Stop Cleaning So Much: Try These 5 Tips Instead

One habit stack I’m proud of is dealing with mail. The minute I bring it inside, I sort out the junk and recycle it right away.

These tiny stacks really add up and become second nature. Follow along to learn 5 specific habit stacks I use regularly to keep my house tidy and clean. 

1. Only furniture belongs on the floor

If you’re not doing this already, it’s going to transform how your home looks. Make a rule: nothing goes on the floor except furniture (and maybe large plants).

I realized all the piles, like books, papers and clothing, were the reason my house looked messy.

So I worked hard to get everything off the floor. My family tries to sneak things back, but we’re all committed to keeping the floors clear. I don’t even like shoes on the floor, so now they have their own spot. 

Anytime you see something sitting on the floor, it’s visual clutter that makes your space feel chaotic, even if it’s technically clean.

2. Assign a function to every area

This tip made a huge difference in my kitchen. I gave every area its own purpose. One corner is my designated coffee area. Another is purely for food prep, so it stays clear of paper piles.

You don’t have to assign one function to an entire room. Instead, create little zones within each room. In your living room, maybe you have a shelf just for books, so only books go there. 

If you have a table in your entryway for keys and sunglasses, don’t let it become a dumping ground for random stuff. Giving every area a clear function helps prevent clutter from creeping in.

3. Try a reverse restock

I used to feel so organized having backups, like an extra mascara or sunscreen ready to go. But eventually, I went overboard. I had so much inventory I couldn’t keep track, and it started making me anxious.

So now I’m doing a “reverse restock.” I’m not buying any more backups. Instead, I track what I have in my phone. I note that I have, for example, three mascaras or one sunblock backup. 

This helps me see what I truly need so I won’t buy more until I’m about to run out. It feels good to clear out the backup clutter in my bathroom and bedroom.

4. Make tiny decluttering decisions

Most clutter comes from tiny decisions to keep or buy things. So let’s flip that and make decluttering about tiny decisions too.

If you grab a coffee mug you love and ignore one you don’t, put the unused mug in your donation bin right then. If you put on a sweater and decide you don’t like it, don’t hang it back up, then donate it.

Even with little things like pens, if it’s dead, throw it away immediately. This works because you’re not committing to an overwhelming decluttering session.

You’re just acting on a quick, obvious choice in the moment. One tiny item per day adds up to big progress over time.

5. Stop cleaning unused spaces

We’ve all been taught our homes should be guest-ready at any moment. But honestly, if you don’t use a space, stop worrying about it.

I used to clean my guest bedroom and bathroom every two weeks, even though no one was using them. I finally realized I was just wasting my time. Now I only clean those spaces when a guest is actually coming.