While we all have our own feelings, opinions, and methods when it comes to keeping our homes clean and organized, we can all agree that there are specific things that are a little hard to find solutions for. We’ve gathered a list of small habits that you can take up to help you organize your home effortlessly.  From putting important keys on labeled woven lanyards to simply writing down lists, you’ll find that keeping your home organized is a no-brainer. 

Create a list for things you need to do every day. Create it based on a previous list and the lists that came before that. Making checklists for activities not only helps you keep track of what you need to do, it also gives a sense of accomplishment whenever you get to cross out one task you’ve finished. You can get creative by taking the time to create your own fancy checklist or signing up for planners at your favorite coffee shops and establishments. 

While this seems a little random, keeping your keys and mobile devices in the same place helps you keep them in check. There would be no more panicking over where you put your phone or keys as you’re running dangerously late for work! Designate a spot near the entrance of your home and place a small surface there for your keys, gadgets, and whatever handy accessories you need to have in your pocket day in and day out. You can even place a rack there and hang keys in labeled or color-coded lanyards so you won’t have to dig around and just grab it on the go.

We don’t mean you need to scrub out your entire kitchen every night. Instead, wash up everything on the sink, wipe out the counter, and put away any utensils, leftover food, and plates. While this initially seems tedious—who wants to do any kind of cleaning at the end of a tiring work day?—it actually helps save time and space. Imagine coming home one day to find that your kitchen has become a heaping, stinking pile of unwashed dishes. That’s extra hours off your relaxing weekend! What’s more, it would also attract pests such as rats and cockroaches and introduce rust and mold on your kitchen surfaces and utensils. 

Clothes aren’t just dirty and not-dirty anymore. People often leave clothes hanging over chairs, tables, and other surfaces because they’re not sure where to put clothes that have been used but aren’t dirty enough to be tossed into the washing machine. These clothes have to be integrated into your laundry organizing plan. Set up a space in your bedroom where you can place these items of clothing, like a rack with hangers. And then, if you’ve worn them enough, it’s time to put them in the laundry basket.

Also, don’t wait for the weekend to do your laundry. Try setting aside an hour at least three times a week to do little loads of laundry. This way, your laundry baskets won’t overflow and you won’t have to spend all weekend just doing your laundry. 

Get to know which parts of your home are high-traffic areas—places that are frequented by all inhabitants of your house on a daily basis. This could be the foyer, the living room, the kitchen, or the bathroom. Identifying these places helps you know which areas need to be cleaned and organized daily to prevent dirt and clutter buildup, and to prevent all that chaos from spreading to cleaner areas of the house. Strategically placed rugs and carpets help trap a lot of dirt; placing a towel near entrances can also be handy for cleaning up pets that are coming home from the outside.You don’t need to thoroughly clean these spaces all the time; a quick wiping-down and sweeping can make all the difference.

Incorporating these actions into your schedule may be a pain during the first few days or weeks, but it will become easier overtime. Once you start coming back to a cleaner and better-organized home, you’ll realize that consistently practicing these small habits is all worth the effort.