Want a Tidy Home? Here are the 10 Things to Put Away Every Day

Daily habits are the building blocks of excellence.

Keeping a tidy home isn’t just about deep cleaning sessions or massive decluttering projects. Don’t get me wrong, those can be helpful.

But keeping a tidy home is also about small, daily habits that make a big difference. Here are ten common items that, when put away daily, can significantly enhance the tidiness and calmness of your space.

There is a large number of items that could fit on this list, but we wanted to focus on simpler chores—items that (in most cases) can be put away in 2-3 minutes at the end of the day. Making each a daily habit will result in a profound difference in your home each morning.

1. Dishes and Cookware

Start and end your day with a clear sink. Keeping up with your dishes and cookware prevents the kitchen from looking chaotic and makes cooking the next meal easier and more enjoyable. At the very least, load and run your dishwasher if appropriate to keep the items off your morning counter.

2. Clothes You Wore

Resist the temptation to leave clothes on a chair or floor. Hang them up or put them in the laundry. This habit not only keeps your bedroom neat but also saves you time later. A simple habit that makes a big difference.

3. Bathroom Toiletries

After your morning and evening routines, take a moment to put away toiletries. A clear bathroom counter invites calm and order into your start and end of the day. And nobody needs extra frustration before you even leave the house.

4. Shoes and Coats

Designate a spot in your coat closet for shoes and coats and then put your items away every evening. We also recommend teaching your kids to do the same. This simple act can dramatically reduce entryway clutter and make your home more welcoming.

5. The Mail

Sort through your mail daily. Recycle junk immediately, and place important mail in a designated spot for further action. This prevents piles from growing and keeps your counters clear.

6. Remote Controls

Take a few minutes every evening to tidy your living room on your way to bed each night. Take dishes back to the kitchen, tidy pillows and blankets, and put the remote controls back where they belong (a drawer, basket, or shelf). This not only tidies up your living space but also saves time spent searching for those items later.

7. Children’s Toys

Encourage your children to put away their toys each evening. This can be a fun and educational routine that helps them understand the importance of organization. The fewer toys you own, the easier this is. Also, identifying a home for each toy is also a helpful step (especially for younger kids).

8. Books and Magazines

After relaxing with a book or magazine, place it back on the shelf or in a reading basket. This habit keeps your living areas neat and orderly.

9. Snack Wrappers and Beverage Containers

Dispose of or recycle snack wrappers and empty beverage containers immediately after use. This prevents them from accumulating on tables and countertops. But even more, clutter can cause overeating. And nothing tempts us to eat unhealthy more than the reminder of how good sugary snacks and beverages taste.

10. Bedding

Make your bed each morning. It takes only a few minutes and creates a significant visual impact, making your bedroom a serene retreat.

And we know we mentioned a list of ten. But here’s a bonus item you’ll love putting away: your charger cord.

Tucking away your charger cords after each use, especially in commonly used spaces like kitchen counters or living room end tables, not only keeps your space clutter-free but also prevents the cords from becoming a tripping hazard or getting damaged. Embrace this habit, and watch how it transforms your everyday tidiness.

Maintaining a tidy home is less about the time spent and more about the consistency of simple habits.

Integrating these daily practices can transform your space and your mind, leading to a more peaceful and orderly life. Start today, and you’ll notice how these small steps can lead to significant changes.