45 “One Minute Rule” Cleaning Habits You Should Always Do Right Away

Some giant messes happen in a matter of minutes, like the explosion that can happen when you’re packing for a trip or when you cook and eat a big breakfast in a rush. But many household messes that transpire (the ones that lead to someone shouting, “this house is a mess!”) happen insidiously, the result of many little tasks that we didn’t want to be bothered with at the moment.

One way to prevent these kinds of creep-up-on-you, whole-house disasters is keeping this rule: “If it takes less than a minute to finish, do it right away.”

Here is a mega list of such less-than-a-minute, do-it-now tasks that will keep your home cleaner, forever:

• Put the dish in the dishwasher.
• Wipe up what you spilled on the counter.
• Scrub the kitchen sink after washing the dishes at night.
• Wipe down the inside of the microwave if your food splatters.
• Dry the dish you just washed and put it away.
• Wash the cutting board.
• Empty crumbs from the toaster oven or toaster.
• Take out the trash.
• Empty the recycling when it’s full.
• Decant pantry items.
• Empty the coffee grounds from the coffee maker.
• Unpack the groceries.
• Straighten up the freezer.

• Wipe the table after you eat.
• Push the chairs in.
• Toss the dying flowers as soon as you notice them.

• Put the earrings back in the jewelry box rather than on the dresser.
• Hang the jacket in the closet.
• Put the dirty socks in the hamper rather than on the floor.
• Make the bed, first thing.

• Bring the popcorn bowl from the living room to the sink after movie night.
• Put the sweatshirt/cardigan/sweater away when you leave the room rather than leaving it on the couch.
• Take the blanket back to its basket.
• Put the remote away.
• Put your book in its designated spot.
• Put the charging cables back in the drawer when you’re done charging.
• Put the DVD back in its case and the case back in its place.

• Break down the Amazon box for recycling as soon as you unbox.
• Put your purse where it belongs.
• Hang your keys on the hook.
• Go through the mail before you set it on the counter.
• Put your shoes on the shoe rack (not next to it).
• Take the return out to the car.
• Take the water bottle out of the car.

• Shred the sensitive paper.
• Bring your mug from your desk to the sink.
• Empty your purse of receipts.

• Spray a daily shower cleaner after you take a shower.
• Put the hair dryer away.
• Squeegee the shower door.
• Switch out the empty toilet paper roll. (Seriously, please.)

• Dry the front loader’s damp door after a load.
• Separate the laundry.
• Soak the stained shirt.
• Toss in the load.