How do I stay neat and clean? ?

Question

My apartment is always a mess. I do try to clean up, but it get messy again within hours. How do I stay neat?

Answer 1

If there is any clutter in your apartment, clear that up first.  Remember - don't put things down - put them away.

When you have got rid of the clutter you will be able to clean.

Do all the surfaces first, then the floor.

You say you have a problem in staying clean.  Make up your mind that you want to be clean, then stay clean.  It's called will-power.

Answer 2

I understand where you're coming from. I've been there. You do one thing, then something else catches your eye, then something else, then suddenly the day is over and you haven't actually finished anything and all the half-done, half-put-away stuff is all over the place.  The best advice I can give you is not to do too much in one day; to always tidy up after you finish a task; to finish each task before you start another one; and to not be afraid to finish (you wouldn't believe how common this is - people are afraid to finish because they're afraid to fail).

You might benefit from the Flylady website; I've linked it.

Answer 3

Clean up after yourself, its not that hard.

Answer 4

One of the rules of our house is "no empty hands."  That means if you're going from one room to the other, train yourself to look for items that need to be moved in that direction.

Put things away right away instead of waiting.  The longer you wait, the more inclined you'll be to ignore the object.

Sort by like objects.  Books all go together.  Laundry goes together etc.

Get rid of clutter and items you don't use.  Part of a place looking messy is just having too much stuff.  If you haven't used it in a reasonable amount of time, off with its head!  Donate it to someone who will make use of it, or pitch it.

And finally... at the end of all your cleaning and organizing, take a good look and enjoy your surroundings.  Doesn't it look great when all is done?  

Answer 5

Don't like have hardcore cleaning for one day.

Clean up a little bit every day. Just things around the apartment that make it dirtier. Keep cleaning a little bit everyday or every other day and it will be fine. =]

Answer 6

Look around and choose to have some pride in your home. You are renting it and shelling out your hard earned money for that home. Remind yourself every day to put things where they belong, organize, throw out anything unnecessary, file, essentially make being neat a priority including taking pride. Once it becomes habit, it is so easy.

I have so much pride for my apartment that one small mess can drive me insane. I am always straightening up and organizing.