Have you ever experienced a feeling of rejuvenation after visiting a clean space such as a refined hotel or grand shrine? It’s common for these types of facilities to keep their premises extra clean in order to create a relaxing atmosphere for guests and worshippers. Looking at these spaces, there’s no doubt about it: a well-cleaned and minimalistic space calms the mind.
But what’s to say you can’t recreate those feelings of rejuvenation in your own living space? It’s not as hard as you think to bring your own home up to the same standard as a hotel or shrine. You can reap the benefits of feeling refreshed every day with these top tips for creating a clean home with just 10 minutes of daily cleaning.
Before you start cleaning, there is something you should keep in mind: cleaning and tidying are two different things. It sounds simple enough, but it’s easy to forget.
In general, cleaning refers to removing dirt by sweeping, wiping, polishing, etc. Tidying, on the other hand, means deciding where to put things or putting things back where they belong.
Think back to your home.
If you picture a messy, cluttered space with items left in disarray, start by tidying up first.
The first step to keeping a clean home is to start organizing your possessions and putting things away in their proper places throughout the house. Make sure to finish tidying up before getting started on your daily cleaning.
Let's say your house is now tidy and you are ready to start cleaning.
Where do you keep your cleaning tools? If your cleaning supplies are kept in a hard-to-reach place, such as at the back of a closet, you will probably end up procrastinating.
Move your cleaning supplies to a place where they can be easily accessed.
Some people may not like keeping cleaning supplies out in plain view as it can mess with their interior design, but there are plenty of stylish vacuum cleaners and mops on the market that can match the tone of even the coolest living room. It may be a good idea to review your cleaning supplies and treat yourself to some more aesthetically appealing items in order to increase your motivation to clean.
People with clean homes get in the habit of quickly tackling cleaning any dirt or debris as soon as it appears - wet wipes are kept on the table to catch any food stains, and a mop will be kept within easy reach to catch any unsightly dust before it becomes a bigger problem.
Accessibility to cleaning supplies completely changes the rate of use, increasing the chances that daily cleaning will become a habit.
Cleaning newbies may gather a large assortment of cleaning products that look useful, but when the time comes to do the cleaning, they may not know where to begin.
The fact is that you won’t need a powerful cleaner to remove stains if you do a little bit of cleaning every day. There is no need to prepare a big variety of different detergents and sponges - keep your cleaning products simple. One sponge and detergent per cleaning area is all you need.
Following this routine every morning will help create a refreshing living space to come home to. Try to make it a habit!
1 - Soak a disposable wet sheet with Hakka peppermint oil.
2 - Attach to a mop and quickly wipe the floor
Hakka peppermint oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and it also acts as an insect repellant. Plus, the crisp aroma of the peppermint helps clear a foggy mind straight after waking up in the morning.
You can easily purchase Hakka peppermint oil at drugstores. Pet owners, however, should steer clear as it may irritate your furry friend’s airways or skin.
For the remaining 5 minutes, choose one of the following areas to clean: entranceway, kitchen, or bathroom.
In Japan, it is said that good energy will flow into your house if the entranceway is clean. This frequently used area acts as the face of the house, so it is a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning it every day, just as you would clean your own face.
Easy ways to clean the entranceway:
1 - If there are shoe boxes or display shelves, dust over them.
2 - Use a broom to remove dust and dirt from the floor.
3 - Mop quickly with hot water. If there is not much dust or dirt, just a quick wipe over with a disposable wet wipe will do.
Make sure the entranceway is kept tidy and clear of shoes - make use of shoe boxes and storage areas.
To take your entranceway to the next level, place an aroma diffuser by the door.
When oil and grease are left to accumulate, cleaning the kitchen turns into a huge chore. After cooking, make sure to quickly wipe away any splattered oil or steam while it is still hot. This will prevent stains from sticking to the surface and becoming a pain to remove later on.
Keeping kitchen surfaces clean is much easier if you keep the space as empty as possible. Kitchen surfaces crowded with seasonings and condiments will accumulate grease and grime in no time, so make use of kitchen drawers to prevent this cleaning conundrum.
Try to make a habit of cleaning the toilet every day - perhaps before leaving the house in the morning. Get in the habit of wiping down the washbasin every time you brush your teeth. Keep mirror-cleaning wet wipes on hand to quickly wipe down mirrors, and prevent shower-room mold and grime by keeping a window open or turning the ventilation fan on after use.
There’s no doubt about it - a clean home reduces stress and improves the wellbeing of its occupants. By setting aside 10 minutes each day, you too can achieve hotel or shrine sanctuary-like levels of cleanliness.
For a weekly deep clean to make your daily cleaning routine easier, try Kurashinity’s premium housekeeping service. Our fluent English-speaking housekeepers will work with you to make your house sparkle from head to toe, giving you more time to sit back and enjoy your home haven.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Jessica is a writer and translator now living happily by the sea just south of Tokyo in Kamakura, Japan.
