How To Keep Your House Clean – A Beginner’s Guide

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23 December 2023

Home & Garden

Your House

Starting the process of tidying up and arranging your home might feel overwhelming, but it’s incredibly rewarding.

A clean, organized space not only brings a sense of calmness but also sets the stage for enjoyable moments with loved ones. 

This beginner’s manual on cleaning and organizing equips you with the essentials to kickstart your journey towards a serene living environment.

So, let’s get started with it.

Step – 1: Begin Your Journey with Something Small

Beginning with a small area can help alleviate the overwhelming feeling of cleaning and organizing your home. For example, starting in just one room or a tiny section within a room can reduce the stress associated with the task. 

Once you’ve tidied up and organized that small space, it tends to inspire further progress. 

It’s like a chain reaction— as soon as you initiate the process, you’ll often find the motivation to continue. The sense of accomplishment from cleaning that initial space acts as a catalyst, propelling you to tackle more cleaning and organizing tasks.

Step – 2: Declutter Your Rooms. All of Them!

Before diving into organizing, it’s crucial to declutter thoroughly. 

Start with a smaller space like your fridge. Empty its content, discarding expired or inedible items. Clean all of the surfaces using a damp cloth and your preferred all-purpose cleaner. 

When clearing out various areas in your home, prioritize keeping only the things you truly need or cherish. If it’s challenging to part with certain items, remember they might serve someone else while giving you more room at home. 

Consider donating or selling belongings you no longer adore. Discard broken, incomplete, or heavily worn-out items. Items that are no longer in use—like old toys, baby gear, clothes, or furniture—can find new homes through donation or sale. 

This decluttering not only creates space for other purposes but also makes it easier to access and appreciate the things you genuinely value and use.

Step 3: Get a Cleaning Caddy for Yourself

Before starting your home cleaning routine, it’s helpful to prepare a portable cleaning kit that you can easily carry around. 

You don’t need a multitude of cleaners or tools—just include what you’ll actually use. Your cleaning kit can be as simple as a bucket, plastic bin, canvas bag with handles, or any larger container that suits your convenience. 

Whether store-bought or homemade, the key is to have a portable solution that suits your needs as you move from room to room.

Step 4: Keep the Surfaces Clean

After completing the decluttering process, it’s crucial to tidy up the space before organizing. Quickly cleaning the area will impart a fresh feel, enhancing the likelihood of maintaining its cleanliness for an extended period.

Here are some cleaning tips that you might need…

  • Create a cleaning caddy for easy access to supplies. 
  • Then clean from higher surfaces downward to catch falling debris as you progress. 
  • Utilize a vacuum attachment to clear drawers, shelves, cabinets, or closets of any remaining debris. 
  • Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe surfaces, ensuring thorough cleaning. Remove any items that don’t belong in the cleaned area.

Step – 5: Organize Everything

The crucial element in home organization is to gather similar items together. 

Whether it’s your refrigerator, pantry, kitchen cabinets, bathroom, living room, kids’ rooms, closets, or garage, arranging items of the same kind is essential for easy access and visibility. Scattered items make it difficult to locate what you need and can lead to clutter. 

By grouping similar items, you create a clear system that helps in both finding items and guiding your family when it comes to tidying up.

I: How to Organize Your Kitchen?

It’s beneficial to begin organizing your kitchen by focusing on a small area first, as this can inspire you to tackle other spaces. The kitchen often serves as the hub of a home and sees frequent use, making it a great starting point. 

Once you’ve sorted out your kitchen, the task of taking care of the rest of your house becomes more manageable. A smart step in this process is to begin with your refrigerator. Streamlining your fridge organization can serve as a catalyst for organizing other areas.

II: Organizing Your Fridge

Arranging your refrigerator involves categorizing similar food items–together for better organization. With adjustable shelves and doors, along with additional bins, you can optimize the space quite easily. Clear plastic bins are particularly helpful as they allow easy visibility of their contents. They’re convenient for accessing snacks, packing lunches, and planning meals. 

Here are examples of foods that should be grouped together either in bins, on shelves, or in drawers for a more organized fridge…

  • Bagged fruits and vegetables 
  • Cheeses and lunch meals 
  • Fresh vegetables and fruits
  • Sauces and condiments 
  • Salad dressings

III: Organizing the Other Parts of Your House

After you’ve sorted one area, take the same approach to the rest of your house. 

Use the refrigerator organization tips as a template for each room: clear out unnecessary items, tidy up, and then arrange everything neatly. 

Remember, the key is to tackle each room gradually to avoid feeling swamped, following the same method each time.

  • If there are any similar types of items available in your house, group them together.
  • Clean the area once you are done with the former step.
  • Get rid of anything and everything that you don’t want to use.

Step 6: Disinfect the Surface Areas and Countertops

Clean the hard surfaces around your home thoroughly, including countertops, appliances, cabinets, doorknobs, light switches, TV remotes, and phones. 

Disinfect surfaces that are commonly touched to reduce the spread of germs. 

Create a natural disinfectant by combining one-fourth to half a cup of white or apple cider vinegar with one cup of water. They’ll work like magic for you.

Make It a Group Activity

Collaborating as a team is a top-notch method for swiftly tidying up a house. Plan ahead with your family for a designated time and distribute specific chores among everyone. 

Joining forces not only injects some enjoyment into the cleaning process but also ensures a sparkling home in no time.

You can also opt for a reputable cleaning service that can help you with the process. It can seem a little more expensive than usual, but it’s much more sustainable per see.

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Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

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how to harvest basil

Everything You Need To Know About Harvesting Basil!

Basil is one of the most popular and versatile herbs you can grow in your garden or indoors. It has a fresh and aromatic flavor that can enhance any dish, from salads and soups to pizzas and pastas. Basil is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just like cilantro. It can benefit your health and well-being. But how do you harvest basil properly so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves?   If these are some of the things you want to know, I have you covered! In this article, I will answer all these questions and more and give you everything you need to know about harvesting basil! So, keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…  How to Harvest Basil Leaves? The first thing you need to know about harvesting basil is when to do it. The best time to harvest basil leaves is in the morning when the plant is still fresh and moist. Avoid harvesting basil in the afternoon or evening when the plant is dry and wilted. 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How to Harvest Basil Without Killing The Plant? Harvesting basil is different from harvesting lettuce or other plants. The process is good for the plant and you, as you can enjoy the fresh and aromatic leaves in your dishes. However, you need to be careful not to harvest too much or too often, as this can harm and kill the plant. Here are some dos and don'ts of harvesting basil without killing it: Do harvest basil from the top of the plant, not the bottom or the middle. This will allow the plant to grow stems and leaves from the lower nodes and maintain its shape and structure. Don't harvest basil from the main stem or cut it too close to the ground. This will damage the plant and prevent it from growing new stems and leaves. Leave at least four to six pairs of leaves on each stem and about an inch of stem above the ground. Do harvest basil gently and carefully, and not roughly or forcefully. This will avoid injuring the plant and exposing it to diseases or pests. Use a sharp and clean tool, such as scissors or a knife, and make clean and smooth cuts. You can also use your fingers to pinch off the leaves but be gentle and precise. Don't harvest basil when it is stressed or unhealthy, such as when it is wilting, yellowing, or diseased. This will weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to further damage. Wait until the plant recovers and looks healthy and green before harvesting. You can also water and fertilize the plant to help it grow and thrive. Do harvest basil when it is young and tender, not old and tough. This will ensure the leaves are fresh, flavorful, and not bitter or woody. Harvest basil when the leaves are about two to three inches long before they curl or turn brown. How to Pick Basil Leaves? Picking basil leaves is another way to harvest and use the leaves in your dishes. You can pick basil leaves with your fingers or with a pair of tweezers, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some tips on how to pick basil leaves. For instance, you can pick it: From the top of the plant, not the bottom or the middle. This will allow the plant to grow stems and leaves from the lower nodes and maintain its shape and structure. From the stems that have terminal buds, not from those that have none. This will prevent the plant from flowering and seeding and producing more leaves. You can also pick some of the lower leaves but leave enough leaves on the plant to allow it to photosynthesize and grow. Gently and carefully, and not roughly or forcefully. This will avoid injuring the plant and exposing it to diseases or pests. Use your fingers to pinch off the leaves or a pair of tweezers to pluck them off. Be gentle and precise, and do not pull or tug on the leaves or the stems. When they are young and tender and not when they are old and tough, this will ensure the leaves are fresh, flavorful, and not bitter or woody. Pick basil when the leaves are about two to three inches long before they curl or turn brown. How to Store Basil Leaves? Storing basil leaves is a great way to preserve and enjoy them for later use. You can store basil leaves in different ways, depending on how long you want to keep them and how you want to use them. Here are some of the best ways to store basil leaves: Refrigerate Them You can refrigerate basil leaves for up to a week, by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and placing them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. This will keep them moist and fresh, and prevent them from wilting or drying out. However, you should not wash them. Freeze Them You can freeze basil leaves for up to six months, by blanching them in boiling water for a few seconds, and then plunging them in ice water to stop the cooking process. This will preserve their color and flavor, and prevent them from browning or oxidizing. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel, and place them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. You can also chop them and mix them with some olive oil, and freeze them in ice cube trays. This will make it easier to use them in soups, sauces, or dressings. Dry Them You can dry basil leaves for up to a year, by hanging them upside down in a warm and dry place, such as a closet or a pantry. This will dehydrate them and concentrate their flavor, and make them last longer. However, you should avoid drying them in direct sunlight, as this can bleach them and reduce their quality. You can also dry them in an oven or a microwave, but be careful not to burn them or overcook them. Once they are dry, you can store them in a glass jar or a spice container, and crush them or grind them before using them. Make Pesto You can make pesto with basil leaves, by blending them with some garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. This will create a delicious and versatile sauce that you can use for pasta, sandwiches, salads, or dips. You can store pesto in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to six months. You can also customize pesto by adding other herbs, nuts, cheeses, or spices, according to your taste and preference. How to Cut Basil? Cutting basil is a simple and easy way to harvest and use the leaves in your dishes. You can cut basil with scissors, a knife, or your fingers, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some tips on how to cut basil: Wash and dry the basil leaves before cutting them to remove any dirt or insects. You can rinse them under running water or soak them in a water bowl with a few drops of vinegar. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel or spin them in a salad spinner. Cut the basil leaves just before using them, to preserve their flavor and aroma. If you cut them too early, they will lose their freshness and wilt. You can also bruise or damage the leaves if you cut them too roughly or with a dull tool. Cut the basil leaves according to the size and shape that you need for your recipe. You can either leave them whole or chop them finely or coarsely. You can also cut them into ribbons or strips, by stacking several leaves together, rolling them up, and slicing them thinly. This is called the chiffonade technique, and it creates a beautiful and elegant garnish. Cut the basil leaves with a sharp and clean tool, such as scissors or a knife, and not with a blender or a food processor. This will avoid bruising or crushing the leaves and releasing their oils and juices. You can also use your fingers to tear or pinch off the leaves but be gentle and careful. How to Use Basil Leaves? Using basil leaves is a fun and easy way to add flavor and aroma to your dishes. You can use basil leaves in different ways, depending on your mood and occasion. Here are some of the best ways to use basil leaves: Fresh You can use fresh basil leaves to garnish and enhance your dishes, such as salads, soups, pizzas, and pastas. Also you can use fresh basil leaves to make salads, such as caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, or Greek salad with cucumbers, feta cheese, and basil. You can also use fresh basil leaves to make drinks, such as lemonade, tea, or cocktails, with basil, lemon, sugar, and water. Cooked You can use cooked basil leaves to flavor and season your dishes, such as sauces, stews, curries, and casseroles. Also you can use cooked basil leaves to make dishes, such as tomato sauce with basil, garlic, and onion, or chicken with basil, cream, and mushrooms. You can also use cooked basil leaves to make breads, such as focaccia with basil, olive oil, and salt, or muffins with basil, cheese, and eggs. Preserved You can use preserved basil leaves to store and enjoy them for later use, such as freezing, drying, or making pesto. Also you can use preserved basil leaves to make dishes, such as pesto pasta with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese, or roasted vegetables with basil, olive oil, and salt. You can also use preserved basil leaves to make snacks, such as crackers with basil, cheese, and honey, or popcorn with basil, butter, and salt. Wrapping It Up! Basil is a wonderful herb that you can grow and harvest in your garden or indoors. It has a fresh and aromatic flavor that can enhance any dish, and a rich and nutritious profile that can benefit your health and well-being. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you can learn how to harvest basil properly, so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves, how to cut basil, pick basil leaves, and store them for later use, and how to use basil leaves in different and delicious ways. Read Also: Some Facts You Need to Know About Rainwater Harvesting Asparagus 101: When, How, And How Often To Harvest? Exploring Ideas For A Biophilic Home Design

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