5 Simple Cleaning and Organizing Strategies to Make You Happier

7:00 AM Sarah Koves 0 Comments

New Year, New You!  Isn't that what we are all working towards?  This year I am striving to be happier.  I am doing more things for me and learning to say no.  I am also working to reduce my stress.  One of my biggest stressors is keeping my home clean and organized.  If you too struggle with the stress of cleaning and organizing, I have five simple strategies to make it less stressful and increase your happiness.


 This post contains affiliate links.  Should you choose to join, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  I received my set at 50% off regular price in exchange for this post, but all words and opinions are 100% my own.



Make Your Own Wrinkle Release Spray

As a teacher, I have to be well-dressed most days when I head to work (Fridays are jean day and less formal). To reduce my stress, I set my clothes out the night before.  However, since my clean laundry tends to sit in baskets for several days, my clothes are usually in less than pristine condition.  

Just to be clear: I DO NOT iron anything.  I own just one piece of clothing that MUST be iron, and my husband is kind enough to iron my linen pants for me several times a year.

This is why I have a beautiful relationship with wrinkle release spray; it allows me not stress about my clean laundry sitting in baskets for days and makes prepping my clothes for work stressful.
Less stress=More happiness in my house

However, this spray can be pricey, so I make my own.  It is simple and quick.

1/4 Cup of Fabric Softener
1 1/2 Cups of Water
Shake to Mix
Spray on Clothes and Pull out Wrinkles
Hang to Dry

I keep in a glass spray bottle that I got from Grove Collaborative.

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Pitch It

As we have established, happiness for me come when I am less stressed.  Clutter in my house is a major stressor for three of the four of us.  Our youngest has not yet gotten on board with a clutter-free room.  This is why pitching the clutter is a happiness maker in our house.

If we no longer need it or use it, we get rid of it.  The items end up either in the trash or in our donation box.  The fewer stray items and more empty space in my home make me happy.

The current focus of my Pitch It campaign is the magazine baskets, yes we have multiple, that are overflowing.  Wish me luck.

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Create a Cleaning Calendar

Several years ago I read a book called The Together Teacher, which talked about using a brain dump and master to-do list, so you have less to remember.  I found that this is not just good teacher advice, but it is great life advice. 

This is where my Google Calendar comes in.  I actually schedule my cleaning tasks on my calendar.  I love that I can set up cleaning tasks for certain days and have them repeat.

Some of my cleaning tasks on my calendar include:

Clean Downstairs Bathroom
Wash Mattress Pads
Vacuum Off Sofa
Dust Living Room
Declutter Bathroom Cabinets

Now I no longer have to remember when I last dusted, washed the windows, or laundered the curtains because my calendar lets me search if I want, but it reminds me if I don't.

The Google Calendar Mobile App also has a fabulous goal-setting feature, which is perfect for large projects.  I currently have my magazine project and cleaning out our junk room basement bedroom as goals.  My phone finds time in my schedule every week for me to work on these tasks.

Not only can I not worry about forgetting a cleaning task, but I can enjoy my time knowing that I have sections of time blocked out for my larger home projects.

Try a cleaning calendar, it is a stress-relief to just create it.

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Enlist the Help of Others

If you family is anything like mine, they don't see cleaning or organizing projects that need to be done around the house.  However, this does NOT exempt them from having to help out.

I DO NOT consider my family helping out around the house the same thing as chores.  Chores are special projects that my kids can do for extra money (cleaning out the car is an example of a chore).  I have been telling them and my husband for years that helping out around the house is just part of being a family.

But how do I get them to help out if they don't see the projects?

I simply give them all tasks they can handle and no more than two at a time.

The 9-year-old is responsible for:

Unloading the Dishwasher
Feeding and Watering the Cat
Emptying Trash Baskets

The 16-year-old is responsible for:

Washing Laundry
Vacuuming the Upstairs
Matching Socks
Helping Fold Laundry

The Husband is responsible for:

Changing the Cat Litter
Meal Prep
Anything Involving Powertools
Heavy Lifting
Watering the Plants

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Do you know what else makes me happier?  Not having to EVER shop for cleaning supplies, NEVER running out of my favorite products, and ALWAYS using effective natural cleaners.


I bet you want to know how I make this magic happen.

Subscribe to Grove Collaborative

All my home cleaning products I order online from Grove or make myself. 

Grove carries only the best natural cleaning products, which they ship right to your door.  The prices are better than in my small town grocery store, and they are always adding new products.  Every month I get my dishwasher tabs, toilet cleaner, face scrub, and drier sheets delivered right to my door.  They also have fabulous items for the home.

Grove is where I ordered this adorable Bubble Up Dish Scrubber.  (Currently $12.95)
How could you not be happy doing dishes with this?


This week my readers are eligible for a fabulous offer when the sign up for Grove Collaborative.

All new customers will receive $40 worth of products free with their first $20 order:

Mrs. Meyer's Holiday Hand Soap
Mrs. Meyer's Holiday Dish Soap

Mrs. Meyer's Hand Lotion

Grove Collaborative Cleaning Caddy
Grove Collaborative Walnut Scrubber Sponges

Shipping & VIP Trial




Existing customers will still receive a free Mrs. Meyer's Handsoap.

*Please note that they currently do not ship to Canada, Hawaii, or Alaska

I recently got out my Mrs. Meyer's peppermint dish and hand soap set.  It really does make me happier when I in the kitchen scrubbing the pans.


You too can save your sanity this new year by not worrying about running out of drier sheets.  You too can be happier this year by knowing that you are making healthy choices for your family and the environment.



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 I hope you can add at least one of these strategies to your New Year routine.

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How do you make yourself happier?



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