12 Habits I Stopped That Made My Home Feel Instantly Cleaner

July 2, 2025440Views

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In our hectic lives, maintaining a clean home may often feel like an uphill battle. But what if I told you that by simply changing a few habits, you could instantly make your home feel cleaner? It’s true! Here are 12 habits I stopped that have made my home feel instantly cleaner.

1. Leaving Shoes at the Front Door

Three pairs of shoes on a doormat, adult black sneakers with brown laces, white sneakers, and small baby shoes with panda faces, placed near a white door on wooden flooring — Image Credit: Lisa from Pexels/Pexels.

By choosing to leave my shoes at the door, I’ve significantly decreased the amount of dirt and debris tracking into my home. Not only does this reduce the need for constant vacuuming, but it also helps keep my floors and carpets looking cleaner for longer. Plus, it’s a quick and easy habit to adopt!

2. Ignoring Clutter

Woman holding a white storage bin with books and notebooks, reaching to place or pick an item from a wooden shelf, and a window with sheer curtains — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

I used to ignore piles of clutter, thinking I would deal with them later. However, I’ve found that taking a few minutes each day to declutter has significantly improved the overall cleanliness of my home. Whether it’s sorting mail, folding laundry, or putting away toys, tackling clutter daily has made a huge difference.

3. Using Too Many Cleaning Products

Yellow cleaning bucket filled with supplies, mop, spray bottles, gloves, sponges, brushes, person wearing an apron — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

I used to believe that the more cleaning products I had, the cleaner my home would be. But in reality, this only led to more clutter and confusion. By simplifying my cleaning routine and sticking to a few effective products, I’ve been able to clean more efficiently and keep my home tidier.

4. Not Cleaning as You Go

Smiling woman in a pink and white plaid shirt cleaning a granite kitchen countertop with a white cloth and spray bottle — Image Credit: RDNE Stock Project/Pexels.

I used to save all my cleaning for one big day. However, I’ve found that cleaning as I go – whether it’s washing dishes immediately after a meal or wiping down the bathroom counter after use – can keep my home feeling fresh and clean all week long.

5. Neglecting High-Traffic Areas

Person wearing a yellow rubber glove cleaning a white bathroom sink with an orange sponge, surrounded by various cleaning bottles — Image Credit: Kaboompics.com/Pexels.

I used to focus on cleaning rooms that guests would see while neglecting high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. But by paying more attention to these spaces, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the overall cleanliness of my home.

6. Letting Dishes Pile Up

Sink full of unwashed dishes, plastic containers, and utensils under a window with horizontal blinds — Image Credit: Wallace Chuck/Pexels.

By washing dishes immediately after use or loading them into the dishwasher right away, I’ve eliminated one of the most common sources of kitchen clutter. This small change has had a big impact on how clean my home feels.

7. Not Having a Place for Everything

Modern hallway with light wood floors, beige walls, a black bench with a striped pillow, a round wall mirror, two light-colored coats hanging on hooks, and two pairs of shoes neatly placed on the floor — Image Credit: Lisa Anna/Pexels.

By ensuring that everything in my home has a designated place, I’ve been able to reduce clutter and keep my home looking neat and tidy.

8. Holding Onto Unnecessary Items

white container for declutter — Image Credit: Vladislav Smigelski / Unsplash.

Decluttering isn’t just about organizing, it’s also about letting go of items that are no longer needed or used. By regularly purging unnecessary items, I’ve been able to maintain a cleaner, more organized home.

9. Not Cleaning Up After Pets

Hand using small handheld vacuum to clean carpet, cat watching nearby, removing dirt from light-colored rug — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Pets can bring a lot of joy, but also a lot of mess. By cleaning up after my pets daily – whether it’s vacuuming pet hair or cleaning their feeding area – I’ve managed to keep my home cleaner and more hygienic.

10. Forgetting to Dust

Hand using feather duster on wooden shelf holding blue ceramic teapot, cups, and small pottery items — Image Credit: cottonbro studio/Pexels.

I used to overlook dusting in my cleaning routine, but dust can quickly build up and make a home feel dirty. By dusting regularly, I’ve found that my home feels cleaner and fresher.

11. Leaving Clothes Out

Person carrying a large laundry basket filled with clothes, standing near a washing machine, small dog looking up from the floor — Image credit: Sarah Chai/Pexels.

Instead of leaving clothes lying around, I’ve made it a habit to put them away immediately. This not only reduces clutter but also makes my home look and feel cleaner.

12. Not Changing Bed Sheets Regularly

Woman making a bed, modern bedroom setting, neatly arranged pillows, large window with city view, natural light filling the room, minimal and clean decor — Image Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko/ Pexels.

Finally, changing my bed sheets regularly has made a world of difference in how clean my home feels. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of fresh, clean sheets, and this simple change has added a sense of cleanliness and freshness to my entire home.