10 house rules that will dramatically cut cleaning time
As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved, and this rings as true for taming the housework as it does for tackling any of life's other challenges.
Getting the kids, your partner or flatmates to share the load of household tasks will help relieve the pressure, cut cleaning time and generally improve everyday life for everyone in the house. These easy-to-follow tips will help ensure everyone's doing their fair share. Here are 10 house rules that will make your life far easier!
Rule #1: Whoever loads the washing machine, empties it
Make it a rule in your house that the person who puts on the washing machine is also responsible for unloading it and hanging the laundry out to dry (or putting it in the tumble dryer).
Not only does this keep the laundry momentum going, it also eliminates the risk of someone putting on a load with the best of intentions in the hope someone else will unload it, and it sitting in the washing machine until it gets smelly when they don't.
If your children are too little to take responsibility for this, teach them to sort the contents of their washing bin into light and dark laundry (or ask older children to do this independently) and load the washing machine. There's no harm in starting them young!
Rule #2: Keep the washing machine clean
The person who empties the washing machine should clean out the detergent drawer and leave the main door open to air. Doing this regularly will help to prevent bad smells and keep your washing machine working efficiently.
Rule #3: Empty the vacuum canister
If you’ve vacuumed, you empty the canister. Even if your children are too young to vacuum, they can still use a dustpan and brush to clear up mess that they make, or to sweep up crumbs and dropped food underneath the table after meals. If you buy a mini broom that's more appropriate to their size, it will make this job much easier for them.
Rule #4: Clean out the tumble dryer filter
Whoever unloads the tumble dryer has to clean the filter — a build-up of fluff can be hazardous! If you have a condenser model, they should also empty the water tank in the condenser drawer.
Rule #5: Replace the bin bag
How annoying is it when you go to throw something away and there's no bin bag in the bin? A good rule to enforce is that if you empty the bin, you put a new bin bag in (same rule applies to replacing the toilet roll when one runs out, just for the record!).
Rule #6: Load the dishwasher
When you’ve finished with plates and cutlery, scrape excess food into the food waste bin and put them straight into the dishwasher. If the dishwasher's full of clean stuff, empty it!
If your children are too young to load or unload the dishwasher, set up a reward system for setting and unsetting the table and putting dirty crockery and cutlery in a designated spot in the kitchen.
Rule #7: Put things back in their place
A classic way to reduce clutter is to put things back where you found them — this includes chargers for tech! Children are likely to forget to tidy as they go, but it's a good habit to get them into as far as you can.
If you don't have time to police this throughout the day, set aside time towards the end of the day and before screen time for them to clear up and return things to their rightful places.
Rule #8: Update the shopping list
If you finish a food product, add it to the grocery list for your next big shop. Putting an ongoing shopping list on the fridge is a good way to encourage this.
Rule #9: Wipe down surfaces
An easy way to keep the kitchen clean is to encourage everyone who uses it to wipe down the worktops after using them — yes, every time! Similarly, if something gets spilled in the microwave, it's best wiped up before it gets used again so it doesn't harden.
Rule #10: Keep the bathroom clean
Leave the bathroom how you found it! Whoever uses the bath must shower off the sides afterwards, using a squeegee for tiles and screens. All but the youngest children can take responsibility for hanging up their towels after they've used them.
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