Running a household can be a challenging task, especially when you are looking after multiple people. The daily tasks such as laundry, cleaning, and yardwork, can consume all your free time, leaving you exhausted and unproductive. However, there are some simple changes that you can make to ensure that these necessary tasks are completed efficiently and with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on what you really want to do.

1. Pick up the “one bag a day” decluttering habit
Decluttering can add to your daily household task, but only if it is done in big bursts. Instead, try picking up the “one bag a day” decluttering habit. Take a small plastic bag, such as the ones you get at the supermarket and spend five to ten minutes walking through your house, taking out clutter that you no longer need. Make it a goal to fill up a bag every day, and you’ll be amazed at how much excess stuff you have. Some items can be donated, while others need to be trashed or recycled.

2. Assign people to tasks or areas
If you are living with other people, it’s important to ensure that everyone is contributing to household work. This could be in the form of specific tasks or areas for each individual to maintain. For example, one person may be responsible for keeping the living room tidy, while another person takes out the trash. This will ensure that the workload is fairly distributed, so one person isn’t overloaded with all the work.

3. Repeat favorite meals and snacks
The internet offers a vast repository of recipes and food blogs, giving you plenty of options to choose from. However, it’s okay to repeat your favorite meals and snacks. By having a list of tried-and-true meals, you can stock up on the ingredients, which will save you time and stress in the long run.

4. Stock up on your favorite meal supplies and prep in bulk
If you have a list of your favorite meals, take it a step further by shopping and prepping in bulk. Prepping twice as much will save you time in meal prep, and you can refrigerate or freeze the extra ingredients. This will also ensure that you always have your favorite meals readily available.

5. Do the dishes before bed
Leaving dishes in the sink at night can make the situation worse in the morning. Instead, make it a nightly habit to spend 10 minutes washing or loading dishes in the dishwasher. Staying on top of dishes is a small thing that can make a big impact on your energy and how in control you feel of your household.

6. Set up an inbox for everyone in your household
Handling paper mail, bills, invitations, and other papers can be overwhelming. Designating an inbox for each person in your household can streamline the process. When the paper mail comes, or information gets brought home, stash it in the appropriate inbox. You’ll know where it is and not have to shift piles of paper every time you want to eat at the table.

7. Divide regular household tasks into a daily chore list and a weekly task list
Write down all of your regular household tasks and decide which ones need to be done on a daily basis. Write those down on something visible, such as a refrigerator or a notice board, creating your daily chore list. The remaining tasks should be added to a weekly task list.

8. Handle your weekly household tasks with a 1:1 approach
During the week, complete your daily chore list and add one task from your weekly household task list. On the weekend, dedicate an hour on Saturday to finish the remaining tasks. If there are still tasks left, add another hour on Sunday to complete them. By dividing tasks in this way, you can accomplish them without feeling overwhelmed.

9. Handle cleaning like a pro
Save time and effort while cleaning by starting from top to bottom. Tackle the dirtier parts of the house first and work your way down. Use cleaning sprays and solutions that are suitable for multiple surfaces. Remembering the concept of “a stitch in time saves nine” can reduce your effort of cleaning up any messes that come up.

Running a household can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to consume all your time and energy. By implementing the nine habits mentioned above, you can stay on top of the necessary tasks with minimum effort, leaving you free to enjoy your time with family and friends.