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One Rule for a Neat Home

After you’ve done a major house cleaning, things don’t have to fall apart immediately.  And they won’t if you follow one simple rule.

All the home making experts and books, from Fly Lady and The Messies Manual to Confessions of an Organized Homemaker and Organized Simplicity say the same thing:

Put things where they belong, designate a place for things that don’t currently have one, and get rid of things you have no space for.

There have been seasons in my life when I did not have the time to put things where they belonged, or the energy to designate places for things.  At other seasons, ‘stuff’ would enter our home and I would not get rid of enough other ‘stuff’ to find a place for it all.  Then messes would grow quickly.

Once a home is a mess, it takes a lot of work to straighten it out.  If, however, you spend a bit of time daily putting things where they belong, finding suitable places for homeless objects, and removing clutter, you’ll find it is and remains a pleasant, peaceful place.

As they used to say in days gone by:   A place for everything, and everything in its place.

It works.  And it only takes a little bit of time every day.  And it is a lot cheaper than getting a cleaner and an interior decorator…although it will have a similar effect.

If, perchance, you don’t know how go about following this simple rule, libraries, bookstores, and the internet are full of down-to-earth resources.  (Some helpful ones are listed in the second paragraph above.)

– For more tips, see Encourage One Another Wednesday, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Works For Me Wednesday , Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link-Up, and Frugal Friday.

 

6 Comments

  1. Jenn says:

    This is the golen rule of housekeeping! My downfall is in enforcement! I am working on that. Great post!

  2. Jennifer says:

    We are home this week and working to make the house more orderly. Keeping it that way can be difficult.

    1. Annie Kate says:

      Yes, Jenn and Jennifer, the hard thing is keeping it neat once it is neat! 🙂

      But this way works, if you manage to actually follow the One Rule.

  3. JoAnn says:

    So true, I agree with it all completely. My husband trained our children from a young age to clean up after themselves. We have our times, but most of the time, things stay pretty picked up.

    1. Annie Kate says:

      Your husband really was thinking ahead! He’s one smart guy.

  4. This is totally true. Love how practical this advice is.

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