Today I’m sharing my 7 Rules for Housekeeping with you and I’m certain that if you follow these simple housekeeping rules, you’ll have an easier time keeping your house tidy!
Originally published April 2012. Updated March 2023.
When it comes to keeping a tidy house, it can feel just about impossible to keep up. However, I have realized that enacting a few basic housekeeping rules helps me keep my sanity when it comes to our home staying somewhat picked up.
Plus, these are fun little rules to teach the kids that can be passed down to their children. No one said keeping a house clean and tidy had to be a negative experience.
7 Housekeeping Rules to Live By
- “Put it away, don’t put it down.”
- “A place for everything and everything in its place.”
- “A tidy house is easier to clean than a messy house.”
- “Kids need chores appropriate for their age.”
- “Plan, plan, plan – and make a list!”
- “Create a routine and stick to it.”
- “Don’t wait till the last minute to start a chore. Do it ahead of time.”
To be sure we understand what each of these rules means, let’s take a closer look at each of these housekeeping rules.
Be sure to download my free printable checklist at the end of the post!
7 Housekeeping Rules to Live By
These little housekeeping rules can be turned into a neat memory on top of turning cleaning the house into a fun and light experience. These seven housekeeping rules will not only help you but, also help your family in staying on top of a clean home.
1. Put it away, don’t put it down
It’s all too easy to just put something down where we’re standing instead of just putting it away. However, the more times we just set something down instead of putting it away, can add up and cause for a lot more work later on.
If things are put away as they’re used, not only does that get the work finished in smaller spurts but, later on, there won’t be anything to pick up. This results in not having to worry about taking an hour to pick up everything and reorganize it down the road.
This also makes it nice for when you have last minute company coming over or you don’t have time to clean the house. There won’t be stuff randomly placed everywhere, making your house, at the very least, look uncluttered.
related: The One Minute Rule
2. A place for everything and everything in its place
It can be tempting to just toss something down without trying to find a rightful place for it. For example, those dreaded junk drawers that just about every house has. Although these can be handy for random tools, batteries, matches, etc. there is a better way to organize these items rather than tossing them into a drawer.
For example, having a plastic container with apartments inside the drawer where each item can go, is a much nicer way to keep things organized and gives each item a place it belongs. This way, there’s no confusion about where an item can be found and where it belongs.
This can also make it easier for children and parents to keep items cleaned up. Knowing, without a doubt, where an item goes can encourage each person in the house to place it back where it belongs after using it. As the last rule suggests, always place something back in its place after using it.
Easy Housekeeping Rules: Video
3. A tidy house is easier to clean than a messy house
As mentioned in the first rule, it’s much easier to clean a house that stays picked up rather than attempt to clean a house that looks like a tornado hit!
Taking a few seconds to put something back in its place once you’re finished using it will make cleaning the house in depth, much easier and much quicker because there will be far less to handle.
The hardest part is picking everything up and organizing back into its place. Imagine only having to sweep, dust, or vacuum a room when cleaning instead of everything else.
4. Kids need chores appropriate for their age
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving your children chores around the house. This helps them learn responsibility and respect. This also encourages them to not be as messy since they will have to cleanup their own messes, not getting to leave it for someone else to clean.
However, it’s important that children aren’t tasked with something too complicated or dangerous for their age. For example, it’s probably not the smartest idea to give a five-year-old the task of mowing the lawn. Age appropriate chores will allow everyone to pitch and have the ability to stay safe and do a good job at the chore they’re given.
related: Chore Chart Bundle for Kids
5. Plan, plan, plan – and make a list!
Plan ahead and make lists to keep it all organized. It can be so easy to let life wash us away in worry and stress. However, the more organized you can stay, the easier it will be to keep a handle on everything that stresses us out, including keeping the house clean.
Make a list of chores that need to be done and post it for everyone in the house to see. Make a to-do list for yourself and ensure that keeping the house clean is on it. Work it into your schedule instead of just tossing it in when you can.
If you plan for cleaning the house, it won’t feel like it’s an extra chore you’re having to shove in. It’s already on your list and isn’t a surprise.
6. Create a routine and stick to it
We’ve all heard that making something a habit makes it easier to handle. For example, exercising can be hard to work into our already busy schedules. However, if we make it a part of our daily routine, it becomes an automatic action rather than a forced one.
The same holds true for cleaning the house or keeping it tidy. Make it a routine to cleanup some of the house at certain points in the day. Before long, your mind and body will automatically be attuned to doing it at that time of a day and it will be much easier and not feel forced.
related: How to Create a House Cleaning Routine
7. Don’t wait till the last minute to start a chore. Do it ahead of time
Procrastination can be our worst enemy. The hardest part is just starting. So, don’t wait, just jump in and get started. Putting it off until the last minute will only add stress and pressure.
Neither of these things usually bode well for your health or your overall attitude. So, don’t do that to yourself. Get up, say a little prayer for motivation, and get it finished.
You will be so relieved once you’ve finished and the weight on your shoulders will be much lighter!
Many of these rules of housekeeping are pretty simple and may not be anything new to most of us. However, it can be easy to overlook or forget these basic rules in our day-to-day routine.
An organized list of these housekeeping rules is a nice reminder of ways to keep our house tidy while reducing stress at the same time.
Action Steps to Take Today
- Think about your current habits. Which of these housekeeping rules do you struggle with the most?
- Download my free printable Rules of Housekeeping Checklist below.
- Use the printable as a guide to help you build new, better habits.
- Learn to be more disciplined and cultivate a heart of self discipline at home.
Free Printable Checklist
How to Download
- Just fill out the form below and you’ll receive an email with the link to download your free printable Housekeeping Rules to Live By. You’ll also receive helpful emails and updates from me on a regular basis!
- If you are already a subscriber, you’ll find this resource in my Subscriber Exclusive Resource Library.
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