How to Keep Your Home Clean Between Professional Visits

A professional clean from Zest keeps your home fresh and spotless, but what about in between visits? Life in Austin gets hectic, and staying tidy between cleanings can feel like a challenge, especially with kids, pets, or a busy schedule. Here are simple daily and weekly habits to keep your home looking great until your next clean.

1. Stick to a daily 10-minute cleanup

You don't need hours. A quick 10-minute tidy-up makes a big difference.

• Make the bed, it instantly makes the room feel clean
• Wipe down kitchen counters and the sink
• Wash dishes or load the dishwasher
• Sweep high-traffic areas like entryways and the kitchen
• Put stray items back in place as you go

Pro tip: Set a timer for 10 minutes, put on some music, and tidy as much as you can.

2. Keep cleaning supplies within reach

Quick access to the basics makes it easy to tackle messes early.

• Kitchen: multipurpose cleaner, dish soap, microfiber cloths
• Bathroom: disinfecting wipes, toilet bowl cleaner, glass cleaner
• Living room: a duster and a lint roller for pet hair

Pro tip: Store a small basket of essentials under the sink in each room.

3. Stay on top of laundry

• Sort as you go with separate hampers for lights, darks, and delicates
• Run a load every other day so it never piles up
• Fold and put away right away to skip the laundry chair

4. Manage pet hair and odors

• Brush pets regularly to reduce shedding
• Vacuum high-traffic areas with a HEPA filter to trap dander
• Wash pet bedding weekly to keep odors down

5. Use the one-minute rule

If a task takes less than a minute, do it now. Hang up the jacket, wipe the spill, toss the junk mail. Small messes never get the chance to pile up.

6. Freshen up naturally

• Open windows for fresh air, which Austin's weather allows most of the year
• Simmer lemon peels and cinnamon in water for a natural fragrance
• Use baking soda to absorb odors in carpets and trash cans

7. Create a weekly routine

• Dust furniture and shelves
• Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
• Vacuum and mop floors
• Scrub bathroom sinks and showers
• Change bed linens

Pro tip: Assign different tasks to different days so nothing feels overwhelming.

Let Zest handle the deep cleaning

These habits keep your home fresh, but nothing beats a thorough professional clean. Book your next clean and let us handle the hard work.