Housekeeping Experts Share 14 Rules for a Cleaner, More Organized Home

2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 30

Fourteen rules from UK housekeeping professionals center on a few non-negotiables: keep homes clean, tidy, decluttered and organized, with regular routines to avoid "chasing the dirt."
Weekly bed-sheet changes, unwashed dishes, and spotless bathrooms rank among the biggest priorities, while experts also stress cleaning floors last, tackling fridge spills quickly, and moving laundry along before it piles up.
Practical tactics include letting products sit before wiping, using the CHAT stain-removal method—chemical, heat, agitation and time—and rotating children’s toys to cut clutter in smaller homes.
Decluttering advice is blunt: remove items unused for 1 year, start with small sections to build momentum, and use friends, charity shops or local groups to help rehome unwanted goods.
Even professionals say standards can slip in busy households, framing a well-run home less as perfection than consistent habits, clear priorities and realistic expectations.