7 Foolproof Methods to a Cleaner House

Do you have a cluttered or messy house -- or do you feel like you just can't keep on top of the cleaning? House cleaning can be a huge job, especially if you do it just once every month or two. And sometimes, you just don't know where to start. To help you reach a cleaner house, here are some quick organizational and cleaning tips for getting it in shape:

Photo courtesy of Organized by JM in West Seneca, NY

#1 Everything in its place

If you don't have a place for every item you use, then you're liable to toss things on the coffee table, into a basket or on the dining room table. This creates clutter quickly and could make it hard to find something important when you need it at a later time. So, keep everything in an assigned place and out of the way. Think about hanging some racks, hooks or shelving. These are an inexpensive way to get -- and stay -- organized.

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#2 Clear counter area

Counter space can get filled with dirty dishes, cooking supplies and other items. To combat this problem, keep everything off the counter except essentials. This means storing appliances once you're finished, transferring dishes to the dishwasher and putting cooking supplies in their proper place.

#3 Getting multifunctional

Rooms that serve dual purposes -- a home office/dining room table, guest room/storage room, etc. -- can sometimes get overwhelmingly messy. To avoid the mess, create effective and easy storage solutions in each room. This may mean organizing documents into a folder, clearing the guest room of useless items, etc.

Photo courtesy of Interior, Exterior Designs, Inc. in La Habra, CA

#4 Keeping clothes off the floor

Sometimes, when you're in a rush, you might throw clothes in onto the floor, the bed, a chair and so on. These clothes build up over time to create an unwanted pile in your bedroom. Having a hamper handy will make transferring them to the laundry room simple -- and you'll be able to see your floor too!

Photo courtesy of Eye Do Windows & AAA Pressure Cleaning in Foley, AL

#5 Shining up the windows

Sweep the window and its surrounding area with your vacuum's dust attachment or a feather duster. And get streak-free window panes using newspaper or microfiber cloths. You can also hire a window cleaning service for about $210 (the national cost average).

Photo courtesy of West End Kitchen, Inc. in Saint Paul, MN

#6 Not letting dishes pile up

Dishes -- a daily necessity that sometimes ends up sitting in the sink or the dishwasher for far too long. If you let the dishes pile up in either area, you run the risk of mold and other things growing on them. Make sure you run the dishwasher frequently and put clean dishes away quickly.

#7 Addressing stains

Spills, pet accidents, foot traffic and more can cause ugly, unwanted stains. The smart move is to address them immediately to prevent them from setting deep into the fibers of your carpet and upholstery. If you don't get to it right away, you might need to hire a service to get the stains out. Otherwise, look for cleaning supplies that will treat specific stains.

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