It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re keeping a home, honestly, we don’t have children yet and some days it gets overwhelming. But, when you’ve learned habits from seasoned homemakers and the proverbs 31 woman, you know you have a good homemaking path laid out for you.
Since I was little, I have loved homemaking. I’ve taken sewing lessons, I was in a homemakers class, and learned from the best. I’ve learned a lot about keeping a home and being a good helpmate for a very long time.
In this article, I will be sharing with you my knowledge and advice from the seasoned pros to help you keep your home clean, running smoothly, and prepared.
Tip #1 – decluttering your home
Learn to live with less
Decluttering, organizing, and going more minimal can help you in your day to day keeping a home. You will absolutely see how freeing it is to not have to pick up so many things to dust under.
I caught the minimalist bug when I was about 15. I started going through one section of my room at a time and ended up getting rid of TONS of things I didn’t need. Today, my momma has caught the minimalist bug from me and has her own thriving minimalist Facebook group. So proud of her.
Whether it’s the cabinet under the sink, your junk drawer, your linen closet.. just start with once space. Start small and work your way up to being on top of it consistently.
Once a quarter, I go through my things and donate what I don’t need or wear anymore. There is so much more space and it doesn’t weigh my mind down like clutter would. A huge wardrobe isn’t necessary, you really only need a few items anyways.
I went minimal because having clutter around me had me stressed. The feeling of walking into a cluttered and unorganized room weighed on my mind. You wouldn’t think it is true but it is! This is where I would first start in your keeping a home journey.
Tip #2 – home cleaning schedule
Have a weekly cleaning schedule
Keeping a schedule of your weekly cleaning is a must. So, if you need to write it down, or if you can remember it, just make sure you have a schedule and stick to it. It will make a world of difference.
Here is how my cleaning schedule looks:
- Daily – wash dishes, take out trash, make beds, tidy up, laundry, vacuum, etc.
- Monthly – clean out fridge/freezer – purge items – baseboards – organize cabinets, etc
When you have a schedule and stick to it, you can be on top of things more. You won’t be overwhelmed and stressed out with gigantic messes to overcome. Take it one day at a time and be thorough with your cleaning and tidying.
Depending on your schedule/family size, you’ll need to work your cleaning schedule around that. For instance, if you have more children, you may need to do a load of laundry daily or a dishwasher load daily. It all needs to work for you and your schedule.
If you need to hire someone to come in and take care of things if you’re unable like blinds, baseboards, and cleaning the walls, that is always an option too.
You can grab my free printable cleaning checklist that I created! It’s my personal checklist that I use consistently to keep our home clean and running smoothly. Grab it here.
Tip #3 – keeping preparedness
Keeping a home doesn’t always mean cleaning, it can also mean preparing. Always have extras of necessities and essentials you need on hand. Extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, tissues, toilet paper, etc. The list could go on.
A homemaker is always prepared for anything. If your husband *just* ran out of his favorite deodorant, or your child needs a new toothbrush, or, in case of an emergency, you are ready.
Stocking the pantry with non-perishable items, water, and dry goods are other ways of preparedness. Taking care to make sure everyone in the home is ready for anything is a wonderful way to keep your home.
You will find many cans of non-perishable items, toilet paper, tissues, and most essential items in our home. If I have empty jars in a cabinet, I will fill them with water. No need to have empty jars sitting around!
You will also find a weather radio and a few Life Straws in our pantry. Life Straws are a wonderful thing to have around in case of an emergency and you need clean, filtered water. Better to be safe than sorry!
Tip #4 – from scratch cooking
Keeping a home also means cooking for your family. Having breakfasts, lunch, and dinners ready for your family made by you is a wonderful tool to have in your homemaking wheelhouse. Breads, jams, butters, anything you can make from scratch, make it!
I enjoy cooking for my husband from scratch, I learn new things every day and he enjoys eating it. Take the time to learn new cooking and baking skills, whether you want to start making your own sourdough bread, or jam… start small and work your way up! I started with a sourdough starter and I am making all kinds of things now.
You can always add onto your knowledge. Soon, I will be delving into the world of cheesemaking. That’s next on my list, but first, I have to master the skills I have going now. Otherwise, I will get overwhelmed and not do anything.
You don’t have to create your own recipes from scratch, just grab your great grandmas cookbook and get to going. You’ll love the satisfaction you get knowing you made something so good from your own hands to provide for your family.
It takes time and patience to learn how to cook from scratch, I should know! If you would’ve asked me 5 years ago if I would be making food from scratch, I would have probably laughed and said, “NO WAY!” There was not a good cooking bone in my body, heck, I set a Poptart on fire in the microwave. (No, I didn’t leave the wrapper on either…..)
I said all of that to say this, just get started and don’t be afraid of messing up. Lord knows I messed up a lot in cooking before my food started even tasting remotely edible.
Tip #5 – finances
Be good with your money! Don’t overspend on frivolous things you and your family don’t need, run a budget and stick with it. When your finances are in order, so is your home. If you run on a tight budget, coupon and find ways to save by making your own products as well. A cheap multipurpose cleaner is vinegar and water! Find ways to save in that area.
If you’re living comfortably, save money, and still spend money wisely. You can still write out a budget for what you would like to spend and stick with it. Keep yourself accountable! A good homemaker keeps their finances in order.
I love to make my own products, bug sprays, cleaning products, body sprays, etc. You wouldn’t think it would really save a whole lot, but, every dollar adds up.
If you own farm animals such as cows or goats, utilize the milk by making your own dairy products. You could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars just by making your own dairy products from the milk. For instance, yogurt, cream cheese, regular cheese, butter, the list is limitless. You could also make soap and beauty products from the milk as well.
Tip #6 – gardening
If you have the space, garden! If you don’t have a lot of space, you can always do a herb garden. Herbs can “grow” (haha) a long way. I have rosemary, basil and mint going at the moment, for some reason I can’t quite get the hang of lavender.
Next year, I plan on having a garden area for growing our own fruits and veggies. Since we just moved into our home, it’s kind of late in the season to start growing. Although, we will most likely get started on building the garden beds soon.
Gardening is such a wonderful homemaking skill, you can provide for your family no matter the circumstance. Something you grew all on your own, in your own back yard. I cannot wait to do this for my family. All natural, healthy, and good for you all around.
I imagine there is nothing quite like going out and grabbing your food from your garden for dinner. Just grocery shopping in your own yard, seems pretty cool to me. I like to avoid the grocery store at all cost ha!
keeping your home is a gift
Hopefully these few tips and tricks I’ve learned will give you some insight for keeping a home. I love being able to keep our home and it brings me such meaning to know I can take care of my family. In this journey, you will continually learn new skills, thoughts, and ideas.
Stick with me on this journey to becoming a well rounded homemaker, homesteader and leading a more natural and simple lifestyle. Comment and me know your tips on how you keep your home running smoothly!
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Hannah, I admire you! You are an inspiration to me. Love your freshness and enthusiasm. You are on a good path, keep walking!
Thank you Marcia for the sweet words of encouragement! I appreciate you!