'It's all about little habits' – 3 easy things people with clean living rooms always do for a relaxed sanctuary worthy of spending time in

There's nothing better than a cozy and comfortable living room for reading, watching movies, or catching up with a friend or family member. But, all too often, these high-traffic rooms can wind up dirty.

Luckily, successfully keeping dust, dirt and debris at bay is easy once you know how. All it takes is quick steps to maintain your space, avoiding an ever-growing to-do list by adopting a little and often approach.

Here, professional cleaners share their cleaning tips for the things people with clean living rooms always do – so you too can do as they do.

3 things people with clean living rooms always do

1. Clear clutter daily

When it comes to cleaning a living room, Bryan Griffin, founder of Patriot Maids Cleaning Services, says, 'It's all about little habits.'

'People with clean living rooms make a point of putting things away as soon as they’re done using them,' he explains, which is a key component in both the five messes tidying technique and 'one touch' tidying rule.

This is simple. After watching TV, he advises, pop the remotes back in the drawer. After reading, stack magazines or books neatly, to swerve any coffee table mistakes to avoid.

Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, adds that a clutter-free space instantly makes a living room feel tidy and inviting, with daily tidying preventing mess from piling up. In turn, this makes deep-cleaning the space considerably easier.

'Take five minutes at the end of each day to put away items that don't belong,' she suggests, as part of your closing shift routine. 'Use storage baskets properly, like the OIAHOMY Large Blanket Basket available at Amazon, or try storage ottomans to keep things organized,' she adds.

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Wipe down surfaces frequently

Thoroughly removing dust in a living room can be a tricky task, with it so quickly accumulating on coffee tables, shelves, and TV stands. But, as cleaning expert Karina warns, this can 'make the space look unkempt.'

To avoid this thing professional cleaners always notice in dirty homes, professional cleaner Bryan recommends grabbing a microfiber cloth or Swiffer Duster available at Amazon once a week to go over surfaces, which you should consider when creating your achievable cleaning routine.

'They grab and hold dust, so you're actually removing it, not just pushing it around,' he explains.

You might also want to mix up a homemade cleaning spray to help repel dust long-term, using warm water, olive oil, white vinegar, such as the Great Value Distilled White Vinegar available at Walmart, and dish soap.

3. Keep rugs and floors clean

Finally, as professional cleaner Bryan points out, 'Keeping floors clean is key.' After all, crumbs, pet hair and dirt make a space look and feel far less inviting and relaxing.

'The best vacuums do wonders,' he says. 'I personally like the Shark Navigator, available refurbished at Amazon,' which is a brilliant way to be more sustainable at home. 'It's powerful and great for removing pet hair from fabric and out of carpets, and dust off hard floors.

'A quick run around the room every couple of days keeps things looking fresh.'

Another vital thing people with clean living rooms always do is spot clean spills immediately, which is one of the golden rules of stain removal.

'The sooner you tackle a spill, the better,' advises Bryan. 'I swear by Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover available at Amazon; it lifts stains fast and doesn’t leave a residue. Just spray it on, blot it up, and most times, that’s all you need.'

Meet our experts

Bryan Griffin

Bryan founded Patriot Maids in 2017, which now serves over 2,000 homes annually across 12 major cities.

Karina Toner

Karina is a regular contributor to Homes & Gardens, with extensive knowledge and expertise on both commercial and residential cleaning.

FAQs

Why does a clean room make me happy?

If you're wondering whether a clean house makes you happier, studies have shown that cleaning is a brilliant way to release endorphins, and that a clean and tidy space contributes to a tidier mind. To put it into practice, Chiana Dickson, Solved content editor here at Homes & Gardens recently tried the rage cleaning method, and says it's actually got her looking forward to her next bad mood. Sounds almost too good to be true!

It's all well and good knowing how to clean a living room, and even the things people with clean living rooms always do, but sometimes it's necessary to fake a clean living room. For example, fluff up your cushions and add a fresh fragrance before guests arrive for a welcoming impression when you don't have time to clean.