Inside: Learn how busy people keep minimalist homes clean by using easy routines to maintain their space.
A guest post by Cora Gold
If you’ve ever looked around your home and wondered how it seems to get messy so quickly, you’re not alone.
Life is full—full schedules, full calendars, full days that end before the to-do list does. When you’re busy, keeping a minimalist home clean can feel like something reserved for people with more time, more energy, or fewer responsibilities.
However, most minimalist homes aren’t kept clean through long, elaborate cleaning sessions. They’re maintained through simple routines that work quietly in the background of everyday life.
Minimalism isn’t about perfection or spotless rooms. It’s about creating systems for your home that work for you. When your routines are realistic, even the busiest days can end in a space that feels calm and manageable.
In this post, I’m sharing an easy, repeatable routine that busy people use to keep their minimalist homes clean. It’s flexible and designed to fit real life because a clean home should feel like a relief, not another obligation.
Tips to Keep a Minimalist Home Clean
After decluttering your home in the new year, you may be wondering how to keep your space maintained and clean.
Having a simplified space makes cleaning significantly easier. When you don’t have to move many items to dust or take everything off the counters, cleaning is much quicker.
Use the following tips that busy people use to keep their minimalist homes clean. Customize the schedule to suit your needs.
And keep in mind that even some simple habit changes can have a big impact on your home. Start small and create routines that will work for you and your home.
Establish a Morning Routine
Morning habits and routines shape your day. Whether you begin with coffee or a run, consistent habits help set a positive tone. Disrupted routines can negatively impact your diet, sleep, and physical activity, so it’s important to stick to them.
Incorporating cleaning into your morning routine helps maintain a minimalist home. This doesn’t have to be complicated — just a few simple actions in five minutes can make a big difference.
Think of it as a quick home reset to get started in the day. Tasks like making the bed, clearing the bathroom counter after getting ready, and putting away items such as cups, books, or clothing quickly restore order and reinforce minimalist habits.
Monday — Linens and Laundry
Mondays are a great time to do laundry, as it ensures your clothes are fresh for the week ahead. Use the time to refresh the bedding and catch up on laundry from the weekend.
These steps will differ from household to household, but it’s best to start by stripping all the beds and starting a load of sheets. Then you can work on clothes and towels.
Depending on the size of your family, you may need to spend multiple days a week doing laundry.
However, keep in mind that doing full loads of laundry is more efficient than doing half loads every few days. Wait until your basket is full so you can reduce water usage, electricity, and wear and tear on your machines.
Tuesday — Dusting
Dust accumulates quickly and can make a space feel dingy, so tackling it regularly is key. The type of dusting equipment is key, too. Use a damp microfiber cloth to trap dust rather than move it around surfaces.
It’s also important to dust from top to bottom. Tackle ceiling fans and high shelves first, then work your way down to tables and baseboards.
Doing so will make sure that if dust does move around and fall to surfaces beneath, you’ll be able to tackle it. Minimalist homes will benefit from easier dusting, as the fewer objects you have on your surfaces, the quicker this cleaning habit will be done.
Wednesday — Vacuuming
Vacuuming is essential in keeping your home dust-free, but it can often be overlooked when you have other important tasks. Setting aside one day a week will keep dust buildup to a minimum.
To be the most effective when establishing a vacuum into your cleaning routine, prioritize high-traffic areas. These can include the living room and hallways, where dirt and mess can quickly build up.
You can also use a handheld one for easy cleaning of desks, cushions, carpets, and more. Use the appropriate attachment to clean quickly along baseboards or under couch cushions.
Thursday — The Kitchen
Your kitchen likely sees a lot of action during the week. While you might do a quick cleanup after you cook each night, you should still take a day to give it more attention.
First, clear your countertops, tossing any trash and putting away anything that belongs in a cabinet or drawer. Then, thoroughly wipe down all your surfaces, including the fridge, dishwasher, and other appliances.
Sweep and mop the floor, making sure to get the corners where crumbs may have settled. Setting a timer for 20 minutes will make the chore feel more manageable.
Friday — Floors
Finish the week by focusing on the floors, cleaning them and catching any hot spots where clutter might accumulate, like under couches or coffee tables.
Use a suitable mop on all hard floors to give them a nice shine.
This should also include picking things up off the floor. Grab a basket and walk around the house, collecting anything that’s out of place.
Clutter cleanup is a great task for kids to help with, especially if they have left toys around the house.
Saturday — Bathroom
If the weekends provide more free time for your cleaning schedule, Saturdays are a great day to tackle a high-traffic area, like the bathroom.
Start by decluttering items in the bathroom, as having fewer items out will make the cleaning process much easier.
If it’s been a while since your last bathroom deep clean, now is the perfect time to do it so you can start the new year fresh. Once you make this a weekly habit, it will become easier and less time-consuming to maintain.
Scrub the toilet bowl, and wipe down the sink, faucet, and countertops.
For an eco-friendly way to clean countertops, consider using bio-based surfactants as an alternative to traditional ingredients. They can achieve the same results while being more environmentally friendly.
Sunday — A Cleaning Reset
Some people may save all their weekly chores for Sunday, but that can be a sure way to run out of time and miss out on much-needed rest before the new week starts.
Instead, use Sundays for low-effort tasks so you can be productive but still have time to relax.
Complete simple tasks like taking out the trash, replacing hand towels, and straightening up anything that may be out of place after the weekend. Set a timer for one hour and see how much you can accomplish.
Then, reward yourself with some downtime as you prepare for the week ahead.
Master a 10-Minute Closing Shift
An evening routine also helps keep your home clean and clutter-free. Simple habits like washing dishes or wiping counters before bed can signal it’s time to wind down.
Sticking to a schedule can improve your quality of sleep and overall mental health.
If you already have a bedtime routine, adding small cleaning tasks makes it easy to maintain order and cleanliness. Tidy common areas, fluff pillows, fold blankets, and clear surfaces. Doing so creates a tidy environment and a more restful night’s sleep.
New Year, New Habits
The New Year is a time of reflection and gratitude. However, it can also be a great opportunity to establish cleaning habits that benefit both you and your home.
Getting your home into shape doesn’t have to be hard work. Small steps can make a big difference. Sticking to a regular cleaning schedule will not just make your minimalist home spotless, it will also benefit your productivity, physical and mental well-being for years to come.
What’s your best tip for keeping minimalist homes clean? Share it in the comments section below.
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