How do you keep on top of day to day mess?

[1AngelicFruitCake]

I’ve followed Marie Kondo, although I think I need to go through it all again. I understand everything needs a place but how do you know stop day to day mess becoming general mess then an actual, big mess?! 😄
Especially when children at school, by the time I’m in from work, made tea, read with them etc, both of us cleaning a bit then time together in the evening etc. Is it about devoting more time in the evening to tidying/sorting?

Surely it’s easier when the kids are at school when they aren’t there for the bulk of the day?
Are you talking mess or cleaning?

I don't go to bed before everything is put away. Dd (5) put her toys away while I bathe baby dd and then I just scoot round and put anything else away once older dd is in bed. We have an allocates storage box for each kind of of toy, and I also get her to do a half time tidy up before dinner so it's not too much. Then once both kids are asleep.i also put away the clean and dry dishes from the drainer and put away and laundry - kids clothes get done the following day but will be sorted I to piles at night so it's a 1 minute job. Anything else gets put away as it's used so not loads of stuff each day. Oh, kitchen gets wiped down after each meal (baby led weaning so necessary at the moment)

I think the problem when they’re at school and I’m at work (teacher) is that we’re all busy and I’m letting little things slip e.g. not clearing my bag out properly so there’s mess, not sorting through and immediately giving away clothes they’ve outgrown.
I just don’t understand how we have so much stuff and I feel like I’m constantly tidying up

Thanks both, maybe I just need to be more on top of it. I think we have too much stuff!

At the end of each season put aside an afternoon to sort clothes and toys- have your other half take the kids out.

As for cleaning, no time for one big clean like pre kids, so I do the odd thing when I can. One night hoovering the stairs whilst the bath runs, another night dust our bedroom whilst dinner cooks.

I have friends and their houses are like show homes, mine is not! But I think little things make a big difference. I hang my coat up on the peg (not back of chairs) and kids do the same with some nagging! Same for shoes and bags. When they're finished playing with something it needs to be tidyed away before pulling something else out, i sort post when I get it and circulars go straight into recycling. Dishes get done straight away and I do laundry everyday. This makes me feel like I'm in top if things a bit, then clean the likes of the bathroom and floors at the weekend.

I am like you, op during term time. Once a day10 minute tidy up by all family members helps. Never go anywhere with empty hands, carry things back to right place. A stairs basket to put things in for upstairs. Use of dead time - eg while kettle boils, wipe down sides. Do one small cleaning job a day. It's not easy to be consistent but makes a massive difference. 5 minute hoover with the cordless hoover each night.

I spend 10-15 minutes before bed tidying up. Dishes away, sofa cushions straightened, sweep floors, put laundry away or put a load on to wash overnight - I go to bed to a clean house, basically.

Once you're on top of it, it really doesn't take long at all. Every morning I hoover downstairs (four animals) and make sure the breakfast dishes etc. are washed before I head to work.

everything having a home really helps. Its when things get just put down it can look scruffy.

Also, seeing a job through to completion! Cutting corners is a slippery slope