At the end of a long day, it can be very tempting to crawl into bed, leaving whatever mess you left behind to deal with in the morning.
But according to the lifestyle experts at Real Simple, those who opt to pull a “night shift” and take care of some tidying before bed enjoy the advantage of starting the day with a clean slate, gaining back an hour or two in the morning to spend exercising or making breakfast for the family.
Real Simple editors consulted with cleaning experts to find out which tasks they make mandatory before hitting the hay. Here’s what made it onto their nighttime to-do list:
Wiping down the bathroom. We’re not talking about pulling out the bleach and scrub brushes, but rather a quick wipe-down that removes toothpaste splatters, make-up spills and water spots. Experts recommend keeping cleaning wipes or a microfiber cloth under the sink, so that you can get your nightly wipe-down done in just a minute or two. You’ll appreciate your efforts when you stumble into the bathroom first thing in the morning!
Taking care of the kitchen sink. Waking up to a sink full of dishes is a terrible way to start the day, so develop a schedule for loading and running the dishwasher every night. You can empty it in the morning as the coffee brews or while the kids are eating breakfast. Creating this routine will keep your sink situation under control and add a wonderful layer of organization to your daily routine.
Clean up the counters. A little spray and a rag at the end of the day go a long way toward maintaining a clean and healthy kitchen. Take just a couple of minutes to wipe away food residue from counters and appliances before you turn in for the night, so that you’re greeted by a clean space in the morning.
Empty the trash and the recycling. If your garbage can or recycling bin is heaped to the brim, take a minute to empty them before bed. This will help you avoid odor build-up and you’ll get to start the next day with an empty trash can. Added benefit: a chance to take in the stars and the moon on your way out to the garbage bins!
Pick up a little. Do a quick sweep through the hang-out areas of your home, whether that be the family room, den or basement, and put things back where they belong. Fluff pillows, fold blankets, take any dishes to the kitchen and organize books and games. These simple steps will help you quickly restore order.
Take care of wayward clothing. Whether it’s a jacket thrown on the dining room table or a pair of sneakers left in the living room, return them to their rightful place, throw them in the laundry or, at the very least, gather them neatly in one corner of the room. Taking care of strewn clothing goes a long way in making your home feel neat and organized.
If the above steps seem like a lot, keep in mind, you don’t have to go it alone. Enlist help from family members, assigning them a specific component of the night-shift routine, such as putting toys away, loading the dishwasher or wiping down their own bathroom. The more hands, the better!
