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31 Household Hacks to Clean, Streamline, and Organize Your Home

October 22 // 10 Comments // 5 Minute Read

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Housework piles up FAST if you don’t have a system for streamlining and maintaining it all. These tried-and-true household hacks come from the best homemakers on the web, and include 31 genius ways to make your home run like a well-oiled machine!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

How did I not know about these?? The housework is piling up faster than I can keep up with, and these household hacks include the best tips I've seen to streamline and organize everything. I can't wait to implement some of them this weekend! #householdhacks #productivity #cleaning #organizing #streamlining #simplifying #cleanhome #organizemyhouse

I’m a firm believer that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail, and this has never been more true when it comes to managing a home.

There’s cleaning, laundry, making meals, more laundry, picking up, and even more laundry. Did I mention how much laundry there is? I think you get the point. There’s just so much to do!

I wish I could say I had the perfect solution to every homemaking problem ever, but I’m still learning to keep my own busy lifestyle and schedule under control. Much of what I have learned, though, has been from my favorite books and blogs. There are some really talented ladies out there—many of whom I’ve been fortunate enough to meet!

These 31 household hacks include the most clever ideas I’ve picked up over the years. I guarantee ALL will help your home run like a well-oiled machine, and are pretty much pure genius!

Your Spotless Home Awaits

Get your home in order with an editable Weekly Cleaning Schedule, tailored to you!

31 Household Hacks to Streamline Your Home:

1. If clothes always end up on TOP of the hamper instead of IN it, remove the lid. Such a simple concept, but hugely effective! – All About Laundry

2. Print all your favorite recipes and put them in a single binder. No more searching for your family favorites. Here’s how I do this!

3. Fill your dirty blender with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. Turn on and let run until residue is clear.

4. If you forget to move laundry from the washer to the dryer, set a timer for 30 minutes after starting a load. Because that never happens…

5. Use seasons to find a manageable rhythm for housework and your home. For example, deep clean in the spring, focus on family for summer, declutter during fall, and rest and rejuvenate during winter.

6. Prepare breakfast the night before. This helps you get a head start on your day, and leaves less hassle to deal with in the morning. – Healthy Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes

7. Wash one window a week. It’s much more manageable to do it this way rather than all at once. Plus, you’ll always have squeaky clean windows!

8. Maintain 2-4 storage baskets of toys and rotate on a monthly basis. This keeps the amount of toys you have out to a minimum, and gives your kids “new” toys to look forward to. – 31 Days to A Clutter Free Life

9. Keep all cleaning supplies in a bucket so they’re easier to carry around while you clean. – Cleaning Around the Seasons {Note: I also like to keep a set of supplies in each bathroom.}

10. Institute a 15-minute pickup every day. This keeps counters clear and rooms looking tidy.

11. Create 21 standard meals to rotate throughout your meal plan. Include new ones in so you won’t get bored, but have at least 21 to fall back on for when you don’t have the energy or desire to plan dinner. – Plan It, Don’t Panic

12. Soak a sponge in water and place it in your microwave for 1 minute on HIGH. The moisture from the sponge softens residue inside so it’s easier to clean.

13. Keep paper plates on hand to give yourself a break. No one says you have to wash dishes ALL the time!

14. Make your grocery list according to the layout of the store you shop at most. Even better, have separate lists for separate stores. Ex. Sam’s Club, Publix, etc. – Family Systems: How to Automate Your Housewife Life 

15. Place receipts immediately into a clear jar when you get back from the store. Then process on a specific day each week.

The Big Spring Clean {Finance Edition} | Creative Savings

16. Spend 15 minutes in the morning doing dinner prep (chopping vegetables, pre-cooking, marinating meat, mixing bread dough, etc.). Dinner will come together much easier and faster!  – Plan It, Don’t Panic

17. Use plastic dollar store caddies in the fridge and freezer to keep things organized. I like to corral cheese and chocolate chips in the fridge, and frozen fruit packages in the freezer.

18. Make a master list of chores to keep the home running smoothly. Then assign each chore to a specific family member so no one person is responsible for the entire home. – The Modern Girl’s Guide to Homemaking

19. Put your shower and bath products in a plastic, drainable caddie. This makes all products easy to take in an out while you’re cleaning the shower. – 31 Days to A Clutter Free Life

20. Buy chicken in bulk and cook. Freeze in clear, ziplock bags to use in casseroles.

21. File your t-shirts vertically to save drawer space. Bonus, you’ll also see everything you own at a glance.

22. When you make a to-do list, be sure you put actual tasks on the list, not projects. This makes it much easier to take action, and won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed. – It’s About Time

23. Get the stink out of your clothes by using a few drops of Purification essential oil in the wash. It neutralizes the odor and leaves clothes smelling fresh!

How to Remove Odor from Funky Smelling Clothes | Creative Savings

24. Temptation bundle the mundane tasks with things you like to do, so they’re not as daunting. For example, listen to podcasts or watch HGTV while you clean or fold laundry.

25. Keep a Spice Inventory Sheet to keep track of all your spices. This saves you from rummaging around in the cabinet or spice drawer looking for ones you don’t currently have on hand.

26. Use an app like Todoist to remind you of recurring tasks that are easily forgettable. Examples are household maintenance, car maintenance, and monthly cleaning tasks.

27. Wash your family’s socks in separate lingerie bags so you never lose a pair again. (Or I guess I should say, half a pair!)

28. Use a calendar to break down big tasks into small chores. This is much less daunting and allows you to just focus on one task a day. – Simplify: Thoughts and Tips to Live More Intentionally

29. Clean your blinds easily and effectively with a sock. Just slip one onto your hand and then dip it into a solution of 50/50 water and white vinegar to wipe blinds.

30. Keep power cords organized by stuffing inside empty toilet paper tubes. Get fancy and decorate with washi tape!

31. Create a family command center to house important paperwork. This includes a calendar for appointments, your cleaning schedule, meal plan, and a grocery list. – 31 Days to A Clutter Free Life

Whew! So many good ideas to get your home in order…and help keep it that way!

If you liked this post, you’re going to love my other cleaning and organizing goodies:

  • 9 Benefits of a Clean Home (That Will Make You WANT to Clean)
  • Every household is different, which means every homemaking style can be different too. The Modern Girl's Guide to Homemaking is all about household management YOUR way, and is now available for individual purchase at the super low price of $4.99!
    5 Tools I Use to Organize My Entire Life
  • How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes – a super easy trick!

BONUS: Here is another round-up post with more than 50 Home Cleaning Tips and Hacks.

I also wrote a workbook called, The Modern Girl’s Guide to Homemaking, which shows you how to run a successful home in the 21st century. It’s the resource I WISH I had when I first learned how to manage a home!

Did you learn any new-to-you hacks?

What’s your favorite tip to streamline and organize your home?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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Comments

  1. Cheyenne says

    April 27 at 10:31 am

    I already (attempt to) do most of these on the list. However, the one that hit me like a ton of “duh”s was to write TASKS down not PROJECTS. It may just be a mind trick but seems less daunting.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      April 28 at 1:24 pm

      It’s funny how sometimes just a simple change in perspective can make a huge difference.

      Reply
  2. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    April 27 at 4:34 pm

    Oh, oh, oh… I do the first 3 tips! The rest were so inspiring! A window a week — why hadn’t I thought of that?! I hate window washing. That would certainly take the edge off wouldn’t it?!

    Such an awesome list of tips and now I have to check out your book (since I already have a bundle)!

    Thanks for sharing!
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      April 28 at 1:26 pm

      I have to give credit to Joseph for the window washing trick. He HATES doing windows, but started doing 1 a week so that we wouldn’t have to do them all at one time twice a year. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Lindsey says

    April 27 at 5:10 pm

    These tips are amazing and super helpful! One thing I do every weekend to keep my own clean is to focus on one area and really clean it well. Last weekend was the bathroom sink and the week before that was the coat closet. Giving myself one area of the house to work on often motivates me to want to do more. But when you have just one small area to focus on it makes cleaning and organizing a breeze!

    I really need to do the whole laundry timer thing though, that’s a great tip.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      April 28 at 1:28 pm

      That’s a great idea, Lindsey! Breaks daunting cleaning routines down even a step further.

      Reply
  4. Courtney says

    April 27 at 6:54 pm

    I love the “wash one window a week” tip! I have less windows to deal with now that we live in our Airstream, but they get dirty quick! Maybe I’ll do 2 a week on separate days and that way I’ll hit all of them once a month. Brilliant! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      April 28 at 1:30 pm

      You’re welcome, Courtney.

      Joseph and I are actually planning a summer long RV trip in a few years… so I’m going to be stalking your blog for a while. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Natalie @ Financegirl says

    May 1 at 1:13 pm

    One nice thing about living in an apartment while I repay my student loan debt from law school is that the space is small, which means cleaning doesn’t take that much time! I think if I’m financially able to in the future, I will outsource some of the cleaning in my future home (at least, ideally)!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      May 2 at 11:37 pm

      I love how you said this: “Outsourcing some of the cleaning…” 🙂 This is one of my life goals as well! Until then… it’s hacks, tips, and checklists. 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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Minimalism ≠ Deprivation.⁣
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Sadly, I find m

Minimalism ≠ Deprivation.⁣
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Sadly, I find most people resist minimalism because they can't wrap their head around "having less." People tend to equate this movement with blank walls, white IKEA furniture, and decluttering everything in your home down to practically nothing so you can live full-time in an RV. Like me. 😉⁣
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But, while minimalism could be all that, this mindset misses the point. Minimalism is not only about “having less.” 🚫⁣
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It’s so much more than that.⁣
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This week on the blog, I'm sharing the REAL definition of minimalism (that people who love their stuff can totally get behind!) as well as practical ways to incorporate minimalism into your life. 🎉⁣
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Drop a heart emoji in the comments below and I'll send the link to your DM's! 💖

I love lazy Saturday mornings…as long as I have
I love lazy Saturday mornings...as long as I have a book and a cozy blanket! 😍

I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣

I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣
⁣
“I’ve been thinking about what tech boundaries I want to instill, including boundaries related to work and productivity. I’ve become less careful about my media consumption, and it’s having a negative affect on my mental health.” 💞⁣
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Have you ever felt a similar tug? ⁣
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I can’t begin to tell you how many times I pick up my phone because I’m bored or lonely or jealous or unhappy. It almost always makes me feel worse. And yet...I struggle to stop. 😝⁣
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Here are the ideas I’ve been trying this month and I’m already seeing a positive effect:⁣
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➕ No logging into social media after 8pm. I need to wind down for the night, not get lost in my phone! 📲⁣
➕ Open Instagram with a purpose—either to post or to interact. Stop endlessly scrolling.⁣
➕ My only screen time before 9am should be for Bible Study apps or News. 🗞⁣
➕ Turn my phone on Do Not Disturb during Tiger Time (when I need the most focus for work) 💪⁣
➕ Work no more than 4 hours on my business per day. If a task isn’t complete, push it to the next day. This time frame has really helped me prioritize! 💻⁣
➕ Watch one show per day (or two if they are short!) and leave movies for the weekend. 📺⁣
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What tech boundaries have you set up? Are any new as of this year? I’d love to hear your ideas! 😃

What’s one thing you budget for that other peopl
What’s one thing you budget for that other people might not? I always find those interesting. 😃⁣
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You might have a mortgage. I budget for campgrounds. You might want a separate clothing budget, while I’m fine combining it under “Beauty and Style.” Recently, we also added a new line item for our motorcycle—something I NEVER thought would appear in our budget. ⁣
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See, we’re all different! ⁣
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Recently, I rearranged my budget categories and created this “cheat sheet.” Sometimes I forget where things go, like picking up new wall art for the living room. Does this item belong in the categories of Household Items or Home Maintenance? 🤔⁣
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Now I know! And I save time processing receipts each Friday. 🧾⁣
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What budgeting categories do you use? Share one of your random budget line items with me in the comments below! 😃

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
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I

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
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I’m never afraid to stop reading a book if it doesn’t live up to the hype. Why invest more time in a book I’m not all that excited about when I could be exploring new authors and storylines where I can’t wait to turn the page? 🤷⁣
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But in 2020, I let more books go than I normally do. I suppose my patience dwindled when I thought the world was ending. Not that I thought the world was actually ending…but you know what I mean. 😉⁣
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As an Enneagram 1, I hate giving up on a book. I’m prone to the all-or-nothing mentality, even in my reading habits. My eyes could glaze over boring prose and I’d still repeat to myself: “You MUST finish this book!” 😫⁣
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Why? ⁣
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No one is adding a plastic star to your Book-It pin, (Remember those?) This isn’t assigned reading from your high school English class. This is YOUR reading life. ⁣
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And YOU should choose what books deserve your attention. 📚⁣
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There are too many good ones out there anyway.  Like one of my favorite reads from 2020. 😍⁣
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This week’s newest blog post rounds up everything I read last year (43 books total!) including 5-star psychological thrillers, a delightful royal series, a couple self-help books, and of course, historical fiction.⁣
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Click the link in my bio to read it! ☝⁣
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What were your favorite books in 2020? Our literary styles might be a match made in heaven! ✨

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
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T

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
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These small but mighty sidekicks will be my saving grace this year. 📚⁣
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1️⃣ Bullet Journal (Blue) - for everyday planning and goal setting⁣
2️⃣ Regular Journal (Yellow) - to track gratitude (5 things a day!) and to process ALL the feelings⁣
3️⃣ Growth Journal (Sand) - a space for me to brain dump everything I learn from books, podcasts, sermons, etc ⁣
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That last one is new to me as of this year and I can't wait to flip back through all my notes come December! 📆⁣
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What planners/journals are you using for 2021?


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