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This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of Hoover®.

One of my favorite things is waking up to a neat, tidy house. There’s something about a clean home that makes the whole day feel off to a good start—especially now that I’m working from home and helping our kids with distance learning every day.

With everyone at home more, keeping up with cleaning habits and routines matters more than ever. More people at home = more messes. The last few months have tested my patience and flexibility when it comes to keeping things tidy. With everyone constantly around, it sometimes felt like a huge effort to keep the house in order. I’m one of those people who gets anxious when the house is messy.

We’ve put a few simple, manageable steps and tools in place to keep things under control. Our home isn’t magazine-perfect, but these habits make it easier to stay on top of the mess so we don’t spend half the weekend cleaning.

9 Daily Habits for Keeping Your House Clean

Make Your Bed Daily
Making the bed instantly makes the room feel neater. That small act often motivates me to pick up a few more things or at least not make a bigger mess. Encourage your kids to make theirs too—it may not be perfect, but it’s a great responsibility for them.

Clean As You Go
This one seems obvious, but many of us don’t do it. Small, quick cleanups throughout the day add up. Wipe counters after prepping food, toss junk mail in recycling right away, have kids put backpacks and shoes away when they come in, and rinse dishes instead of piling them on the counter. Hand-vacuum crumbs after baking or craft sessions. We love our ONEPWR™ Dust Chaser™ Hand Vacuum for quick cleanups—bonus: the kids can use it too!

Keep Supplies Convenient
When basic cleaning supplies are easy to reach, you’ll clean more often. I make sure each bathroom has the essentials and the kitchen and dining areas are well stocked. Having what you need on hand saves time and prevents excuses.

You can’t have multiples of everything, but for vacuums we love Hoover. The ONEPWR™ Evolve Pet™ Cordless Vacuum is great for everyday messes, and the ONEPWR™ Dust Chaser™ Hand Vacuum is perfect for spot cleaning.

The ONEPWR™ Evolve Pet™ Cordless Vacuum is lightweight—under 9 pounds—and cordless, so it’s easy to carry from room to room without dealing with cords. Its removable, rechargeable ONEPWR lithium battery gives steady fade-free power for carpets and hard floors, and the adjustable brush roll and suction settings help tackle different messes. The extra-large dirt cup holds three times as much dirt and pet hair. For our allergy-prone family, the antimicrobial brush roll and pet filter help prevent odor-causing bacteria. I was skeptical about a battery-powered vacuum at first, but it handles tough messes—crumbs and confetti don’t stand a chance.

I also love the ONEPWR™ Dust Chaser™ Hand Vacuum. It’s under 3 pounds and so easy to grab for quick spot cleans. The ONEPWR 2.0 Ah battery gives 2x more suction* with a high-performance digital motor and can run 30+ minutes. It’s been amazing for quick cleanups and the car—so handy that even my kids grab it to help. Anything that gets them involved and eases my load is a win.

Use code: MESSYMEMORIES for 10% off ONEPWR products on Hoover.com (not valid on sale items). Valid until 10/31.

Morning/Evening Blitz Clean
Spend 10–15 minutes in the morning or evening doing a quick tidy. After dinner, I like to put things back where they belong and do a quick counter wipe. With the whole family pitching in, we can get the house in better shape fast. Waking up to a cleaned-up home feels great.

Get Everyone Involved
This is crucial. Cleaning shouldn’t fall on one parent. Give kids tasks and teach them to clean up after themselves. Kids can do so much, like:
– Make their bed
– Set/clear the table
– Fold laundry and put clothes away
– Dust
– Wash windows
– Load the dishwasher
– Pick up toys
– Vacuum
– Sweep and mop
They won’t do everything perfectly, but starting early teaches responsibility.

5 Minute Rule
If a task takes less than five minutes, do it now. Little things often get put off, and finishing them relieves stress and helps keep the house cleaner over time.

One Load a Day
Laundry piles up fast. Doing one load a day has been a game changer. Kids can help fold and hang clothes too.

Progress Over Perfection
Don’t pressure yourself to finish everything in one day. It’s better to maintain the basics and chip away at bigger projects over time. Start small and be consistent—you’ll get more done and have time for other organizing tasks.

Everything Has a Place
I’m still organizing, but giving everything a home cuts down on clutter. Use bins in closets and storage spaces, label them, and you’ll stop searching for things. It feels so much better when things are easy to find.

What’s your favorite cleaning hack?

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Whether you work from home or spend long hours at an office desk, sitting in front of a computer most of the day can wreck your posture and create tension that leads to aches. Even as the pandemic eases, many of us still sit for long stretches, which often results in neck and shoulder pain.

There are lots of ways to ease the stiffness from desk work. Here are simple chair- and desk-friendly yoga moves that help release tension in the neck, shoulders, back and hips—the areas that hold stress when you work on a computer. Just 5–10 minutes of movement or a short midday break can make a big difference. The best part is you can do these stretches while staying at your desk.

For more tips on creating a better home or office workspace, check out my post on Zulily where I share ideas to improve posture and set up a comfortable home office.

Below are several gentle stretches that target the neck, shoulders and back. Adding a few of these chair yoga moves to your day helps get the blood flowing, release stress and give your body some much-needed TLC.

Chair Yoga Stretches You Can Do at Your Desk

Neck Release (loosens the neck and shoulders)
Sit tall with both feet on the floor. Slowly look up, down, left and right. Bring your chin to your chest, then tilt your head toward your right shoulder, keeping the shoulders relaxed (don’t shrug). Hold for 5–10 breaths, feeling the side of your neck stretch. Repeat on the other side.

Seated Cat/Cow (opens the chest and mobilizes the spine)
Sit on the edge of your chair with feet hip-width apart and hands on your knees or thighs. Inhale, lift your chest, broaden your collarbones, and gently look up. Exhale, round your spine, tuck your chin and feel a stretch along your back. Move slowly through 5–10 cycles, or hold each position for a few breaths if that feels better.

Seated Forward Fold (releases the neck, back and hips)
Sit near the front edge of your chair with feet slightly wider than hip-width. Place your hands on your thighs. Inhale, then exhale and fold forward from the hips, letting your chest rest on or between your legs. Let your head and shoulders hang heavy. Inhale to slowly come back up with hands on your thighs.

Shoulder-opening option: Before folding, clasp your hands behind your back. You can hold a towel between your hands for more space. As you fold, lift your clasped hands to deepen the stretch.

Shoulder Stretch
Bring one arm across your chest and use the opposite hand to gently pull the arm toward your body, feeling the stretch across the back of the shoulder. Hold for several breaths, then switch sides.

Desk Downward-Facing Dog (stretches shoulders, chest, hamstrings and calves)
Stand in front of a sturdy desk. Place both hands on the desk edge and step back until your body forms an L shape. Press your chest down and breathe here for a few breaths. This opens the shoulders and stretches the legs.

Crescent Moon (side stretch)
Sit on the edge of your chair with feet hip-width apart. Inhale and reach both arms overhead. Grab your left wrist with your right hand and gently pull to the right on an exhale. Return to center, then grab your right wrist with your left hand and pull to the left. Flow with your breath for about five cycles.

Chair Pigeon (hip opener)
Sit toward the front of your chair with feet hip-width apart. Lift your right knee and hug it toward your chest if that feels good. Cross your right ankle over your left thigh, just above the knee. You’ll feel a stretch in the outer hip. For a deeper stretch, lengthen your spine on an inhale, then fold forward slightly from the hips on an exhale. Repeat on the other side.

Seated Twists (releases lower back, opens chest and shoulders)
Sit on the edge of the chair with feet hip-width apart. Place your left hand on your right knee. Inhale to lengthen the spine, then exhale and twist to the right from your midsection. Turn your gaze toward your right shoulder if it feels comfortable. Hold for five breaths, return to center, and repeat on the other side.

Reverse Happy Baby (deep hip opener)
Sit on the edge of your chair with feet hip-width apart. Inhale to lengthen your spine, then fold forward and bring your body between your legs, tucking your chin. Slide your arms behind your calves and reach for the outer edges of your feet. Use your arms to gently pull your body into a deeper fold. Hold for a few breaths, then inhale to slowly sit back up.

Eagle Arms (upper back and shoulder stretch)
Sit tall and extend your arms out to the sides at shoulder height, then cross your right arm over your left at the elbows. Wrap your forearms around each other and try to bring your palms together. Keep your shoulders down and lift your elbows slightly. Hold for several breaths, then switch sides. To intensify, press the underside of your upper arm onto a desk or table while holding the pose.

Shoulder Circles (improves shoulder mobility)
Reach your arms out to the sides at shoulder level and make slow circles forward a few times, then reverse and circle backward.

When work gets busy, it’s easy to sit for hours without moving. Taking short stretch breaks helps prevent fatigue, reduces tension and keeps your muscles healthy. Try to get up at least once an hour—even if it’s just to refill a water bottle, check the mail or do a quick desk stretch. Your body will thank you for the little bit of care.