{"id":73304,"date":"2023-01-10T11:00:27","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T19:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?page_id=73304"},"modified":"2025-07-01T13:15:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T20:15:20","slug":"clean-and-organized-home-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/clean-and-organized-home-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Create a Clean and Organized Home with These 35 Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s easy for homes to become disorganized and full of clutter. Whether you have numerous belongings or always seem to accumulate more, it\u2019s easy for it to become unmanageable. If so, consider incorporating structure into your cleaning routine. Creating simple habits will help you avoid the clutter and mess that always seems to accumulate at home. Once you begin practicing these new habits, you\u2019ll notice how much easier it is to create a clean and organized home.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unsure where to start, don\u2019t worry; we tapped the top cleaning and organizing experts to help you turn your home into a peaceful haven. Whether you live in an <\/span>apartment in Boston, MA<\/span><\/a>, or a <\/span>house in Round Rock, TX<\/span><\/a>, use these 22<\/span> tips to help keep your home in tip-top shape.<\/span><\/p>\n

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onurdongel via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Explore your attachment to your belongings<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first steps of most decluttering projects don\u2019t usually involve decluttering. An essential first step of any project is redefining the space in your mind and resolving attachment to your items.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s impossible to organize needless clutter and attachments,\u201d says Maristella Bertram, MBA, Certified Professional Organizer, and owner of <\/span>My Space Reclaimed<\/span><\/a>. \u201cTake the time to work through your items individually and consider whether you actually need them.\u201d This method helps you finish the hardest work first, making the rest of the project more manageable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Start the year by decluttering your home<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you want to organize your home, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start. Make sure you\u2019re ready to commit to long-term change and be sure to set small, achievable goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lindsay Palmgren, Professional Organizer with <\/span>3e Organizing<\/span><\/a>, suggests starting with one question: \u201cWhat do you want from your space?\u201d \u201cBy setting this intention, you can then make decisions that align with goals,\u201d she says. \u201cNow, you can move from room to room looking for items that don\u2019t serve your needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Reframe the decluttering process\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Decluttering can be daunting, especially if you have a large or crowded home. If decluttering sounds difficult, \u201ctry reframing the focus of the project to reorganizing and cleaning,\u201d advises Heidi Roed, owner of <\/span>Life Easier<\/span><\/a>. \u201cSimply interacting with belongings you walk by every day and evaluating them can ignite the decluttering process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Decluttering often happens naturally when people begin looking through their belongings. Now, you can dig into the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Be realistic about your space<\/span><\/h2>\n

Always understand your goal, space, and lifestyle when setting up a decluttering system. \u201cFor example, don\u2019t organize for the space you wish you had,\u201d notes Stephanie Treantos, founder of <\/span>Lemonaid Solutions<\/span><\/a>. \u201cOnce you establish a system, you can start decluttering, sorting, and labeling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ushma Agrawal, owner of <\/span>Aura-Ganize<\/span><\/a>, notes that less is more. \u201cYou might feel odd having empty spaces in your home,\u201d she says. \u201cHowever, don\u2019t feel the need to fill up every space in your home with belongings. Let the energy flow.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Start small and take the project slow<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many decluttering projects can feel overwhelming, even after you reframe them. Lisa Haubenstock, owner of <\/span>Lisa The Organizer<\/span><\/a>, suggests starting small to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the project. \u201cFor example, start with one drawer or one shelf in a space before moving on to the entire room,\u201d she says. \u201cThis way, you can get over your initial fears and start organizing confidently.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, try moving through your house every day and look for one item to declutter. \u201cThis can help reduce one stress factor from your desk, your home, and your life,\u201d says <\/span>Annette Kurtz<\/span><\/a>, space clearing expert. \u201cGo a step farther and create a simple, relaxing morning routine that centers your body in the day.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

6. Minimize to make the project easier<\/span><\/h2>\n

As you start working through your belongings, you may be spending more time mulling them over than you are decluttering.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Julie Whiting, Professional Organizer with <\/span>The Decluttering Co.<\/span><\/a>, notes that the best way to organize is to minimize first. \u201cWhen you have a lot of stuff, it\u2019s easy to spend countless hours moving it around, managing it, and contemplating it,\u201d she says. \u201cTo help, get rid of as much as possible before organizing what you own into logical categories.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Incorporate a planner into your routine<\/span><\/h2>\n

Being organized also means being in control of your time. \u201cTry using a colorful planner to keep track of goals while expressing your artistic side,\u201d advises Shelby from <\/span>Little Coffee Fox<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThis simple combination of utility and creativity can make planning fun and repeatable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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SolStock via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Organize one item at a time<\/span><\/h2>\n

Working consistently and methodically is often the best way to get your home from cluttered to comfortable. \u201cYou\u2019ll be amazed at how easy this is,\u201d says Lani Boggs, Founder of <\/span>Declutter by Lani<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThe easiest way to start is by picking a room you feel is your biggest concern and removing anything unnecessary, setting up bags for garbage and donations. Work through one item at a time \u2013 before you realize it, you\u2019ll have organized an entire room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from getting rid of visual clutter, having a spot for everything helps you find it easily when you need it. \u201cTry dedicating parts of your closet or shelves for specific items, as well as grouping belongings together for extra ease,\u201d suggests the team at <\/span>Closet & Beyond<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

When you run out of items in one room, take a break before moving on to the next. Avoiding burnout is essential to maintaining a clean and organized home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Organize as you move through your home<\/span><\/h2>\n

Creating a clean and organized home doesn\u2019t have to be secluded to one or two days every week; it can be something you consistently do every day. \u201cFor example, if you walk through a room and see something out of place, pick it up and carry it with you,\u201d notes Diane Quintana and Jonda Beattie from <\/span>Release Repurpose Reorganize, LLC<\/span><\/a>. \u201cPut it away if you can, or at least take it near where it belongs,\u201d they say. \u201cWhen you pay attention and act when you see clutter, it\u2019s harder for it to accumulate.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you work better with routine, the team at <\/span>Mulberrys Garment Care<\/span><\/a> suggests creating a short, manageable organizing routine. \u201cCreate small and routine tasks that help you keep your space clean,\u201d they say. \u201cOnce you\u2019re done with a task, clean up after yourself instead of leaving things to pile up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Organize for a short amount of time every day<\/span><\/h2>\n

An organizational key is to do one or two small things every day to make your life easier tomorrow. \u201cWash a load of laundry before you go to work each day and fold it before you go to bed,\u201d recommends Shae Alexander, owner of <\/span>Home Harmony Organizing<\/span><\/a>. \u201cConsider doing dishes throughout the day as well,\u201d she says. \u201cIf you do routine tasks every day, you only help yourself in the long run.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another option is to take ten minutes every evening to walk through your home and pick everything up that doesn\u2019t belong. \u201cKeep an empty basket under a console or tucked into a closet or corner,\u201d advises Heather Davies, a professional organizer with <\/span>BirchTree Organizing<\/span><\/a>. \u201cPull it out at the end of the day and take ten minutes to gather items and return them to their homes.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Make lists to help organize your life<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lists are a useful tool to stay organized. Maggie Page, owner of <\/span>Maggie’s Organizing and Staging<\/span><\/a>, suggests writing everything down that’s on your agenda for the day or week . \u201cThis is a great way to prioritize everything you have to get done,\u201d she says. \u201cAs your life gets busier, it becomes easier to forget daily tasks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Spiderplay via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12. Keep everything in its place<\/span><\/h2>\n

As you move through your home, be mindful of what you\u2019re picking up and where you\u2019re putting it. \u201cWhen you pick something up, always take the time to put it back,\u201d says Logan Gerard, CEO of <\/span>Keyroo<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThe more items you leave out, the bigger and more daunting the mess becomes,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen you take something out of a drawer, closet, or shelf, take the extra moment to put it back when you\u2019re done.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

13. Create a thorough decluttering routine and schedule<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many of the first organizing steps apply to people with all sizes of homes. However, it can be challenging to maintain an organized home if you have a large family or a big house. To help, \u201ctry setting aside 15-minute time chunks to accomplish simple organizing tasks,\u201d suggests Collette Oswald, owner of <\/span>Organizing by Oz<\/span><\/a>. \u201cAlso, be sure to establish a reward system that works best for everyone,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another option is to create a schedule for the family. \u201cAn organizing schedule can be a great tool for large families,\u201d notes Lia Brady, owner of <\/span>Organize With Lia<\/span><\/a>. \u201cInclude tasks for every day of the week and every household member. These can involve cleaning, decluttering, organizing, donating, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, keep the schedule simple and manageable, so everyone can feel accomplished.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

14. Downsize and organize<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ideally, you downsize before organizing. \u201cFirst, take stock of what and where you currently store items and ask yourself if that\u2019s the best spot for them,\u201d notes the team at <\/span>Rev-A-Shelf<\/span><\/a>. \u201cNext, purge your items using the six-month rule, removing anything you haven\u2019t touched in the last six months,\u201d they say. \u201cOrganize the remaining items using stylish, convenient drawers and pullouts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The team at Day Designer<\/a>, creator of luxe daily planners, agrees that downsizing is essential to any organizing project. \u201cTo quickly declutter your workspace, you first need to clear everything out,\u201d she says. \u201cThen, only add in the items you really need. Doing this is an easy way to eliminate clutter while giving you a fresh, clean slate to work with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

15. Create simple processes to make organizing easy for kids<\/span><\/h2>\n

Kids regularly make messes without cleaning them up, leading to more work for you. To avoid frequent messes and a cluttered home, consider teaching your kids the importance of organization. \u201cEncourage your kids to maintain their belongings by teaching them proper maintenance,\u201d suggests Stacy Thomes, owner of <\/span>Stacy Thomes Organizing<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIf you create organized systems with your children\u2019s clothes, toys, school supplies, and accessories, it\u2019s easier for them to put them away when it\u2019s time to clean.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, Dionne Myhre, founder of <\/span>Home Made Our Way<\/span><\/a>, suggests delegating tasks to your children. \u201cKids as young as two can participate in tidying up their play area,\u201d she says. \u201cDepending on the age, simply label bins with pictures and words and create a reward system when they put items in the right place.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure to add a reward to sweeten the deal. Rewards can motivate children to continue cleaning up after themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

16. Create organizing systems for your kids<\/span><\/h2>\n

Kids stay organized when organization systems are simple and easy to understand, regardless of how much they value cleanliness. \u201cWhile you might love sorting all the toys into 15 different color-coded bins, your child will spend 20 minutes standing in front of those bins trying to decide which one their toy goes in,\u201d states <\/span>June Doran from <\/span>This Simple Balance<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIf you want to make clean-up a quick task, use simple, broad categories and large bins.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

17. Try an organizer system tailored for children<\/span><\/h2>\n

If your child struggles to maintain their belongings, investing in a system tailored to their needs, such as Micuna\u2019s Little Things Organizer, can make a huge difference. \u201cThere are many options that offer a place for their clothes, shoes, boots, accessories, and even toys and books,\u201d notes Hilary Abbott from <\/span>Micuna USA<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWith these systems, children can learn about organizing, experience autonomy, and practice finding everything they need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If your children aren\u2019t motivated or are still struggling, minimize their responsibility to just once per week or even one set of items. Work on their timeline and gently encourage them along.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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kate_sept2004 via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

18. Turn organizing into a game for the whole family<\/span><\/h2>\n

Another option for parents is to turn organizing into a game. \u201cEach night, about an hour before bedtime, have everyone in the family race around the home putting everything where it belongs,\u201d suggests Jill Fleming, owner of <\/span>Smart Organizing Solutions<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThe person who finishes first wins. At the end of each week, the person with the most \u2018wins\u2019 gets to pick a fun activity for everyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also play music to lighten the mood or motivate any tired members of your household. \u201cListen to music that your family loves to keep their brains focused and clear any mental clutter,\u201d proposes Shannon Tamme, Certified Professional Organizer with <\/span>Life Synchronized<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWorking with music is therapeutic and can help everyone dance the clutter away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

19. Take control of children\u2019s artwork<\/span><\/h2>\n

Children often create a lot of artwork, especially at school. Even with strict organizing schedules, it\u2019s easy for their art to get out of control, especially if you want to keep all of it. To help, \u201cconsider spending a minute or two with your children to talk about their artwork,\u201d notes Gari Julius Weilbacher, decluttering coach and owner of <\/span>Wild Brook Coaching<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThen, place it in a designated area that you consistently rotate throughout the year, only keeping both of your favorite pieces.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While it would be great to be able to keep all of your child\u2019s artwork forever, it\u2019s not practical or necessary. <\/span>Betsy Fein, CEO of <\/span>Clutterbusters!!<\/span><\/a>, suggests minimizing clutter by following the \u201cThree F Rule:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n