June 2025

My Daily Cleaning Routine: The One-Hour Hack That Keeps My Home Tidy

Keeping a clean home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. My biggest cleaning hack is simple but effective: having a daily cleaning routine. Instead of spending hours deep cleaning once a week, I dedicate just one hour a day to maintaining my home. This system keeps everything manageable and prevents messes from piling up.

If you’re looking for a realistic way to keep your home clean without spending all day scrubbing, here’s exactly how I do it!

My One-Hour Daily Cleaning Routine

Every day, I set aside one hour for cleaning. I follow the same structure each time, which helps me stay focused and efficient. Here’s my breakdown:

1️⃣ Start with Laundry (5 Minutes)
Before I do anything else, I throw a load of laundry in the washer. It’s a quick and easy task that sets my cleaning session in motion. Plus, by the time I finish my hour, it’s usually ready to be switched to the dryer.

2️⃣ Clean the Kitchen (20 Minutes)
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so I always dedicate the most time to it. I:
✔ Wipe down counters and appliances
✔ Load/unload the dishwasher
✔ Clean the sink
✔ Sweep or spot-clean the floor

3️⃣ Tidy the Living Room (10 Minutes)
Next, I move to the living room for a quick reset. I:
✔ Put away clutter
✔ Wipe down surfaces
✔ Fluff pillows and straighten blankets
✔ Do a quick vacuum or sweep if needed

4️⃣ Tackle a Bathroom (10 Minutes)
With three bathrooms in my home, I pick one per day to clean for ten minutes. Over the course of a few days, all the bathrooms get attention without feeling like a huge chore. My bathroom tasks include:
✔ Wiping down sinks and counters
✔ Scrubbing the toilet
✔ Spot-cleaning mirrors
✔ Emptying trash bins

5️⃣ Pick a Bonus Room (10 Minutes)
For the last part of my hour, I choose a different room to clean. This could be:
✔ My office
✔ My bedroom
✔ The guest bedroom
✔ The main hallways

This rotating approach keeps every space in my home tidy without requiring a full deep-cleaning session.

My Favorite Cleaning Hack: Entertainment! 🎧

To make my cleaning time more enjoyable, I always have something to listen to. Whether it’s:
📺 A YouTube video
🎧 An audiobook
🎶 A fun playlist

…having entertainment makes the time fly by, and I actually look forward to my cleaning session instead of dreading it.

Why This Routine Works

It’s only an hour. It feels manageable, and I stay motivated since I know I won’t be cleaning all day.
It prevents messes from piling up. Instead of deep-cleaning once a week, I maintain a clean home every day.
It keeps my home guest-ready. No last-minute panic when someone’s coming over!

If you’re struggling to keep up with housework, try breaking it into a daily one-hour session like I do. It’s simple, effective, and keeps your home looking great with minimal effort!

Do you have a daily cleaning routine? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your favorite cleaning hacks!

June 2025

1,000 Hours Outside – Why I’m Ditching Screens for the Great Outdoors

After starting my digital detox, I stumbled across the 1,000 Hours Outside movement, a challenge encouraging families to swap screen time for outdoor time. I was instantly hooked.

As a mom and a writer, I knew this was exactly what I needed. So, I made it a personal goal: spend at least 2.5 hours outside every day to hit 1,000 hours in a year.

Why Spend 1,000 Hours Outside?

Research shows that outdoor time benefits both kids and adults:
✅ Improves mental health
✅ Boosts creativity
✅ Regulates sleep cycles
✅ Strengthens family bonds

For me, it also served as a reminder to disconnect from digital noise and reconnect with the world around me.

How We Make It Work

  1. Daily Walks – Whether it’s a stroller walk or a hike, we make fresh air a priority.
  2. Picnic Meals – Eating outside adds a little magic to the day.
  3. Outdoor Play – Instead of TV time, my son and I play at the park or in our backyard.
  4. Nature Adventures – Even a simple trip to throw rocks in a creek feels like an adventure.

The Impact So Far

Since committing to this challenge, I’ve noticed a huge shift. My son is happier, I feel less stressed, and my creativity is thriving. Plus, nothing beats the feeling of sunshine on your skin.

If you’re feeling stuck in a screen rut, I highly recommend giving this challenge a try. Have you heard of 1,000 Hours Outside? Let’s chat in the comments!