At the start of each new year, everyone begins making a huge effort to take on the year with a cleaner, more organised home. It starts off being a not-so-daunting task, as we become filled with new year inspiration to keep our homes in tip-top condition.

However, fast forward a few months, and it becomes a chore we like to forget about. There will always be something more important to do than have a wardrobe clear out, or to start cleaning all the windows.

Keeping your home clean and organised doesn’t have to be as dull as it sounds. When your home is tidy and in order, those day-to-day jobs suddenly feel easier, and life seems to run more smoothly.

So, if having an organised and clean home can make such an impact on our life and mood, then surely we all want to know how to stick to it?

Here are six ways to enjoy a cleaner, more organised home all year round.

1. Deep clean one room at a time

No matter how often we do a little clean around the house, you can’t go wrong with a deep clean once in a while. The thought of deep cleaning the entire house can be a bit time consuming (and dull!), therefore look at doing one room at a time.

You could deep clean your living room on a Sunday, and then do your kitchen the following Sunday. This way, you will stay focused on the room you are working on, ensuring it is left completely spotless.

2. Stick to a cleaning routine

A solid routine is one of the only ways you can stick to cleaning regularly and efficiently. It totally depends on what type of person you are and what size of house you have. For example, you could set aside 30 minutes on Monday and Thursday evenings to blitz the house.

Or, you could work to 15 minutes every day. Consider what works with your lifestyle, and add a continuous clean into your routine., so you can easily find a way to a cleaner home.

3. Give your cupboards and wardrobes a clear out as you go

As well as having to clean a full room from floor to ceiling, the thought of sorting through cupboards, drawers and wardrobes adds other tasks onto your list. To make it easier, work these tasks into your everyday life. Whenever you open a drawer and find old items, either throw them away or recycle them when ‘in the moment’. That way, you’ll keep on top of hoarding a load of stuff you don’t need.

Remember that homes which look visually appealing always tend to be on the minimal side. Having a clear out ‘as you go’ will rid your home of old items, and is a great way to be savvy with space saving.

4. Wipe down the kitchen and bathroom every night

Lots of people get into a habit of doing one big weekly clean, which means a build up of dirt when you come round to the task. In order to live in a much cleaner house, focus on wiping down your kitchen and bathroom every evening before bed. Bleach the toilet, wipe down the kitchen worktops, and tidy away any out of place items and mess.

When you clean these rooms nightly, it will start making you put clutter away during the day to save you the job at night. Plus, nothing beats waking up to a fresh, clean house!

5. Clean up as you cook

Whether you enjoy cooking or you despise it, everyone knows the worst part of it is the ‘aftermath’. The sink full of dirty dishes and utensils, messy work surfaces, hobs filled with bits of food, and crumbs nestling in every gap.

After enjoying the meal you’ve just cooked comes the temptation to leave the washing up and cleaning until the next day. However, an easier solution is to try and clean and tidy up as you cook. There is always a moment when something is baking or boiling, and at those points, do a quick wash up. Even if you only get a little bit done, it makes the chores afterwards so much less!

6. Avoid making piles around the home

We’re all guilty of this. Whether it’s putting piles of clothes waiting for the wash in a pile near the washing machine, or clothes from the day before on the bedroom floor, these mountains of ‘things’ tend to grow.

The first step is to get out of the habit of using the floor as a dumping ground. It isn’t just clothing we do this with, it can be our household recyclables piled up at the door because we’re too lazy to go to our bins or piles of books and magazines we stack up for when we plan to have some relaxing time.

The reality is that we let the piles grow before doing anything with them, so it’s best to avoid even starting a pile in the first place!

The bottom line is to visualise a clean, organised home, and start taking small steps every day to reach your goal. It might take a few weeks to get into these new habits (they say it takes six weeks to form a habit!), but stick to them, and a tidier, cleaner and more organised home will be yours before you know it.

Disclosure – this is a collaborative post