Keeping my home and surroundings clean isn’t something I see as a big deal—it’s just a series of small habits I’ve developed over time. I’m not the kind of person who enjoys deep cleaning every weekend, but I also hate living in a messy, dirty space. Besides, if I don’t keep it clean, no one will, since most of the time, it’s just me, my mum, and my little cousin at home. Since my little cousin is only 2 years old, I take care of most of the cleaning myself, making sure the space is safe for all of us.
The first thing i do is, washing the dishes. I would be honest, i don't really like washing dishes but then it is actually one of those chores that can get out of hand really fast if you ignore it for even a day. So what i do is just to try to wash up after eating, or at least before the end of the day. It’s not just about keeping the kitchen looking clean — i have noticed that leaving dirty plates around attracts all those small cockroaches and ants so i always try to avoid that. Plus, there’s nothing worse than waking up to a sink full of dirty dishes first thing in the morning. It just sets a bad tone for the whole day.
Taking out the trash is another habit I’ve gotten used to. I don’t like the sight — or the smell — of a full bin, especially if it’s food waste. It’s one of those chores that feels small, but skipping it for even a day or two can make the whole house start to smell so bad. So on some days, especially when my mum orders me to, I take the trash bin outside. Even when I’m tired, I remind myself that it’s better to handle it now than deal with the consequences later.
Sweeping is also something I do a few times a week. Dust builds up so fast, even when the windows are closed. If people are constantly walking in and out, it’s even worse. So I try to grab the broom and do a quick sweep when I notice the floor is looking rough especially after my little cousin has messed up everywhere with rice grains. I also try to move things around — especially under tables and in corners — so I’m not just cleaning the obvious areas while dirt hides in the spots I can’t see. Some days, I just do a light sweep if I’m too tired, but I’ve realized even that little effort makes a big difference.
Wiping down surfaces is another thing I try to stay on top of, especially in the living room. I basically clean the tables and just the shelf in our parlour that has the dvd player on it. It’s actually surprising how quickly dust, crumbs, or little spills can build up on tables. Even if the floor looks clean, a dirty table can make the whole room feel off especially during dry season whwre everywhere is always dusty. So wha i do is just to grab a cloth and do a quick wipe just to make the table and the living room look more clean and healthy. It’s one of those small things that makes the house feel fresher, even if I haven’t done any serious cleaning.
I’ve also gotten into recycling. Instead of just throwing everything in the trash, I separate plastics and other recyclables like cartons and paper to cut down on waste and prevent pollution. Infact in our house, we do keep the plastic bottles at home to store things like groundnut oil and even red oil and i also use the paper and the plastics as a way to make something useful and creative for the house.
i am actually far from perfect. Some days, I do actually feel weak and exhausted and not feel like doing anything — but I’ve noticed that these little habits, especially washing dishes and taking out the trash, help me keep things manageable. A clean space just makes everything feel better, and honestly, it’s a lot easier to relax when things are in order.
Thanks for reading.