Everyone has their own standards when it comes to maintaining a clean home. To achieve the desired results, some people adhere to a particular set of rules that they swear by.
Here are some Threads responses to give you a clearer understanding of what we’re referring to. They shared specific ingredients and methods that they have incorporated into their house cleaning routines and are not planning to change anytime soon.
Do you have your go-to non-negotiables? Feel free to share them in the comment boxes below!
#1
Do NOT put wet towels/washcloths or clothes in the hamper. Let them dry first.
Image credits: uwondacarter
#2
Bathing towels are not to used for wiping spills.
Image credits: uwondacarter
#3
Not really a cleaning rule but I never go to bed with a dirty kitchen. Nothing starts my day worse than having dishes in the sink or crumbs on the floor. Every day starts with a clean slate because I deserve it
Image credits: admartineau
#4
You should vacuum/sweep before mopping. You can’t mop if you haven’t vacuumed all the crumbs and dust.
Image credits: hello.itsminji
#5
Using the dishwasher is more environmentally friendly and is more sanitary than hand washing because of the extreme heat.
Image credits: pokeebae
#6
When you are sick you need to get a new toothbrush
Image credits: _mk629
#7
A clean house doesn’t smell bad. If your house smells, you don’t need air fresheners, you need to find the source of the smell and clean it
Image credits: lucymg17
#8
Do not use an indoor broom outside and vice versa
Image credits: uwondacarter
#9
Cleaning up while cooking. Not letting the counter top get messy.
Image credits: ereenamathur
#10
You clean from top to bottom ALWAYS. That way dust/crumbs/etc fall to the floor before you vacuum and mop.
Image credits: pokeebae
#11
Everything has a spot to be. Don’t put it down… put it AWAY. And put it away where it goes, every time.
Image credits: cblack_xo
#12
A place for everything and everything in it's place.
Image credits: nails_on_a_nickel
#13
My house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy. The operative words being: CLEAN ENOUGH. Martha Stewart does not live in my house. I do.
Image credits: witt2457
#14
Dawn dish liquid can clean everything. I clean my tub and shower with it.
Image credits: infiniteelaine
#15
No shoes in the house. Not quite a cleaning rule, but def keeps your house cleaner than if you do wear them inside.
Image credits: denisebensonphotography
#16
Vinegar and baking soda together are useless for cleaning.
Image credits: bargainmomma87
#17
I will never use “safe non-toxic” ingredients to clean my restroom.
My restroom will ALWAYS get BLEACH cleaned. I don’t care how toxic it seems lmao
Image credits: dalyna.witte
#18
Learned this from one of my BFFs ... always keep your house "guest ready."
Image credits: uwondacarter
#19
Sponges are not used to clean countertops. Never.
Image credits: thatdaaamngretta
#20
Making the bed everyday is useless and a waste of time.
Image credits: pokeebae
#21
A splash of cleaning vinegar in the dishwasher always makes them so clean!
Image credits: pumpsandprotractors
#22
Make the bed first thing every morning. If you do nothing else, that one thing makes your room look neater.
Image credits: lori_wyrick7
#23
If you can see it, clean it.
Image credits: el_tee_805
#24
Do the dishes after every single meal.
Image credits: _oliviaannan
#25
I clean my garbage can and wipe down my dust pan with disinfectant wipes
Image credits: officialchriaunab
#26
Put on music and clean nonstop for one song. It’s amazing how much you can get done!
Image credits: kimlovey3
#27
Cleaning the countertops with a solution of 1:10 lemon juice:water, it disinfects your area, smells fresh, does not harm your surface, and you can put your dough right on the counter without any risk of contamination
Image credits: chem_love_92
#28
Dishwashers use hotter water and much less water than hand washing. Dishes are more sanitized in a dishwasher.
Image credits: mfrancij
#29
Windex is a universal cleaning chemical…used for anything and everything
Image credits: kimraimondi
#30
Microfiber towels on the swiffer mop, floor solution in spray bottles spray the floor in sections and mop in S-motions.
Image credits: alicen.hope
#31
The chairdrobe is allowed, but if you can’t see the back of the chairdrobe, it is time to organise.
Image credits: synesthesiac
#32
MAKE YOUR SPACE PRETTY AND PERSONAL. It makes you feel more motivated to keep it nice because YOU did it, it’s yours.
Image credits: synesthesiac
#33
Wipes. I do largely try to be environmentally friendly, and wipes are not, but as a solo dweller with intense periods of inertia, wipes keep me in control of my space.
#34
You don’t have to clean everything spotless everyday, but you do have to pick up after yourself to maintain the cleanliness.
#35
Deep clean ALWAYS. It’s more important to actually be clean than to look clean. Top to bottom left to right
Image credits: fanslygirl69
#36
Deep clean my house before travelling. Include empty the laundry basket, change the bedshee, mop the floor, clean the fridge and trash out.
Image credits: sitabiantiara
#37
Washing my hands prior to emptying the dishwasher or taking clothes out of the dryer. If it’s clean, it’s going to stay clean!
Image credits: pamelap.realestate
#38
Clean as you go.
Whether dishes, dinner, clutter, etc little tasks throughout the day so that there's not a seemingly insurmountable task at the end of the day.
Image credits: _lighter.days_
#39
Cleaning with gloves on changed my life.
I didn’t realize how much I avoided cleaning things because I didn’t want to get my hands in there, or because my hands would smell like the cleaning products afterwards. Gloves change the whole thing. I just get a box of vinyl ones and it lasts me a while.
Image credits: alexamc26
#40
A mixture of Dawn, vinegar, and water will clean and disinfect anything.
Image credits: prompterchick
#41
As with most things, the hardest thing about cleaning is starting.
Image credits: rexracergram
#42
DO NOT ADD DISHES TO THE SINK WHILE IM WASHING THEM. I HAVE A SYSTEM.
Image credits: sophiabienke
#43
You have to keep moving to get it done. The moment you sit down.. even for a split second.. it’s all over, productivity out the window.
#44
If you maintenance clean just a little bit each day you rarely have to do giant deep cleans!
#45
Do a 10-minute reset every night—waking up to a clean space makes such a difference! Plus, it keeps the mess from piling up.
#46
Cleaning the stove after cooking. People hate when I do it but I cannot stand crumbs and sticking residue
#47
The less you own, the less you don’t have to clean. People get overwhelmed by the mess, by having so much that they don’t feel like washing the dishes or washing clothes. Then it piles up. I keep 2 of every dish. It’s just me. I don’t need 20 bowls, cups plates, mugs etc.
#48
If you’re letting your pets on your countertops/tables, your house is never actually clean.
Image credits: pokeebae
#49
Swiffers suck.
Image credits: debpittsburgh
#50
Toilets and sink get cleaned every day!
Image credits: elizabethera
#51
If you’re out of metal polish baby oil is a good fill in
Image credits: mlucero82
#52
Don’t put it down, put it away.
Image credits: themaceyheim
#53
Fold the laundry as the dryer finishes.
Image credits: _oliviaannan
#54
Start with laundry and dishes
Image credits: mackenzie.hawks
#55
A rule I learned from a mother figure in my life is sweep once a week per person living in the household: so 3 ppl means 3 times a week should be sufficient.
Image credits: mamazdollz
#56
I scrub the food off my dishes before loading the dishwasher. Everyone says this is a waste nowadays, but my Grandma always told me to do it. Plus, when we moved into our house, the previous homeowners were clearly not scrubbers and the dishwasher was disgusting. I found crab cartilage stuck in the sprayers.
#57
Wash your food containers / dishes at the office immediately after use & before you come home!
#58
Cordless vacuum cleaner forever!
#59
I shop once a week and I clean out my refrigerator before I put in the new stuff .
#60
Cleaning on Thursdays no matter how busy or exhausted I am. My weekends are for fun and relaxing. Cleaning doesn't call into either category.
#61
Always clean the sole of the indoor slippers after cleaning the floors
#62
Single use clorox toilet scrubbies. I know it’s bad for the environment but I am so grossed out at the thought of the icky brush just sitting there being reused for months.
#63
As an Southeast Asian, it's compulsary that we remove our outdoor shoes and slippers as we enter the house. Keeps our house cleaner so we don't have to overdo cleaning and can get a clean house with minimal cleaning.
#64
If you do the dishes you gotta clean the whole kitchen!
#65
Shower towels must be washed hot (60-90)
#66
Wood cutting boards should be cleaned then sprinkle baking soda and lemon juice
#67
Do not sit on your bed in “street clothes.”
Image credits: staceyaltherr
#68
Mr. Clean. MAGIC. ERASERS. For anything. Especially if you have kids.
Image credits: littleswisschalet
#69
My cleaning lady is awesome and I love her. She makes my life better. She comes every other Thursday, and our house never gets out of control
#70
Bleach will forever be my best friend.
#71
I clean the bath and shower whilst stood in it, naked. Then I shower!
#72
Need separate sponges for cleaning the sink, super dirty pans, and not as dirty items. I cannot cross contaminate. No sponges on counters
#73
You do not mop the bathroom with the same mop head you mop the rest of your house with!
#74
Never use a mop to clean the floor. Always on your hands and knees and rinse the cloth frequently.
Image credits: murdoch_denise
#75
The dish towel is for clean dish drying only. It is NOT for drying hands or wiping the water spots off the counter!
#76
I have to wash my floors with dish detergent & bleach at least 3 times a week. Water & fabuloso does nothing for me. I want to be able to EAT off my floors.
#77
Employ a cleaner. It's unrealistic to be a full time working single mum and be expected to keep on top of housekeeping
#78
Socks and underwear should not be washed with any other laundry and must be washed and dried on hot.
