15 Cleaning Habits That Transformed My Home

[@laurelarmstrong4535]

Don’t put it down. Put it away. A motto to live by. Thanks for the tips and reminders

[@theresacurrin6395]

Yes. Put it up, not down!

[@noemisolano4748]

When I did a paper declutter, it took me three and a half days to empty 8 totes!! I didn't know I had 8 bins because my bins were in our storage shed which I couldn't access my bins because my husband's stuff was in front of my totes! Once my husband moved his stuff, I took out my totes and got rid of all of my papers. It was so exhausting emptying my totes and shredding! I'm so glad that's over!! Now I shred my papers every day. Now I have less papers. I also constantly look through my clothes and donate any clothing that's not being used. I too wash the dishes while the food is cooking. I also make sure my kitchen is clean and any dishes are washed. So in the morning it's easier to come into the kitchen to cook meals for the new day. I also put things right away in the same place it was before.

[@Chrissyhappy]

My first paper declutter took seven hours and one whole binbag! It was so draining. Now it takes about 30 minutes every six months. Such a relief. I’m in the maintenance stage now too with declutterring. It’s so easy. Enjoyed this and subscribed.😊

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much! I hope you have a nice day.

[@jennyjenkins877]

Going through paperwork was especially exhausting. Not only is it a boring and tedious task but the decision fatigue is real from determining what to do with all those individual pages.

[@nanilong9217]

PAPER my CHALLENGE!!! itIS WHAT i AM TACKLING THIS WEEK... AM TAKING PHOTOS of my ideas/projects MY ART STUDIO TO GO ON PINTRIST ( MY SPEECH THERAPIT THINKS GETTING TH E CLUTTER OUT OF MY STUDIO WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME TO BE CREATIVE!!!, I WONT HAVE TO KEEP MY PHYSICAL PAPERS and supplies- I AM SHARING THOSE WITH ART THERAPISTS THIS WEEK and more as I declutter. YEA!!! WAHOOOOO!

[@clemjohnstone5053]

❤❤❤ Rose

[@BryanRamiro]

It gets easier every day. I started by cleaning at home, which took a few hours too. Today I do this kind of work on a daily basis and get paid a pretty good money (I use the turno app). I mean, it's not exactly paper declutter, as you said, because guests don't usually have things like that, but organizing items in general!

[@beckyshell4649]

I have a large 3 ring binder that I keep my paper work in. I open my mail over the trash ,junk mail goes to trash ,bills are on autopay ,statements go in binder which is emptied at year end .Doing the dishes is the first step in my cleaning process.Clothes are put away straight from the dryer.I do a mad dash quick pick up when my house is starting to look messy.I imagine that I have a guest coming in ten minutes .

[@daisybuchanan5378]

Vacuuming frequently is really worth it. I’m always amazed that though it didn’t look like it needed it, my house did have quite a bit of dust, dirt and crumbs on the floor. It is always worth it.

[@daisybuchanan5378]

Clean as you go is what I’ve always done, and I’ve gotten more and more organized as I’ve gotten older. Having less to manage is key. I add laundry to washer at night and set it to start before I get up. Add add to dryer on my way for coffee in the morning.Laundry is done and put away in the morning.

[@kamloopscruiser874]

You’re so right! A load a day- dishwasher, laundry and garbage became my rule when our first child was born 44 years ago. I added “leave a room better than I find it“, “when in doubt, throw it out”and “do the worst first” later. I need to get some of your shoe boxes - love how they open.

[@shannontorrens1]

I love the saying when in doubt throw it out. I heard this around 15 years ago and thought it was funny, but now I use it all the time =)

[@cathelle7735]

Box shoes : Ikea - very pratical with 2 sizes - very durable - washable

[@Chrissyhappy]

I too do a reset before bed. Empty dishwasher put dried clothes away. Quick mop if needed. Coffee maker set on timer for ten minutes before I get up. Lovely start to the day.😊

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas.=)

[@francinehogsett3065]

Love your channel…..2 mandatory rules I have is making my bed everyday….and all dishes have to be put away at the end of the night….i hand wash find it therapeutic 😂 ….😊❤️

[@filausopoako]

Don’t put it down,put it away is my fave

[@jessicaquiroz7178]

I use to have all these habits when I was younger but now that I’m 48 years old I find I’m getting lazy about a lot of stuff. My New Year’s goal is to be more productive and get my cleaning routines in order

[@shannontorrens1]

There are times when I am not as motivated too. =) I think it matters the season of life we are in.

[@nanilong9217]

Me too!!!...and I was so faithful when I worked routine Habits on Monday and then keep up easily all week...my home here is 2x as big, but my TIA stroke 3+ yrs ago really AFFECTED my Organization s Skills. So my rt brain ARTIST teacher k-12tendencies has struggled in my ART STUDIO!! AND with both of us Retired and together All the time now it is a Challenge to do my ROUTINES!! He has hisRown list of repairs in this 55 yr old house !! so he isnt into helping clean much, but he helps cook a lot! love the idea of Touch it ONCE ( and my hubby of 54+ yrs likes that too when i told him that " Put it Away, Don't put it down!" Also the Space we have Is the Space we HAVE ( our rooms are smaller in this home)so decide what to keep that fits- then do share or toss the rest!!

[@BR-kk9qu]

I am enjoying living with less clutter! For me, one load a day works for me and doesn’t get overwhelming. You are right, make our own laundry rules. Also, making the bed really sets the tone for a more “peaceful “ day!

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas.=)

[@evelynphillips-gutchell8237]

Shannon, this is another soothing yet inspiring video. I am loving your channel and thank you for simple, fun, gentle ideas. Also love your mom--you are blessed :)

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much!

[@Kakapo839]

I’ve put a no advertising Mail sign on our letter box and it’s the best thing. No more junk mail to deal with

[@shannontorrens1]

That is a great idea!!!

[@KristiBranstetter]

I am happy with where I am at in my decluttering journey. So much easier to keep my apartment clean.

[@shannontorrens1]

Love that!

[@annw1395]

Clear kitchen and bathroom counters are the best! They look SO MUCH better and are so much easier to clean! Merry Christmas 🎄

[@j.christian6801]

I decided I was going to get to decluttering after Christmas! Thanks

[@BryanRamiro]

Great video, I loved the tips!

[@maureenshaw737]

You have a gorgeous home and garden Shannon, lovely clean crisp energy

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas.=)

[@maureenshaw737]

@@shannontorrens1 to you and your family too. Best wishes from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@robinwalker299]

I really enjoyed this, it’s helped motivate me to start my reset! I’m currently putting things away from Christmas and decluttering as I go!! Thanks again!!

[@gailwentz8296]

I love the episodes with your mother. She is so funny!

[@Toni-747]

Decluttering journey for almost 1 year! You're a great, inspiring teacher! Merry Christmas & a tidy New Year to you & yours❤

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas.=)

[@sherriepiechowski4556]

Wow 😮you really covered a lot of ground with this video! Merry Christmas 🎄 ♥️🎄♥️🎄♥️🎄♥️🎄♥️🎄

[@shannontorrens1]

Happy holidays!

[@MsSkipperkim]

Good plan when you are young. My problem is having a husband who had to take over for me last year when I almost died. He doesn't remember where some stuff goes in the kitchen. At one point my son had to save my silicon Bundt pan from the smoker. LOL We have 2 twin XLong adjustable beds that we push together. They're so hard to change. It requires both us. The top inside corners are the worst. He spent a month sleeping in the living room when he had shoulder replacement surgery.

[@Tomi-j4s]

We had beds like that. We got hinges that attached the outside upper corners of the bed frames to the headboard. Casters on the legs of the beds let us swing each bed out for bedmaking.

[@marthavanderpool6829]

My in laws had that bed set-up. MIL would use the adjustable feature to help change the sheets! She would raise each corner as she went, putting on that end of the sheet, then lower it back down. Worth a try?!

[@TerryCollinsP31Lifestyle]

Thanks for this video.

[@jemma50]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Shannon, to you and your family. ♥♥♥

[@shannontorrens1]

Merry Christmas.=)

[@jennifersershen927]

The amount of time you will get back once you have your dishwasher will be life changing. I wish I had a quarter of your motivation-goal for 2024. Still getting rid of Knick knacks three years after first starting to decluttering. Great work as always. Happy New Year.

[@bonessam9618]

Merry Christmas to you, Shannon, and to your family. 🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄 Your home always looks so clean and calm. I know it takes effort. I have 1 dog and 2 cats and my boyfriend to clean up after all the time so I know what it's like. 😂 I also love a very small amount of decor...less to dust. 😊

[@shannontorrens1]

Merry Christmas.=)

[@gwenj5419]

I used to sort all my colors by dark, medium, light. Now I just wash it all together except towels\sheets. If I have things I'm worried about bleeding, I throw in a color catcher sheet. You can buy an off brand for very cheap online.

[@rebeccabaron1348]

Great motivation. Laundry… hmmm. Absolutely do what works great for you. I however have made dingy by washing dark colors with light. I have a couple co workers who have also said they don’t sort and wash all together. Sadly, I can tell. 😮

[@1inNUMBER]

So many practical tips. Thank you.

[@shannontorrens1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@helenstewart4050]

I’ve picked up a few tidy ideas from you that have stuck the dishes and making the bed that has helped tremendously ! I also now roll my towels and I love it! I also love plants have taken on that idea with just the plants and no nicknacks much easier and calming ! Thanks Shannon and Have a Merry Christmas 🎄

[@shannontorrens1]

That is awesome! Merry Christmas =)

[@Sunshine-fy4fz]

Great video and helpful tips. I live by the "touch it once" policy - you only touch each item one time, so you're putting it where it belongs from the get-go so you don't have to worry about it later or be forced to see clutter where there should be nothing but clean and clear spaces. Do I sometimes mess up? of course, I'm only human, but then I go back and get the item(s) and put them away immediately so I don't have a bigger chore on my to-do list than needs to be.

[@shannontorrens1]

I love that policy! Thank you for sharing.

[@lindaroyal8161]

Nice recap of all your best tips. Wishing You, Grant, your Boys and Mom, A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you Linda! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year TOO. ❤

[@gailsmail9852]

Hi Shannon, I work for Canada 🇨🇦 Post, up here we can opt out of any unaddressed admail ie flyers-junk mail. It’s called consumers choice program. Check with USPS, I’m sure they would have a similar service. Better for the Environment.

[@shannontorrens1]

I have tried so many times, they just don't do it here. =(

[@juliedavidson5596]

Merry Christmas! Great tips. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas.=)

[@katiemcevoy]

Merry Christmas ❤

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas.=)

[@debbieredhill]

Great habits🙌🏽🙌🏽. Just to let you know, this year we got one of those robot type vacuum cleaners. I thought it was just another silly gadget to have, but my best friend got one and said it was marvellous ! So we got one on offer and WOW! We've not only got the floors clean with hardly any effort ( I say hardly because we put chairs up and move things around so everything gets vacuumed at least once/twice a week or I go with a broom in corners leave it in the middle so gets sucked😂) but how the floors a clean you've even got to dust less as the dust of the floor doesn't go onto the furniture! We even named and talk to it 🤣🤣🤣. Have a lovely Xmas and Happy New Year xxxxx💚

[@shannontorrens1]

I love this idea! My only thought is that we have so many little pieces of lego that would be sucked up hahaha. Maybe in a few years we will be ready for this =)

[@debbieredhill]

@@shannontorrens1 🤣🤣 I don't think so. They'll be shuffled around or you may get the kids to clear up better 🤣🤣🤣. Or you can tell it not to go in their room

[@mrsmama9068]

I’m the same!!! It’s really helped me since I’ve had long covid to clean and tidy one room at a time as Kyvol hoovers the floor at the same time. It encourages you to pick things off the floor (especially if you’re clutterblind like me!) which instantly makes the room look cleaner and tidier.

[@jjo5375]

I L-O-V-E this video, Shannon!!! I'm truly going to begin using your habits...even 1 would be outstanding...'any' 1! Thanks for sharing.

[@shannontorrens1]

Yay! Thank you!

[@sharonevans6864]

Your video's are so inspiring. Thank you for these helpful tips ! Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and New Year. Take care.

[@shannontorrens1]

Merry Christmas =)

[@Arleen1010]

Great video n tips. Loved it. Thanks for the motivation. Merry Christmas to you n your family.

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas.=)

[@allenbeachy3511]

Thanks and Merry Christmas! Anne

[@shannontorrens1]

Happy holidays!

[@sharonshmuel3386]

Wonderful video ! I too don’t have a dishwasher & definitely don’t want one. Wishing you & your family a very happy 🎄Christmas & New Year. lol from Sharon in Israel 🇮🇱 🙏❤️😘

[@shannontorrens1]

Merry Christmas and I hope you have a great New Year too. =)

[@razsbags]

Your house looks great Shannon! You’re an artist. What do you do with the art you make? I’ve decluttered ornaments or put them in the garden so they don’t need dusting. Everything has a purpose.

[@shannontorrens1]

It is so hard to decide what to do with art. Sometimes I sell it or give it away to friends and family that have said they want it. =)

[@JuanGarcia-fi8ud]

Great Video Again As Always 😃

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you! I hope you are doing well.

[@nickorange4881]

i feel mixed feelings about a sink with nothing on it except handsoap. i think when i see a empty space of mine like that im tempted to fill it with something. but im just trying to keep going with the decluttering and hoping at some point i figure out how i want things.

[@cynthiaakacyndsmith6539]

You go girl!! I want to be you when I grow up…. Or I could adopt you all and have you here with me.. I am getting there, my mom kept up like you.. I saw it I just have not been successful doing it. And my youngest is 30…. LOL

[@shannontorrens1]

It's never too late! Also I try my best, but my home isn't always clean =)

[@vernabryant2894]

Dusting is the hardest for me to keep up on.

[@PHBRNTGGR2]

Now I have to figure out what to do with photos. I have so many. I have my grandparents, moms.., and my own. I need a photo scanner so I can scan them all and store on Shutterfly. Then I can print and frame my favourites. Exhausting 👀😩

[@Smithpolly]

You don't need to scan them all before you can print and frame your favourites. Just pick a few that you like ( or even one ) get them scanned and framed. After that, if you have 20 pictures of Grandma standing in front of a blank wall in the same outfit, you could probably choose to only scan one of those pictures. ( Also bear in mind, that even if a picture is a bit blurry , but it's the only one of you in, say, the kitchen of the house you grew up in, that could be one you choose to scan over one of someone that you have no idea who they are.)

[@kathleenj1158]

Merry Christmas! ☺️❤️🎄🙏

[@shannontorrens1]

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful time.

[@jessicaquiroz7178]

I have a question that might sound silly. I noticed you have a curtain on your bottom cabinet. I took the doors off two of my bottom cabinets years ago but I never could find a curtain I liked to fit in the space. My question is did you make the curtain or purchase? If you made it, could you please explain how? And, if you purchased, from where?

[@shannontorrens1]

Yes I made that curtain. I showed making it a few videos ago, but essentially it was just hemming all the sides and then turning one side with enough space for a rod to fit through. =)

[@elisepearson9728]

Great video! Where did you find your drying rack?

[@shannontorrens1]

Those drying mats are sold at home goods, I have also seen them online. =)

[@queenbee7819]

Thank you. You are inspiring. :)

[@shannontorrens1]

Wow, thank you!

[@jessicaluna1574]

I like your entryway table. Where did you get it from?

[@shannontorrens1]

The white table is from lamps plus and the gray buffet we found secondhand 😊

[@conniesmith3922]

Loved it! 🎄🎄🎄

[@shannontorrens1]

Thank you!!

[@goodenoughgirl8102]

Well, ha ha. With my cats I can’t really be sure that my countertops are actually “ready to go” lol. But I did develop a very easy and simple system for that regardless to make my life easier (AND cleaner) lol. With 7 cats (they’re indoor/outdoor), you can pretty much bet that there WILL be stray cat hair floating around, as well as germs, foot dirt, grooming messes, etc. 😅😅 It harmonizes with the general cleaning tho so it’s just about as easy as anyone who doesn’t have cats. Lol. I must be doing pretty good tho as I am much the same way about most things mentioned, most of the time. Lol. And ha ha. Def same for cutting board and knife. And yes a lot of vacuuming lol. Usually tho I’ll pick a room or two on various days and they’ll all be done once or twice a week or so. Lol. Cats tho. All it takes for the kitchen “extra” is a smidge of bleach gel and a handy swifter cloth.

[@JazzyBabe56]

I'm just going to wish a very Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year to you and your family...see you in 2024! ♥

[@shannontorrens1]

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful holiday week. =)

[@carolynoquinn4573]

Shannon, have the Bestest Christmas with your Family! Is your kitchen on your list for next year?

[@shannontorrens1]

Merry Christmas Carolyn =) Well the kitchen has been on the list for a long time LOL. I am hoping we can start on it next year. (fingers Crossed)

[@cynthiaakacyndsmith6539]

I do the handle it once? And deal with it now! I get it . Don’t put it down put it away. Now just to train my MR. OL

[@jamesbriggs5740]

A laundry system works for me. I need a paper system. Kathy B

[@Carlyn-BlossomDixon]

Don't put it down. Put it away! Such a golden rule! We have 9 kids, so that is important.

[@shannontorrens1]

I love that habit! It really helps to keep our home tidy more often.

[@JuanGarcia-fi8ud]

I would invest in a Scanner to Scann all the Kids projects and Put them on USB Card 😃

[@raymondmonaghan4112]

Hi there sweetie pie hope you are well great ideas Merry Christmas to you and your family love from Eugenie your friend xxx 🎄🎁🏡💖

[@shannontorrens1]

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful day.

[@janeweldon8874]

❤

[@lesleyrawlings4209]

Just curious Shannon, do you hanging washing out in nice weather, I ask because I live in England, a long term friend ( sixty years) lives in Georgia.. She was astounded when she visited, that we still hang washing out here..

[@shannontorrens1]

I usually hang some of my nicer clothes because I don't want them to shrink or get worn out too fast. But for most of our stuff, I use the dryer. I think the difference is here most of our dryers are run on natural gas which is really cheap. When I lived in NZ NO ONE used a dryer because they were run on electricity and it was really expensive.

[@lesleyrawlings4209]

Oh I see Shannon, yes we’re electric and it’s really expensive to use the dryer all the time x

[@susan5661]

I’m lucky to have a guest room empty closet (after 3 years of decluttering). I put my clothes in the dryer for 5 minutes then hang them all up in that closet. The next day, they all get put away and a bonus of no ironing 😊

[@pauletteispassingiton943]

I love your dresses

[@biancashearing4926]

Same here! I think they are lovely!!

[@jh-mp8so]

Wow, I've teleported back to the 1950's.

[@Morpha-Ahprom]

💖

[@thelearningstation289]

You learn to make your bed when you are 5 years old, Same as doing homework. 😢

[@StefaniClowdis]

What to do when your husband throws things all over and refuses to pick up/ put away his own mess

[@shannontorrens1]

Hmm well my husband doesn't do this, at least not on purpose. If there are some things left out I will put them away if they are bothering me, BUT I am not the maid for anyone. Everyone must pull their own weight in our house.

[@username00009]

Stefani, I’ve heard of people using baskets, hooks, and/or trays to help corral items that being to others. Dana K. White and Cass the ClutterBug both recommend creating the solution where the mess occurs. Does he look for his keys, wallet, coins, etc. on the kitchen counter? Then put a small tray in that spot and put his things on the tray (even if you are the one putting them on the tray daily). After a while, you may be able to nudge the tray slightly further away, little by little, until it’s in a location you prefer. For keys, the hardware store should sell strong magnetic hooks that you can put on the side of the fridge so it’s conveniently located but not as visually cluttered. If your husband is tall, you may even be able to train him to empty his things into a bowl or basket on top of the fridge. For other items, a basket in the corner of each room could help.

[@AppreciateGoodMessag]

Looks like no one is helping you. That is sad.

[@shannontorrens1]

Well I don't show them in my videos but everyone pulls their own weight. =)

[@lorikegley3327]

❤