Cleaning and storage are essential components of home improvement. A well-organized home is not only aesthetically pleasing but also promotes a healthy living environment. In this cleaning and storage category, Better Homes With Selina provides valuable information to homeowners on how to keep their homes clean and clutter-free.

This category covers topics such as cleaning products and tools, cleaning techniques for different surfaces, tips for decluttering and organizing, and storage solutions for small spaces. We also feature product reviews and recommendations for cleaning and storage products that are effective and efficient.

At BHWS, we believe that with the right information and tools, homeowners can maintain a clean and organized home that promotes relaxation and productivity. This section of our website is a valuable resource for achieving this goal–a clean and organized home.

The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Storage

It’s undeniable that everyone wants a clean and organized home. So, cleaning and organizing your home becomes the ticket to achieving this goal. Unfortunately, due to busy schedules, not everyone enjoys clean and organized homes. Like many people, you may struggle juggling between working, furthering your studies, and taking care of yourself and your kids, that home cleaning and organization becomes impossible.

The situation is worse in homes with kids and pets. The little ones create great messes that demand constant and thorough cleaning. Besides, they require more stuff which they outgrow fast, hindering you from keeping your home organized, especially in limited spaces.

Good Reasons for Proper Cleaning and Storage

Regardless of your situation, a clean and well-organized home is something you should strive to achieve. Such an environment offers endless benefits for you and your loved ones, both physically and emotionally. For instance, a clean and organized home builds your self-esteem.

It is easier to proudly welcome people to your home when it’s tidy and well-organized. Besides, it teaches and promotes the spirit of charity and decluttering behavior in the family by encouraging the donation of anything not in use, such as outgrown clothes, toys, food, and furniture. Being charitable doesn’t exclusively involve money but also other necessities that you may not be using.

A clean and organized home also clears your mind. A messy home makes you stressed and anxious, which explains why some people clean their homes when they feel stressed or anxious. In the end, they enjoy greater peace and tranquility, filled with positive energy. It goes with saying that cleaning and organizing your home makes it easier to find things.

Cleaning and organizing your spaces allow you to get rid of all unnecessary things and store the rest presentably and labeled if possible. In such cases, you know where everything is, which saves your time and money, leaving you happier and more productive.

Cleaning and organizing your home also makes you love it more. It offers you peace and comfort after a tedious day at work. You also enjoy spending time in the space, alone or with family and friends, as you are proud of what you have. Such homes are also contagious. The other home occupants adapt your cleaning, decluttering, and organization habits, keeping the space tidy at all times.

If you are struggling to keep your home clean and organized, giving up isn’t an option. As discussed above, home cleaning and organization can significantly influence the quality of your daily life. Read on to learn more about how to clean and organize your home, alongside some useful hacks you can apply.

All About Cleaning

Like most people, you share endless love with your space, thus the saying, “Home is where the heart is.” Unfortunately, even the most beautiful homes can be embarrassing when dirty, messy, and disorganized due to daily activities and use. For this reason, you should constantly clean and organize your home. Doing so has a significant impact on your physical and mental health as well as that of other occupants.

Cleaning your home regularly protects you from allergies, breathing problems, and other illnesses. And if you have pets, thorough home cleaning and maintenance becomes even more important. It is the key to removing grime and bacteria, leaving your home clean and safe. Besides, it also removes dust from the air, which improves indoor air quality in the home, alongside a great scent.

The kitchen and bathroom require extra attention when cleaning. The spaces are more vulnerable to germs and bacteria, thus carrying more risk. A messy home is also risky for children and seniors as they can easily trip over things carelessly lying in their way.

Top Benefits of a Clean and Organized Home

Here are the top five benefits you can reap from a clean home:

1. Better Health

A clean home allows you to relax and enjoy a peaceful evening or weekend away from work stress or life’s chaos. The environment makes you feel safer and secure while the cleaning process impacts you with the much-needed therapeutic effect. Besides, living in a clean and organized space means less stress, more harmony, and serenity which improves your mental health.

2. Better Sleep

Research shows that people sleep better in clean and orderly spaces. Besides the pristine clean beddings and arranged closets, it is advisable to clean up before bed. Doing so saves you from waking up to lots of cleaning in the morning. Therefore, cleaning and organization of your home can lead to better sleep!

3. Healthier Lifestyle

Home cleaning not only keeps your home tidy but also promotes healthy living. Trivial tasks such as dusting, mopping, sweeping and dish-washing serve as great workout sessions. Incorporating these tasks with your favorite music makes the cleaning process more enjoyable, as you dance along.

Moreover, working in a tidy and organized environment encourages you to make healthier food choices. There is no joy in cooking or dining in a messy kitchen. Such spaces increase your odds of eating out and preparing junk food rather than healthier meals.

4. Saves Money

Interestingly, home cleaning also saves you money. Dirty homes make you vulnerable to infections such as typhoid, cholera, and bilharzia which are costly to treat. Besides, dirty and disorganized homes with pest-infested rooms require professional cleaning to restore their hygiene and glam.

These services cost lots of money alongside the cleaning supplies you will need for regular cleaning. It may not seem much but simple tasks such as making beds and putting clothes away go a long way in impacting the quality of your life.

5. Inspires and Enhances Productivity

A clean working desk has instant and significant productivity at work. Similarly, a clean and tidy home reduces stress and anxiety while improving your behavior, emotions, and work output. It is easier to focus and concentrate in a clean environment than a filthy one.

Benefits of Using Natural Cleaning Products and Some Examples

To clean effectively, you should invest in the best cleaning products in the market – which are readily available. However, people are increasingly shifting from commercial cleaning products to natural alternatives.

Unlike in the past, the latter have tremendously penetrated the mainstream market and are more affordable than ever. If you are still unsure about making the big switch, read on for some of the reasons why green cleaning products are more popular today.

1. Less Harmful on Consumption

Pets and children account for most cases of poisoning resulting from the consumption of cleaning products. Unlike commercial cleaning products, green cleaners are less harmful when swallowed. For this reason, your children and pets have the least likelihood of suffering poisoning in the event of the consumption of such cleaners.

2. Safe for Daily Use

Most commercial cleaning products are not safe for everyday use. Daily usage impacts immense harm to the body’s hormonal functions, which may be evident over the years. Fortunately, green cleaning products are safer for daily use as they have no impact on your health and body performance.

3. Fewer Potential Surprises

Mixing common commercial cleaning products such as bleach, chlorine, lye, and ammonia results in noxiously powerful and risky reactions. Besides, these agents can also create hazardous compounds in contact with food preservatives. Fortunately, green cleaning products don’t react the same, making them safer for home use.

4. Better Indoor Air Quality

Commercial cleaning products that use acetone, ammonia, and other organic compounds dry up quickly during cleaning. Evaporation of such products at room temperature compromises your indoor air quality. Some of the effects of poor indoor air quality include nausea, eye/nose/throat irritation, breathing difficulties, headaches, and damage to body organs and the central nervous system.

Volatile organic compounds are suspected to be carcinogenic. Using them puts your home at risk of poor indoor air quality, and eventually a plethora of health complications. While you can keep the space well-ventilated or invest in a reliable air purifier, using natural cleaning agents is the best option. With these cleaners, you can keep your home clean and smelling well without worrying about the stated health risks.

5. Perfect for People With Allergies

People with asthma, allergies, and other sensitivities find commercial cleaners unbearable regardless of all the protective measures they practice. But with green cleaners such as vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, and lemon, you don’t need to worry about your sensitivities.

It is also easier for the category of users to know what is suitable and unsuitable for them from green cleaners – the ingredients are transparent.

6. Safer for the Environment

Using commercial detergents means some of the harmful ingredients make their way into the environment. In such cases, they become hazardous to the ecosystem by killing plants and animals. The same case applies to using products that release noxious gases into the air.

Fortunately, green cleaners have a lower impact on the environment. For instance, making them at home minimizes plastic bottle production which saves the ecosystem significantly.

Examples of Natural Cleaning Products

There are numerous natural cleaners that you can utilize when cleaning your home. Besides, these products are affordable and readily available. They include:

• Baking soda
• Washing soda
• White vinegar
• Borax
• Lemon
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cornstarch
• Unscented soap

Tips for Establishing a Cleaning Routine and Sticking To It

Most people find keeping their homes clean a tough task. However, it shouldn’t always be that way. The secret to enjoying a constantly clean home lies in creating a cleaning routine and sticking to it. Keeping your home neat doesn’t require lots of time and effort but adhere to your cleaning routine.

Read on to learn how to create a simple cleaning routine and how to stick to it.

1. Identify the Cleaning Tasks

The starting point to creating a workable cleaning routine for your home is identifying all cleaning tasks you should accomplish. It is also advisable to determine how often you should do each task. Ensure that you categorize the tasks into daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

2. Review the Routine Monthly

After creating the schedule, ensure you review it every month to determine what works and what doesn’t. That way, you can make the necessary corrections to make the routine more workable.

Instead of leaving messes to pile, it is advisable to divide the daily tasks into morning and evening. Dedicating at least 10 mins to accomplishing these tasks goes a long way in keeping your home tidy and organized.

Tips for Sticking to the Cleaning Routine

• Declutter by throwing out everything you don’t use.
• Always make your bed.
• Get everyone involved.
• Start small before graduating to longer tasks.
• Never break the 2-day rule.
• Invest in apps that help you monitor your progress.

All About Storage

Many people are going through a lot emotionally. For this reason, homes shouldn’t add to the existing pressure and stress but instead your place of peace and solace. But how can it be when it is dirty and cluttered?

Living clutter-free is the key to enjoying the peace and calm in your home. It is a conscious decision to be mindful of how many things you keep and you organize them. The daily habit controls your shopping behavior and alerts you when your home starts becoming cluttered. It also entails dedicating time to identifying unused items and housing the remaining ones effectively.

Cleaning and Storage Hacks

Living clutter-free involves constant cleaning, organization, and proper storage of your essentials. Unfortunately, most people struggle to keep their homes clean and organized due to tight schedules, fatigue, and demotivation.

We compiled some useful cleaning and storage hacks to help fight clutter in your home:

1. Designate A Local Donation Center

Decluttering entails getting rid of anything you don’t need regardless of its state – new or worn out. Having somewhere to donate the items makes the decluttering process easier. It may be lightly used outfits, shoes, toys, and accessories. So, if you are considering the home organization journey, it would be great to find a local charity or donation center to motivate you and save time.

2. Stick to Your Cleaning and Organization Routine

Adhering to your cleaning and organization routine is the key to living in a clean and clutter-free space. Besides, it also makes your life easier by limiting the workload you handle at a time. 

3. Have Appealing Clutter Baskets in the Living Room

Most people decorate their living rooms using beautiful baskets which enhances the space’s curb appeal. But how about killing two birds with one stone? You can control living room clutter using these baskets without detracting yourself from the décor theme. Interesting, right? Your guests and kids don’t have to leave their comfort to dispose of the trash.

4. Designate a Donation Basket

Sorting through stuff regularly for clutter can be tedious and overwhelming. However, if you have a donation basket where everyone can drop anything they don’t need, the decluttering process becomes easier. All you need to do is put the basket in the car trunk and drive off to your selected local charity or donation center.

5. Allocate Specific Areas For Toys

Toys are one of the highest causes of messy homes. However, you can teach your kids to live organized lives by encouraging them to store their toys in designated areas. You can have specific toy storage in each room, making it easier for the kids to store their toys after playing.

Common Mistakes People Make in Cleaning and Storage

Everyone strives towards keeping their home clean and organized. However, there are some common mistakes that we make, that hinder us from achieving the goal. Read on to understand some of these cleaning and storage mistakes, and how to avoid them.

1. Not sticking to your cleaning and organization routine

The role of a routine is to help you deal with small tasks at a time. Breaking the routine means piling up the tasks, making them bigger and tougher to accomplish. Leaving home cleaning and organization exclusively for weekends hinders you from achieving the set goals. Besides, the cleaning and organization process becomes overwhelming and tedious.

Fix: Make your cleaning routine workable. Start small, and grow over time, and no matter what happens, always stick to the routine.

2. Working with excess products

Unknown to most people, using too many cleaning products don’t guarantee you better results but extra work. The excess product also saturates the cleaning tools, resulting in streaks.

Fix: Remember that a little cleaning product goes a long way toward exemplary results. Besides, it is easier to add more products than clean up the extra.

3. Cleaning with a dirty cloth

Instead of cleaning, dirty cloth spreads the grime and grease making the process gross. Besides, it is also unhealthy. Rather than using dirty cloth to cloth, you may as well not clean at all.

Fix: Always use a clean cloth from the start. If you are cleaning large-scale, ensure you freshen the soiled cloths or rinse them at every stage.

4. Buying storage containers before decluttering

Decluttering is the step towards effective home cleaning and organization. So, you should first get rid of everything you don’t need before cleaning and organizing the remaining. It is only after decluttering that you can go out shopping for organizers and storage containers. Doing so ensures that you get organizers that fit your needs and nothing more.

Fix: Always declutter first before shopping for organizers. It ensures that you understand your needs and shop appropriately.

DIY Cleaning and Storage Solutions You Can Make At Home

Proper cleaning and storage solutions are key to ensuring a clean and clutter-free living environment. However, you don’t have to spend lots of money on commercial products. If you love DIY, this is not only affordable and convenient but also exciting for you. You can try out some of these simple DIY cleaning and storage solutions at home.

DIY Cleaning Solutions

1. Scented all-purpose cleaner: Mix the ingredients – lemon grind, rosemary sprigs, white vinegar, and water – in a spray bottle, shake, and allow infusion for about one week.
2. Kitchen deodorizer and cleaner: Baking soda + water solution makes an effective kitchen cleaner and deodorizer. You can use the mixture to clean counters and appliances, drain, remove odors, and shine stainless steel sinks.
3. DIY glass cleaner: This solution comprises water, vinegar – white or cider – rubbing alcohol, and orange essential oil for a good scent. Rubbing alcohol ensures it evaporates quickly, minimizing streaks and spots.
4. Homemade brass cleaner: It is made from lemon juice or white vinegar and table salt. Dampen a sponge with vinegar or lemon juice; use it to clean the surface before sprinkling it with salt. Rub over the surface lightly, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a soft cloth.
5. Homemade heavy-duty scrub: Removing rust stains from the enamel and porcelain sinks requires a powerful scrub for the best outcome. Fortunately, you don’t have to rush to the store for such scrub as lemon juice and borax powder form one of the best solutions for such tasks.

DIY Storage Solutions

Home storage solutions come in various types from drawers to closets, cabinets, and wall hangings among others. Fortunately, you don’t always have to purchase these organizers from stores as you can make them at home. YouTube and Pinterest offer tutorials and ideas on how to DIY storage solutions at home.

Besides, you can also consider multipurpose furniture, with storage options. Limited space shouldn’t hinder you from living in a tidy, organized, and clutter-free space. Here are some of the best examples of DIY storage solutions:

1. Stylish wicker baskets for storing extra cushions and seat blankets near the couch.
2. Hanging shoe storage for purses and beauty supplies.
3. Self-made shelves, drawers, cabinets, and closets.

How to Maintain a Sustainable Clean and Organized Living Space

Living a clutter-free life is a long-term goal. It is consistent work that requires a commitment to keep up. Alongside the guidelines discussed above, there are some useful tips that you can apply to keep your home tidy and organized over the long term.

They include:

• Adhering to your housekeeping cleaning routine
• Commit to decluttering one area at a time
• Organize clothes daily
• Prepare morning tasks at night – set the coffee maker at night for morning use, lay out clothes and shoes for the next day, and the pan on top of the stove for making breakfast eggs.
• Dust daily
• Discard junk mail instantly
• Make your bed daily
• Assess the fridge before shopping for grocery
• Clear the nightstand every morning
• Do dishes as they are used

Wrapping Up and Key Takeaways

Living clutter-free starts by cleaning and organizing your home. It is a commitment to constantly clean your home, get rid of everything you don’t need, and keep the rest neat and organized.

Keeping your home clutter-free extends beyond adhering to your cleaning routine to controlling your shopping behavior. You only shop for what you need, which means no impulse buying, thus saving you money. Besides, it makes you philanthropic as you have to give out everything you don’t use to charity helping people who need them.

Clutter-free living increases your home safety as items are well arranged, thus nothing clumsily lies around, killing the odds of accidents and injuries. A clutter-free living space also increases the indoor air quality which means fewer chances of respiratory diseases and related complications.

Since people feel less stressed and depressed in clean and decluttered space, living clutter-free enhances your emotional state of mind. Moreover, with less stress and more peace, clutter-free living enhances the quality of your sleep and creativity.