pile up stacks of papers, documents, bills and accessories such as paper clips and pens. It is therefore not always easy to keep a good order in this room.

But if you adhere to a certain basic order and muck out regularly, you will no longer have to struggle with disorder. Since disorder and chaos not only keep you from working, but also cost a lot of valuable time, you have to pay particular attention to a well-tidy room.

Every beginning is difficult

With all this chaos, is it difficult to start anywhere? The answer is no. If the study has mutated into a battlefield, it is advisable to always start the cleaning operation on the floor. All things in the way and things that don't belong on the floor are tidied up. Maybe even one or the other part can end up in the trash. Even if everything is stowed on the furniture first, the floor should be completely cleared so that there are no obstacles in the way during the later clearing work.

Containers and vessels for all utensils

All kinds of containers and vessels are helpful in the study. Big or small, they make sure that everything has its place. Well-known furniture stores offer all kinds of helpful containers in a wide variety of colors and designs - so you can find the right one for every style and taste. Once you've decided on a few models, it's time to sort.

First, everything that is lying around haphazardly on the desk and on shelves is thrown into a large "heap". This is then sorted, and thoroughly. Old papers that are no longer useful are thrown away. Also unsuitable pens or useless packaging material. Often one is only too happy to convince oneself that certain things are still needed.

You might want to read last week's newspaper or repair the broken ballpoint pen. But if you are completely honest with yourself, you will admit that nobody really needs such items. Once you have seen that, the study is tidy much faster.

It goes on to sorting: all good writing utensils come in a container, for example a glass container to stand on. This gives you a better overview and keeps your pens close at hand.
Paper clips and tacker leads or ink cartridges and pencil leads can all be stored in another container.

This can then either be placed on the shelf or directly on the desk. Smaller containers also offer them a permanent place in the desk drawers, which enables quicker access. For files and documents as well as magazines, there are plastic file racks that can be labeled and thus prevent a long search for the right document. Several of them bring order to a shelf or cupboard in which all important documents and writings are kept.

Once the stack has been sorted into the correct container, the desk and shelf can be made ready: everything is completely emptied and cleaned. With shelves and cupboards in the study you should proceed in the same way as on the desk. Everything comes out, is sorted and sorted. Once the furniture is clean again, everything you need can be easily sorted - with the right order, of course. The desk drawers should of course be cleared out and tidied up in the same way.

When the furniture is ready for its contents, you should proceed in a very specific way with the storage. All important things have to be stowed away first.
Important files, folders and other things should find a permanent place that is easy to reach. For example, the middle shelf could hold these documents (and only them!). Everything that is often used should also be placed within easy reach and clearly visible.

Technical things such as chargers, batteries, etc. should be stowed together in a container as close as possible to the floor, where you don't have to reach out and look as often.
Baskets made of wicker can create a cozy atmosphere in the study - they are not only nicer to look at than bare shelves, but also look tidier than plastic containers.

Work center - the desk

There is simply no need for tons of utensils and papers on a desk work surface. They prevent you from working efficiently. The resulting lack of space should not be underestimated either. Who would like to move various stacks and objects back and forth before the work actually to be done to make room first? This not only costs nerves, but also motivation - which could actually be better invested in the work.

The countertop of every desk should contain nothing more than a good lamp, writing surface, a container for pens, and a document holder. This is the only way to leave enough space for a computer or laptop - and plenty of space for typing. The less there is on the desk, the tidier it and thus the entire study looks. Only what is really necessary should find its place here.

Tip: Use writing pads that also function as a calendar or notepad! Not only do they protect the work surface of the desk, they are also very useful for taking quick notes and to-do lists.

The desk drawers shouldn't be too crowded so that you don't have to go looking for something urgently. There shouldn't be any accumulations of paper here either - these belong in appropriate folders. Rather, the drawers are there to store utensils.

Tip: In the desk drawers, cutlery inserts can keep things tidy! In them, for example, pens, USB sticks and other important things can be sorted and stored. That creates more order than simply randomly putting all things in the drawer.

The recycle bin

No good home office can do without this inconspicuous companion. It swallows everything that is no longer needed: papers, packaging and much more. In this way, it helps to keep things tidy without having to make a lot of effort. But he also wants to be emptied regularly so as not to overflow!
A wastepaper basket can also be a real eye-catcher. There are many extravagant models that spice up the otherwise boring study. After all, the atmosphere in this room shouldn't be too reminiscent of a typical office - it's not only boring, but can also create a lousy atmosphere.

to save time

All things that save time are particularly important in the study. For example, a memo board on the wall can be extremely useful. To-do lists and important notes or diaries can be attached to such a board, where they are clearly visible and immediately eye-catching. All important appointments or tasks are always well in view.
Such a memo board also saves a lot of time: you don't have to rummage through an appointment planner or many small notes to get a good overview of your tasks.

Entertainment items such as gossip magazines or novels, televisions or game consoles have no place in the study either. Otherwise they only distract from work - and devour time that can be better invested. If you want to take a short break from your work, you can simply go to the living room.

The right furniture and filing systems

Filing systems and the right furniture are most important for a good and lasting order in the office. Special filing cabinets and drawer systems for the office are not only affordable, but also bring order to documents and important papers, as well as files. Most furniture also offers labels for writing on, which provide information about the contents of the individual drawers or cabinet areas.
The files can be sorted alphabetically or according to use - making them easier and faster to find.
The more filing systems you have in a study, the less clutter can arise here.
The storage furniture does not always have to look boring and dreary. Many filing cabinets or shelves are real designer pieces and offer a lot for the eye. Some even create a nice and calm atmosphere, which is very important for the home office.

Tip: One can internalize a three-thing rule. If you have taken exactly three things from their original places, they come back to their destination. If you always adhere to this rule, all objects will find their place again very quickly - and there will never be more than three objects. This counteracts chaos and accumulations of things without having to tidy up at all.

A good atmosphere for the success of work and order

If you want to be successful at work at home, you need a good working atmosphere. An inviting room with comfortable seats and an attractive desk is more motivating than a gray and dreary room. If you feel comfortable in your home office, the motivation to work is automatically greater. It's more efficient and more fun to work with - which will definitely produce better results. If you are more successful at work, you also have more time and desire to maintain good order.

In order to maintain one's concentration for a long time, the right light is necessary. It shouldn't be too muffled but also not too bright so that the eyes don't get tired.

Tip: Do not select a light intensity that is in great contrast to the computer lighting, as this quickly tires the eyes and makes concentration dwindle - headaches are guaranteed by high-contrast lighting in the study.

How tidy it is in the study naturally also depends on your own motivation and discipline. If, despite all the tips and tricks, you fail to motivate yourself to tidy up, sooner or later there will be a mess. It is all the more important to create motivation through a good atmosphere.

work clean

In general, there is not as much to clean in the study as in other rooms. Here it is often enough to wipe the surfaces thoroughly and briefly chase the vacuum cleaner around the room. More emphasis is placed on tidying up, as clutter and chaos are more likely to result from things lying around than from dust and stains.

General order and cleanliness

In general, you can proceed according to the same scheme in every room. Once you have internalized this, cleaning and tidying up is much easier - and the motivation is greater. Maintaining order no longer seems so difficult if you always follow a certain procedure. Because often you just don't know where to start. This doesn't happen with a specific plan, because you can start working right away.

Tip: Prepare a coordinated cleaning and tidying plan for each room, then distribute the tasks to all family members. This brings structure and regularity and helps everyone to maintain order more easily together.

If there is absolute disorder and chaos, the best way to achieve success is with one and the same procedure in all rooms:

Sifting

Because of the sheer disorder, you don't know what to tackle first. Therefore, the first step should be to view the room as a whole from its entrance. The view should wander over every corner of the room and localize the individual messes. This helps to first classify the individual "construction sites" in your own thoughts - and later work them off like a kind of to-do list. A common mistake is to tackle the next best spot and later get overwhelmed by the entirety of the clutter because you haven't seen it before.

If a summary of the work to be done has emerged in your head through viewing, you automatically do the most important things first.

Classify

If you know what has to be done in the room, all tasks have to be classified according to importance. This is a very helpful step, especially if you don't have a lot of time. Do I want the floor to be tidy or should the windows be clean first? What is more urgent, the stains on the carpet or the children's murals?

If all work has been classified according to importance, less important tasks can be postponed to a later point in time or distributed to other family members. In this way, the entire household finds its desired order despite the lack of time.

set goals

All work to be done was viewed and classified. Now is the time to set realistic goals for yourself. Not everyone manages to put all the rooms in order and get them clean in one day. This is different in every household due to the most varied of situations: some work full time and look after children, others are at home most of the day.

Depending on the needs and the situation, you have to set your own realistic goals that all members have to meet. The most important tasks are, of course, those that are most likely to be completed. Once you have set yourself goals, the motivation to meet them is much greater. If, on the other hand, you only have a huge mountain of disorder in front of your eyes, the motivation is understandably a long time coming.

Tackle and muck out

Once all the goals have been set, you can gradually tackle the work. If the chaos is serious, the first step is always to muck out. If you have enough time, mucking out can create a lot of new space and storage space - and at the same time ensures orderly conditions in the room. In general, clearing out things should be done regularly so that you can part with useless things more often. After successful mucking out, it clears up much faster and cleaning is easier by hand. Because there are many hurdles that would have interfered with tidying up or that would have taken away usable space.

Tidying up / sorting

The mucking out is done. Useless stuff and rubbish was sorted out, useless stuff was separated. Lack of space is no longer a problem, so sorting and tidying up disorganized items is the next step. This is particularly important because it lays the foundation for future order - and determines whether it can be maintained well in the future. There should be a fixed place for every object that also makes sense. This makes it easier to put used items back in their correct place in the future. The three-thing rule can help prevent chaos in the future. If you have removed three things from their original places and are ready to use them, they are immediately returned to their intended place. If you observe and internalize this rule, there are never more than three objects in the room, and it always looks reasonably tidy.
When sorting and tidying up, it can also help to label containers and baskets or boxes, or to attach pictures with their contents so that they are clearly visible. Every household member, no matter how small, can see where something belongs.

Cleaning and fine-tuning

Once the individual rooms look tidy, the work is not quite done yet. Just because it looks tidy doesn't mean it's clean and hygienically clean. So now is the time to tackle cleaning. It is best to start with dusting, make sure that all surfaces are clean and disinfect them if necessary.

Then you can devote yourself to the floors: vacuuming and mopping the floor, knocking out carpets and airing them (yes, carpets should also be aired - especially if you have pets!). Once you have managed all of this, you can decide whether you want to polish the laminate or parquet floors as you wish.

After all these steps, the rough work is done, the rooms are clean and tidy. If you want, you can now devote yourself to the fine-tuning. This includes, for example, ventilating the bed linen or disinfecting the children's toys. If you like, you can also empty the laundry baskets and wash their contents. Or wash the windows.

But those who are satisfied with their work can lean back and relax and enjoy the view of the clean and tidy home - because it will certainly not stay so tidy for long.

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