My Messy House Rules That Keep Everything Clean & Tidy

Let’s be real—keeping a clean home in Chicago isn’t easy. Between busy work schedules, unpredictable weather, and the constant track of dirt from the city streets, your space can quickly feel chaotic. That’s why I’ve put together a handful of messy house rules that make it easier to stay tidy without working harder. These are real, lived-in tips that have helped my own home stay spotless—and they can help you, too.

Color-Coded Towels For Everyone

In my house, every family member has their own colored bath towel. This simple hack means when you’re in the shower, you know exactly which towel is yours—no more accidentally drying your face with someone else’s towel. But the real magic? It stops people from leaving wet towels on the floor. Everyone knows who the culprit is, so they’re way more likely to hang it up. If you’re looking for apartment cleaning tips that actually stick, this one’s a game changer.

Flat Surfaces Are Hot Lava

Here’s a rule that transformed my home: all flat surfaces are hot lava. That means if you set something down on the counter or table, it’ll burst into flames—unless you have a raft. A raft can be a tray, a basket, a shallow container, or even a hook. This forces everyone to put their stuff in a designated spot instead of cluttering every surface. Need fast cleaning services to handle the deep stuff? We’ve got you covered.

The Walls Are Hot Lava Too

I’m serious: please don’t touch the walls. Nobody wants to wash walls, and once those fingerprints and scuff marks appear, it’s a hassle to clean. This rule keeps the walls looking fresh without extra work. If you ever need deep cleaning help, Jikas Cleaning can handle even the trickiest spots.

No Shoes in the House

This might be a Canadian thing, but honestly, it’s one of the best rules we’ve ever implemented. We take shoes off immediately when we walk in the door and kick them into a cubby. That simple habit means I don’t have to clean the floors as often—no grime or dirt tracked in from the streets. If you’re searching for a cleaning service near me to help with the deeper work, this rule makes it easier for everyone.

Run the Robot Vacuum Every Day

I know it sounds extra, but running our robot vacuum daily has been a lifesaver. It picks up dust, crumbs, and pet hair so the floors always look decent. Pair this with professional home cleaning visits, and your space will stay fresh without you lifting a finger.

Close the Kitchen Every Night at 10 PM

This one might be controversial, but we have a strict rule: the kitchen closes at 10:00 p.m. I have teenagers, and I used to spend time cleaning the kitchen before bed only to wake up to a mess. Now, they might still sneak a snack, but they clean up after themselves—so I never even know. It’s a smart way to keep the kitchen tidy without micromanaging. If that feels like too much, you can always book an appointment with us to reset your space.

Why These Rules Work

Each of these messy house rules is designed to keep your home clean and tidy without extra effort. They’re not about perfection—they’re about creating habits that make daily life easier. I’ve transformed my home with three kids using these strategies, and I know they’ll help you, too. Whether you’re looking to clean your apartment before guests arrive or just need a reset, these tips are your starting point.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or just want help cleaning my place, remember that you don’t have to do it all alone. As a trusted Chicago cleaning company, Jikas Cleaning specializes in making homes sparkle—even on the busiest weeks. From cleaning services in Chicago to routine maintenance, we’re here for you.

If you’re inspired by these tips and want even more ideas, check out my YouTube channel, Clutterbug, for all my sometimes strange but always effective messy house rules. And if you ever need someone to clean my apartment or get a home cleaning service, we’re just a click away.

These are my messy house rules that keep everything clean and tidy all the time. We have a different colored bath towel for every single family member. This means when you’re in the shower and you’re reaching for a towel, you know which one is yours, and you’re not going to accidentally dry your face with a towel someone else used for their body. But more importantly, it stops people from just dropping and leaving their wet towels all over the floor because everyone will know who the culprit is and you’re more likely to hang it up. Another house rule, all the flat surfaces are hot lava, which means if you put something down, it will burst into flames unless you have a raft. A raft can be a tray or a basket. Any shallow or even big container to put your stuff. Heck, even hooks count. And also, the walls are hot lava. Please don’t touch them. Nobody wants to wash walls. Another crazy rule, no shoes in the house. This might be a Canadian thing, but honestly, we take them off immediately when we walk in the door. I just kick them into a cubby. So, it’s not any work, but now I don’t have to clean the floors from all the grime and dirt that’s been brought in on the bottom of shoes. And of course, a rule, run that robot vacuum every single day. This one might be controversial, but we close our kitchen every night at 10:00 p.m. Why? I have teenagers, and I would spend time cleaning the kitchen before bed just to wake up to a mess. Now, they might still sneak a snack, but they clean up after themselves, so I’ll never know. All of these rules are meant to keep your house clean and tidy without you having to work harder. It transformed my life, even though I have three kids, and I know it’ll work for you, too. If you’re feeling inspired, check out my YouTube channel, Clutterbug, for all of my sometimes strange, but always effective messy house rules.