7 cleaning tasks which will make your home ‘look put-together’

Struggling to keep your living space pristine? You’re not alone, especially when there are others sharing the same roof.

For those in need of a guiding hand, cleaning sensation Kaye Marie has become an online sensation for her valuable housekeeping advice. With a following of over 503,000 on TikTok, she divulges seven tasks to stay on top of that are integral for maintaining an orderly home.

“Here are seven non-negotiable daily tasks that I do to keep the house clean and tidy,” Kaye announced in her viral video. Although Kaye is diligent with these chores every day, many of the chores won’t need to be done daily to keep up the tidy look.

In her guidance, Kaye emphasises: “Before we do anything, we’re gonna open the windows. Fresh air is free, let in the air. I do not care if it’s snowing, open the windows. Let out the stink.”

Following this lead-in, she details the seven chores that ensure her home remains spotless and tidy.

1. Make your bed

“Make your bed,” she instructs viewers. “Do it before you have a coffee, it takes two minutes, there’s no excuse not to be making the bed. Making the bed fixes your whole room for the day. It’ll make you feel better.”

Hitting the sheets and tidying them up isn’t just about appearance—it can set a tone of achievement and tranquillity from morning to evening, priming you for a night of quality sleep, as reported by Very Well Mind.

Tidying up your bedroom by making the bed not only creates an organised ambiance; it’s also associated with reduced stress and a more relaxed state of mind, which can significantly improve your life quality.

2. Stay on top of laundry

“Number two, whack on a small load,” she advises. “It’s going to make for an easier weekend. Are you running around looking for underwear? It’s probably in the wash basket. Stick a wash on. I swear to god, a quick wash saves lives.”

Kaye may do laundry daily, but for most people, the frequency depends on household size. Generally speaking, no more than a couple of loads per week should suffice, as doing more can hit the wallet hard.

Another consideration is garment type, as experts have revealed that items like shirts and trousers don’t need cleaning after every wear. This approach conserves water and ensures clothing stays in top condition since overwashing can degrade fabric quality.

3. Wash dishes

Kaye feels this chore is obvious but vital nonetheless: “I feel like this one is just a given, but washing up. Don’t let it pile up, just do it as you go,” she suggests. “Plates from breakfast, wash them up. Get the kids involved. If you’ve got a dishwasher, you’re very lucky, load it up.”

She further added: “There’s nothing worse than coming home to pots and pans. Some don’t, I also like to soak my dish wash, and then when I come in from work, the kitchen smells stunning. And then there’s no bacteria on your dish cloth.”

4. Vacuuming

“Vacuuming your whole house, unless you live in a mansion, is a ten minute task,” she stated. “Probably less if you’re Speedy Gonzalez like me.”

The National Carpet Cleaners Association recommends vacuuming the floors of your house at least once a week. However, this frequency may need to be increased depending on the occupants of your home.

Homes with children or pets may require more frequent vacuuming, perhaps 2-3 times a week, due to the higher likelihood of dirt accumulation. Those suffering from allergies such as hay fever might find relief from their symptoms by vacuuming daily during allergy season.

5. Mopping the floor

Kaye continued with the fifth item on her list, stating: “Number [five], a good floor wash, especially if you have pets. […] I just, I love a cloth. No better clean, I will fight over that.”

According to cleaning experts, mopping doesn’t need to be done as frequently as vacuuming. Real Simple suggests mopping hard floors once every two to three weeks.

However, if your floors tend to get dirty more quickly than average, it’s advisable to mop them more often. Also make sure to be cautious of the type of flooring in your home, as some may require more frequent cleaning than others.

6. Clean the shower screen

She expressed her frustration with dirty shower screens, saying: “A dirty shower screen can send me quite literally into orbit,”

If you’re short on time, she suggests taking a squeegee into the shower or quickly drying down the door before exiting to prevent limescale build-up.

Martha Stewart advises deep cleaning your bathroom weekly, but emphasises the importance of keeping your shower dry to avoid scum and limescale. She recommends using a squeegee on the screen after each shower to ensure it remains as dry and clean as possible.

7. Clean the toilet

For the final task, Kaye stated: “I think we’re on number seven, but the toilet, it’s got to be clean. I’d rather leave the bed than not clean my toilet. Wild, I know. Bleach is gonna quite literally keep the skiddies away.

“A super quick wipe down is gonna keep your bathroom smelling fresh at all times,” she added. “If you do have Pissy Petes, do not forget to do around the toilet base.”

While maintaining a clean toilet is crucial for preventing bacterial spread, experts at Better Home and Gardens suggest that cleaning your toilet once a week should suffice. However, if you notice a brown stain in the bowl, an immediate clean might be necessary.