Transcription
Look, I may not have housekeepers, but I do have smoother running systems, kids, a spouse, and my gadgets. Because let's be real, it's hard to take care of a home by yourself. So, here's some of the ways I'm able to keep my home not perfect, but presentable.
One way is to get things you don't have to clean as much. And there's so many ways to think about this. I'll just throw y'all some examples and things that we incorporate at home.
One, a stone dish drying mat. So, when you're hand washing dishes, the regular dish drying racks, y'all, they hold mold, mildew. OMG, when I tell you it's a headache dealing with those. We've had this stone drying mat for years, and I've only had to clean it maybe once or twice in all of our years of having it. It instantly dries. So, when water hits it, it instantly dries. So, you don't have to worry about that mold, that mildew. That's one less thing to worry about cleaning, okay? Start thinking about the things you always clean or have to clean all the time, it adds up. So, the stone dish drying mat has been a game changer for my kitchen.
Another example, using air fryer liners. Air fryer liners help to cut down on your cleaning in your air fryers. So, it catches the crumbs, the grease, all of that. So, you don't have to deep clean your air fryers as much as you normally would without them. And ever since we've incorporated them, it's like, yes. Thank you so much for inventing these.
Another example, recycle bags. For us, we use our recycle trash cans a lot. And we recycle a lot. And so, y'all, recycle trash cans get so dirty, okay? So, from milk spilling out from the milk cartons, the liquids and all of that. So, one thing we do is we use recycle bags for recycle, just like we use trash bags for our trash can. It cuts down on how much cleaning we have to do, and we keep everything recycled together, goes right out to the trash can, and it's less cleaning of the recycle bin, okay? Again, think about the things that you use all the time. And if you can find easy ways to cut down on the cleaning, that's one easy way to lighten your load.
Now, another thing, have a home for everything, mostly. Okay? So, I am not a perfectionist, you guys. If y'all have hung with me from whatever platform, you already know that. I say that all the time. It's in my book. I am not a perfectionist, but I do believe in presentable, right? So, when I say have a home for everything, mostly, quote-unquote, that could mean all sorts of things for different homes. But, one thing that has helped us out a lot is baskets. Whether you're organized person or not, baskets can be your best friend, okay? Sometimes, you may not know how to organize, but if you have a bin for things, it just changes the game. And literally, a secret hack, if you want a spotless home in seconds, have bins everywhere. If I walked y'all through my home and showed you how many bins we have and hidden storage spots, y'all, it's amazing. I have a ton of baskets. I have a ton of hidden bins and hidden storage. But, just having a place for everything, and sometimes it's just a temporary place, and that's okay. That is okay. Don't beat yourself up if you don't have a permanent spot for things or if you're not the most organized person, it's okay. Listen, just find a spot for things. Like, we have a stair basket on our steps for things that are in our living room and kitchen that needs to go upstairs, in the kids' room, or whatever. We have that stair basket there, okay? Sometimes, it's over piled, that's very true. But, just having a place for things can help a lot.
One thing, like for instance, a problem area for us was our medicines and our supplements. I used to try to keep them in a drawer or cabinet, it just, you know, did not work. They ended up always being on our counter. So, what I did, I found something on the counter that's easy to have all our medicine and supplements. And so, for us, that was the win. That was the space for it. It's big enough, easy enough, we can all grab, even my kids, they go get their own supplements and vitamins. So, yeah, the counter was where they ended up landing, so I just found a spot on the counter for them. [laughter] So, there's so many ways to look at it, but I'm just throwing you guys out some examples. But, if you learn to have a home for everything, mostly, it will literally help your home stay clean and spotless.
Okay, let's move on to the next tip I have for y'all, and that is for systems for things that pile up, okay? This is huge, because when things pile up and you don't have a system in place, things can get really chaotic, okay? And this is not one hat fits all, but I'll throw you out some examples, right?
For instance, for like kids. Kids outgrow clothes so quick. One system I've had in place from day one for our kids is a bin or basket in the closet or somewhere nearby that we can throw clothes in as soon as they outgrow them. Because what happens is if you're not going through the clothes or you're not taking that time out to stay on top of as they outgrown clothes or drawers overfill, the closet is overfilled, blah blah blah, right? And then you be like, "Oh my god, that's a headache. I got to do that." And you're like putting that stress on yourself and you feel overwhelmed. If you have something that already tackles that problem from day one, I kid you not, I loved my system with my first son. I had a bin in his closet and I still do now. Because these kids do outgrow clothes quick. If they're trying on something, putting on something that morning and it's too small, we just take and go to right in the bin. You want it easy to access, you don't want it in the attic or basement or somewhere, you need it close. That's the only way you'll be able to tackle that right on. Have it close where you can put it right in that basket or the kids can put it right in that basket, and that way as they're outgrowing clothes, it's a system that already takes care of that.
Now, when that basket is full, a easy thing to do is have a other place to put them. So, I like to use big old storage bags a lot of times, or if I want to go through it what I'm going to give away or keep or other kids cuz y'all my little girl wore a lot of my little boy's stuff. So yes, I did keep a lot of clothes. >> [laughter] >> So whether you want to keep them or donate them, you can pull that bin down whenever it's full or you can have another big old bag to dump it all in when you're ready to go through it at a later point in time. You have it. But that way their drawers stay consistent with their growth, the causes as well, and you don't have to worry about the whole clothes and shoes system getting overwhelmed. So that's one system that works for us really well.
Another system that I corporate years ago and I still swear by, that is having portable vacuums everywhere. And this works for me. This is just an example, okay? You don't have to do what I do. I'm just trying to give you some examples. The reason why I do that is because for me I have found if I don't tackle a spill or some crumbs or from eating at my desk and I make a mess, if I don't tackle that then it's going to get out of hand, okay? And not only will it draw bugs and rodents and all of that, but it's also going to get more dirty, more dirty, more dirty. It's just So what I do, I make it easy on myself. We have portable vacuums everywhere. We have literally vacuums and portable vacuums everywhere. Let me fix that cuz that way if I make a spill if I make a spill right now, right here I'm drinking or making or protein powder, guess what? I have a portable vacuum right over here in the corner, okay? If I'm in my office eating at my desk and I waste something, guess what? I have a portable vacuum right there in the office. I can just get it up. It takes 5 seconds to just go and clean it up and it's done, okay? The cars, we keep vacuums in every car. Sometimes multiple vacuums. But if we're out and somebody make a spill, we try to go on and get it out. And that's one reason why our cars stay clean. And we also have car trash. I 100% believe in a car trash can, y'all. Our cars are never completely out of hand even after a road trip. We do have to vacuum dirt out and stuff just from everyday wear and tear, but as far as like our cars being a complete disaster like people's are, you know, and I get it. You live in your car with you know, you're always in the car, but we I have systems. That's why our place is not always out like out of hand. So, the cars, the car trash can, the vacuums in the car so we can clean up on the go. We can throw out stuff. I mean, it's just game changing.
Another system, y'all don't beat me up for this. I'm just I'm being real. I'm being real. And I'm just going to throw it out there and it's not meant to be anything negative so please don't take it that way. But, you know, sometimes when we're exhausted and we don't feel like doing dishes, we will use disposable utensils whether you want to do paper or plastic. But, let me tell you something. Sometimes we get overwhelmed uh moms or dads, but a lot of times moms get so overwhelmed. You have so much to do and so much on you. The dishes sometimes can just make it even way more stressful. Sometimes just to lighten that load and you know, you don't have to do it all the time. But, if this like a weekday and y'all have been running or a weekend or whatever and you need a break, take your break, okay? We have used, you know, disposable plates. We've used air fryer liners >> [laughter] >> and put them in plates and so that we can just toss the liner or you know, recycle it, whatever you want to do. But, if you need some disposable dishes and utensils and you need you a break, take your break, okay? So, that is another system, too, because y'all, I'm not perfect, but sometimes that stress needs to be managed. And if you are overwhelmed and you don't feel like doing dishes, have a system in place. Have some already on hand and say, "Hey, grab the paper plates. We eating off those tonight. It It's okay, okay?" Anyway, that is another system. So, just think of things that can lighten your load. And those are some examples, okay?
Now, another tip, delegate and get help. Yes, yes, yes. Learn this, incorporate this, delegate and get help. And when I say that, if you got kids in the house, allow them to help you. And I say this in the most gentle way, okay? You can find fun ways for your kids to help out. One, we teach our kids to clean up. I have two and they're completely different. One has been taught to clean and he will clean up and put up stuff as he takes stuff out. Yes, the other one is complete opposite. She'll pull out everything, right? But you got to find a way to get them to help out, okay? And then like two, for instance, another example is with clothes on the floor. I have a basketball hamper in my son's room and granted he actually never like left clothes everywhere. He would put them in the hamper. But to make things fun, I got a basketball hamper. And if your kids just drop things all over the floor, I guarantee you a basketball hamper will change that. >> [laughter] >> They love shooting, they love throwing. It makes it a game, right? And that way that's one less issue you don't have to write clothes on their floor. There's so many ways to incorporate them and have them help you, but let the people that live with you help. But you might have to help them out by finding them creative ways to help out. You see what I'm saying?
With my husband, I'm a huge gadget lover. Don't have housekeepers, but I do have my gadgets. I have my robot vacuums, I have my robot vacuum and mop that can do both. So if we need to vacuum and mop at the same time, we're just going to use that and it self-cleans, too. I'll just pop up a video, you can kind of see it. But my husband likes to use that gadget, too. I mean, he will use it more than I will use it. >> [laughter] >> I don't know what it is. They like gadgets, you know? So I have a little cleaning tool. He will go use that and just go, you know, it's the gadgets, okay? It was so funny cuz he was like, "Yeah, I got that little gadget and got in there." I was like, "Oh, that's great." >> [laughter] >> I have lots of cleaning gadgets, y'all, and I'm just trying to have a link to all of them below, but you know, the gadgets help as well. So anything that cuts down on elbow grease, anything that will get the kids involved, they like the little mops. You can get the little kids mops and they can do some mopping, too. They can learn to put things up. Like if you have a bin for them to put the toys in, teach them to put it in that bin, right? Again, assign your spouse something to do or have get them something fun to do. The funness helps. And they can help out. So, delegate and get help. Don't try to put everything on yourself because you can get fun ways for your family to get involved and help as well.
And another thing with my kids, you know, I put things on kids' level. So, like when it comes to backpacks and all that stuff, I built a little DIY backpack bin so he can put his stuff up. He becomes self-sufficient. So, I do a lot of things on my kids' level. Like even in the refrigerator, I have the stuff on the lower level. In our pantry, their snacks are on their level. They can go in there and get their snacks. They've been doing that since day one, since they could walk and pull things down. >> [laughter] >> If you can go walk and pull a toy down, you can go walk and get your own snacks. So, yeah, I do do that, too. So, just find the ways for, you know, you to delegate and get some help.
Speaking of kids, let's talk about toys. Create an easy way for the kids to store the toys. Sometimes, and this is coming from an organizer, y'all know I love to organize, sometimes some systems are way too stringent for kids to stick to. But if you can find a easy, and I say easy, way for your kids to store their toys, they will do a better job of trying to store them. And that is so true because I have found when we do something, our kids try to mimic it, right? If it's overcomplicated, they're not going to remember. Like if you want all the little toy figures in this little one bin, if you want all the little buses in this bin. I have big bins and we just dump stuff in it. Now, it might be like trucks and stuff like that. And if they put extra toys, it's okay. We just have bins. If you can get it in a bin. Now, my little girl, we started a bin with all her princess stuff and heels and she stuck to it, okay? She knows where they are, she'll go get them. So, there are definitely systems that can work, but I try to make it easy, like not overwhelming. I don't even label. You can label for your kids and you know, things might still end up everywhere and they might mix the bins together, you know? So, we kind of do easy toy systems here and I might come back and do a whole in that video if y'all want it, but let me just say, try to keep your toy systems easy.
Let's talk about the floors. If your floors are clean, your house already looks a mile clean. That is the biggest first step, okay? I'm going to say 60%. If your floor is clean, your house looks clean. The second, of course, is counters, but first off, the floors. You got to get the floors clean so people can walk in and it don't look a disaster.
One thing I do, and I talked about this earlier, my vacuums. I do have a robot vacuum, so a lot of times our only job is to pick everything up. If we can get everything off the floor, my robot vacuum will do the rest and I can have turn that on while I'm working first thing in the morning or at night time, whenever I go to bed. You can let that do its job and let it clean up all the dirt and debris and if you wanted to mop, you can let it mop, too. And then, again, a easy way with floors is you can delegate. Tell the kids pick toys up, tell the husband to pick everything else up and there you go. That's something off your plate. You don't have to worry about the floors at all. You delegate, they do their job and the robot vacuum does the rest. Even if you have to come back and hand mop for like a little bit, 5 or 10%, you know, the floors is one of the biggest things. If you can find ways to keep your floors clean, that's an easy way to keep your house clean. And always get the help. If you need the help, get the help, okay?
I'm going to say not all robot vacuums are the same. No, they're not. I've had mine about 4 years. I invest in my products and the cleaning items that I use and they last me a long time. And different ones do different things. So, you need to look at, for instance, like I have a dog, too. I always had dogs. So, I need one that's really good with getting up pet hair that's also able to dodge things on the floor. So, in case the kids didn't pick up a toy, it can go around it. The detection is what it's called. And also, you want it to be able to map quickly, but it also has like good laser eyes. So, if someone is laying there, like if a dog is laying there, it'll go around the dog. I mean, there's just so many things you want to look at with the robot vacuum. I will link the one I use, but my my model is older, y'alls. So, they have newer models. Now, I'm going to always recommend the newer models because they have better detection, better everything. I will link the one I use, and they may still sell it, but if you can get the newest and latest model, I'm always recommend that because it'll last you a long time. Like for mines, I got mines new then, so it's lasted me a good like 4 years now. But, if I was to go shop now, I'm going to go get a new one, so it'll last me another 4 years or so because, you know, the tech get outdated and things like that. But, yeah, they do have Again, and not all of them are equal. I'm going to say that again. Not all robot vacuums and mops are equal. Okay? And I don't test it a lot. And I had a lot. I don't have brands sending me a lot, but I spent my hard-earned money on this one, this model and this brand. And so far, so good. There's two brands I really like, and I'm not saying all the other ones are bad, and I I can't even say I've tested all their newest models. I've tested a lot of the older models, but I do like Ecovacs and Shark. I really, really love those. And they do a really good picking up stuff from my experience. So, but again, I can't say all of them are not good. I haven't tried a lot of the models from this year, either.
So, here's another floor gadget that I love. It's a a rug shampooer. I have an easy one. It's easy, it's simple, you don't have to worry about mixing, cleaning, any of that, and it's the Hoover. >> [laughter] >> The Hoover is amazing, and I've used a lot of shampooers. This one you can do a whole entire room in 20 minutes. It literally when you push it, it go ahead and shampoo and brush, and when you pull it back, it dries and pull it out, which is really nice. And if you want to dry only, there's a button to hit dry only, and you can dry only, but it is the one of the most simple shampooers to use, and it works extremely well. We love it. Highly recommend that one. And I also do have like a natural mop. I have a mop for a quick cleans in case my kids spill something, in case I spill something. I'm clumsy, too, so I do have me a quick, easy to go mop that I use, too. But so gadgets matter, I will say that. Gadgets matter, and I do like anything that makes my life easier. If y'all don't know me by now, yes, I do.
So, hopefully that helps. I know this video is kind of long. Hopefully you found it helpful. If you did, don't forget to give me that thumbs up and leave a comment, drop a comment, and let me know which tip you found most helpful. I would love to know. So, if you haven't subscribed, make sure you do, and I will try to leave links to stuff cuz I know I have a lot in my house and a lot of things that I use. I'll try to leave all the links below. I might pop up a QR code if I can, you know, get that together. >> [laughter] >> Appreciate y'all watching, and I'll see you in my next video.