Five Things I Do Every Day to Keep the House Ticking Over

There’s no doubt about it—I’m someone who likes a tidy house. But do I want to spend my days endlessly cleaning, decluttering, or deep-organising? Absolutely not. I want things to run smoothly and feel calm, without it taking over my life. So these are the five small things I do every day (or as close to daily as possible!) to keep the house ticking over. They’re simple, realistic, and they help prevent the chaos from building up.

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1. Start a Load of Laundry (Usually the Night Before)

Every evening, before I head to bed, I pop on a load of laundry. We’re on a night-saver electricity plan, so running the machine overnight is far more economical. Then first thing in the morning, I hang it out on the clothesline (or bring it inside to dry if needed). It’s a small habit that means the laundry doesn’t pile up—and it’s such a satisfying start to the day.

2. Reset the Kitchen Every Night

After dinner, we clean and wipe down all the kitchen counters, load the dishwasher, and hand wash anything that needs doing. Then before bed, I make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded and set to run overnight. It means I can start the next morning with a clean kitchen and an empty dishwasher ready to go again. I genuinely find it makes such a difference to my mindset!

3. Reset the Living Room

I adore cosy throws, cushions, and all things snug in the living room—but I can’t go to bed without tidying them. Every night, I fold the blankets, fluff the cushions, and tidy away anything that doesn’t belong. It only takes two minutes, but it means that when I sit down the next evening, the space feels lovely and calm.

4. Open the Windows

Whatever the weather—rain or shine—I open every window in the house for at least 15–20 minutes in the morning. In summer, the windows are often open all day, but even in winter, I make sure to let in a burst of fresh air. It clears out any stuffiness, freshens up the rooms, and honestly, just makes the house feel better.

5. Quick Bathroom Tidy

No deep cleaning here—just a super quick bathroom refresh. I wipe down the sink and mirrors, check for fresh towels and toilet paper, and give the toilet a fast clean. It’s not perfect, but it makes a big difference. I give the bathrooms a proper clean a couple of times a week, but this keeps things manageable in between.

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Bonus Habits I Swear By

These aren’t always daily, but they’re the extras that help keep the house ticking over without a massive weekend clean-up:

• Everyone Makes Their Own Bed: It’s non-negotiable in our house. Every morning, beds are made—even if it’s just a quick pull of the duvet. It sets the tone for the day.
• Quick Daily Vacuum (If Needed): I don’t vacuum the whole house daily, but I often do a quick sweep of high-traffic areas like the hallway, kitchen, and living room. Especially if I spot crumbs, pet hair, or just general bits!
• Meal Planning: Each week, I jot down seven simple dinners (nothing fancy!) and stick it on the fridge. It helps with grocery shopping, cuts down on waste, and keeps the daily “what’s for dinner?” stress to a minimum.

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A Note on Real Life

Don’t get me wrong—there are absolutely days where none of this happens. If the weather is glorious, if we’re unwell, or if life is just busy, things get skipped and build up. And that’s okay. But most days, these small habits help everything run that bit more smoothly—and make home feel calm, not chaotic. I also did a major declutter of our home and perhaps you will find this list of items to declutter from your home a help, it has certainly made my day to day life easier! Read my decluttering tips here – 365 things to declutter from your home this year! (there’s a full free printable list in that post).

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I’d love to hear what little habits help you keep things ticking over at home. Share your own tips in the comments—or join the conversation over on Instagram @ourlittlehouseinthecountry.

Chat soon,

Ciara

P.S. If you’re curious about the household bits and pieces I genuinely use and love — from my trusty vacuum cleaner to the laundry baskets that actually hold up — I’ve put together a little list over on my Amazon storefront. (Affiliate link — I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase something, but at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog in this way.)

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