How to Keep Your Bachelor Pad Clean and Neat
Being the king of your own bachelor pad comes with many perks, but isn't without its challenges. While most unmarried men want a home that is both functional and stylish, they often don't know the best way to keep it clean and neat. Unfortunately, this ignorance often leads to a cluttered and unappealing living space. Here are some ways to keep your home looking its best.
Keep a schedule.
Cleaning is an annoyance many bachelors avoid -- even those who want to keep their place looking nice. Instead of doing chores when the need arises, consider making them a part of your everyday routine. Sticking to a planned schedule enables you to clean your space when it works best for you, while also helping to form good habits.
Use incentives.
Staying motivated is often a challenge, especially when doing something you don't like. Much like having to clear your plate before you get a tasty dessert, rewarding yourself for keeping your bachelor pad looking its best will help you continue your good behavior. Keep in mind that the size of the reward doesn't matter as long as it keeps you motivated; even small rewards like eating an extra helping at dinner, or watching another episode of your favorite soap opera can help encourage you to keep your place looking great.
Tackle problems in small steps.
Like most people, bachelors procrastinate. This is especially true when it comes to doing large, unwanted chores. Instead, you should keep your place clean one small step at a time. By breaking up your larger projects into manageable bits, you will feel like you are doing less work, which can prevent burnout.
Organize your space.
Having too much clutter makes a space feel small, messy, and uninviting to guests. Although bachelors want to have an attractive home, many don't know how to start organizing their stuff. Grouping your toiletries, tools and other belongings by type is a good first step. Next, do a walk-through of your space to find the ideal place for each type of item. Using clothing hangers to organize your closets and storing your small items in labeled containers are two great time-saving ideas. If cleaning up the clutter in your home is too daunting, consider hiring a professional organizer or asking friends or family to help.
Create a chore list.
Keeping a house clean is hard work, and is made even more unpleasant when doing chores you don't like. But if you have roommates this is a problem that is easily solved. By coming together and creating a chore list that everyone agrees with, you can help keep your place clean while also doing the chores you find the most enjoyable. Also, do your best to avoid the tasks you and your roommates dislike. If you hate washing dishes, for example, consider avoiding large dinner parties and instead have small gatherings with only a few guests.
Stay accountable.
Sticking with your goals is often difficult, and keeping your bachelor pad clean is no exception. Being accountable to someone you trust, whether a family member, friend, or mentor, will help you stay motivated. If you have trouble finding someone willing to hold you accountable, focus on removing everything in your life that could distract you from reaching your goals.
While keeping your home looking clean and neat seems daunting at first, a little know-how and accountability goes a long way. By staying proactive, you can create a home that will always make you proud. It may make you more open to inviting friends in and less worried that others may drop by unexpectedly.